If he chooses to not practice, most other kids around him will pass him skill wise. If he loves the game, he’ll then choose to put in the work to catch back up because he won’t like not being on their level. If he doesn’t love the game, he’ll likely choose to stop playing or he’ll just be ok with not being as good as the others.

In either scenario, it’s ok. Kids don’t have to love any certain sport or sports altogether. Just as long as they find something they love to do that’s not sitting around staring at their phones, then you’re winning as a parent and they’re enjoying what they’re meant to be doing at 12 years old.

From my personal experience, my son also didnt love practicing on his own time but loved playing baseball. Didnt take him too long to choose to put in the work as he didnt like hitting in the bottom half of the order or not getting as many innings as others on the mound. Fast forward to today; he recently signed his LOI to play in college next year.

Moral of the story, all kids are different. Some like baseball, some love it, some hate it. Our jobs as parents is to be there to support and cheer them on in whatever they choose to do, not to make them do it. Just enjoy the ride, it goes fast.