Here's the way it really is....

My kids have definitely said on more than one occasion that they want to quit.  But this is usually when they are having to miss a sleepover or birthday party because of a tournament, or when it is 100 degrees outside and they have to practice.  But when they get to practice or a tournament, they seem to forget that just 30 minutes prior they were upset becuase they had to go. 

I don't think I am pushing them to hard, I am just trying to fill their time with something besides sitting on the couch eating bon-bons...

I am not pushing them to do anything they are not capable of doing.  They are smart kids, and any grade lower than an A is due to laziness and not turning in an assignment.  They both tested out as exceptional, so my expectations are high for them academically, as there is no reason they should not get straight A's in elementary and junior high school. 

Softball is their chosen extracurricular activity and they are very good at this as well.  I am not looking for them to go play professionally anywhere.  I just want them to not have to pay for college.  Whether this is academically or athletically, their skills are just a tool they can use for free education, no more, no less!
But what it really comes down to is that I see entirely too many children, who do nothing but sit around and watch television or play video games.  Our youth are becoming very lazy (and obese) and I do not want that lifestyle for my children.

So I will keep pushing them and continue to be their external motivator!