he likes playing all these sports, but at 8 the weekly games/practices commitment are increasing, so we would like him to choose just one sport and stick with it, instead of spending more and more time doing sports. since he has no clear preference i wanted to know if baseball is the best fit for him.

Some kids like sports, just not at a very competitive level and 4 times a week. Just because they aren't dreaming about being a superstar all day long, doesn't mean they don't like the sport.

It sounds like the parents want the kid to play more than the kid does. As PP said, give it up.

Does he want to play or do you want him to play? If the latter, please give up now. If you want him moving, change the family dynamics and get moving yourself, but do not put a kid who doesn't want to play through the torture of making him play.

Formerly fat kid who was forced to play for years.

Winter swimming would be great! There are many winter swim teams with "clinics". Look at Machine Aquatics or Curl Burke (I forget the new name) or if in VA York or AAC. Your DS can gain a lot of confidence by dropping time during the season. There is a great team atmosphere at the meets and potential for water polo in the future.

I think I missed the explanation of why a "non-athletic" boy needs to be pushed into sports at all. Perhaps he'd prefer an academic team experience and some other form of exercise that doesn't involve a culture doesn't suit everyone?

No! It is the worst! You are either doing nothing or else ALL EYES ARE ON YOU!

Better he does something like soccer where there are lots of teams filled with mediocre athletes and no single play determines the game.