That sounds like Dynamos Cricket for 8-11 year olds.
Lots of clubs in England and Wales run it. We have over 30 children that attend on a Friday night. Which for a small valleys village side is good going. I know Cardiff have 100s of children in their systems.
I know when we start we have lots of children asking what sport is this? and have next to no knowledge of it. So i dont think kids these days are going out and playing off their own back, i would imagine this is a case of lack of TV coverage.
in my experience the kids enjoy the game when they are playing it.