Costs of playing - Page 2 - Tons of softball drills, softball tips, and advice on softball hitting, softball pitching, coaching softball, softball training, and more.

Amy in AZ. · 07-09-2008, 03:28 PM

I believe that most HSs still accommodate students that want to pursue 3 sports. My DD did not do TB when she was doing HS sports. Softball was in the early spring and then, summer ball didn't start until school was out.

She was in band for awhile, too.

It is the stuff outside of HS, that conflicts.

3'sDad · 07-09-2008, 06:48 PM

Our town did travel ball for the 1st time this season.....our family did the G&A work on setting up the team, budgeting, practice field scheduling, insurance and fund raising for the team to make sure every girl who tried out and was selected could play....our fundraising covered 100% of the expense.

The team played in two local tournaments (entry fees), had to buy uniforms, 1st aid equipment, player liability insurance and ice/water for the games.....the coaches (not affiliated with our league) volunteered their time and equipment as it was outside of our league play....the bill came to $1,500 for 12 girls for 6 weeks.....it was a great success and we're looking to do it again next season and add another 2-3 local events - this would add about another $1,000 to the cost for entry fees.

kenkrause · 07-10-2008, 04:41 AM

I agree those costs seem excessive, especially at 10U. I'd question if you really need to be spending that kind of money at this age. Are there other teams around you can join?

I haven't experienced this with softball, but I did in soccer with my son. $1,500 basic fee, then we got charged a tournament fee and a coach's fee for every tournament. As I recall coach's fee was $35 per player.

The kicker (no pun intended) was this program had one or two "professional" coaches covering three or four teams at a tournament. They were staying in the same $85 a night hotel we were, so eventually the parents began adding things up and wondering why we were being charged roughly $2,100 to cover $510 worth of hotel bills. Especially when we weren't exactly ripping it up on the field.

While my son enjoyed the guys on the team and loved playing, we probably could've gotten the same overall value for a lot less. And he was high school age at the time.

Look around and make sure you're getting the best value for the money. There are likely many options.

CoachB25 · 07-17-2008, 09:20 PM

Our fees for the 16U team my dd plays on started at $750. We have played on the road 4 weekends, will do so again this weekend and then Nationals in Kansas. Rates typically are $85-$90 for hotels per night, 2 meals each day and all of the extras. Then, there is the gas expense. Yes, it is expensive. However, the time you spend with your child is priceless. I only have one child and so, for us, we'd spend any amount for her happiness. Some think that this expense could exceed any benefits of a college scholarship. Who care? That is not why we do it.

Amy in AZ. · 07-19-2008, 09:48 PM

CoachB25 - I like your location. I imagine that many softball parents could put down their location as "Ford F250."

bgecoach · 07-20-2008, 06:05 PM

my teams intial cost is $200.00. this covers five tournaments, one uniform, insurance and 12 games in a travel team league. we had an additional $30.00 for our second uniform for a total of $230.00.

Four of our tournaments are local and we had one that was two hours away. this helped keep down the cost of gas, hotel rooms, food etc... of course i do have some girls on the team that travel a pretty good distance to play for us but for the local players and their families i would guess total costs to be less than $500.00, not including personal equipment. i'm sure the girls that travel farther for practice, games and tourneys may pay as much as double that.

we are an 18u team and we have four players that will play college on scholarship next year. we play all of the top teams from this area and all of the girls will benefit greatly from the season. i know girls that pay considerably more than what our team costs and travel a long distance to play for teams that i don't see them getting anymore benefits from.

CoachKevin · 07-22-2008, 07:51 PM

Our fees this year were 370, this covered uniforms, ASA registration, & 8 tournaments.

I tell the new parents that think OMG about the cost, is that you get your money's worth out of it. We practice 2-3 nights a week, play in our local P&R league, I usually set up 4-6 practice games as well, and play in 8 local tournaments. Being in Oregon we don't have that much time to get all this in before the liquid sun starts falling again, so far we average about 50 games a year.

fivepotsogold · 07-24-2008, 01:10 AM

I have a DD (7/98) .. Premier soccer was $750 last year..same this year...
.....she could make a Pemier U12 ($2,000, all year)...but what is the point? For young girls much of this is social.
Her town Tavel soccer costs about $250 for Fall/Spring sessions and two indoor winter sessions. Clothes Equip another $75.

Both my DD's (DD 4/96, DD 7/98) play rec softball and the fees, equip run, fall ball, other clinics in town run about $250 each per year.

The 12U Travel softball clubs here charge around $750 ... any travel costs are ours to deal with. Most require 40 minute drives for practices...games in Ct, RI, NY, Ma. Mostly day trips other than the Ohio thing.

We have an almost 4 year old daughter and two sons as well.......
...each year the cost get higher!

mitts60 · 07-24-2008, 04:53 AM

Our cost this year is $30 per girl for eight tournaments. That money went towards the uniforms. The total uniform cost was $85.

We are very lucky to have eight good sponsors (at least $100). We have one really good sponsor ($600). A couple of Grandpa Sugar Daddies at $200. We have more sponsors than a Nascar Team. That is what it takes and the sponsors understand.

A bake sale took in almost $1000 and we just got done with a Pampered Chef fund raiser that looks like it will make $350. It helps to have talented, hard working parents.

We play USSSA and ASA C tourneys which are a little less than the B's.

softball33 · 07-24-2008, 03:00 PM

Thanks for the input. We tried it for a couple of months. We're now looking for another team. My DD is only 10 and we just couldn't see paying 300-400 a month for the next 8 years. It would be a little different if she was 14, 15, or 16 and we realized that she's going to play college ball somewhere. At that point, we could look at getting her with some coaches who have played at that level and have the knowledge to get her ready for the next step.

07-09-2008, 06:48 PM	#12 (permalink)
3'sDad Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Morristown, NJ Posts: 26	Costs of Playing Our town did travel ball for the 1st time this season.....our family did the G&A work on setting up the team, budgeting, practice field scheduling, insurance and fund raising for the team to make sure every girl who tried out and was selected could play....our fundraising covered 100% of the expense. The team played in two local tournaments (entry fees), had to buy uniforms, 1st aid equipment, player liability insurance and ice/water for the games.....the coaches (not affiliated with our league) volunteered their time and equipment as it was outside of our league play....the bill came to $1,500 for 12 girls for 6 weeks.....it was a great success and we're looking to do it again next season and add another 2-3 local events - this would add about another $1,000 to the cost for entry fees.

07-10-2008, 04:41 AM	#13 (permalink)
kenkrause Super Moderator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mundelein, IL Posts: 221	I agree those costs seem excessive, especially at 10U. I'd question if you really need to be spending that kind of money at this age. Are there other teams around you can join? I haven't experienced this with softball, but I did in soccer with my son. $1,500 basic fee, then we got charged a tournament fee and a coach's fee for every tournament. As I recall coach's fee was $35 per player. The kicker (no pun intended) was this program had one or two "professional" coaches covering three or four teams at a tournament. They were staying in the same $85 a night hotel we were, so eventually the parents began adding things up and wondering why we were being charged roughly $2,100 to cover $510 worth of hotel bills. Especially when we weren't exactly ripping it up on the field. While my son enjoyed the guys on the team and loved playing, we probably could've gotten the same overall value for a lot less. And he was high school age at the time. Look around and make sure you're getting the best value for the money. There are likely many options. __________________ Mundelein Thunder 18U Danes Fastpitch Contributing editor, Softball Magazine Life in the Fastpitch Lane

07-24-2008, 01:10 AM	#18 (permalink)
fivepotsogold Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 167	Fees Costs I have a DD (7/98) .. Premier soccer was $750 last year..same this year... .....she could make a Pemier U12 ($2,000, all year)...but what is the point? For young girls much of this is social. Her town Tavel soccer costs about $250 for Fall/Spring sessions and two indoor winter sessions. Clothes Equip another $75. Both my DD's (DD 4/96, DD 7/98) play rec softball and the fees, equip run, fall ball, other clinics in town run about $250 each per year. The 12U Travel softball clubs here charge around $750 ... any travel costs are ours to deal with. Most require 40 minute drives for practices...games in Ct, RI, NY, Ma. Mostly day trips other than the Ohio thing. We have an almost 4 year old daughter and two sons as well....... ...each year the cost get higher!

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07-09-2008, 03:28 PM	#11 (permalink)
Amy in AZ. Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 195	I believe that most HSs still accommodate students that want to pursue 3 sports. My DD did not do TB when she was doing HS sports. Softball was in the early spring and then, summer ball didn't start until school was out. She was in band for awhile, too. It is the stuff outside of HS, that conflicts.

07-17-2008, 09:20 PM	#14 (permalink)
CoachB25 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Intersection Interstates 55, 70, & 270 Posts: 34	Our fees for the 16U team my dd plays on started at $750. We have played on the road 4 weekends, will do so again this weekend and then Nationals in Kansas. Rates typically are $85-$90 for hotels per night, 2 meals each day and all of the extras. Then, there is the gas expense. Yes, it is expensive. However, the time you spend with your child is priceless. I only have one child and so, for us, we'd spend any amount for her happiness. Some think that this expense could exceed any benefits of a college scholarship. Who care? That is not why we do it.

07-19-2008, 09:48 PM	#15 (permalink)
Amy in AZ. Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 195	CoachB25 - I like your location. I imagine that many softball parents could put down their location as "Ford F250."

07-20-2008, 06:05 PM	#16 (permalink)
bgecoach 1st base coach Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: in the dugout Posts: 65	my teams intial cost is $200.00. this covers five tournaments, one uniform, insurance and 12 games in a travel team league. we had an additional $30.00 for our second uniform for a total of $230.00. Four of our tournaments are local and we had one that was two hours away. this helped keep down the cost of gas, hotel rooms, food etc... of course i do have some girls on the team that travel a pretty good distance to play for us but for the local players and their families i would guess total costs to be less than $500.00, not including personal equipment. i'm sure the girls that travel farther for practice, games and tourneys may pay as much as double that. we are an 18u team and we have four players that will play college on scholarship next year. we play all of the top teams from this area and all of the girls will benefit greatly from the season. i know girls that pay considerably more than what our team costs and travel a long distance to play for teams that i don't see them getting anymore benefits from.

07-22-2008, 07:51 PM	#17 (permalink)
CoachKevin Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 14	Our fees this year were 370, this covered uniforms, ASA registration, & 8 tournaments. I tell the new parents that think OMG about the cost, is that you get your money's worth out of it. We practice 2-3 nights a week, play in our local P&R league, I usually set up 4-6 practice games as well, and play in 8 local tournaments. Being in Oregon we don't have that much time to get all this in before the liquid sun starts falling again, so far we average about 50 games a year.

07-24-2008, 04:53 AM	#19 (permalink)
mitts60 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 8	Our cost this year is $30 per girl for eight tournaments. That money went towards the uniforms. The total uniform cost was $85. We are very lucky to have eight good sponsors (at least $100). We have one really good sponsor ($600). A couple of Grandpa Sugar Daddies at $200. We have more sponsors than a Nascar Team. That is what it takes and the sponsors understand. A bake sale took in almost $1000 and we just got done with a Pampered Chef fund raiser that looks like it will make $350. It helps to have talented, hard working parents. We play USSSA and ASA C tourneys which are a little less than the B's.

07-24-2008, 03:00 PM	#20 (permalink)
softball33 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 38	Thanks for the input. We tried it for a couple of months. We're now looking for another team. My DD is only 10 and we just couldn't see paying 300-400 a month for the next 8 years. It would be a little different if she was 14, 15, or 16 and we realized that she's going to play college ball somewhere. At that point, we could look at getting her with some coaches who have played at that level and have the knowledge to get her ready for the next step.