Travel Ball costs

[lackofspeed]

Besides dealing with parents, I'm assuming that the biggest hurdle for most travel teams are costs and expenses? I've done some searching on the site but I was looking for some more concrete answers to help me gauge what will be needed to get started. My 8U team is part of an organization that has already been formed and we play primarily FASA and USFA.

We are leaning towards 6 tourneys each season, running anywhere from 150-250 each (fall ball and spring/summer session). The older teams provide 2 jerseys and a bat bag to each girl. (they get to keep for life). As far as equipment, what are your must haves or equipment to avoid? We have invested in 2 hit away nets, a few tees, a few dozen softballs and whiffle balls. I'm going to add tennis balls to help develop their catching skills, but those costs are relatively low, so I've taken care of them already.

So what else should we ask for in fees? Tournaments, uniforms, sanction fees, etc.

My DD charges $300 but I'm not sure if that is too high for an 8U team? We are working on a few bigger sponsors and of course will pick up smaller sponsors as we can.

Thanks for any help ya'll can provide.

My daughter has played travel for six years in AZ. We have never paid more than $180 per month in dues. So $300 does seem high.

 

[JumboJack]

My daughter has played travel for six years in AZ. We have never paid more than $180 per month in dues. So $300 does seem high.

Wait this is 300.00 per month?! For 8U!? I thought it was 300.00 for a season?
my DD is 18U and we pay 120.00 dues monthly. Granted that does not include uniforms or any other equipment but that is usually 200.00 or so.

 

[lackofspeed]

Wait this is 300.00 per month?! For 8U!? I thought it was 300.00 for a season?
my DD is 18U and we pay 120.00 dues monthly. Granted that does not include uniforms or any other equipment but that is usually 200.00 or so.

Right- After my comment I got to wondering if I interpreted it wrong-$300 for the season, not per month.

 

[JOHNN]

My daughter has played travel for six years in AZ. We have never paid more than $180 per month in dues. So $300 does seem high.

I'm under the impression he was talking about 300 for Fall and 300 for Spring. Thats cheap in my opinion.

 

[JOHNN]

Besides dealing with parents, I'm assuming that the biggest hurdle for most travel teams are costs and expenses? I've done some searching on the site but I was looking for some more concrete answers to help me gauge what will be needed to get started. My 8U team is part of an organization that has already been formed and we play primarily FASA and USFA.

We are leaning towards 6 tourneys each season, running anywhere from 150-250 each (fall ball and spring/summer session). The older teams provide 2 jerseys and a bat bag to each girl. (they get to keep for life). As far as equipment, what are your must haves or equipment to avoid? We have invested in 2 hit away nets, a few tees, a few dozen softballs and whiffle balls. I'm going to add tennis balls to help develop their catching skills, but those costs are relatively low, so I've taken care of them already.

So what else should we ask for in fees? Tournaments, uniforms, sanction fees, etc.

My DD charges $300 but I'm not sure if that is too high for an 8U team? We are working on a few bigger sponsors and of course will pick up smaller sponsors as we can.

Thanks for any help ya'll can provide.

Im not sure where you are located, but in our area, a lot of the tournaments have free entry fee's for 8u and its 35-45 Pay at Plate so that might help on costs. While I dont have experience with it personally, Ive seen on alot of the softball FB groups people mentioning that when it comes to fundraising, they do really well with selling football squares and they make a fortune off of booze baskets.

 

[Gymtansmush]

I did mean $300 per season. We have our eyes on a few free entry tourneys for 8U. so that will help cost wise. Football squares are always a big hit around here, but with the uncertainty of sports right now, no telling how that will go.

We are making a team banner and putting sponsor logos on it, so that is going well so far. Some parents are bringing in sponsorships, so that leads to the question , if they bring in enough sponsor money, would you guys wave their child's fees or just have that add on to the total funds of the team?

 

[uncdrew]

I did mean $300 per season. We have our eyes on a few free entry tourneys for 8U. so that will help cost wise. Football squares are always a big hit around here, but with the uncertainty of sports right now, no telling how that will go.

We are making a team banner and putting sponsor logos on it, so that is going well so far. Some parents are bringing in sponsorships, so that leads to the question , if they bring in enough sponsor money, would you guys wave their child's fees or just have that add on to the total funds of the team?

Tough question.

Yes, that family is directly responsible for getting you money so on one hand they should get credit for that. On the other hand, it wasn't their money (and the sponsor gets some advertising and a small write-off).

Oftentimes getting a sponsor is as simple as sending a buddy a text. And if so, perhaps the parents wouldn't be expecting anything in return and are just doing a good deed for the girls. But if you know the family is a bit tight financially and are busting their butts to get sponsors, giving them a reward for doing so feels right.

 

[Gymtansmush]

Tough question.

Yes, that family is directly responsible for getting you money so on one hand they should get credit for that. On the other hand, it wasn't their money (and the sponsor gets some advertising and a small write-off).

Oftentimes getting a sponsor is as simple as sending a buddy a text. And if so, perhaps the parents wouldn't be expecting anything in return and are just doing a good deed for the girls. But if you know the family is a bit tight financially and are busting their butts to get sponsors, giving them a reward for doing so feels right.

That's my thinking as well, as the sponsors should be mainly for extra cash flow for the team. I know every parent's situation is differently financially so it is nice to have the sponsor backing to help them when times are tough.

 

[Tango]

$700 for fall and that includes tournaments. 14U- good organization.

 

[BT3100]

A huge expense in cold climates is indoor facilities. Also, as the teams get older and seek out better competition and tournaments the entry fees rise. The JO cup tournament this weekend is around $3,000 to enter. Similar to other high level tournaments in the $2500-$3,000 range. $3500-$4000 year in fees alone is what you can expect to pay, not including travel costs.