Travel costs for sb now. Flight. Hotel. Car rental....

[daywalkerdad]

One hotel chain does a promotion about every summer were every 2-3 stays gets a gas card. If you are willing to check out, then check in to the hotel across the street or a block away, then back, each time counts as a stay.
Might pay for your gas.

 

[Gambler Bob]

Travel softball, especially at the highest levels, is inherently classist. Most in our society would be unable to afford it in a normal year, never mind a year with high inflation. Luckily, my daughter isn't quite elite enough to be on these types of teams, anyway, because it would be tough to have to let her down. I think a lot of people on this forum are not aware of how many kids - who could be great with the type of high-priced training some of you are able to afford for your daughters - are left out of the mix due to financial reasons.

I get so tired of hearing that excuse. That mindset is nothing more than a "poor me" mentality. I pay $100 per month for my daughter to belong to place that has indoor batting cages. She also does pitching lessons. I have not paid for a pitching lesson in 3 years because I did all the plumbing for free in the place that her pitching instructor does his lessons. Did not spend a penny on flights this year because we play the credit card game for free miles. Hotel costs suck no doubt about it, we share hotel rooms with other families to keep the cost down. My point is, you can figure out a way to make it work if you really want to.

The real excuse for not being able to play on these elite sports teams should be that the player or parents are just too damn lazy or just not good enough. That goes for almost everything in life.

 

[Vertigo]

I get so tired of hearing that excuse. That mindset is nothing more than a "poor me" mentality. I pay $100 per month for my daughter to belong to place that has indoor batting cages. She also does pitching lessons. I have not paid for a pitching lesson in 3 years because I did all the plumbing for free in the place that her pitching instructor does his lessons. Did not spend a penny on flights this year because we play the credit card game for free miles. Hotel costs suck no doubt about it, we share hotel rooms with other families to keep the cost down. My point is, you can figure out a way to make it work if you really want to.

The real excuse for not being able to play on these elite sports teams should be that the player or parents are just too damn lazy or just not good enough. That goes for almost everything in life.

Some of the elite teams around here cost $5000+ which does not include travel, hotel stays, etc. I highly doubt it’s “just an excuse” for a good number of players in my surrounding area.

One of the elite players in my area had donation cans at local businesses to help fund her travel to showcases. Luckily, we have a generous community who tends to support those not as fortunate.

 

[_MIA_]

Luckily, we have a generous community who tends to support those not as fortunate.

Suckers...

 

[Vertigo]

Suckers...

I can’t help it….

 

[LEsoftballdad]

I get so tired of hearing that excuse. That mindset is nothing more than a "poor me" mentality. I pay $100 per month for my daughter to belong to place that has indoor batting cages. She also does pitching lessons. I have not paid for a pitching lesson in 3 years because I did all the plumbing for free in the place that her pitching instructor does his lessons. Did not spend a penny on flights this year because we play the credit card game for free miles. Hotel costs suck no doubt about it, we share hotel rooms with other families to keep the cost down. My point is, you can figure out a way to make it work if you really want to.

The real excuse for not being able to play on these elite sports teams should be that the player or parents are just too damn lazy or just not good enough. That goes for almost everything in life.

How much would you say a full season of travel would cost your team if you were paying full price? And at $120 per hour for lessons, that's a lot of plumbing to do, especially when you have two playing the game.

I would rather be set on fire than share a hotel room with another family. Yeah, just what I need is to know someone else's bathroom habits. And I get miles on everything I buy through my Sky Miles account, but it still doesn't come close to covering my flights. And if it's over six hours away, I'm not driving.

Sure, these are my personal feelings, but I'm sure many others feel the same way.

 

[_MIA_]

I would rather be set on fire than share a hotel room with another family. Yeah, just what I need is to know someone else's bathroom habits. And I get miles on everything I buy through my Sky Miles account, but it still doesn't come close to covering my flights. And if it's over six hours away, I'm not driving.

Sure, these are my personal feelings, but I'm sure many others feel the same way.

If money were that tight I am sure you would make those sacrifices for your kids. The point is money being tight and spending 1/3 to 1/2 of your monthly earnings on softball is a totally different animal.

 

[Vertigo]

That what i should do, setup donation cans all over town instead of working 35 Saturdays of overtime every year. That is the Democratic way!

Not as fortunate? Just another excuse. In my experience, you make your own fortune.

I love how you base this off of not having any idea what their financial or personal situation involved. It’s really sad, actually.

 

[daywalkerdad]

I never understand spending a ton of money traveling all over 12u and younger.

 

[LEsoftballdad]

If money were that tight I am sure you would make those sacrifices for your kids. The point is money being tight and spending 1/3 to 1/2 of your monthly earnings on softball is a totally different animal.

You're right, and I am fortunate that it is not that tight. Still, I wouldn't share a hotel room. I'd find another way, or I wouldn't do the crazy travel.