Cost of High School Ball

Just got our list for fees last week. For DD it will winds up about $470 this year. We have a $150 participation fee plus any mandatory equipment/clothing. You could run it up to $700 is you got every optional piece such as a new bag and that type of stuff.

We didn't pay a participation fee last season. It really boils down to fundraising the year before and what tourneys we are playing in. We have better depth at pitcher and sill be improved over our team that was one game short from making it to the state finals. We are going to play in some bigger touneys with better competition this year to get the team ready. That bumped the cost up some. We really will not have any expenses are far as repairs or improvements for our field so fundraising this year will help next season team.

Are the schools that are getting 470-1000 dollar per athlete fees providing all the equipment needed, or are parents on the hook for that as well? I say that ours was only $35 dollar per sport fee, but then we do buy our own bat bags, bats, shoes etc. Team uniform is provided by the school. Are the pay to play type schools providing bats, shoes, ect for the teams?

Il softball fan said:

Are the schools that are getting 470-1000 dollar per athlete fees providing all the equipment needed, or are parents on the hook for that as well? I say that ours was only $35 dollar per sport fee, but then we do buy our own bat bags, bats, shoes etc. Team uniform is provided by the school. Are the pay to play type schools providing bats, shoes, ect for the teams?

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This is my question, as well. In two states, and three high schools, I've never coached at a pay-to-play school, and have no experience with anyone who has.

What all does this fee cover? My experience is similar to Il softball fan. School pays for uniforms (1 set), transportation (school bus), basic equipment, necessary field maintenance...things like that. Anything else, players are on their own, or help from the booster club.

Il softball fan said:

Are the schools that are getting 470-1000 dollar per athlete fees providing all the equipment needed, or are parents on the hook for that as well? I say that ours was only $35 dollar per sport fee, but then we do buy our own bat bags, bats, shoes etc. Team uniform is provided by the school. Are the pay to play type schools providing bats, shoes, ect for the teams?

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School pays 1500$ each for 2 coaches and take all the gate fees. Everything else is paid by the players fee and booster club.

YoungBuck said:

Sad state of affairs that so many public schools across the country are 'pay-to-play.' Yet another reason schools should get out of the 'sports business.'

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In a single year, I've gotten more than a dozen girls to play softball for the first time through the school, so, all due respect, I think this is a pretty terrible opinion.

We also don't make them pay any fees to play (they're only charged if they don't return the uniform).

YoungBuck said:

Sad state of affairs that so many public schools across the country are 'pay-to-play.' Yet another reason schools should get out of the 'sports business.'

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I strongly disagree. We need to remember that there are plenty of athletes who want to play multiple sports and who don't want to join a travel/club team in any of those sports. (Some of the best athletes I have ever encountered never set foot on a travel/club team). School sports are perhaps the easiest way to facilitate that.


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Guess I will find out how much high school ball costs next year. I sure hope it's not $1000 lol. We paid $125 for middle school ball, not including certain "requirements" that were probably another $50. I believe the head coach makes about $1800, and assistant coaches are volunteers.