- Dec 19, 2008
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You are correct, but she's almost through with year 2.
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You are correct, but she's almost through with year 2.
- Dec 19, 2008
- 164
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Yes, the sacrifices were great. So much so, that she chose the school she went to, to get as far away from Dad as possiible. Do I want this for my daughter? Absolutely not. But, I was just saying it can be done.
Mike, to be honest, that was one of the best stories I've read in a long time.
I am just starting down the road everyone's talking about above. We are in our second year of 6U. I see how this can add up as they get older. Our first year cost us about $600 for rec ball. Of course she had to have everything since it was her first year and then add in all stars and the $130 registration was just a drop in the bucket for the year.
This year we will easily spend $1000 for a second year 6U player. This is taking into account a week at the beach if they make the state tournament if not it will just become our vacation. Is it worth it? Without a doubt. My girl has found something she loves and she knows Daddy grew up playing ball. She has Daddy's number on her back and was so thrilled to find out she was playing at the same park I played at when I was her age. It's only been a year and a half but the memories are already worth more than I could ever pay.
This year we will easily spend $1000 for a second year 6U player. This is taking into account a week at the beach if they make the state tournament if not it will just become our vacation. Is it worth it? Without a doubt. My girl has found something she loves and she knows Daddy grew up playing ball. She has Daddy's number on her back and was so thrilled to find out she was playing at the same park I played at when I was her age. It's only been a year and a half but the memories are already worth more than I could ever pay.
Wow, softball is EXPENSIVE in America. I pay $150 for a season (seniors) and our juniors pay $100. Its not travel (which I'm assuming is the big difference)
As a teen, my mum paid $120 a season, nothing for rep (other than travel costs) and $100 a year for batting cages. I didn't have pitching coaching costs (which would have bumped the bill up siginificantly. Then again my mum was a former state pitcher, so whether they'd have gone that route is deabatle)
Does everyone update their girls equipment every year? That would be a massive cost, that I'm not really sure is needed. As a teen, at the top level, I had the same equipment from the time I was 11 until I was 25. My bat changed at 21 when it died and my coach made me get a new one. I only got a full new kit because my kit bag got stolen (I was 25 and cried for a week! I still miss that glove) I remember the girls who got new bats every year, it didn't make them better batters. Its just good marketing from the bat companies.
As a teen, my mum paid $120 a season, nothing for rep (other than travel costs) and $100 a year for batting cages. I didn't have pitching coaching costs (which would have bumped the bill up siginificantly. Then again my mum was a former state pitcher, so whether they'd have gone that route is deabatle)
Does everyone update their girls equipment every year? That would be a massive cost, that I'm not really sure is needed. As a teen, at the top level, I had the same equipment from the time I was 11 until I was 25. My bat changed at 21 when it died and my coach made me get a new one. I only got a full new kit because my kit bag got stolen (I was 25 and cried for a week! I still miss that glove) I remember the girls who got new bats every year, it didn't make them better batters. Its just good marketing from the bat companies.
Almost. And the ones that don't probably should.
Yes, the bat can last longer than one season, but they break, get lost, get stolen or wasn't the right bat to begin with. Plus, my DD carried 3 expensive bats with her.
Cleats need replaced sometimes, mid year, and they can be $80.00, but you could get a $25.00 pair if you try.
I like for gloves to be replaced as needed. Many girls in rec ball use a worn out glove that offers them no protection. I bet that over 1/2 the kids that come to me for lessons, I send out to replace their glove.
I knew a TB coach that just required a new glove every year. (I don't know if he allowed exceptions.) But kids that come in with a 10.5 glove when playing with a 12" softball, have nothing to protect their face with.
Also, colors change. That means a new equipment bag, socks, sliders or knee pads, and hair ribbons.
I raised 3 kids in sports. The oldest is 26. The saving grace was that I taught them to catch, throw and hit for a few years and then, they entered rec ball at age 10. (They were in other sports and music, too.) If I had started 3 kids at age 5, that would have added 15 years of cost to the equation.
None of my 3 were interested in becoming a college athlete.
I don't upgrade my DD's gear each year. We just replace as things wear out or get out grown.
New cleats this year, drag hole in the toe. Our usual method of buying cleats is shop the clearance sales online and buy a brand we trust one pair in the current size and one pair a half size larger. We usually end up with a full year of cleats for around $40.
Gonna need new knee pads soon. Both current pair are starting to come apart.
The way she is eating lately, new sliders are probably going to be needed by the time middle school ball comes around.
Her glove has another year or 2 in it. I hope her bat has another 2 years in it. I expect by the end of her 8th grade year she'll be ready to move up in size and wieght, not to mention I want to see how fastpitch goes on composite bats. I'd hate to drop big money on a new composite only to have it banned.
Around here we pinch pennies hard enough to make Mr. Lincoln cry.
New cleats this year, drag hole in the toe. Our usual method of buying cleats is shop the clearance sales online and buy a brand we trust one pair in the current size and one pair a half size larger. We usually end up with a full year of cleats for around $40.
Gonna need new knee pads soon. Both current pair are starting to come apart.
The way she is eating lately, new sliders are probably going to be needed by the time middle school ball comes around.
Her glove has another year or 2 in it. I hope her bat has another 2 years in it. I expect by the end of her 8th grade year she'll be ready to move up in size and wieght, not to mention I want to see how fastpitch goes on composite bats. I'd hate to drop big money on a new composite only to have it banned.
Around here we pinch pennies hard enough to make Mr. Lincoln cry.
Hi Everyone,
Thank you for the kind words Amy and Amanda. Lozza there is yearly expenses with equipment but with research many of them can be avoided. As far is the bat is concerned it is important that the player feels confident with it. Coming from baseball I was confident that my daughter could swing the Rocket Tech so I researched online and found a store that sold both a new bat and a reconditioned one of the same model for a little more than just the bat alone. The reconditioned bat Brittany uses in the cage and that has saved on the good one. What’s important with that is they both feel the same, so she has the same confidence on the field with the good one. Incidentally Brittany is an exception and not the rule when it comes to the Rocket Tech, since it is end-loaded most of her teammates cannot get the bat around fast enough to use it effectively. Similarly, since Brittany pitches and is a Leap and Drag pitcher we were going through cleats about twice a tear until I found a Minnesota company that makes cleats specifically for pitchers. Tanel is the company and the pair she has now is coming up on a year old and has relatively little wear. Brittany uses a 13.5 Mizzuno glove and it is on its third year so I am assuming I will be buying one shortly. So expensive? Yes, however, research can save you money. By the way I do not recommend buying a bat without having your daughter swinging one first. I got lucky in that the Rocket Tech was a perfect fit, however it could have been just as likely that I paid around three hundred dollars for two bats that my daughter would have never taken out of the bag. The best bet is to have your daughter swing one of their teammate’s bats until she finds one she likes.
Mike
Thank you for the kind words Amy and Amanda. Lozza there is yearly expenses with equipment but with research many of them can be avoided. As far is the bat is concerned it is important that the player feels confident with it. Coming from baseball I was confident that my daughter could swing the Rocket Tech so I researched online and found a store that sold both a new bat and a reconditioned one of the same model for a little more than just the bat alone. The reconditioned bat Brittany uses in the cage and that has saved on the good one. What’s important with that is they both feel the same, so she has the same confidence on the field with the good one. Incidentally Brittany is an exception and not the rule when it comes to the Rocket Tech, since it is end-loaded most of her teammates cannot get the bat around fast enough to use it effectively. Similarly, since Brittany pitches and is a Leap and Drag pitcher we were going through cleats about twice a tear until I found a Minnesota company that makes cleats specifically for pitchers. Tanel is the company and the pair she has now is coming up on a year old and has relatively little wear. Brittany uses a 13.5 Mizzuno glove and it is on its third year so I am assuming I will be buying one shortly. So expensive? Yes, however, research can save you money. By the way I do not recommend buying a bat without having your daughter swinging one first. I got lucky in that the Rocket Tech was a perfect fit, however it could have been just as likely that I paid around three hundred dollars for two bats that my daughter would have never taken out of the bag. The best bet is to have your daughter swing one of their teammate’s bats until she finds one she likes.
Mike
Good grief.
Rec ball registration here is $75. Guaranteed 10 games, and post-season tournament. Includes visor and jersey. I got shorts and socks online for about $6.50/girl. Sports authority, Dick's, etc...can buy cleats for about $25-$40.
I don't believe in getting a good bat for a girl until they're A) a teenager or B) an exceptionally GOOD hitter. I have yet to see an exceptionally good hitter at 10U. It would be like going out and buying a set of Pings for a kid who wants to go hit a few golfballs to see if she likes golf.
Definately upgrade the glove if they OUTGROW theirs....I still use the same glove I've used for the last 20 years, and OH MY GOD....it still catches balls!
The biggest expense I've seen?
Lessons and Batting Cages...and now summer camps.
Rec ball registration here is $75. Guaranteed 10 games, and post-season tournament. Includes visor and jersey. I got shorts and socks online for about $6.50/girl. Sports authority, Dick's, etc...can buy cleats for about $25-$40.
I don't believe in getting a good bat for a girl until they're A) a teenager or B) an exceptionally GOOD hitter. I have yet to see an exceptionally good hitter at 10U. It would be like going out and buying a set of Pings for a kid who wants to go hit a few golfballs to see if she likes golf.
Definately upgrade the glove if they OUTGROW theirs....I still use the same glove I've used for the last 20 years, and OH MY GOD....it still catches balls!
The biggest expense I've seen?
Lessons and Batting Cages...and now summer camps.
The problem when you bring these kinds of things up are everyone feels they have to defend why they have done things. This is the way I see it. If you have the money and you feel you should replace your dd or ds equipment every year and it doesn't negatively affect your family lives then do it..no explanations. If you are unable to provide your kids with new equipment each year because it would negatively affect your family then you prioritize, and get what you can to make it safe for them to play. I have grown up a lot since my daughter has become a teen....I try not to judge other peoples situation because you haven't walked in their shoes. As long as you are doing the best you can do by your family it will be ok. When ball is over you still have your family if you have done things right.....if not it could be time to re-evaluate. My kids didn't get the same things their peers did, they got alot less then some and alot more then others and when they are young they sometimes have a problem with that but as they mature they understand the value of your time, and if not you have done something wrong along the way.
