Bandits teams fly a couple of times in the fall and 3 or 4 in the summer at 13yo and older. 12s and below are more in control of their own schedule so if they are flying that much its up to them. Now individual players may fly more often depending on where they are from
Thanks for this. I'm already an Audible member so it was available to me for free. My daughter never really played travel ball and her main goal is to make and contribute to her high school team. Still interesting to see how much things have changed since I was her age.Thought this was a really good look at the travel softball scene and youth sports in general. Written by Michael Lewis, author of Moneyball, Blindside, The Big Short, and many many others.
Playing to Win
Check out this great listen on Audible.com. When New York Times best-selling author and journalist Michael Lewis got involved in his kids’ local softball league, it all seemed so wholesome and simple. Ten years later, his family looked back to find that they had spent thousands of dollars - ...www.audible.com
It is only available as an audiobook but you can do a free trial to listen for free.
One sad note, his DD who he chronicles in the book died earlier this year in an auto accident.
So, 13U Bandit families are expected to spend well over $20,000 a year per child for TB? Probably more when you throw in dues, uniforms, private lessons, gas money etc. How many families can afford this? How many are going broke chasing the pipe dream? By the time she graduates HS families with have spent over $100,000 per child. TB has pretty much left the middle class behind.
Well I definitely got better airfare than that...lol. I don't really consider the hotel cost and lessons since unless I played rec ball I would be paying those anyway. Fees are pretty comparable to other top organizations and more reasonable than some. So airfare costs me maybe 2k at most more than regular travel fees. Probably less when you consider that many many teams beyond top teams go to Colorado at 13u and above and many have a nationals that people fly to instead of drive. So really only 1 plane trip beyond the norm. It sounds bad on the surface but when you really think about it its not much more.
Can't wait to read it. I'm sure I will agree with every word, if it is as advertised. It's a complete joke how much money is thrown away on youth sports (or more to the point, thrown at people who are taking advantage of the dreams of kids and the gullibility of parents).Thought this was a really good look at the travel softball scene and youth sports in general. Written by Michael Lewis, author of Moneyball, Blindside, The Big Short, and many many others.
Playing to Win
Check out this great listen on Audible.com. When New York Times best-selling author and journalist Michael Lewis got involved in his kids’ local softball league, it all seemed so wholesome and simple. Ten years later, his family looked back to find that they had spent thousands of dollars - ...
It is only available as an audiobook but you can do a free trial to listen for free.
One sad note, his DD who he chronicles in the book died earlier this year in an auto accident.
I specifically started using my Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards card to accumulate points for airfare. Never had to pay for any flights. I even bought DD's teammate's airfare so she could make the trip to ATL one tourney.
The school she is attending doesn't actually recruit/travel too much, so in this case, the primary factor was her interest in the school, frequent communication with the coaches and playing for the right organization. Coach did some calling around to her HS and Club coaches and was very good about watching video we submitted and games we streamed. For the other schools she got offered, it was more traditional recruiting (camps, invites to tourneys and 1 specific showcase). Its a great school, and has had a pretty good softball program so I think the reputation works to their advantage in terms of recruiting.
