Travel Ball Costs............

[Izzy's Dad]

The thread started by GOINGDEEP prompted me to start his thread.

This year, I have decided to track what we spend on travel ball. When I say track, I mean tracking every last penny spent on it. Lessons, team fees, fuel, everything, - down to the last sunflower seed.

So far, for January, I have spent $779.13. And I haven't bought any equipment, and we haven't started playing yet!!!

Big ticket items were:

First of the year team fees = $220.00 (but we also pay an additonal $100 per month)
Mizzou Pitching Camp = $264.99 (camp, hotel, food, but not including fuel)

February hasn't been too bad, but March is gonna be high again.

I've always estimated about 12K a year. I wonder how close that guess will be?

This is 16U btw.

 

[3'sDad]

DD is 2nd year 14U. For FY 2012 we've paid the following to date:
$300 team fee
$300 for pitching lessons
New face mask for the batting helmet - $13

Pitching lessons will average $120/month for the remainder of the year = $1,200
1 weekend out-of state tournament - meals/hotel/gas tolls - $750
5 day end of season event - gas/tolls/hotel/meals - $1,500

It will run about $5,000 for the full year. next year @ 16U the cost will increase due to travel, especially if the DD plays 18U.

 

[Izzy's Dad]

16U is more expensive. DD is in 1st year 16U, but this is her 2nd year playing in this age. There is a big difference in costs.

 

[Coach-n-Dad]

We're in NorCal. We estimated $20K last year; 18Gold, 11 trips to SoCal, trip to Colorado, 2 trips to Oregon, 2 trips to bay area, $2k team fees, pitching lessons... The only gear we had to buy were 2 pairs of Ringor Cleats. Last week DD won a Synergy Bat at a fundraiser so she won't need one.

It looks like this year is going to be similar.

 

[TheRogue]

I keep track; I claim my coaching expenses so I track those closely with receipts, and on the side I track how much my DD's costs are.

In 2011 I drove my personal vehicle over 9,000 miles to practices and tournaments (Our team is 28 miles away).

Painful every time I look at those numbers.

 

[GOINGDEEP]

I'll jump in.

Hot n heavy in HS now. TB in June.

HS so far............
2012 RT $200
HS dues $750
New small needed equipment $150
Gas = unknown but say $200 so far / but by June guess many many $$$
4 HS away tourneys guessing $3000-4000 gas/hotel/food/fun/.............wife

I don't even want to think TB $$$. This year will be the most expensive yet. 16U

 

[Izzy's Dad]

I keep track; I claim my coaching expenses so I track those closely with receipts, and on the side I track how much my DD's costs are.

In 2011 I drove my personal vehicle over 9,000 miles to practices and tournaments (Our team is 28 miles away).

Painful every time I look at those numbers.

How are you doing that? I might have to do the same (since I am head coach this year)

 

[TheRogue]

How are you doing that? I might have to do the same (since I am head coach this year)

DD's organization is a 501-C3. Volunteer expenses, including mileage, coach gear, etc. Talk to your tax person first...maybe you will get different advice than what I got.

 

[chinamigarden]

Our organization does 3 poker fund raising parties each year. Each party is 4 nights long. Each family is supposed to work 2 four hour sessions, work extra and it cuts into your dues. I worked 4 sessions and that took care of all of our travel team dues for the year. We have pay to play for HS sports, but its the same cost ($150) if your kid plays 1 or 4 sports. My DD plays 3 so lets say $50 went toward softball.

So far this year we have spent $50

 

[maksoftball]

Let's see...
Monthly dues are $120/month
Lessons are $160/month
Extras are about $100/month

Above is not including equipment as needed. LOL.