Youth league girl's softball?

Question

We have already paid 125$ for uniform and they want more now for pants with numbers stitched in them. Plus $75 more dollars for ballpark fees. Now they are recommending we buy her a new bat and batting helmet. When I played youth baseball, the fees covered all that. What has gone wrong with youth leagues, I just want my daughter to have fun without practicing 5 times a week for 3 hours a practice.

Answer 1

When you played youth baseball, I bet gasoline wasn't $2.50 a gallon either! Things change.

Sounds like you have hooked up with a "travel team". These can be pretty expensive.

!999 was the last year I coached a travel team, and each girl paid/raised $250.00 which covered uniforms and tournament fees. Travel was up to each individual family, although we would carpool as much as possible.

Today, each tournament can cost $250 and upwards of $400 just to enter. Uniforms can be had for around $75 per girl up to an unlimited amount. I know of several "elite" travel teams which charge well over $500 per girl to play! I have also seen some travel baseball teams which cost over $1500 each to play!

If this is a "recreation department" league/team, the fees should be standardized and set. My local rec is funded by tax dollars, although there is still a $25.00 fee to participate. That covers uniforms and equipment.

Travel ball is much more intense than rec. If you or your daughter is not willing to practice 5 times a week, then play all weekend long, you should re-evaluate the tarvel system. Rec leagues usually only parctice once a week (if at all) and play maybe twice weekly. Many travel ball parents are investing in the hopes that their little darling will become the next greatest, and will be given full college scholarships to wherever she (or mom and dad) choose! In the real world, that doesn't happen!

There are rec leagues available almost everywhere which don't require the investment you spoke of. Be sure you know what you are getting into, ask the coach/manager just what is expected, and when/where will games take place. If what you are told is above what you are willing to exert, and above what your daughter is willing to exert, don't join up. Look for other opportunities.

Answer 2

The $125 for the uniform seems high, unless they are really getting high-end stuff.

Otherwise though, there's nothing wrong with the leagues. Their expenses have gone through the roof.

It USED to be that city fields were made available to the leagues for free. Now many municipalities charge a "usage fee" (read: PLAYER TAX). They also charge for the groundskeeper's time.

Insurance has gone up a lot recently as well. Equipment has skyrocketed. Even umpires are expensive - the days of the volunteer umpire are pretty much gone.

It isn't easy with expenses running wild. We have to fundraise like mad to keep our program around $60 per player.

Answer 3

rec leagues are typically cheaper and less demanding then the expensive private ones, they also provide alot of the equipment for the players, hope whatever she settles on she has fun

Answer 4

Sounds like it's getting a bit serious in that league....