Thought I'd start a separate thread regarding "paying to play" etc. Is baseball that different from the other sports in Georgia ? Aren't all sports in Ga. now "pay to play" ? Has the travel ball baseball model gone over the top ? Thought I'd "stir the porage" and get some interesting dialogue going....what are your thoughts ?
Recently spoke to 2 different friends that both have daughters that are paying $800/ea.+ for Travel Soccer and Cheer-leading. Made me feel lucky to have a boy who plays travel baseball.
Baseball is no more than anything else. As bballman states, it all requires some level of entry fee. AAU Basketball has kids flying all over the country for tournaments. I have a niece in elite soccer who once fundraised to support a 2 month trip across Europe playing soccer. Football seems to stay more local, however, still an entry fee to play poundball or middle school ball.
Doesn't end at high school. Look at every HS sports website and you'll see the Booster Club President's name prominently displayed...
My son goes to middle school in paulding county and now I have to pay for him to play football. This was due to all the cuts in the school system. It's about the equivalent of paying for rec ball. Not sure how much it will cost for baseball or basketball. I can tell you is not even close to what we pay for travel baseball.
I have a son that plays travel baseball. A daughter that is a cheerleader. And a son that plays high school football. Cheerleading and football is more expensive than travel baseball. Go figure.
Paying to Play.......
Posted - 08/13/2010 : 10:46:12
