Have you ever had to pay..

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Member

• Jan 21, 2010

• #1

Have you ever had to pay to attend a regular season HS softball game?

Our HS does not have a field and we have rented a city field the last few years, now they have moved our homefield to the OSP which is 12 miles away from the school in a different county. Aside from all the logistical issues I was concerned with asking visiting team parents to pay a gate fee (this is assumed knowing how the OSP operates). I know that this has been the norm for basketball and volleyball forever, but I have never been to a regular season HS softball game that had a gate fee. What are your thoughts?

Would it matter if the gate fee was going to the school versus the OSP?

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #2

We haven't had to pay for one, yet. I would if need to. As long as the money goes back to the school, I would be fine paying; but if it goes to OSP, forget it. I'm not impressed with OSP. You don't have any other options?

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #3

Not in my control, I am just another parent in this situation. I spoke at length with the AD yesterday and her reasoning for the move was just as sound as my reasons for not using OSP.

I think it is a done deal for this year, so we'll just have to make the best of it. I was concerned about the reaction of unsuspecting visiting parents being charged and the fact that OSP fields do not hold up well to wet weather.

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #4

Only place I recall that I had to pay for a regular season HS softball game was last year at Massillon HS.

Not a fan of it but also not going to miss the game over $6.

Not sure why Massillon charges but your situation appears to be different.

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #5

Our school is going to start charging admission to baseball and softball games for the first time this year. $3 for adults and $2 for students, just enough to pay for the umpires. I would pay if I had to, though I dont. Don't think it is too much to ask for. Schools have to do what they have to do, softball has expenses just like any other sport.

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #6

Never had to pay for regular season HS game. Had to be entrance fee playoff games

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #7

Ours charges for football games but not softball. I think they will have to start drawing football level attendance before they can start charging. Don't see that happening.

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #8

I can't believe most of you have never paid to see a HS softball game! We have charged since my oldest started playing in 2000 except for the times when the AD couldn't find anyone to sell tickets. Expenses for each game will run from $120(umpires aren't cheap) to $220 if you have to pay for a cop and an EMT.

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #9

Wow! U need a cop and an EMT at ur high school games?!?! I'd pay to watch those games! (just kidding!)
although, that could be a good way to raise money for the team or school! Lol!

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #10

Must be Cleveland..hehehe

Under "Winter Sports" we have a Quiz Team and a Dance Team. Never been, wonder if they charge to attend those sporting matches?

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #11

Momto77's said:

Wow! U need a cop and an EMT at ur high school games?!?! I'd pay to watch those games! (just kidding!)
although, that could be a good way to raise money for the team or school! Lol!

Click to expand...

We usually don't need them except when we play schools from the east side of Cincinnati.

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #12

The3dm- What high school are you talking about?

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #13

fanandfun, sent you a PM. I prefer not to put the HS in the spot light. Hope you understand why.

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #14

Most of the High Schools in Kentucky charge for softball and baseball.If the money goes to the school,why not!

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #15

Not a problem at all if the money goes to the school or even charity.

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #16

The3dm said:

Not a problem at all if the money goes to the school or even charity.

Click to expand...

Received an email this week, that the SENIOR NIGHT programs are no longer budgeted via the School, so collections were requested to support them.

HUH! Start charging for the other sports. It will be thousands added to the kitty for these items that are getting removed from School budgets.

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #17

Most of the high school baseball and softball fields that I know of are not set-up for adequate crowd control (gates to funnel spectators thru to collect fees). So, it would be like herding cats trying to get everyone to pay.

The3dm, I'm sure that your school is having to "lease" a field and services from OSP and I'd bet that expense was not budgeted. So, the school will have to try to make up for that unforcasted expense.

If you charge a gate fee and that money goes to the Athletic Department who in turn uses it to pay off the expense to OSP, what would it matter? I would do it this way. Some schools utilize athletic passes that are good for any school home athletic event during the school year. If OSP is collecting the fee, then these passes would not be valid, I would think. Just a thought..

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #18

The3dm said:

fanandfun, sent you a PM. I prefer not to put the HS in the spot light. Hope you understand why.

Click to expand...

Got your PM- best of luck with your situation.

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #19

We played a few at Firestone stadium in Akron and you have to pay (even for jv games). I think it is a thrill for the girls to play there, however. Anyone can play there if they contact Joey

 

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• Jan 21, 2010

• #20

I am astounded. Our league mandates that we charge, and I was under the assumption that every league around charged gate admission. As a former AD at a non-football school the athletic dept really needs the gate money to help offset the cost of the umpires and all the other expenses that went along with the sport. I mean think about it: varsity baseball and softball doubleheader (4 games) with each game having fees of at least $100. Do the math and if you have too many of those it adds up quick!!!!!