How much would you pay for School Ball?

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We received a flyer in the mail yesterday for our upcoming levy. I have always voted for the school levies in our district. Our last one to pass was 1998. We didn't move here until 2006. Now with this cut and that cut, since this is a softball forum, I will stick to pay to play. Currently my DD is in the 8th grade with no school ball. Neither sanction nor club. She is the only player on our team that has no MS ball. Pay to play is currently $140 per sport with a cap of $250. According to this flyer, starting in 2014, pay to play rises to an astonishing $758 per sport with no cap. My DD is a one sport athlete and has been since 8. She works her tail off in this game and has big dreams. Since I coach TB I know what we can do and what my players get for around the same price. I don't see no way that it cost this much for 3 months of ball when we play year round. I hate to say it but there is not a chance I will pay this. Especially with the history of our program. Your thoughts?

 

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While I'm lucky enough to be able to pay a fee like that I cant imagine doing it . Only people with messed up heads pay to be tortured . I know there are great fun high school teams out there . our program wins some games but we are a mess in reality.

 

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Bottom line is it's time to threaten all parents in to passing a levy. The state has ruled this unconstitutional more than once. If your schools keep shoving this down your throat, vote and replace the ENTIRE administration. At the price that was stated that's more than $500 per game played. Multiply that by 2 teams, and that's more than $1,000. I could see a Varsity football game being very expensive to put on, but they more than pay for themselves. It's sad to see, but our public schools have turned to petty politics to pass their own agendas, and are not afraid to hurt children and families to do it.

 

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In the district we live in, the pay to play fee is INSANE!!! They dropped out of the league they were in 5-6 years ago in an attempt to threaten the parents into passing the levy so there are no league honors to receive and no district/regional/state tournament to participate in. They also now have to travel rediculous distances to find teams willing to play them. We dealt with all the cr@p through our first dd but wised up for the last 2.....we open-enrolled them to a neighboring school district and couldn't be happier!!!!

 

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We currently pay $495 to participate per sport per kid no cap. I do not know if I can justify an additonal increase. It's tough enough to justify the $495.

Len

 

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Even in pay to play, the cost should never exceed the cost of the program.

 

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I would have a tough time paying for our school program. Doesn't mean I wouldn't, but only after some long self torturing thought in doing so. Problem with school ball in Ohio is that there isn't any alternative, softball-wise during that time.

 

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We are in the same situation in our district. 250 this year and the possibility of 750+ next year. It will definitely be a tough decision for my family on a budget to pay that much money for 3 months that we pay for a 12 month committment for our travel team.

 

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I know just do away with it and play travel

 

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Would just play travel, school ball is not worth $750.

 

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Would just play travel, school ball is not worth $750.

My DD is a junior and absolutely loves HS ball. I know our program is not typical and not everyone has as great an experience with HS ball as we do. We currently have a $250 participation fee per sport, no cap, so it isn't as bad as some. $750 is definitely a budget breaker, but I would do whatever it takes so that my DD didn't miss out on it.

 

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I know just do away with it and play travel

The only problem with that is finding teams to play. We combined our 8th grade kids who go to schools that don't offer sanctioned MS teams with another travel program's non-school players - had exactly enough to make a full team. The idea was to keep the kids skills fresh while all their travel teammates where playing school ball. BUT, I have had one heck of a time finding and getting games and other teams to play! We have been able to squeeze in a few but can only play on weekends and if you get rain - well forget it and weeknights are just impossible. I have to believe with high school aged kids you would have to go out of state to find opponents.

 

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I do not have a Dog in this fight (YET) But... If the cost of HS ball is the same as travel ball it will Kill HS ball.
Is the rate the same for Softball as it is for Hockey and Football? (It would not surprise me if they're supporting those programs on the back of softball families.)
The reality is almost NO ONE is recruited for softball from HS ball. Collage coaches may attend the playoffs and few games and then only if it's convenient or if there tracking a girl from Travel Ball.

That’s the sad truth about High School - It is a great thing to play for Your High School It should bring great pride to wear your school colors and Represent your area but... It sounds like the districts are holding a gun to the head of Girls who have other alternatives.

 

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pay to play rises to an astonishing $758 per sport with no cap.

Not worth it. Anything above roughly $500 would have some kids deciding not to play. And it's only the fault of the school system.

There are better options (TB) that are priced comparably that are going to benefit the serious players more.

Sad to say, but I could see this coming as a potential problem 4-5 years ago.

 

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We are only at $50 now and if our levy doesn't pass it will go up to $100. (they call it play to participate v pay to play)

My personal cap would be $400 per year, I think. Thank goodness I won't have to worry about it as dd is about to graduate. I would so hate to see our school system have to raise it so much they lose their sports entirely - just more free time for kids to get into trouble.

 

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I believe the price has to be the same across the board for all sports, including cheerleading, to avoid discrimination. Additionally, I'm pretty sure that low income families are exempted from the fees, or pro-rated based on income...If the student athletes are paying for their own sports, where does the profit from football and basketball go?

 

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I know there are the schools where eacb sport has a different price because of the cost of the sport itself divided by the number of participants. Riverside in Painsville being one of them.

 

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I just hate it for the girls. Heck, for any of the kids playing any sport for that matter. Let's face it, most of the kids aren't going to play in college. So, middle and high school is supposed to be that chance to play on the school team and have those memories. As a parent and someone who was fortunate enough to play school ball myself, I have been waiting for the day for my DD's to have the chance to do the same. However, at the rediculous fees of $700+, many school programs are going to dissappear. People, especially those with multiple children, just can't afford it.

 

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There is no reason for school ball to cost so much. And when you see the team and the coaching you will get for that price, why waste your money. (Some schools do have great programs and coaches that deserve to be called coaches. While some coaches have no idea about the sport , it just an extra paycheck)
Having coached for 4 years and the girls being 14, its been tough not being able to practice all winter because of school regulations. I personally feel your daughters will get more out of a team that plays year round rather then jumping into school ball. (again each team is different)
The tough part is she wants to play with her friends but schools need to make it reasonable

 

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Lets assume that umpires cost $100 a game, we can allow $100 a game for field rental/maintenance, and $200 a game for transportation and insurance. ($400) Now lets pretend that in Ohio, we will actually play all 27 games on our schedule. ($10,800) 2 teams are needed for a game. ($5,400) Lets say the average Varsity squad is 15 girls. ($360) At $750 a girl this leaves an extra $5,850. This is not pay to play. This is a luxury tax.