HS Ballplayer with Family Difficulties

Without regard to race, many travel teams quietly help deserving players who lack financial means. I'd contact the best programs in your area, explain the situation, and ask for their advice.

Just a few basic thoughts...

I and many others have sons work odd jobs to earn some or all of the extra money spent on any type of summer/fall baseball and/or camps. Cut grass, pull weeds, help with moves and other cleanups, etc.

Many club teams have either an optional or mandatory fundraising aspect to their program... something to ask about.

Search other threads - there is some good info on which types of camps are worthwhile yet have low costs.

Send a PM or e-mail to PGstaff to ask about showcases. He can guide you to the appropriate people to talk to at perfect game.

F14, I wish I had a suggestion for you but the best I can do is suggest you contact several showcases and ask if they have hardship opportunities. I complement you on your willingness to help a kid who needs it. He does need an adult willing to invest in his cause and direct him so I am glad one kid has someone to help him. Thanks.

Perfect Game has a sponsorship form for their events. Players can ask local businesses to help out and I think the company gets an add in the event program.

I would send a PM to PGstaff and ask.

I wish every time a talented player exists that we don't know about, someone would send us his name and where he plays. This is most important when the player doesn't have the resources to do things.

We can check out a player in very little time, no matter where he is located. If that player is extremely talented there are a number of ways to help him and it doesn't even need to be Perfect Game. The biggest hurdle is to do things that are legal by NCAA standards. Even if we can't help a player attend a certain event, we know people and teams that will help. Lots of people are looking for talented kids.

Good players need to be identified. Of course it helps if they are identified by a reliable source. Once the right people know, things will happen. There's a lot of help out there. If a kid can really play, the obsticles aren't so big.

We've known a lot of very poor kids, both African American and white who are now very wealthy Big League players ie. Carl Crawford.

quote:

We can check out a player in very little time, no matter where he is located.

OK now you are scaring me!

Jerry, I have always appreciated your attitude about these types of things. You have built a wonderful organization - an institution, really - by doing everything you can to draw attention to talented baseball players, even if there is no monetary reward for PG.

Speaking as someone who has never met you in person, but who has long admired you and what you have done for the game, I can say it is obvious that your first priority is to bring exposure to any talented player in the country, and that your attitude is that if you do a good job of that, then commercial success will be an inevitable by product.

It certainly looks as if it is working that way, and I for one hope for your continued commercial success long into the future, because it means you are able to continue succeeding at what you so obviously love to do.

I know a great program (team, organization) that supplements for what one can't afford, be it 80-90 percent or all. these programs have a reputation as great and loves to win to showcase their best talent. All you can do is ask, but secondly he can promote himself, do some leg work and get sponsors. I know kids in high school that gets sponsors to pay for shoes and other uniform equipment. Ask about fundraisers, part time work.

The biggest cost is not the team dues, its the travel. I spent 1400 on dues and 3500 travelling (gas, hotels, food for family, other expenses)just last summer alone. Its not for everyone but it is a family sacrifice for the good of the kid. It is worth it to me, every dime and every memory made along the way.

Rob,

Thank you, that is nice of you and it is very much appreciated. I don't love PG the business, but I sure do love what we do. The biggest rewards have nothing to do with money, but that seems to work out OK anyway. I'm extremely lucky.

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"I'm extremely lucky."

Tis the season so to speak!







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Check around for some corporate sponsored teams. I know if 2 in our area that is completely free and pays for the players travel, room and board! The baseball facilities around here in VA are getting competive to get the best players not just the best payers for an elite showcase team to make a name and reputation for their facility. I think one was partially sponsored by a corporation and the most recent one is being paid for by the owners of the facility! Of course my kid wanted to play on the $1000 per season team and not try out for the free ones.....but well worth it as it is a well run team!
Don't know how it is up there but good luck to him!