Whose schools are kicking around taking a trip for their spring break? I know with the IHSA loosening up their rules regarding it, some schools did some overnight traveling last year. It sounds like there may be more this year.
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Lake Zurich has for the past several years made trips to central Missouri with a stop in southern Illinois to share some games and hospitality.
Waterloo High School has had a couple of schools come down from Northern Illinois. They normally went and played 3-4 games during the week at various schools.
We've hosted St. Charles North in 2007 and Homewood-Flossmor in 2008. Not sure if we have anybody coming this year...
We've hosted St. Charles North in 2007 and Homewood-Flossmor in 2008. Not sure if we have anybody coming this year...
Several Peoria-area schools have started spending the week of Spring Break playing in Florida.
Midland, Brimfield/Elmwood and Macomb all made the trip last year.
Limestone is going this year or next I believe.
Midland, Brimfield/Elmwood and Macomb all made the trip last year.
Limestone is going this year or next I believe.
I looked and Homewood-Flossmor is coming back to Waterloo in 2009.
I know in 2007 when St. Charles North came down, when we played them that day, it was the first time they had been out on the field that spring due to weather! Beating us something like 14-1 it definitely did not look like it
I know in 2007 when St. Charles North came down, when we played them that day, it was the first time they had been out on the field that spring due to weather! Beating us something like 14-1 it definitely did not look like it
I heard some things about HS teams now heading to Florida for spring break. It's amazing the opportunities these kids have, i wonder where that money is coming from. Colleges have trouble going on Florida trips. Turf football fields, elaborate scoreboards for both football and baseball, lights at alot of these parks. HS sports is getting bigger and bigger and that can only help the players prepare for what college has to offer.
CoachB, you have a PM.
quote:Originally posted by Nails:
I heard some things about HS teams now heading to Florida for spring break. It's amazing the opportunities these kids have, i wonder where that money is coming from. Colleges have trouble going on Florida trips. Turf football fields, elaborate scoreboards for both football and baseball, lights at alot of these parks. HS sports is getting bigger and bigger and that can only help the players prepare for what college has to offer.
Can you say TAXES??????
The economy isn't so bad when you get to spend other people's money!
Tax money papi? I don't think so... the teams around here who travel for spring break do so on the money that they fundraise for that purpose. I doubt any team is that highly funded by their athletic department that they can use the excess to take a whole team to Florida.
We've had this conversation here before - some agree with it, some don't. I think if the parents, players and coaches all want to put the time and energy into raising the money then it really isn't anyone else's business. I know that our team has a laundry list of things that we need/want to get before we would ever get to "spring break trip to Florida"... but I'm sure the players would love it if we could!
We've had this conversation here before - some agree with it, some don't. I think if the parents, players and coaches all want to put the time and energy into raising the money then it really isn't anyone else's business. I know that our team has a laundry list of things that we need/want to get before we would ever get to "spring break trip to Florida"... but I'm sure the players would love it if we could!
mythreesons, I was referring more to the turf fields and lights.
Personally, I think it is an indulgence in an era of readily available money and parents who think their kids should be given everything. And while showcasing, etc., may help a kid, I don't think HS spring break trips do anything but spend lots of money.
Our team spent over $30,000 on its spring break trip last year (to the Anderson Bat Classic in Anaheim, clear across the country), and while it was enjoyable, it boggles my mind to think of that amount. In years past, that was enough to run the whole program for three years! There just doesn't seem to be any proportionality to it. And I know that while a few, wealthy parents stepped up to close the funding gap, others blanched at the thought of what they were being asked to do, and there didn't seem to be a lot of sensitivity to that. This despite the fact that a coach's take-home (after taxes) pay probably doesn't come to that amount in a year's time.
Maybe the economic downturn will force folks to pull in the reins on this some. To me it's just out of hand.
Our team spent over $30,000 on its spring break trip last year (to the Anderson Bat Classic in Anaheim, clear across the country), and while it was enjoyable, it boggles my mind to think of that amount. In years past, that was enough to run the whole program for three years! There just doesn't seem to be any proportionality to it. And I know that while a few, wealthy parents stepped up to close the funding gap, others blanched at the thought of what they were being asked to do, and there didn't seem to be a lot of sensitivity to that. This despite the fact that a coach's take-home (after taxes) pay probably doesn't come to that amount in a year's time.
Maybe the economic downturn will force folks to pull in the reins on this some. To me it's just out of hand.
Libertyville goes down to Scottsdale, Arizona and plays about 4 varsity games and some JV games. Also get a chance to watch a lot of minor league games and last year watch Arizona st vs USC. They also do some rock climbing for conditioning.
The one thing you have to be careful with going down to Florida is the weather. It could rain for a week straight. It is a big risk going down there, but in Arizona in never rains. I think they have down this for about 4 years (2 years it was just practice, no games) and it has never rained!
The one thing you have to be careful with going down to Florida is the weather. It could rain for a week straight. It is a big risk going down there, but in Arizona in never rains. I think they have down this for about 4 years (2 years it was just practice, no games) and it has never rained!
quote:Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
Personally, I think it is an indulgence in an era of readily available money and parents who think their kids should be given everything.
I would counter with, it can be, but not necissarily.
Here in Northern Illinois, the bus trip for a week in Southern Ill and Central MO affords us an opportunity to actually play, when many years the weather at home would not allow that. It also isn't the over the top expenditure that you reference, it's very reasonable.
I do agree wholeheartedly that asking parents to foot a bill for an expensive cross country trip is an extreme financial imposition.
Our high school team (Central Missouri) has been to Orlando (Disney's Wide World of Sports complex)the last three years! A wonderful experience for the players who may not often get the chance to travel the country, let alone to Disney to play baseball.
For the nearly week long trip, it cost each player like $400-450 to go. Then whatever spending money they went through was on them as well. My feeling was that this was "pennies" considering this would afford our son the chance to spend several days with his close friends while staying on a Disney property. The worst part for them was the 1 1/2 day bus ride down and back. But I bet not one of them would trade the experience for anything.
For the nearly week long trip, it cost each player like $400-450 to go. Then whatever spending money they went through was on them as well. My feeling was that this was "pennies" considering this would afford our son the chance to spend several days with his close friends while staying on a Disney property. The worst part for them was the 1 1/2 day bus ride down and back. But I bet not one of them would trade the experience for anything.
A $30,000 bill just to go on a spring trip is crazy to hear. That money can be used as you said to fund the program for at least 2 years, buy new L-screens, jerseys, bats, even gloves for each player if you wanted. And when I hear about a few parents that foot the rest of the bill I have to wonder if those parents and their kids got any special unwarranted playing time or a starting position as a result.
They did not, happy to say. It just boggled my mind that we spent that kind of money, when so many other things go unfunded. And that figure, by the way, did not include the separate expenses incurred by many parents who tagged along to watch the games (and visit Disneyland or whatever)!
Niles North is going to Macon Georgia this spring. It will cost about 14K, all of it from fundraising. Why would anyone care if a team fundraises that that are going to play in hopfully nice weather and get closer as a team? The people donating are aware of the purpose of the fundraising. If they want to give it to cancer research instead, or just keep it to buy groceries, that is up to them.
As far as a turf field. The cost over ten years is the same as yearly maitenance of grass, plus it provided a consistently excellent surface for competition. It has been great for the school and the athletes.
As far as a turf field. The cost over ten years is the same as yearly maitenance of grass, plus it provided a consistently excellent surface for competition. It has been great for the school and the athletes.
quote:Originally posted by bballdad1954:
As far as a turf field. The cost over ten years is the same as yearly maitenance of grass, plus it provided a consistently excellent surface for competition. It has been great for the school and the athletes.
So what does the field turf cost? $1,000,000? Then it costs $100,000 per year to mow, water and fertilize a field of normal grass? Wow, I'm in the wrong business.
However, I might believe this watching our local high school treat their football field like it's paved in gold yet totally ignore their baseball diamond. This includes allowing the both girls socker teams to play in the outfield.
You leave out re-sodding and other costs, but yes, that is the information that was provided to the school district. If it is not an exact trade-off of dollars, it still may be worth a slightly larger cost. Also, the football team does not practice on our outfield, so the baseball team gets an benefit from it also.
But, you may want to change careers. Landscapping firms do quite well.
But, you may want to change careers. Landscapping firms do quite well.
It's funny how these threads get off on tangents. Some people don't like it, others, like me, kind of like the random directions...
When LZ put in a turf football field 3 years ago, there was no more vocal opponent than I. At a cost just shy of $800,000 I thought that the money could be better spent on the athletes and making them better (to be fair, all the money was fundraised, the district just loaned the shortage so construction could start early enough for fall season).
I have to admit I was wrong. Not only is the field always playable, but the field is used constantly by schools and outside groups (football & s****r youth leagues). It was a great investment in the community.
I know a baseball field would not have the same ubiquitous use as a football/s****r field, but still, given the communities availability to use it, it could prove an unlocked asset.
JMHO
When LZ put in a turf football field 3 years ago, there was no more vocal opponent than I. At a cost just shy of $800,000 I thought that the money could be better spent on the athletes and making them better (to be fair, all the money was fundraised, the district just loaned the shortage so construction could start early enough for fall season).
I have to admit I was wrong. Not only is the field always playable, but the field is used constantly by schools and outside groups (football & s****r youth leagues). It was a great investment in the community.
I know a baseball field would not have the same ubiquitous use as a football/s****r field, but still, given the communities availability to use it, it could prove an unlocked asset.
JMHO
Mediumpapi played at Univ. of IL this fall on their field turf and loved it.
It was okay to me but it just didn't look quite right...too unnatural.
Can I ask you a question CPLZ since you were so involved with your school's purchase?
Did the cowbells come with or did you have to pay extra for that?
It was okay to me but it just didn't look quite right...too unnatural.
Can I ask you a question CPLZ since you were so involved with your school's purchase?
Did the cowbells come with or did you have to pay extra for that?
Last year Highland Park went to Memphis and played 3 of the top teams, plus a couple of JV games. It was a great experience, especially at Houston High. Their field was terrific. They have had 4 major league draft choices the last 4 years, including Matt Cain of the Giants. All costs were bron by the players, thru fundraising or out right parental payments.
However, this year there will only be a 1 day trip to Springfield, as our new coach teaches at a school that has a different week off and he can only afford to miss the 1 day. At this point we do not know if it will be just a 1 day trip or if the guys will stay overnight and return the next day.
However, my son might not be with the team during spring break, as the band (he is still a member) has been invited to China again. If the trip is approved he will go to China to play music instead of Springfield for baseball.
However, this year there will only be a 1 day trip to Springfield, as our new coach teaches at a school that has a different week off and he can only afford to miss the 1 day. At this point we do not know if it will be just a 1 day trip or if the guys will stay overnight and return the next day.
However, my son might not be with the team during spring break, as the band (he is still a member) has been invited to China again. If the trip is approved he will go to China to play music instead of Springfield for baseball.
There is rumor circulating that Waterloo High School could very well have Field Turf on not just the football/s****r field but also the baseball AND softball fields when the new school opens next fall. This comes from a very reliable source.
There is a lot to be done before it happens, but it is being seriously considered.
There is a lot to be done before it happens, but it is being seriously considered.
For those Northern Illinois teams going to So Illinois and hopefully using the all turf field at Miners Stadium...BEWARE IN ADVANCE---THEIR NEW PRICE STRUCTURE RAN OFF DIAMOND SPORTS FOR THE SUMMER OF 2009
1 GAME- $600
2 GAMES-$1100
ALL DAY TOURNEY- WITHOUT LIGHTS-$2,000.00
LIGHTS- $150 PER HOUR
QUITE PRICEY FOR ME TO ASK TEAMS TO PAY MORE TO PLAY THERE.....I LOVE NATURAL GRASS! HOPEFULLY FOR ALL YOU HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS....the weather is nicer this spring then last year...
1 GAME- $600
2 GAMES-$1100
ALL DAY TOURNEY- WITHOUT LIGHTS-$2,000.00
LIGHTS- $150 PER HOUR
QUITE PRICEY FOR ME TO ASK TEAMS TO PAY MORE TO PLAY THERE.....I LOVE NATURAL GRASS! HOPEFULLY FOR ALL YOU HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS....the weather is nicer this spring then last year...
Vernon Hills is putting in field turf infield I believe. I don't know if it is the whole field, but I know for sure the infield will be field turf.
Glenbard South will be traveling to Millington, Tennessee to play in the U.S.A Classic. It's a 16 team tournament with some great competition. We open with Yucaipa H.S. from California. They were nationally ranked near the beginning of last spring.
As for the cost. We have rooms at a nice Hotel for 5 nights (8 rooms) which will cost us about $4200.00. We fundraise for that. We take the 2 school mini buses and the school picks up the tab for the gas. The parents pay $50 which will get there kid $10 per day for meals although most of their meals get payed for by the parents who chip in down there and grill out and all. And they have a continental breakfast at the Hotel. We have been going south for the past 17 years between the 2 schools Ive been coaching at. We did southern illinois, Louisville and now Millington/Memphis. You dont have to be rich to pull this off. Just organized. I strongly recommend it for any program. the kids seem to bond on the trip and we usually come back from the trip and get hot at the beginning of our conference schedule due to the competition we face beforehand.
As for the cost. We have rooms at a nice Hotel for 5 nights (8 rooms) which will cost us about $4200.00. We fundraise for that. We take the 2 school mini buses and the school picks up the tab for the gas. The parents pay $50 which will get there kid $10 per day for meals although most of their meals get payed for by the parents who chip in down there and grill out and all. And they have a continental breakfast at the Hotel. We have been going south for the past 17 years between the 2 schools Ive been coaching at. We did southern illinois, Louisville and now Millington/Memphis. You dont have to be rich to pull this off. Just organized. I strongly recommend it for any program. the kids seem to bond on the trip and we usually come back from the trip and get hot at the beginning of our conference schedule due to the competition we face beforehand.
The Highland Park spring brak trip to Memphis was a great experience. Okay, the adults enjoyed the tour of Graceland, but the baseball experience was invaluable for the season. We played 3 top teams. However, these were HP's first 3 games of the season. Each of the teams we played already had between 9 and 12 games under their belts. All the field were top notch as well, with each game heavily attended; watched without wearing snowmobile suits!
quote:Originally posted by BBFan58:
...watched without wearing snowmobile suits!
What an unfair attack and mischaracterization of northern baseball!!!
I don't know anyone that wears their snowmobile suits to games that didn't ride their snowmobile there!
Aw shucks, I'm sure there have been many days when we all wished the IHSA would switch the football and baseball seasons! Nothing like sitting watching our children play when it's 42 degrees with a 10 mph wind off the lake!
I am trying to put a trip together for Spring on behalf of my son's school.
So far I have bus/coach quotes to Florida for $11K & $14K plus food/lodging for driver. Seems way out of control. United group rate to Florida is $561. Anybody have better leads/thoughts?
Also, an alternative is a trip to Memphis area.
Any help would be great.
So far I have bus/coach quotes to Florida for $11K & $14K plus food/lodging for driver. Seems way out of control. United group rate to Florida is $561. Anybody have better leads/thoughts?
Also, an alternative is a trip to Memphis area.
Any help would be great.
Used to hit 300 - (wish I did)
I'd go for Memphis in lieu of Flordia and save some buck$. Last year I believe the cost for each player for Highland Park came to around $300. Not only did we play 3 great games - Houston High, Germantown HS, and Evangelical Christian, but we toured Graceland (a mecca in my mind) and took the kids out for BBQ on Beale street. The kids really bonded and we had 3 great games to boot, as well as some relaxation. This year we will be limited to 1 day because our new coach teaches in a different school district and thus has a different spring break schedule. Regardless of where the team goes my son, as I stated previously, will be going to China with our HS band, which, if we cannot get enough fundraising, will be $3,000 per student.
I'd go for Memphis in lieu of Flordia and save some buck$. Last year I believe the cost for each player for Highland Park came to around $300. Not only did we play 3 great games - Houston High, Germantown HS, and Evangelical Christian, but we toured Graceland (a mecca in my mind) and took the kids out for BBQ on Beale street. The kids really bonded and we had 3 great games to boot, as well as some relaxation. This year we will be limited to 1 day because our new coach teaches in a different school district and thus has a different spring break schedule. Regardless of where the team goes my son, as I stated previously, will be going to China with our HS band, which, if we cannot get enough fundraising, will be $3,000 per student.
Thanks BBFan. You have a PM.
lakes is going down to play @normal, highland, and troy triad .....a waste of time if you ask me for 3 days and only 3 games...the weather still may be sketchy down there.
They will get some decent competition if they get to play those games though BBLefty21. Highland and Triad are normally pretty good. Usually at the top of the Mississippi Valley Conference. Highland has Coach Hawkins who is very fundamental and at Triad they have one of CoachB25's former assistants running the program. Highland can bunt 1-9 it doesn't matter..
I think the best spring trip i seen was Clemente going down to Puerto Rico for a week. That sounds like a great trip
quote:Originally posted by BBLEFTY21:
lakes is going down to play @normal, highland, and troy triad .....a waste of time if you ask me for 3 days and only 3 games...the weather still may be sketchy down there.
That appears to be a nice 3 day likely low cost trip that the kids will enjoy regardless if it's Central & southern IL. Sure, it doesn't have the glitz of a week trip down in FL but I'm sure the Eagles coaching staff and the players did the best they could with what they had. The weather would be iffy no matter where you went unless you went to AZ or CA and it is still potentially a great chance for players to bond more on the longer bus trips of 6 hours towards STL than holding indoor practices over Spring Break because the weather in Lake Villa is still miserable.
I applaud these trips as it's a great chance for teams to come together, see different areas of the state, and play against different talent. If Lakes would've played Highland last year, they would've faced Jake Odorizzi who's prob. the best IL HS player since Cliff Floyd (my apologies to Honel).
quote:Originally posted by woodly:
For those Northern Illinois teams going to So Illinois and hopefully using the all turf field at Miners Stadium...BEWARE IN ADVANCE---THEIR NEW PRICE STRUCTURE RAN OFF DIAMOND SPORTS FOR THE SUMMER OF 2009
1 GAME- $600
2 GAMES-$1100
ALL DAY TOURNEY- WITHOUT LIGHTS-$2,000.00
LIGHTS- $150 PER HOUR
QUITE PRICEY FOR ME TO ASK TEAMS TO PAY MORE TO PLAY THERE.....I LOVE NATURAL GRASS! HOPEFULLY FOR ALL YOU HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS....the weather is nicer this spring then last year...
The Miners want the community to support their team and then they try to gouge all of the local high schools. I personally will never attend one of their games.