Enjoyed the story about the ticket, but my son was not so lucky. He lived less than a 1/2 mile from the field when playing his first summer of short season ball, he was running late one morning and there was road construction and he got NO brake-he got the ticket! I seem to recall we had to front him the money to pay for it. (double fine in construction zone)
1st year for my son was $850.00(rookie),the next year was $950.00 (low A) - repeated low A and made $1020.00 his 3rd year, and is now at High A making $1200.00 - so seems with his club it is not so much the level, but just that you get an increase each year no matter. He is eligible for his incentive bonus when he advances to AA, took that instead of the college they offered to pay for (we hope he never needs it!).
They do not get paid in Spring Training. They are put up in hotels, or given money to live on their own, (they have to be a third year player to live on their own) and meal money of $20.00 a day. No pay during instructional league either except they are put in hotel and same meal money. Don't foget they have club dues to pay too.
In some cases host families are available and don't charge much, but this year in CA they were non-existant. Rent is high, roommates come and go, my son started with three and due to injuries, promotions and demotions, he is down to one, and they have to cover the apartment rent as well as renting furniture so they have a bed and a couch. Oh, and they eat off a coffee table.
We are headed out for the second visit of the season later next week. He always likes when Mom and Dad come to town as we feed him while we are there.
It has been a good life non the less. He has met some great coaches and players, travelled from the East coast to the West coast and a couple places in between. After Instructs in AZ, he is looking for a chance to play Winter ball, outside the USA - he was on the DL for almost two months, so the arm will still be fresh.
His team is headed for the play offs, it has been a good season. This year he may opt to buy a place in AZ so he is near the complex, (he wants to invest some of the signing bonus-he was an 8th round draft pick out of high school, but got between 4-5 round money) and Mom and Dad might finally be able to turn his bedroom into a guest room.........
Last year he gave pitching lessons in the off season and made some good money doing that. He also ran a Christmas baseball camp with some other local minor and major league players and the kids love it. They are still taking about the experience
8 months later. It was good for all and I am so proud these guys want to give back to the community in that way.
It's had it's ups and downs, but I know he would not trade his life for any other and his dream of making the show is as strong as ever, even though he plays for peanuts.
