What is the dollar cost of baseball?

Summer fee-$1,500-$2000. Travel, 6 to 7 tournaments in summer, but luckily not too bad as we are in Florida so all events are close and hotel needed only for about half as I have family all over. Plane-none yet, but will be once next summer. 2013 Son will attend in total 3 showcases this fall including PG Underclass. This past summer we spent about $2,500, but expect that number to rise to about $4000-$5000 next summer due to higher profile team and trip to East Cobb. In total this fall alone we have spent approx. $2,000.

CABBallFan,

To answer your question, we were paying $3-4K a year ago including Fall fees, Spring fees, private pitching lessons, workout & conditioning, hotels, gas, etc. If my son were playing with that same organization today it would easily be $4-5K as they have jacked up the price.

To take your topic a step further....My wife and I were talking the other day about how much total $$ we have "invested" financially in baseball for three sons (different ages) over the last 12 years. I'm still working the numbers, but it brings me to my point.....Are people expecting to get a return on their baseball investment from college baseball? If so, I'd really like to hear how. We have a travel baseball team advertising in our local paper, and they are claiming a return on investment. I say bullshirt. We've always gone under the assumption that the best baseball could do is recoup or breakeven under only the best of conditions, and certainly not for everyone. We've done it for other reasons, mostly because my sons love to play. Anyway, thoughts?

I agree. Spend the money for the love of the game and for what it does to build character. College scholarships ain't gonna do much for most of us in this regard. Have a budget and stick to it (unless of course some really cool catcher's equipment comes on the market )

Thanks for the responses so far. Sounds like I shouldn’t be horrified to hear $250 to $350 per month each season in the future.

To riff on fenwaysouth’s comments: I don’t think there’s a more disastrous financial decision than having kids. Rarely is there any ROI. I know my parents passed on new cars, more vacations, mega-savings, charitable giving, everything, to get me into adulthood; and yet, they’re still overjoyed to see me and their grandkids anytime we can visit.

When it comes to family budgeting, I believe you should only factor in your current means. Planning on any kind of future financial benefit from your child’s youthful endeavors if foolhardy and you should be very skeptical of anyone trying to sell it.

We spent what we could afford; what this bought was an experience which kept our son focused.

He was busy most of his high school years, with his HS team and a handful of teams (from Babe Ruth, Legion, Travel). It opened doors to several colleges including a couple of small scholarships. Through College, we paid for his travel and out of pocket cost to play in Collegiate Summer Leagues. And we bought alot of gloves, bats, batting gloves, sliding shorts, workout gear, etc. We paid for a hitting instructor who provided a foundation that carried him through his college career.

We paid what we could afford. We never went overboard, we skipped certain events becuase they were not in the budget (PG Events were too expensive for us). He did a couple of local showcases that were priced similiar to a local tournament. He went to the Stanford camp; but stayed at home to save money.

In the end; baseball helped shape him as a person. It gave him something to belong too, it helped develop friendships, it gave him a purpose in school (when it wasn't immediatly apparent to him). But in the end we did what we could afford.

As to how much we spent; it would be hard to measure. But the bottom line is baseball had to affordable for the entire family and was not worth sacraficing our security to chase a dream.

It can be scary, that's for sure. No question that its usually money well spent. The main thing I would caution many parents is not to drink too much of the koolaid, don't worry about keeping up with the Jones's; set a realistic expense each year. There are lots of teams and opportunities, and many of the organizers are looking at their bottom line as their primary focus.

This site is great for providing the right input and sharing info. I bet it's saved parents thousands of dollars in many cases.

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CABBallFan - I don’t think there’s a more disastrous financial decision than having kids. Rarely is there any ROI.

I'll have to get that "fixed" and quick!

The opportunities to spend money increase exponentially as your kids get to high school…$1,000 for the fall, plus travel (3-4 tournaments); $1,300 for the summer, plus travel (5-6 tournaments); conditioning/agility/pitching/hitting lessons; camps that your HS coach want you to attend; PG showcases; college camps if you want to be seen by those coaches; plus $$$ for college advisory services, if you’re so inclined; and, of course, all the gear. You certainly don’t have to spend this much, but chances are, if your son loves the sport, you’ll have the chance and you’ll have to pick and choose.

I’ve gotten to the point where I sort of justify our spending (x two) by comparing the expense to daycare when the kids were small…necessary to keep them safe. Baseball provides focus, great mentors, friends all over the region that give them perspective beyond their HS team, academic expectations, and lots of life lessons. So far, we’ve avoided the HS party scene because of the travel, and my older son knows that growing his hair long or getting a pierced ear wouldn’t be looked on kindly by any of his coaches. Love it!

My advice is to expect no return other than what your son derives in the here and now; when people talk about focusing on the journey, that’s great advice. When my kids get frustrated, I always offer them the option of hanging up their cleats at the end of the current season. I never want to spend more than I’d be comfortable with if they decided to leave it all behind. Also, don’t blindly do whatever your HS coach suggests…you’ll waste time and money and, from my experience, it won’t affect your son either way when it comes to tryouts. If you think something is a waste, don’t do it again. Go with what you think will provide the most value to your son.

One of the best posts I've read on this site.

quote:

Originally posted by ILVBB:
We spent what we could afford; what this bought was an experience which kept our son focused.

He was busy most of his high school years, with his HS team and a handful of teams (from Babe Ruth, Legion, Travel). It opened doors to several colleges including a couple of small scholarships. Through College, we paid for his travel and out of pocket cost to play in Collegiate Summer Leagues. And we bought alot of gloves, bats, batting gloves, sliding shorts, workout gear, etc. We paid for a hitting instructor who provided a foundation that carried him through his college career.

We paid what we could afford. We never went overboard, we skipped certain events becuase they were not in the budget (PG Events were too expensive for us). He did a couple of local showcases that were priced similiar to a local tournament. He went to the Stanford camp; but stayed at home to save money.

In the end; baseball helped shape him as a person. It gave him something to belong too, it helped develop friendships, it gave him a purpose in school (when it wasn't immediatly apparent to him). But in the end we did what we could afford.

As to how much we spent; it would be hard to measure. But the bottom line is baseball had to affordable for the entire family and was not worth sacraficing our security to chase a dream.

I don't know and I don't ever want to know. But I will say this: If the goal was to pay for college (which it was not) it would have been far, far better to have saved the money I spent on baseball. I could have sent 10 kids to college with that plus the interest. But it would not have been nearly as much fun.

quote:

Originally posted by jemaz:
I don't know and I don't ever want to know. But I will say this: If the goal was to pay for college (which it was not) it would have been far, far better to have saved the money I spent on baseball. I could have sent 10 kids to college with that plus the interest. But it would not have been nearly as much fun.

One of the main reasons we allowed our son to pursue year-round baseball is because we felt like organized athletics was a great way to keep him busy and away from some of the temptations teens sometimes succumb to. I think it helped to mold a fine young man and for the most part it helped to keep him out of trouble.


We ended up with a win/win situation and it was well worth the investment, however, like Jemaz, I would rather not know the total cost.

Interesting thread. Finances and priorities are VERY personal and vary greatly from family to family. Baseball expenditures for OUR family could be classified as a number of things.
#1. It was the family's recreation.
#2. It was the root of our hobbies (i.e. photography, scrapbooking, travel, and baseball).
#3. It was an investment in our son's future.
#4. It was a social event.

I looked at the money spent and in almost ALL cases I could justify the dollars spent with the return from those dollars. There were things I ( I basically called the shots) wouldn't spend money on because I couldn't justify it. We passed on PG and Area Code games because our son didn't need the exposure and spending money there would reduce the money we had to spend on other areas like travel cost for the highest level of summer ball. Did a few camps and showcases but they were kept to a minimum. I didn't cut corners on equipment or lessons spending money on the best I could find but also explained to son WHY I was buying the best and used that as a motivator.

After graduation from high school the "actual" baseball cost ended. His college scholarship covered all the baseball cost and most of the education cost for the next three years. Mom and I travelled to all the home games and most of the away games but never saw that as a "baseball cost" but more of an excuse to stay "connected" to our son. After 3 years of college ball the pro ball signing bonus and meager MiLB salary sustained him for the next three years and allowed him to complete his college education without any money from us. I would do it all over with few changes..... no regrets.

Fungo

Fungo

I think you and I have been down this discussion road before

First of all I do not see how any dad/mom can put a dollar figure on the time spent together with your son during the baseball adventures

I spent, and I think Fungo will agree with this, untold dollars when I was a professional bass fishing in tournament and practice sessions and that was not with my son---

Please let me qualify my Original Post. My goal here is to get a reference point on what the prices are for the “higher” levels of baseball. The community on this board has more than proven its breadth of knowledge and intelligence on all-things baseball. So as my family makes a step further down the Journey, I want to hear what other people are paying so I can have some tools to decide if prices are valid or rip-offs.

I fully understand that trying to justify the return on investment into baseball (which I believe is really code for, investment into your family?) is going to be very very hard. But, I am a product of athletics. I can agree with everything said about the building of character, the teaching of responsibilities, the sifting of peer groups, and the value of looking forward to achieve goals. My son and daughter appear to be on versions of the same Journey, and I (we) couldn’t be more satisfied.

quote:

I didn't cut corners on equipment or lessons spending money on the best I could find but also explained to son WHY I was buying the best and used that as a motivator.

My son had a hitting lesson every week for years.It was the best money spent.Came to about 100.00 a month.Half hour lesson.Always had good gloves, good bats, batting gloves, etc.Trainers, best spent money we spent.

Son went to Jr and Sr fall classics, East Cobb, and Stanford camp, and two college camps.Was invited to Jr day at a D1, but only 1.We could not afford lots of showcases.The team he went with wasnt to pricey.Played in many tournaments locally.

My son not being a big name player got moderate feedback from schools, but not much and not strong.

I think the experiences gave him confidence as he hit very well at these events.I believe it made him work harder, and compete aginst good competition.

The best exposure my son got was playing Junior college baseball, honestly.Scout teams if son is good enough has lots of exposure, many dont charge.

quote:

’d be interested to know what Baseball costs you or your family.

I prefer NOT to run those numbers. Why spoil a perfectly good habit.

At least $5,000 per year, each, once they got to travel ball. Fastpitch softball is more than baseball - more games, more travel.

We spent a lot but his college scholarships have paid him back all of it and more. Bum Jr., not us.

The true cost is hard to quantify. If my wife and I weren't traveling around watching him play ball undoubtedly we'd have been spending money doing something else, right?

As for return on investment, if that were our motive I'd never have enjoyed any of this. I know it's not his motive.

When my boys started at the age of 4 playing t-ball, college ball was the farthest thing from my mind. Being a big kid (and adult)myself, it was for physical fitness. Also I have read many articles of the non-athletic benefits of team sports. As my sons became better players with age, the goals changed. Now that my oldest is a freshman for a D1 college baseball team, some of the cost for all the games are being rewarded. But the way I look at the cost is the alternatives of not being an athlete. Increased trouble with the law, drugs, obesity(diabetes). Those are the things that I was trying to avoid for my children. When they are done playing baseball, my boys will still be better for playing than not. Friendships, health, team play, leadership, success, and failure. All lessons that will make for a better adult. My 2 cents. So whatever it costs you, look at all the benefits of the expenses even those that are not baseball related. Sometimes other expenses could exceed the cost of playing, ie(lawyers, drug abuse). These things all increase without athletics in a child's life, proven in many studies. Doesn't work for everyone, but I know more kids in trouble without sports than those with them. Also more fit kids in sports than without them. Worth every penny for our family, whatever it cost.

I’d be interested to know what Baseball costs you or your family.


priceless.

First, every year is different, and every year the cost goes up.

My son is a sophomore in high school. I would be surprised if we spend less than $5k for summer and fall ball and showcases/camps, excluding additional instruction, equipment, gym/trainer, etc.

Like everyone else, I believe it is well worth it, and not because he will get scholarship money which will offset what I've spent over the years.

The reality is participating in any “travel sport” is expensive (talk to a hockey parent… wow!) . While I wouldn’t change a thing, the truth is between my daughter’s competitive dance and two son’s baseball habits we probably spent on average $12k a year for about 8 years (between their ages of 10 to 15). I always looked at this as an entertainment expense, not investment.

I’m sure my daughter is killer on the club dance floor, however in reality she isn’t really doing anything with all of her dance training now that she is in college . My oldest son had a very nice scholarship offer from a top tier ACC baseball program however he went the professional route so I guess we could say we got a great return on the investment (Or should I say, he got a great return on our investment because I certainly didn’t see any of his signing bonus) . Now that my youngest son is in high school he has found football so travel baseball is not his first priority anymore. We are new to football and I am really surprised how inexpensive football is (no travel teams). He still plays baseball on the HS team but he really isn’t pursuing it past HS so there are not a lot of travel team expenses anymore.

In the spirit of full disclosure, for my son that is now in professional baseball, once we realized he had a shot of playing big time baseball the cost of baseball went up considerably. This started around the age of 15 and lasted three years while he competed on a national level. Between team fees, showcases, instruction and travel expenses we probably spend about 10K a season (half of that on travel expenses for the two of us). And while I don’t think I would have regretted it if things didn’t work out, honestly to some degree, we did look at this as an investment and we only decided to do it after we had a pretty good idea he would probably play college ball. Being realistic about your son’s potential is a key component in my opinion. I’m not saying we wouldn’t have still participated in “travel” baseball if he wasn’t considered a high level player, we would have just done it more locally and not spent the summers hundreds of miles away from home.

The one thing that really surprises me is the number of players that are pretty good, but not necessarily high level high school players that are spending so much money hoping to catch lightning in a bottle. I know one dad that took out a loan to pay for the travel schedule and while his son was a nice player (and great kid), the truth is he was a an average high school player. The best advice I can give anyone before spending tons of money is to invest in going to a PG Showcase. After seeing the talent levels of the competition and after getting a qualified rating from people that know what they are doing you will have a much better idea if “going for it” is a realistic goal for your son.

Good luck to all going through this now, the travel ball years will be some of our fondest memories. Wish I had it to do all over again (especially knowing what I know now)

CabBallfan,

Are you trying to get some of us killed? My wife once said, "You know, I'd love to know what you've spent on baseball..no, on second thought, never mind, I'm glad I DON'T know..."

It's been worth every penny for all the reasons so eloquently expressed already.

My lament to my lovely wife is often something like this:"I don't drink or smoke, don't cheat on you, and rarely even cuss. My vice is baseball. Take your pick"

quote:

Dont want to ! I prob spent 5,000.00 on bats ? Just mailing them back to be replaced !!!

LOL, thats the truth!!I ahve a brand new composite in my closet, nver been used.A replacement bat.

This is a great topic that I am guessing many visitors to this site have thought about often. I have a 2012 so I will look at expenses for 3 years -- the past 2 summers and the summer of 2011.

club team --- $2,500 (x3) = $7,500
bats (metal and wood) = $3,500
gloves (3) = $1,000
misc-pants,shorts, hats = $1,000
instruction/training = $3,500
DBAT membership = $1,800
Travel Expenses = $8,000
showcases = $3,000
son's loss of income/no time for job = $2,700


$32,000 is a crazy amount of money that would probably cover 50-100% of my son's college expense. However, I wouldn't change a thing! The fun we had as a family, the relationships we formed with other families, and the incredible bond that baseball helped form between my son and I --- MONEY CAN'T BUY!! Do what you can afford but do not get caught up in "what you could have done with this money". I've had friends, who don't have kids in baseball, tell me how crazy it is to spend these dollars when the money would have paid for school. I tell them all the same thing -- it's not about obtaining a scholarship, it's about having fun and watching your son grow up and achieve his goal. The scholarship is merely the icing!

quote:

Originally posted by hokieone:
CabBallfan,

Are you trying to get some of us killed? My wife once said, "You know, I'd love to know what you've spent on baseball..no, on second thought, never mind, I'm glad I DON'T know..."

My credit card company sends a "helpful" summary of purchases each year, breaking them down into categories, one of which is sports and recreation. That puppy goes straight to the shredder before the young bride sees it!

I once made the mistake of talking to a journalist that was doing an article on the costs of youth sports. It wasn't until much later when the article came out and was picked up by newspapers across the US that I realized she was putting a negative spin on the costs associated with high level youth sports.

So,years later, if you google my son's name the article still pops up. I've gotten calls from friends from all over the US about seeing the article. I was naive in letting her use our real names. I think the total was about $30K. And yet, would do it all over again.

One of the great things about having your son play in college is that you don't have to spend more money on equipment or uniforms!

Baseball afforded our son the opportunity to get into a college that, without baseball, he most likely would not have been admitted. I wouldn't trade the memories - lots of great ones. Club fees $1500 -travel - $1000 - misc $500 so total for a year $3000(HS age).

There is no doubt, baseball has become big business. Some clubs charge alot for their programs, some don't. And there are a ton in between. But, the bottom line, or bottom dollar is relative to talent and expectations. No matter what the cost, a $.01 or $30,000, its all a waste if the end result does not match your talent and expectations. Really, the greatest benefit to this type of investment is simply positive reps. Positive reps, in front of the right people, against the right type of competition. Some kids just need to play more baseball.

Beware of the programs that can't deliver. The best messure is to look at the clubs player alumni, look where they end up. If it's all small abstract (DII/III Juco) programs and not the top programs, then maybe there needs to be some due diligence to make sure you are getting what you pay for.

GED10DaD

(Edited post 11/08/2010)

quote:

If it's all small abstract (D2/3) Juco's and not the top programs, then maybe there needs to be some due diligence to make sure you are getting what you pay for.

"small abstract????"
Boy, the comments that get posted on this board.
There are players in DII, DIII and Juco, big time players.
Have you been to a DII Regional or a DIII Regional?
I expect you better include all those mid major DI's in there too along with the Ivy's, Patriot league and more than a few others..
Small abstract..oh well, I guess I better get used to it as it just seems to be more and more a part of the HSBBW.
I wonder if you have stats on the number of those with a "big abstract" with players going "big time" for one year and moving to the "small abstract."
Now that is a big time number.

Sorry, I re-read the post and can understand how my comment could be misunderstood. I was not talking about D2/D3 Universities, but small "abstract" DII/DIII community colleges and juco's. I edited my post.

My point was about the money spent to get there, not the level of play at these programs.

Sorry for the confusion, GED10DaD

You pay it they take it. a little bit of sarcasm sorry but makes you think.

Spectacular responses. Thank you for every one of them. I do hope no one gets into too much “trouble” for sharing their experience. I know where to get a great deal on cubic zirconia if you need help digging out of a hole?

The perspective on this topic that I hadn’t previously considered is the need to factor in honest feedback of your player’s skills and upside. I really appreciate the dollar numbers people have shared but I understand that different skill sets may dictate different paths. As I mentioned before, we are embroiled in the exciting span of youth sports where players vary in size by up to 12 inches and 80 lbs. I am looking forward to the 14+ age groups where the field is full sized and differences between early & later bloomers begins to diminish.

Pretty much same costs as as all previous posters. Well worth every penny and all the time and travel though. Would not have traded any of it. A lot can be said for playing year 'round and the tournament circuits in terms of watching the talent develop vs. those that played 3 months out of the year (like it was back when I was a kid). That, and turning the developement of a young player over to someone other than local daddys! Of course, this comes with a price!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Nuke:
This is a great topic that I am guessing many visitors to this site have thought about often.

$32,000 is a crazy amount of money that would probably cover 50-100% of my son's college expense.

Yes this is a very interesting topic, and yes $32k is an absurd amount of money for an average family to pay.
I just wonder when this all started to become the norm? When we were kids, most of our parents would never have spent large amounts of money much less taken so much of their own time traveling. Sure, well to do families could afford it, but the mentality seemed to be different back then. Today some people seem to wear the cost like a badge of honor.
So while I now see the light about the need to spend money in this day and age if it helps our kids achieve their goals, I still wonder how we have gotten to this place in just a few generations?