Disturbing trend starting to happen in softball

[DLyle]

Again, the most talented will play. As a high school coach there are many fund raising methods, cookie dough, etc., extra credit to go and support your peers is not a bad thing. In my experience , if it bothers you that much talk to coach. My guess is if everyone buys the cleats the entire team gets the discout.

[DonnieS]

I guess this would be similar to my dd's softball program where they require anyone trying out for the team (about 85 girls for jv and Varsity) to sell fundraising items like cookie dough and outfield banners. They are all required to sell about $300 worth and only about 28 kids actually make the teams and most of the benefit goes to the 14 varsity kids. The rest of them just get the door to door sales experience. Hopefully my dd won't be just practicing her sales skills.

NoNo

Its all part of the experience.

[Lori]

whats the matter larry--you getting cheap on us now...didnt make enough off your tourney to buy your daughter some cleats??

I guess this shows us all you really don't kow much about the softball world.....select or high school.

[1prouddad]

Larry111 --

The end result is the same: money buys advantages not available to those on a limited budget.

True - Money does buy advantages not available to those on limited budgets.

Buying grades, or buying expensive preparation to get the grade... are they really all that different in the short run?

Now that's a pretty stupid statement. It's totally different..... in the short run, and in the long run. When you're talking about paying for your daughters tutoring, you are getting a benefit - she is learning and will be better for it. Would you pay for her HS diploma if you could?
I could pay quite a bit of money for pitching lessons, hitting lessons, etc. for my daughter, but for a lot less money, I could go out and buy my daughter a trophy so that she doesn't have to play and earn it. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?

[DLyle]

LOL!!! I am going to think about that, i could start fishing again?

[SnocatzDad]

Softball is an extra curricular activity and in tight times if the school requires that the players and parents cover all costs associated with that "extra" I have no problem with that. This might be through fund raising or just increased fees. Most fundraising comes with a buyout these days (at least it does around here).

If the coach mandates the team wear specific cleats and buy them, I might not be ecstatic about it or thrilled with the cleats, but that seems within his rights as a coach, and the sale of those cleats might be part of collecting fees to pay for the sport so I don't really mind that part either. If it gets too expensive people will make a value judgement if this "extra" is really worth it.

My kids get opportunities to attend Science Night live events for extra credit. They learn a little bit by putting in a little time outside of school and get just enough extra credit to maybe push a B+ to an A-. If that's buying grades because not everyone can afford to bring their kids to those events, then I guess I'm guilty as charged.

[sbfanatic]

Well at least you are not in a school district that is now charging students $100 to $300 athletic fees for each sport. Some schools are considering eliminating high school sports due to budget cuts.

[Sftbll4ever]

Well at least you are not in a school district that is now charging students $100 to $300 athletic fees for each sport. Some schools are considering eliminating high school sports due to budget cuts.

That's it!!!! Just 100 to 300??? Try over 1k for volleyball, 400 for soccer and over 500 for softball.

[HUH???]

Finally charging what they are actually worth.......Just kidding........Please don't come on bashing me for a JOKE! Laugh instead.

Seems cheap to me though! Have you seen the price of a pack of Cigs? I don't smoke, or dip, but if you did 1 pack or can a day you would be at $250 - $350 a Month!
What about Ice Cream! Figure out what Ice Cream costs by the Gallon and it makes Gas seam low! Go to a Movie! Family of 4 cost $25-$30. Add Drink and Popcorn...another $25-$30. Do that twice a month and you are at $1,200 annually.
I know useless info......LOL.

I am just saying!!!!!

[SnocatzDad]

Well at least you are not in a school district that is now charging students $100 to $300 athletic fees for each sport. Some schools are considering eliminating high school sports due to budget cuts.

Actually $150 is the basic rate for all sports participation here with an added expectation that you will participate in at least one fundraiser per sport and support the boosters. A neighboring town is $300. I think cost is closer to $700 per participant, but hard to say is some of that isn't recouped in ticket sales to youth sporting events.

If it wasn't for the money football brings in I think HS sports would have already gone the way of the do-do.