Travel Ball Fees

[comscott]

I was just wondering what the cost on playing travel ball. I know it depends on the organization and the age level, but I was just curious about some of the higher end organizations such as the Sorcerers,Grapes,Sting,Bears, etc. Most advertise for try outs, but few put what it is going to cost. I know traveling is another cost,but I always hear such different numbers on the various organizations. Just curious if anybody can give me a dollar amount for the 2011 season. Thanks

[Tenshun]

[Cheeto]

The fees seem to be all over the map. It pretty much is age specific. I think on an average, Gold runs $1500-$2000 or better, 18's run $1000-$1300, 16's run $750-$1000, and so on. Not exact on any of those, but bet you I'm pretty close. You will also have Team fees outside of the players fees for most of the teams.

[watchtonsofsoftball]

Ok, I'll bite
10u is the cheapest, can be anywhere from 450-700 depending on team goals.
12-14u is generally in the 650-900 range depending on tournaments entered
16u-18G is usually anywhere from 1k-1400

Keep in mind with 18g your talking about a ton of travel so you could be upwards of 5k-7500 with travel arrangements. Most good orgs do some good fundraising to help but your always out your own expense as a parent. This is summer only!
16u is probably more around the 4-5k range with travel for the good teams who travel south and out of state at least once. Thiis is for the summer only!
12-14u with travel your probably in the 2500 range as most of these teams do a westerns or nationals tournament. I know this is general, but if the costs are higher than I have stated , you can ask for a budget. Although some of the top orgs dont provide a budget, as they should.
Also, ask if your team is a non profit or a for profit. For profit orgs like Miz. AA, they dont have to provide you jack in the way of explaining where the money went. Not to many for profits these days, but I'd still ask. Otherwise they can overcharge and use the money as they see fit within the org. This is from my experience as a coach,parent, manager, etc. Ive done it all and have a pretty good grasp on this part of travel ball. Every team will be different and most will explain where the money goes. One of the benefits of the Breeze is that they help with expenses to national tournaments for their teams. Im not promoting them at all, but that is one of their perks. Some teams I have seen have a sponsor which keeps fees down. Sponsors are tough to come by so most teams dont have anything in the way of sponsorship, other than a discount on equipment.

[Cheeto]

Well put. I was close.

[softballdad03]

I could be wrong, but it was my understanding that if a team is ASA they are required to provide an accounting if asked, whether for profit or non-profit. If a team is unwilling to talk about the fee structure, how it's built, where it goes, then maybe it's time to go elsewhere.

[NCal123]

In the South Bay to be in one of the more well known orgs you are going to pay a premium.

For 18G I know Sting, Lady Sharks, Stars (Piper's team), and Strikkers are anywhere from 2500-2800!

For the same teams you will be paying 1400-1800 for 14-16U.

Also know a couple of teams are charging 12-1400 for 12U and one 10U team charging 1000.

At 18G most teams are on a 10 week road trip with alot of flying as well. Thats alot of expenses paid for coaches but should be expected. Only problem will come if a kid gets minimal play time becuase the have more than 16 players on the team. Usually that means they are taking additional paying kids to make up for someone not paying, or some of the coaches have daughters on the team and are getting a 50-100% discount, or they are just plain old making money off you (Which is fine if you are happy with the results!)

[NumeroUno]

Those prices sound good for California but what about on the east coast. I heard teams out there can cost 3 to 5k a year. Is their any truth to this?

[triplecrown]

Now on the flip side, I know of a top 18 Gold team in SoCal, players fees a big donut $0. Well keep in mind the travel expenses to Surf City and Premier Nationals, what is that across town to Oggis and sleep in your own beds at night. Its tough being top shelf, damn it

[ECSB]

For NU - on east coast - My DH ran an 18A team last year in CT. Charged 1000 for summer and refunded $100. Covered uniforms, winter (indoor) practice and 8 tournaments. Coaches were not paid and no help for anyone for travel Did no fundraising.

We are paying $875 for 18A this year for another CT team. Covers uniforms, winter practice and 7 tournaments. Again, coaches are not paid and no help for anyone for travel. We are doing some fundraising.

In the previous organization we were in, the Gold team cost $2500 per year. Covered same as above, but more and bigger tournaments and travel for coaches.

I think those are pretty standard for New England - you can't get players if you charge too much - I don't know about Long Island teams or the real gold teams like Shamrocks, Thunder and Hurricanes - those teams likely charge more.

Some teams fundraise more and help with a large trip like Nationals or Rising Stars.