| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| HITANDRUN |
Posted - 02/09/2010 : 08:42:59
Friend of a friend heard a high school in Cherokee county, was charging a $600.00 non refundable fee to tryout for their high school baseball team.
I doubt this is true, has anyone heard this? I could see $600.00 for team dues once you make the team, but not $600 just to tryout.
Say it aint so joe. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| jaguars18 |
Posted - 03/02/2010 : 19:01:48
After all the fundraising before tryouts was done it got worse after. Each kid then had to sell 25 tickets to a braves game within a 2 week period. |
| bballman |
Posted - 02/24/2010 : 12:22:03
I really do think we have a good deal. I kind of misspoke in my earlier post in regard to the coupon books. What actually happened is part way through the selling process, those kids who sold 10 books did not have to run that day. Not really a punishment, but more of a prize for being ahead of the curve on selling them. There is also an incentive for selling sponsorships. They have a $150 sponsorship and a $500 sponsorship. If you sell a $500 sponsorship, you get a $100 refund from team funds. It's all really pretty good. |
| Sultan |
Posted - 02/24/2010 : 11:35:00
Bballman, sounds like you'e getting off cheap. |
| teddy41 |
Posted - 02/23/2010 : 09:19:52
Sell coupon books or be punished by running? That is a real modern day way to do it. What if the academic booster club wanted you to do the same as that is where our kids will learn their money in the real world. That may be another topic as why the state of GA ranks so high in athletics and about 35th in education. |
| bballman |
Posted - 02/22/2010 : 16:44:25
Sounds like a lot for your school. At our school, it is $400 player fee. They are also encouraged to sell $400 worth of coupon books (20 books at $20 each). If they don't sell them, the worst thing that can happen is they have to run. There is also a fundraiser before the HS season starts. Totally voluntary. Parents are also encouraged to sell some sponsorships. Once again, not mandatory. That's about it for us. Any of the fundraising is voluntary. The kids are encouraged to do it, but not forced.
We haven't even been asked to join the booster club. Although it is not a bad thing to do. One of the things you get with a $350 booster club membership is free admittance to all home athletic events for 4 family members. If the 4 family members go to 18 events, it pays for itself. That includes football games, baseball games, soccer games, basketball games, whatever. Not too bad, but we are not required to join.
So, the only "real" money we are required to come up with is the $400 player fee. |
| teddy41 |
Posted - 02/22/2010 : 15:21:42
The fact is, HS ball costs a fraction of what travel ball costs
This is totally wrong or maybe we are not from the same county, our travel team for my younger is about 1k and that includes 10 tournaments. Our school team for my older required $400 worth of fundraising before tryouts, booster club is $650 and then there is a $300 uniform and meal cost not to mention the transportation cost.
SO not sure where the fraction comment comes from |
| mechanicsplus |
Posted - 02/22/2010 : 12:25:13
In school your paying for the coaches stipend, a scoreboard, cages,dugouts and who knows what else..does anyone ever see a budget from the school? Also your getting about 18-22 games which is about 5 tournaments worth of baseball. And for everyone who complains about dad coaching i will say i see a lot of dad coaches who are better than the school coaches.
I'd like to let this comment slide by, but it's obvious you don't have experience in the areas you Post about. The H.S. Season is 26 games with another 15 possible in the Playoffs. Region 6 (our Metro-Atlanta area) is stock full of tremendous Baseball programs and Head Coaches. Moreover, all the College players I know much preferred playing for their Schools, seeking a State Championship, than they did winning a Summer tournament trophy. I'm not advocating one experience over the other as they both have their place. |
| mechanicsplus |
Posted - 02/22/2010 : 12:14:21
quote:
Originally posted by teddy41
i think your missing the point, if my kid did not play travel due to being to expensive does that mean that now he should pay to tryout or play on a school team? Hello do you understand what public school is?
No, I think I understand. I know that I pay taxes to support free public education whether my child attends or not (he does not). However, others benefit and I have no problem with that. However, that doesn't guarantee little Johnny, or Jill, the right to participate in extra-curricular sports for FREE! As you may have noted from earlier posters, the school systems do not receive public funds for their sports programs for YOUR child. There are no free rides SIR!
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| bballman |
Posted - 02/22/2010 : 11:44:09
Man, you guys are negative about HS ball. Bottom line is, if you don't want your kid to play, or don't think he is good enough, then don't play.
The fact is, HS ball costs a fraction of what travel ball costs. The kids love it. If you play in the right area, it can be very competitive. From the sounds of it here, tryouts for many of your schools are very competitive. Not everyone makes it. Maybe that is what makes HS ball even better than travel. Any one can find a travel team to play on. Many who do cannot make their HS team. Personally, I am more than willing to pay the fee and do the fundraising for the HS team. I think it builds more of a sense of team than summer ball, more of a sense of community and a really positive allegience to the school.
To answer a previous poster's question, yes, you can move on to the next level without playing HS ball. You can attend showcases and tournaments that are scouted. However, in my opinion, you better have a darned good reason for not playing on the HS team if a recruiter asks you why you are not on the HS team. Could indicate a number of things, including that this kid is not a team player. I don't know for sure, but if I were a college coach, I would be very curious why a kid was not playing for the HS.
Varsity plays 27 games, plus the playoffs if you make it. The schedule is three games per week. It's not exactly a light schedule. If there are rainouts, you make up games on school nights or Saturdays. You could wind up playing 5 or 6 games in a week.
Essentially, HS is what it is. Many of the counties in GA have elected not to pay for sports. No sense in complaining to the schools or blaming the schools. It costs money to play. The county is not giving it up, so it has to come from somewhere. Like I said before, if you want to complain, take it up with the county government that your school is in. Not the school itself or the coaches. |
| gasbag |
Posted - 02/22/2010 : 11:20:42
Sounds to me that it is a "fund raiser" and not a tryout. I'd be hard pressed to justify paying those types of fees on a "what if" scenario. It may just be me, but that's a lot ( $ 600.00 ) money in my house...still, especially given these economic times.
However, with that said, these economic times are hard on the budgets of everything and that includes public schools. They are feeling the pinch as well.
That puts us, the parents of these ballplayers in a precarious position....to pay to play, or not to pay to play, that is the question" ( said with Shakesperean dialect ! ). Do you risk your kids future by sitting out when he's a lower classmen and less likely to make the team and play and not pay ? It's a tough decision for us parents as the future of our kid we're playing with ! |
| teddy41 |
Posted - 02/22/2010 : 10:28:13
In my opinion in travel ball you are paying mostly for tournaments, and all the things that benefit your child over a 60 game season and you pretty much know rosters are at about 12 kids.
In school your paying for the coaches stipend, a scoreboard, cages,dugouts and who knows what else..does anyone ever see a budget from the school? Also your getting about 18-22 games which is about 5 tournaments worth of baseball. And for everyone who complains about dad coaching i will say i see a lot of dad coaches who are better than the school coaches. |
| Sultan |
Posted - 02/22/2010 : 09:17:57
OK, here's another question to toss around. Where is the money better spent - HS program or a decent travel team? The whole school spirit thing is important, but my guess is you get more bang for your buck with the travel team . . . twice as many games, in many cases higher level of instruction, in some cases better competition, more exposure to colleges and scouts, chance to travel outside the state and exposure to other places and teams. |
| teddy41 |
Posted - 02/21/2010 : 19:15:38
i think your missing the point, if my kid did not play travel due to being to expensive does that mean that now he should pay to tryout or play on a school team? Hello do you understand what public school is? |
| mechanicsplus |
Posted - 02/20/2010 : 20:37:30
I don't get the "bellyaching." So you pay your $600-$1000 needed to provide your son the opportunity to play H.S. ball. It's likely you've paid near twice that every Summer Travel ball season so he can MAKE that team. Moreover, if he aspires to play in College, he will be recruited during the Summer so keep the check book out.
Rec Leagues are affordable and there for the leisure player. Mine signed his NLI early and frankly I am looking forward to someone else paying for his baseball expenses! But the ride has been worth every penny!! lol
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| Peanutsr |
Posted - 02/20/2010 : 17:17:23
Pardon me for misspelling politics, I realized that I had misspelled it after posting and didn't feel like going back to correct it. But it Dont(sic) matter.
You, sir, completely missed my point.
If a person has a child who plays travel ball, that person will more than likely pay a substantial amount to make that happen. If that child excels and has an opportunity to play high school ball, and the kids that make the high school roster are kids whose parents either donate more or fundraise more, ( unless that kid is a real stud ) then that parent will either donate/fundraise or their child will not play high school ball.
I neither coach my own son, nor do I hold his hand as he plays youth sports. I will, however, do everything in my power to insure that he has the opportunity to pass or fail on his own. If that means fundraise, then I fundraise. If that means pay for tryouts, then I pay for tryouts.
That is the "system " we deal with.
By the way, could you please clarify what you meant by " sorry but I dont(sic) but your acceptance of the system."
quote:
Originally posted by jongamefan
quote:
Originally posted by Peanutsr
Let me see if I can remember at what point Polotics started in my son's baseball career..........
That would be pre-ball at age three.
We've all seen and been through the polotics at the local ball field since our kids started playing. Why should high school be any different.
We are all parents, we all love our kids and would walk to the end of the earth to do what we think is best for, bring them the most happiness, and we all do what we have to to acomplish that goal.
Unless you are in a position to change the system you just deal with it. Might not like it but......
Sir your rationale to defend politics is way off base in my opinion .
Walking to the end of earth and to what else extents to make your children happy is rarely the best thing for them !
Example is that if you hold your childs hand as a Dad coach in youth sports he will never excel on his own. Never. Dont matter if it makes him happy now its how he matures on his own later that counts .
When parents get off the field in high school is where it starts to become reality for who can play who cant and its about 2 years too late.
I have watched for years upon years at the kids who couldnt cut it on their own in high school because they never had to with Dad coach , so sorry but I dont but your acceptance of the system
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| jongamefan |
Posted - 02/19/2010 : 20:48:06
quote:
Originally posted by Peanutsr
Let me see if I can remember at what point Polotics started in my son's baseball career..........
That would be pre-ball at age three.
We've all seen and been through the polotics at the local ball field since our kids started playing. Why should high school be any different.
We are all parents, we all love our kids and would walk to the end of the earth to do what we think is best for, bring them the most happiness, and we all do what we have to to acomplish that goal.
Unless you are in a position to change the system you just deal with it. Might not like it but......
Sir your rationale to defend politics is way off base in my opinion .
Walking to the end of earth and to what else extents to make your children happy is rarely the best thing for them !
Example is that if you hold your childs hand as a Dad coach in youth sports he will never excel on his own. Never. Dont matter if it makes him happy now its how he matures on his own later that counts .
When parents get off the field in high school is where it starts to become reality for who can play who cant and its about 2 years too late.
I have watched for years upon years at the kids who couldnt cut it on their own in high school because they never had to with Dad coach , so sorry but I dont but your acceptance of the system
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| Alter-Ego |
Posted - 02/19/2010 : 16:09:54
Most of these same players are having to pay $1500-$2000 to play summer ball on a travel team. Tough for the current economy. |
| Sultan |
Posted - 02/19/2010 : 13:51:58
The question is when is enough enough? Or, where does it end?
We just jacked our program's annual budget to $85,000. Between pre-tryout camp and various sales, each kid paid $400 before knowing if he made the team. Now there's a $600 booster club fee and at least another $500 in required sales items, plus corporate sponsorships, golf tourney, etc. And yeah, there is plenty of parent volunteer requirements - which is fine. Don't mean to complain, but this is tough in any economy, let alone today. |
| mikewells |
Posted - 02/18/2010 : 10:12:24
quote:
Originally posted by coachdb007
I think the question needs to be Should a High School charge for try outs?????
considering Dan-Os 411 that they cant charge citizens for anything (legally)- the answer is : NO !! |
| Peanutsr |
Posted - 02/18/2010 : 08:48:32
Let me see if I can remember at what point Polotics started in my son's baseball career..........
That would be pre-ball at age three.
We've all seen and been through the polotics at the local ball field since our kids started playing. Why should high school be any different.
We are all parents, we all love our kids and would walk to the end of the earth to do what we think is best for, bring them the most happiness, and we all do what we have to to acomplish that goal.
Unless you are in a position to change the system you just deal with it. Might not like it but...... |
| coachdb007 |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 22:33:14
I think the question needs to be Should a High School charge for try outs????? |
| teddy41 |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 21:22:59
Here is where it gets too much. My kid came home after walking the neighborhoods for 4 hours trying sell items for the baseball team and competing dozens of others doing the same. He was afraid to try to tell the coach he did not sell the $400 worth the coach wanted.
Then 1 day later the football booster club puts out an order that the kids have to sell and unload a trailer of pine straw. 200 bales per kid.
Did i mention nothing was ever mentioned as optional and it was also put in writing that 20percent of the kids getting a letter was based on fundraising. I do not care that our school is new or has brought in what they think are great coaches we do not all live in the elite upper county neighborhoods and i can already sense that this is worse than daddy ball ever was. I never once complained about my kid starting or not starting on a team but to base your letter on fundraising is not what school ball is about. |
| Critical Mass |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 20:48:52
HITANDRUN, you are right..some kids can't afford it, those are the exceptions..maybe less of an exception in football since the rosters are larger etc. and it is more common practice. The program doesnt run itself, salaries / stipends for coaches, sponsors for meals, equipement, sodding the fields ($6000 a year) for soccer, and ...if you arent a winning program your gate in diminsihed. How do you win and increase that gate, get GOOD coaches to coach the athletes and build a solid program, then the money flows much easier. The argument about parents "paying the way" for their kids to play is a life lesson, not always fair, but if you sit back and wait for your turn, you often get passed by. Nothing in life is fair or free and although high school kids are still just teenagers, it doesnt hurt for them to learn early and prepare themselves for life as an adult. Nobody has all the answers, but if people think the county/taxes will adequately fund a successful program for football you are sorely mistaken. Short of an endowment (McEachern)..you have to work hard for it. Just my .02 |
| PumknHead |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 17:58:42
The coaches knew going in to it that the pay is low! |
| bmoser |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 15:29:36
Alter-Ego:
I'm with you on the H.S. Coach pay issue. I'd be so happy if my son made the Freshman team, I wouldnt care less what he was making.
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