http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/is-baseball-getting-too-expensive-for-kids/

 

Thoughts?

What this article is saying, isn't that the game of baseball or for that matter basketball, football or even soccer games that kids can play to have fun in, are getting more expensive, but that the games that adult seem to want or seem to think their kids need to play in, is getting more expensive.

 

It's a huge business now days for a lot of adults to line their pockets with green, with the promise to mommy and daddy, that little Billy or Sally could become a Pro or at worse could get a college scholarship....

 

Far too many adults don't let the kids have fun playing games that kids used to play with kids and for kids anymore because they have these dreams that they couldn't fulfill and can't let go of.

 

I just wish that every mommy and daddy that spends a fortune on sports would just see the light and spend as much on their children education, their children and our country would be in a much better place!

What this article is saying, isn't that the game of baseball or for that matter basketball, football or even soccer games that kids can play to have fun in, are getting more expensive, but that the games that adult seem to want or seem to think their kids need to play in, is getting more expensive.

 

It's a huge business now days for a lot of adults to line their pockets with green, with the promise to mommy and daddy, that little Billy or Sally could become a Pro or at worse could get a college scholarship....

 

 

Does that include Walt Terrell?

 

I see very few kids from his summer team get scholarships for baseball that result in those kids or their family paying less for college than if they had gone to NKU.

My youngest gave up baseball after Coach Pitch and while I was sad(baseball was my first love) and I wasn't mad that all I have to do is buy him shoes and and a basketball once a year.

Does that include Walt Terrell?

 

I see very few kids from his summer team get scholarships for baseball that result in those kids or their family paying less for college than if they had gone to NKU.

 

Just to name a few.....

 

Luke Maile University of Kentucky and currently with Hudson Valley Renegades of TB

Zach Isler University of Cincinnati and currently with Great Fall Voyagers of CWS

 

 

Nutini, Darner, C. Elliott, B. Maile and Arnzen to name just a couple off the top of my head and I am sure there are more that I am not listing.

 

These were not the kids who I was speaking about in my first comments but it was to the parents whose kids come out to play that parents push and shove them to compete, when anyone can see that they don't have a snowball chance in hell to play at the next level much less the level they are playing in but yet the parents still dream on!

Just to name a few.....

 

Luke Maile University of Kentucky and currently with Hudson Valley Renegades of TB

Zach Isler University of Cincinnati and currently with Great Fall Voyagers of CWS

 

 

Nutini, Darner, C. Elliott, B. Maile and Arnzen to name just a couple off the top of my head and I am sure there are more that I am not listing.

 

!

 

Northern would be cheaper than Thomas More and Campbelsville and maybe Ball State.

 

Baseball scholarships rarely save money over an alternative.

 

You also assume the only reason kids play summer ball is to get a scholarship. Maybe they just love playing baseball.

My youngest gave up baseball after Coach Pitch and while I was sad(baseball was my first love) and I wasn't mad that all I have to do is buy him shoes and and a basketball once a year.

 

Good for you sir! :thumb:

 

BTW those basketball shoes are getting more and more expensive, especially the ones that the NBA players seem to endorse!

Northern would be cheaper than Thomas More and Campbelsville and maybe Ball State.

 

Baseball scholarships rarely save money over an alternative.

 

You also assume the only reason kids play summer ball is to get a scholarship. Maybe they just love playing baseball.

 

Just asking but did you read the article?

Good for you sir! :thumb:

 

BTW those basketball shoes are getting more and more expensive, especially the ones that the NBA players seem to endorse!

 

:lol:

 

They sure are. I always cringe until I see what my buddy pays for a used bat for his kid.:scared:

 

And when did kids start buying their own helmets also? Kids look like equipment managers when they roll into the park with their bat bag backpack that contains: 2 bats, cleats, outfielder and infielder glove(catcher's mitt included for some), helmet, batting gloves, mouthguard, eye black, family size bag of sunflower seeds and 3 packs of Big League Chew bubble gum(that stuff is still awesome).

Northern would be cheaper than Thomas More and Campbelsville and maybe Ball State.

 

Baseball scholarships rarely save money over an alternative.

 

You also assume the only reason kids play summer ball is to get a scholarship. Maybe they just love playing baseball.

 

BTW did you notice that I said spend more on educating your child? There are more academic scholarships and need based related scholarships given out annually, than any university scholarships for sports!

:lol:

 

They sure are. I always cringe until I see what my buddy pays for a used bat for his kid.:scared:

 

And when did kids start buying their own helmets also? Kids look like equipment managers when they roll into the park with their bat bag backpack that contains: 2 bats, cleats, outfielder and infielder glove(catcher's mitt included for some), helmet, batting gloves, mouthguard, eye black, family size bag of sunflower seeds and 3 packs of Big League Chew bubble gum(that stuff is still awesome).

 

Bats this year, because new bats indeed were required, were well overpriced but..... hopefully those prices will come down.

 

I have owned three gloves and 1 catcher mitt in my life time of playing baseball and the last glove I purchased was about 30 years ago (cost me $150.00 and "The Boss" had a cow but it was one of the only times in our 42 years I have told her I was spending the money and I didn't care what she thought). BTW I still use it, as it's still in pretty good shape!

 

Have never ever purchased a helmet, batting glove, mouth guard, or eye black but you didn't include a cup and honestly I wouldn't let a young man play baseball, without wearing one!

Bats this year, because new bats indeed were required, were well overpriced but..... hopefully those prices will come down.

 

I have owned three gloves and 1 catcher mitt in my life time of playing baseball and the last glove I purchased was about 30 years ago (cost me $150.00 and "The Boss" had a cow but it was one of the only times in our 42 years I have told her I was spending the money and I didn't care what she thought). BTW I still use it, as it's still in pretty good shape!

 

Have never ever purchased a helmet, batting glove, mouth guard, or eye black but you didn't include a cup and honestly I wouldn't let a young man play baseball, without wearing one!

 

I can't believe I forgot the cup.

 

I know better.

 

I think I owned about 3 gloves also. I am a huge fan of the Nike Diamond Ready gloves. Those are really nice.

My two cents...........

 

It isn't the sports, it is the "your kids won't get scholarships or even looks unless they play for our Club teams...." messages.

 

my experience.....soccer and baseball.

 

I understand that the club programs have a business model and those models rely on the drinking of the cool aid from parents that also spend all of the extra $ on extra training, etc.....

 

However, when these clubs start pushng that HS sports no longer will help you get a scholarship....I have a problem. The soccer program I am familiar with actually encouraged the kids not to play HS and to play Club only ...........forget about playing another HS sport and the Club team.

 

Meanwhile, the club soccer program, for example, charges more for a half season of play when the kids reach Freshman age, than they do for an entire year, the year prior. Same coach, same leagues, same training. Kings.....$1,550 (plus additional $250 for second new uniform package in 3 years) for spring season only at U15 age and $1,500 for a spring and fall season at U14 and under. NOTE....at U15 and above there is no Fall season of club soccer.

 

So, if they are correct and the HS sports have no bearing on getting a scholarship or even looks from Colleges, then they are not overpriced.....

 

BUT.....if HS sports still have bearing, then the club teams need to examine their message and consequently, their cost.

What I hate is that there really is no longer a "season" for baseball and it has encouraged kids to give up football (my passion). They are being sold on summer AND fall leagues and that if they don't participate, they will fall behind the other players.

What I hate is that there really is no longer a "season" for baseball and it has encouraged kids to give up football (my passion). They are being sold on summer AND fall leagues and that if they don't participate, they will fall behind the other players.

 

I have seen Fall Ball(baseball) take kids from football, soccer and cross country in my area. It's gaining more kids every year. The year-round specialization of one sport is an epidemic.