Youth Inc. Recommends: Four Resources to Understand the Cost of Youth Baseball

Youth sports are expensive- and the prices keep going up. Before signing your athlete up for a team, you should be aware of the price and the experiences that come with the dollar sign. Unfortunately, cost is often the biggest thing that holds families back from playing travel ball. It’s different for each team, but we’re here to give you the general idea. 

To help athletes, parents, and coaches understand the cost of youth baseball, the Youth Inc. staff scoured the Internet and social media to find the best resources to help improve your mental game. From estimations to hard numbers, we have resources for you that will help you better understand the cost.  

Here are four great resources to help you understand the cost of youth baseball:  

Estimating The Cost To Join A Travel Team 

What it is: A blog post from Brian Napier of Flo Baseball that talks about commitment, cost, tryouts, and the expected age to start playing travel.  

Why we like it: Brian brings light to “hidden costs,” like tournament apparel, gas/airline tickets, needing to replace equipment and outside camps. The obvious cost is team fees, which can be anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Knowing that it’s not just team fees that you’re paying for can give you a better idea of the cost for each team.  

Local League Finances: What Parents Need To Know 

What it is: A blog post from Little League University that details Little League’s common expenses, sources of revenue, and how to participate in Little League. 

Why we like it: The transparency of how exactly the organization makes money is refreshing, as well as how you can sign up and get the bang for your buck. If you are going to be a part of something, it’s good to know where your money is going and how it can benefit you.  

Here's How Much Travel Baseball Costs Annually In The Northeast 

What it is: A blog post from the New England Baseball Journal’s Matthew Feld on how the costs of travel baseball have increased with club participation. 

Why we like it: Feld gives a concrete example of how expensive baseball is in the Northeast. For ages 14-18, the average is $5,000 annually, the maximum being $8,000. That’s a lot of money! The blog notes that based on the scholarship money available for colleges, the financial returns will not match each other- making your investment not worth it. 

Travel Baseball Drives Surge In $39 Billion Youth Sports Industry 

What it is: An article from WUSA9 about how the travel baseball industry thrives while local leagues suffer.  

Why we like it: The travel that comes with club baseball offers opportunities for teams to bond- and also more expenses. If you’re looking to get recruited, travel may give you the opportunities you need if you go to these showcases and tournaments. The article does note that “D-1 baseball players end up with about 30% of their tuition paid for,” and though this can be supplemented by academic scholarships, most athletes aren’t getting a full ride just because they played travel. As for local leagues, they lack volunteers, players, and resources because so many players have turned to club ball.