Team USA wins Latin American Baseball Classic

The Cost Analysis of Select Baseball

The rising costs to play Select baseball is increasing at a rapid pace. In an economy where families are starting to question everything they spend, sports is coming under heavy fire.

Big League Edge has been seeing an increase in parents requesting financial assistance this year due to the economic meltdown that starting in December 2007. This has led to a price reduction in virtually every baseball training program BLE offers.

“We are happy that our son can receive quality training at an affordable price with BLE. Their flexible payment plans have allotted our family to continue to provide training for our son.” Stated Bill Schriver of Covington.

In an effort to provide more pricing transparency within our baseball community, BLE conducted a complete cost analysis of what it truly costs to play a full season in the Pacific Northwest.

Our cost analysis is based upon this past 2009 season, evaluating the team budgets of eight different baseball teams in the Western Washington region. Their seasons included between 65-80 games, provided uniforms, coaching, training, league and tournament fees, fields, umpires, and team related equipment.

5 tournaments at average price of $550 per tournament- $2750 ($230 per player)
Sandy Koufax league fees, performance bond, and umpires- $1700 ($142 per player)
Practice and game fields for season- $1000 ($84 per player)
Team insurance policy for $1.5 million- $125 ($11 per player)
Uniform package that includes money for two coaches’ uniforms- $4000 ($333 per player)
6 dozen baseballs priced at $22.50 per dozen- $135 ($12 per player)
Paid coaching stipend- $5000 ($417 per player)
Training and rental fees for Team Training at BLE- $11,880 ($990 per player).

A disturbing trend of rising costs has been pervading the Western Washington region. Some parents are paying upwards of $3000 to play. These “all-inclusive” packages that promise coaches ease in planning and “off field” logistics come with costs that are passed onto parents.

When an “all-inclusive” package is presented, oftentimes, a set fee is allocated to season costs. Profitability can easily be manipulated into the black.

Parents should start questioning everything they are presented. This will require organizations to take a hard look at what they are providing, give a game plan to their parents, and provide what was presented. Hopefully, parents would start to be able to receive full transparency and comparatively shop- reducing the price to play.