Comments on: The Cost of Youth Sports http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:35:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Elizabeth http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-10537 Elizabeth Fri, 03 Dec 2010 07:19:23 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-10537 Thanks for this article! I'm in shock after attending our kindergartner's basketball game and being charged to enter the gym. This is after we have paid a fee for our son to be in the program. Adding it up, the cost for two parents to attend the games is more than the cost of the program. Additionally, the coach has asked us to volunteer during these games that we pay to attend. I know that with older kids, the cost of attending games is even higher, and as someone on a tight budget, I imagine the jacked up price of attendance is a major disincentive for families to participate. I feel like I'm being ripped off, since at no time prior to the games were we told of this additional cost. Thanks for this article! I’m in shock after attending our kindergartner’s basketball game and being charged to enter the gym. This is after we have paid a fee for our son to be in the program. Adding it up, the cost for two parents to attend the games is more than the cost of the program. Additionally, the coach has asked us to volunteer during these games that we pay to attend. I know that with older kids, the cost of attending games is even higher, and as someone on a tight budget, I imagine the jacked up price of attendance is a major disincentive for families to participate. I feel like I’m being ripped off, since at no time prior to the games were we told of this additional cost.

]]> By: Keith http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-9067 Keith Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:44:24 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-9067 Eso sí es cierto Mario. Para jugar futbol soccer no necesitas otra cosa más que un balón y mucho espacio. Y el balón no necesita ser nada en especial. Mira a Pelé por ejemplo, de niño era tan pobre que ni siquiera tenía balón o pelota para practicar y sin embargo llegó a ser uno de los mejores jugadores que el mundo ha visto. Gracias por visitar y por tu comentario Eso sí es cierto Mario. Para jugar futbol soccer no necesitas otra cosa más que un balón y mucho espacio. Y el balón no necesita ser nada en especial. Mira a Pelé por ejemplo, de niño era tan pobre que ni siquiera tenía balón o pelota para practicar y sin embargo llegó a ser uno de los mejores jugadores que el mundo ha visto. Gracias por visitar y por tu comentario

]]> By: Mario | Nutricion http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-9063 Mario | Nutricion Fri, 15 Oct 2010 10:46:36 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-9063 Acertado artículo. Siempre es importante sumar conceptos y diferentes puntos de vista. Siempre nos quedará el fútbol que es muy barato Acertado artículo. Siempre es importante sumar conceptos y diferentes puntos de vista. Siempre nos quedará el fútbol que es muy barato

]]> By: Kid’s Sports: Lighten Up, Jeez http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-4129 Kid’s Sports: Lighten Up, Jeez Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:01:05 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-4129 [...] good opportunities for social interaction; they shouldn’t be taken too seriously.  Besides the costs are [...] [...] good opportunities for social interaction; they shouldn’t be taken too seriously.  Besides the costs are [...]

]]> By: Don’t Tell Me It Can’t Be Done! http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-3657 Don’t Tell Me It Can’t Be Done! Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:23:25 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-3657 [...] try they say I can’t.  They have used it while referring to math problems and reading as well as sporting events and video games.  They tend to run into obstacles and give up.  Obviously, I prefer they [...] [...] try they say I can’t.  They have used it while referring to math problems and reading as well as sporting events and video games.  They tend to run into obstacles and give up.  Obviously, I prefer they [...]

]]> By: Joseph Condron http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-3487 Joseph Condron Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:51:45 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-3487 I never thought that sports participation in the US would be so expensive. Most sports in Ireland are free to join. As for the role of genes in sports, well that is highly debatable. Swimming (torso-to-leg ratio), and running (fast twitch muscles for sprinters and slow twitch for long distance) aside, the rest is about continued practice and desire. Genes don't really have any relevance for golf, soccer, rugby, basketball, football etc. I never thought that sports participation in the US would be so expensive. Most sports in Ireland are free to join.

As for the role of genes in sports, well that is highly debatable.
Swimming (torso-to-leg ratio), and running (fast twitch muscles for sprinters and slow twitch for long distance) aside, the rest is about continued practice and desire.
Genes don’t really have any relevance for golf, soccer, rugby, basketball, football etc.

]]> By: Sportsmanship Fail http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-3107 Sportsmanship Fail Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:12:25 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-3107 [...] spread, 135, were records. I don’t necessarily think sportsmanship is universally lacking in youth and high school sports, but  this incident doesn’t support my opinion.  This incident demonstrates a decided lack [...] [...] spread, 135, were records. I don’t necessarily think sportsmanship is universally lacking in youth and high school sports, but  this incident doesn’t support my opinion.  This incident demonstrates a decided lack [...]

]]> By: Keith http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-1625 Keith Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:04:07 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-1625 Dennis, while I agree that exploration is an important part of growing up, it is not the only part of growing up. Team sports are also important. The problem with the team sports we have these days is that they are all organized by adults and we have to pay for them. There are no pick-up games and back yard football anymore. They are all overly organized and commercialized. Being an individual is great and all, but it does not make a complete person. Remember, you and I both participated in a city run sporting program which our parents had to pay for so you can't claim you didn't take part in that or that it wasn't valuable to you. We wouldn't be friends today had it not been for Barry's kids. Dennis, while I agree that exploration is an important part of growing up, it is not the only part of growing up. Team sports are also important. The problem with the team sports we have these days is that they are all organized by adults and we have to pay for them. There are no pick-up games and back yard football anymore. They are all overly organized and commercialized. Being an individual is great and all, but it does not make a complete person. Remember, you and I both participated in a city run sporting program which our parents had to pay for so you can’t claim you didn’t take part in that or that it wasn’t valuable to you. We wouldn’t be friends today had it not been for Barry’s kids.

]]> By: Dennis Yu http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-1623 Dennis Yu Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:20:46 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-1623 CK, Clever observation-- LOL. I laugh at the parents who live vicariously through their kids-- to succeed where they didn't when they were youngsters. How about the purity of kids playing with no referees and equipment? I enjoyed just biking around town, exploring-- no rules, equipment, training camps, and aggressive parents. Oh-- and that's free, too! .-= Dennis Yu´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.dennis-yu.com/doing-what-you-enjoy-vs-doing-what-makes-you-rich" rel="nofollow">Doing what you enjoy vs. doing what makes you rich</a> =-. CK,

Clever observation– LOL. I laugh at the parents who live vicariously through their kids– to succeed where they didn’t when they were youngsters. How about the purity of kids playing with no referees and equipment? I enjoyed just biking around town, exploring– no rules, equipment, training camps, and aggressive parents.

Oh– and that’s free, too!
.-= Dennis Yu´s last blog ..Doing what you enjoy vs. doing what makes you rich =-.

]]> By: Keith http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-1617 Keith Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:11:56 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-1617 Yes, Cat! I totally forgot about cheerleading and those other sorts of activities. There are certain parts of the country where cheerleading is huge business. I remember when I lived in Texas all the parents who would go totally nuts over cheerleading and how into it the kids seemed to be. I didn't know the cost associated with it but, I imagine that your right, when one sport depends on learning another (like gymnastics and cheerleading) then it just compounds the cost. Thanks for the comment! Yes, Cat! I totally forgot about cheerleading and those other sorts of activities. There are certain parts of the country where cheerleading is huge business. I remember when I lived in Texas all the parents who would go totally nuts over cheerleading and how into it the kids seemed to be. I didn’t know the cost associated with it but, I imagine that your right, when one sport depends on learning another (like gymnastics and cheerleading) then it just compounds the cost. Thanks for the comment!

]]> By: Keith http://www.almightydad.com/parenting/the-cost-of-youth-sports/comment-page-1#comment-1616 Keith Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:08:55 +0000 http://www.almightydad.com/?p=4132#comment-1616 I agree, Ron. Kids don't have any business pretending they're professional athletes and coaches need to lay off with the gung ho training and competitions. And, you're also right that kids change their minds all the time. What's a parent to do who's just invested all those resources into their childrens most recent hobby. Well, in many cases they force their kids to continue just to get their money's worth. I agree, Ron. Kids don’t have any business pretending they’re professional athletes and coaches need to lay off with the gung ho training and competitions. And, you’re also right that kids change their minds all the time. What’s a parent to do who’s just invested all those resources into their childrens most recent hobby. Well, in many cases they force their kids to continue just to get their money’s worth.

]]>