Fueling Change Through Conversation
Travel softball is an incredible opportunity—but anyone who’s been involved knows it comes with a hefty price tag. Between entry fees, hotel stays, gas, meals, and equipment, the cost of a single weekend can quickly get out of hand. A few months ago, we put out a survey to get a better understanding of the financial strain families face, and nearly 200 people responded.
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While it was open to everyone, the overwhelming majority of responses—about 60%—came from parents of players, mostly with daughters in the 14U to 18U age range. One stat that stood out: 36% of respondents said they travel four or more hours away for at least 5–8 tournaments a year, and many reported spending between $500 to $2,000 per weekend for those trips. More than half of those surveyed said they believe tournament directors should make reducing costs for families a top priority.
At the end of the survey, we asked for open feedback—and one topic that came up again and again was concession stand prices, outside food policies, and the lack of healthy, inclusive food options. In this piece, we’re diving into that specific issue—not just to vent, but to start a real conversation about how we can make these events more accessible, especially when families are already sacrificing so much just to be there.
Head to our Dugout Discussion Polls and make your voice heard—cast your vote now!
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