High School Baseball Equals $$$$$$

So, my grandson made the high school JV baseball team.  All of us, including himself, are really excited.  With him playing baseball since he was 3, it’s almost like making the major leagues, and to him, I’m sure it is.

Tonight, I went with my daughter and grandson to the first official meeting of the Baseball Boosters.  Boosters are the fundraising arm for the Highschool Baseball Organization.  It’s how it can survive.  The district gives them $3,000 to run the program.  Obviously, that is not much in today’s world.  (Wondering how much the football organization gets.)  Turns out, tonight’s initial money due from the parents, was $60.00 for JV, more for Varsity players, I think $100.00.   $35.00 of that was mandatory if the players were going to keep their 2 shirts and hat that they were given today.  If they didn’t pay, they would have to give the items back. 

Good Nana that I am, I went to the table selling the “spirit wear”.  Things you need to have, as an official fan.  By the time the smoke cleared, I was $200.00 poorer!  What was I thinking – looks like my hair waits another month for professional help. 

I sat there during the meeting, and listened to the “board” members speek.  As they talked, my mind wondered, and I felt for the single parents, like my daughter, with one income and wondered how they would do it with a “village” to help?  My daughter has been lucky, she has always had a family to help her get through times like this.  But, what do they do with a child that is good, wants to play, but can’t pay?  Does the Boosters Group help this child?  I got the impression that was not the case. 

My question to you, and I’m interested in your take, should schools and districts offer a program, any kind, cause I’m sure other groups face financial problems, if they cannot adequately fund the program?  And are there areas where that has happened?