Costs???
Costs. Always a very important question, and we have a very good answer!!
When we started the ACES Program in 2007, one of our main goals was to develop a program that would produce “A” level players without incurring the cost of extensive travel. The significant costs tied to travel softball had made the sport unattainable financially for many families. Now, thanks to our many volunteers, our amazing coaches and our friends at the Industrial Diamonds, we have solved that problem.
With no “A” league in Calgary for the kids, our “A” teams have relied on travel in order to play competitive ball. Even this year, there are teams from Alberta that travel almost every weekend to tournaments in Edmonton, Spruce Grove, Kelowna, Vancouver, Spokane, Pasco Washington, many locations in Montana and further! The costs add up. Hotel, entry fees, food, fuel and more can easily add up to more than $400 per player for a driving trip and over $800 per player for a trip that requires a flight. Add on the costs for uniforms and clothing and skill training and $300 bats and all of the other many costs and it is not hard to see why kids go play soccer!!
Then, after paying for all of that, you still need to pay for both Provincial and post-provincial play for those that qualify. The cost for a team to head to Ontario for the Canadian Championships can very quickly get to $20,000. That’s another $1500 per player. There are families out there spending $6,000 – $8,000 per season for their daughter to play ball. Maybe even more. What if you have more than one child playing softball? It’s just too much money.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to play fast, competitive and exciting “A” ball. We can play right here in Calgary. We now have the program in place that will significantly reduce not just the financial commitment, but also the time commitment that used to be required to play softball at the highest level.
For the 2010 softball season, our teams have spent very little money in comparison to other teams playing “A” ball and we have more teams playing “A” ball than any other program in the Province. Here are some examples of the “travel” budgets for the teams playing in the ACES program this year. The numbers are approximate, but close.
Mite “A” -$0
Squirt A - $ 450/player
Squirt B – $0
Peewee A 96 – $700/player
Peewee A 97 – $350/player
Peewee B – $200/player
Bantam A – $1200/player
Bantam B – $40/player
Midget A – $200/player
League fees were also reasonable. About $400 for the Super League and for the Bantam and Midget teams playing in the Industrial League there was an additional $250.
Uniforms? The great thing about the ACES Program is that you aren’t changing uniforms all the time. We wear the same jerseys every year. We all have the same pants, socks, belts, jackets, underarmour, visors and helmets. We carry inventory of everything, so if something wears out, we have replacements for you. The only time you need to buy something new is if it wears out or if your daughter outgrows it.
Some may then ask – Sure it’s not very expensive, but how many games do you play and how competitive are the games? Well, the only answer is – Lots of very competitive games!!
First the kids play in at least 16 Super League weekend games. Some of the girls actually play over 20 of the weekend games. Often they get 4-5 at bats per games, so that is between 80 and 100 at bats just in the weekend games. Are they competitive games? You bet they are. Check out the scores under our “standings” page.
Next, our teams play in the Weeknight Super League at Ed Corbett Field. That is another 8-12 games depending on the team and the weather. These are also very competitive games thanks to our very unique handicapping system that allows teams of different ages to compete against one another.
If you are on one of our Bantam or Midget teams you also play in the Ladies Industrial League. That is another 12 games on the schedule.
That is between 30 and 50 good quality competitive games right here in Calgary. Games that are played on premium diamonds, at premium times and great conditions. More importantly, that is between 120 and 200 at bats in one season. In community ball, the kids are lucky to get 50-60 at bats in a season. How do we get so many at bats? Our team rosters are small. We can do that because we have no roster rules. We want the girls on the field playing the game and getting the at bats. If a player needs to miss a game to study or because she has to rest an injury, the teams can just pick up players from another team. It’s just that easy. No papers to file, no fines to pay. We are here to play ball, so lets play!
Is there an exact number? No, there isn’t. Different families choose different options based on the commitments that they want to make. Players are not chosen for teams based on whether or not they can afford to travel, teams are formed based on building the best team possible in each age category.
Yes, you can play competitive ball right here in Calgary and compete at the Provincial “A” level.
