Youth Sports: Strip Club Sponsors Local Little League

A struggling economy and over regulation has left a local little league's budget a little exposed. 

The budget strapped Lennox School District in California recently doubled field usage fees for a local baseball youth league. Rising maintenance costs and the need to provide security were cited as reasons.

They also banned the league from selling grilled food at the games. For years, the league had counted on sales of grilled food for revenue. The Lennox School District was concerned about public heath - actually they were concerned about financial liability. The Superintendent says that the school district cannot ensure that the league volunteers will handle and cook the food properly. The risk of punitive lawsuits to the school district outweighed the benefit.

These two moves put the season in jeopardy until the Jet Strip Gentleman's Club donated $1,200. Despite the dire situation and the club manager's assertion that the Jet Strip is community and family-oriented, the league returned the funds.

The season looked like it was going to be a big bust, until the publicity from the situation raised awareness of the league's plight.  Donations poured in from more appropriate sources and the season was saved.

This club donated the money without any G-strings attached. They did not demand a big promotional sign at the games. They did not ask for naming rights of the Field - Jet Strip Gentleman's Club Little League Park. Heck, they did not even ask if their girls could perform on the foul poles between innings. Several parents in the district did not mind that the money came from the strip club - money is money. What are your thoughts?

What about bars?

When my son was nine, his team played against a team sponsored by a local watering hole. Each kid on the tavern team donned a yellow shirt. They had their first names affixed on the back of the jersey over a large number. Emblazoned on the front of the jersey was Linda's Bar in classic baseball script writing. When I first saw the uniforms I wondered who in the world would put that on a little league jersey. Then I looked into the crowd and stopped wondering. 

I wrote about that night in my post called Cat Fight in the Stands. 

The Main Point

The world has tuned completely upside down when a strip club owner looks good and a school district looks bad. Somethings have not changed - strip clubs are recession proof, we need tort reform, US schools are a financial hot mess, sex sells and all PR is good PR.

Youth Soccer: Crazy Youth Soccer Parents Video

Are you trying to decide between select travel soccer and recreational soccer? I wrote a post called "The Differences Between Select (Travel) and Recreation Soccer" that explains the differences to help you decide.

Before you read that post, answer this easy question. Is your kid nine or older?

If you answered yes, then it is probably too late to move to select soccer. What?!? You see most of the best players have had personal Brazilian trainers since pre-school. I'm half kidding.

Watch this hilarious video about a mom who is considering select soccer for her nine year old kid.

Crazy Youth Sports Parents Series



So much of this video rang true for me.

1) Regarding a Brazilian soccer trainer - My oldest son trained with a Brazilian soccer star Paulo Berreto from age 9 to 11. My son played select soccer from 9-18 on competitive teams but did not play on elite teams. He played two years of High School, but never made varsity. Perhaps we did not start him early enough?
2) My middle son was an exceptional soccer player at a young age. He decided to play football in 3rd and 4th grade. When he went back to soccer he found that he was too far behind to compete.
3) My daughter started select soccer at 8, but I trained her from the age of 2. Her soccer trainers have not been Brazilian, but they have advanced licenses. At 10 years old, she currently plays at an elite level. So maybe this video holds some truth.
4) Travel teams from Texas will rip your kid apart - We have not encountered teams from Texas in any of the soccer tournaments that my kids have played in - but strong and physical teams come from many states away to compete in the high profile tournaments.
5) Fundraising is a part of travel soccer - My kids have sold things from Honeybaked Hams to wrapping paper. Read this post of mine called "Youth Sports, I'm Done with Fundraising".
6) You need a soccer coaching license and a soccer resume to coach - My oldest son did not quite make the A team when he was 10, but the club had enough players to form two teams. A "B" team was formed, but it didn't have a coach. The Director of Coaching for the club knew that I had coached recreational soccer. He coaxed me into applying for the job. I had to earn my F license first then interview for the position. I got the job. I eventually went on to get my E and D licenses. So there is truth to this.
7) I started playing soccer at 9 years old (that was the first year it was available). I played through 9th grade. I concentrated on lacrosse after that. My dad was my first coach. He never played soccer a day in his life. So the video nailed this insight as well.
8) Back in the day, we played in T-shirts when we were really young. As we got older, we played in polyester uniforms that needed to be returned at the end of the season. Today, the kids wear expensive advanced techno-fiber home and away uniforms with matching warm-up apparel. They keep these uniforms after the season like a trophy.
9) Practices - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. No practices on Sundays. Games on Sundays. This is a bit of hyperbole. Games are on Sunday, but most younger age select teams practice 2 days per week. However, there are some very serious clubs that practice every day.

The Main Point

Sadly, there is a lot of truth in this humorous video. And my kids and I have lived it. Perhaps we perpetuate it.

Hat tip to Your Kid is Not Going Pro and Jen Singer of Momsaid.net

Youth Sports: I'm Done with Fundraising

Are you tired of fundraising for sports, schools, bands or other youth activities?

Fall baseball just ended and spring training is months away, but I just went to a kick off meeting for the 2011 Baseball season. The coaching staff talked to the parents about their coaching philosophy, the anticipated game schedule, winter training, team fees and possible fundraising options.

Select baseball fees are typically well over $1,000 and this year was no different. This sum covers league fees, field fees, insurance, uniforms, baseballs, umpires, tournament entry fees, etc. Some teams also charge for professional coaches too. This can easily double the cost.

Needless to say this is a large amount of money especially in this economy. With fees this high, teams often turn to fundraisers to offset the price to parents. I'm tired of fundraising. And thankfully, most of parents on our team didn't want anything to do with fundraising. Our kids have been playing baseball for 7 years now and we have all been there and done that.  I would rather just pay the fee directly to the team or school. It is just more efficient.

Here's why? My son calls my sister and sells her $15 worth of magazines. My sister then puts her daughter on the phone and sells me a $15 dollar raffle ticket to win a car. My sister will get the magazines in the mail. She will remove them from the mail box, put on them on the coffee table and eventually put in them recycle bin without ever reading a single word in them. I, of course, will not win a car in the raffle. My son's team gets $3 from the magazine sale and my niece's team gets $5. My sister and I will spend $30 and only $8 of it will help the teams. This process wastes time and money in my opinion. And I am done with it.

The baseball coaching staff gave parents the option to secure sponsorship money to offset their own personal fees. This is great because those who do the work will reap the rewards.

The Main Point

I am tired of buying and selling wrapping paper, magazines, mulch, raffle tickets, cookie dough, cookies, candles, candy, popcorn and car wash gift certificates, etc. I know how much youth activities are so I’ll provide financial support but I do not want to be a sales rep. I do not have time to help my child promote a fundraiser. I’m too reluctant to asked my friends and relatives for more money especially when I know that the school or team only gets a small portion of the money while the fundraising company gets the rest. And finally, I do not want my kids going door to door it's just too dangerous. I'm done with fundraising.