16 Ways to Cut Costs on Fall Youth Sports

As nearly 41 million families across the U.S. know, fall is that glorious time of year when the cost of summer camp conveniently rolls over into youth sports.

Back-to-school tranquility is quickly forgotten when Saturdays are spent bustling from soccer to volleyball. Just enough time is left in between to grab halftime snacks, repair busted shin guards and mull over your prematurely graying hair. Tack on the cost of travel, team fees and sports equipment, and you're looking at a hectic eight weeks.

Not that the time isn't well spent. In fact, the benefits of youth sports are what make them so popular. Aside from ditching the video games, kiddos make new friends, learn the value of teamwork and, if all goes well, win a game or two. Parents (hopefully) learn to encourage gently, cheer for both sides, and not sneak home if little Johnny scores on his own goal.

Granted, the time and emotional commitment of youth sports can't easily be avoided, but many of the financial costs can. Combined with a gaggle of great fall sales and sporting goods free shipping offers, the following are 16 relatively pain-free ways to evaluate costs and save cash while pining for the temporary sanity of Sunday afternoons.

1. Compare City vs. Club
Your overall cost will always be exponentially higher for private club teams than city or YMCA-sponsored programs. Not only are private-club dues and fees often more than five times higher, most coaches for these "elite" squads demand players have the best gear, no matter what the age level.

But how elite can a six-year-old be? If this level of competition is something your child wants and you're willing to commit, wait until age 11 and let them make the choice.

If your child is targeting a full-ride sports scholarship, you'll usually have to bite the bullet and pay the private-club expenses. Clubs and invitational competitions are where players get noticed by the big time universities and colleges. But if your child is just interested in casual play, opt for the city teams.

Here are some sample rates for comparison:

Soccer in San Diego, Calif., for under-11 boys
Club: $1,135 (4-month season)
City: $60-$140 (3-month season)

Football in New York City for under-13 boys
Club: $550-$600 (3-month season)
City: $60-$125 (3-month season, flag only)

Volleyball in Denver, Colo., for under-13 girls
Club: $1,800-$2,450 (4-5 month season)
YMCA: $42-$84 (2-month season)

2. Don't Overdo It
Running around seems like never-ending busywork, but imagine the toll on a kid juggling multiple sports at once. A good rule is to take on only one sport per season, per child.

The Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University put together a youth athlete "Bill of Rights." Among the rules: Let children participate at a level appropriate for their maturity and ability. Don't overwork 'em -- young bones and Sunny D only go so far.

3. Look for Value
There are hordes of ways to choose a team including proximity, price, friendly recommendation and team colors. It can all be daunting, especially if you're new to the youth-sports scene. If one team seems as good as the other, shop around. Consider things like season length, coaches attitude and what's included in the registration fees.

Keep in mind that city and YMCA leagues often offer discounts for residents, members and families with multiple participants.

4. Join a Buyers' Club
A good chunk of online merchants have sports equipment buyers' clubs, giving members the chance to rack up points and earn a certain percentage off every order. These are perfect for parents with multiple kids in the same sport, when a single large order eligible for free shipping makes more sense than buying piecemeal.

Try Soccer Garage for European hacky-sack and Eastbay for American football. Both regularly have stellar free shipping deals in addition to members-only rewards, though the Eastbay program has a one-time $30 fee.

5. Rent Sports Equipment
Aside from very, very personal gear (think jockstraps), renting youth sports equipment is a must. Plenty of leagues supply such essentials as balls, helmets and game uniforms. Spending any money on these items is a waste, especially pre-season.

Most local sports outfitters have equipment-rental plans for everything from football shoulder pads to softball bats. Ask your little All-Stars' coach or league official if they're eligible for a discount from any particular shops.

6. Buy or Trade Used Sports Equipment
If there aren't any reasonable rental programs around, buying used sports equipment online is a sensible alternative. Before you check the typical classified and eBay listings, drop by a sports equipment store and try the gear out. There's no reason to be disappointed in your cost-conscious find.

You also might check Freecycle.com to trade with another parent or find equipment being given away by someone in your area.

If your kiddo is getting older and outgrowing everything in sight, sell or donate directly to the league. Some hold gear-swap days and, if you've been a part of the same league for years, your dust-collecting equipment is a perfect incentive for new parents.

7. Search for Grants and Youth Scholarships
To help parents battling with personal finances, cities across the country offer grants and scholarships to keep kids on the field. In 2009, a Northern Colorado program alone gave over 1,500 families the cash they needed for youth sports.

In addition to city-sponsored activities, many private soccer clubs also offer scholarships. If your child is already part of a close-knit league but the fees are overwhelming, check with the coach or club organizer about any financial help.

8. Avoid Travel
Travel expenses are only occasionally included in fees and dues, especially if a team makes playoffs. Yes, carpooling can help for cross-town games, but out-of-state tournaments and weekly travel quickly add up.

Some parents and players thrive off state-hopping year round, but if this isn't you, avoid it and save over $100 a month.

9. Snag Local Sponsors
Coaches looking for a way to cut down on such essential costs as uniforms can approach local businesses for sponsorship. Some leagues already have these relationships in place, but if not, many local businesses pounce on the opportunity to advertise and show their support for the community. Restaurants are always a good bet, especially if you throw the occasional post-game get-together. Plus, the team will think it's pretty sweet to see their team photo on the wall.

One caveat, though: This might not be kosher if you're part of a city league. Most won't allow private sponsors.

10. Be Careful with Sports Photography
If this is your child's first season, be prepared for a shock on team photo day. There's no need to buy a package deal that includes trading cards, buttons, stickers and who-knows-what-else, all plastered with a grainy photo and running upwards of $75.

That said, there's no need to boycott the photo. It's part of building the team and a nice way to remember that particular batch of kids. Go with the most basic team or individual shot package, which usually cost no more than $25.

11. Frugal-Minded Food
There are tons of simple ways to avoid overspending on food. If you're responsible for halftime snacks, buy powdered Gatorade, rather than bottles, and mix it yourself. Fruit and oranges are a favorite, especially of the "monkey lip" variety. Avoid anything overly sugary or pricey, like packaged juice, energy bars and .....

As for tournaments and weekend-long excursions, pack your own lunch for during the game. You've already done enough with club fees and tournament dues. The $10 lost by the snack tent won't be missed.

12. Try Free Sports
The days of "The Sandlot"-style pickup games are all but gone, yet activities like jogging, Frisbee golf and skateboarding cost little to nothing. Many youth groups and schools organize free sports clubs to get kids together without coaches, parents and fees.

13. Bags
If there is one simple, compulsive and unnecessary buy many parents make, it's sports equipment bags. Again, until junior is old enough to graduate from the peewee leagues, an old duffel bag or school backpack is good enough.

Be wary if you opt for the club route. Teams typically require customized bags and warm-up gear for kids as young as nine, often in addition to initial fees.

SPORTS

Here's cost-beating advice for several common fall sports. Keep in mind, many of the above tips can be applied to these and all youth sports.

14. Soccer
Team fees and requisite mini-vans aside, cleats are the largest expense for most youth soccer parents. If your child is under 14, there's no need for $120 boots. Grab a discount pair with Sports Authority free shipping until September 30. Returns are also on the house, so if junior's toes get cramped there's no love lost.

15. Football
The numerous pads, clothing and other gear required for football nearly put it at a price on par with hockey, the reigning king of exorbitant youth sports. Some will pay upwards of $400 for youth football equipment alone, but there's no need to buy brand new gear. Most leagues supply helmets, while some also include shoulder pads, especially for elementary-aged players.

Flag football is an excellent alternative to tackle football for the under-12 set. Most towns have youth flag football leagues with shorter seasons and hardly any fees or equipment requirements, which allows you to sleep at night.

One cost not to skimp on: a mouthguard. Reconstructing tiny teeth makes the weekend gridiron look like a free trip to Bali.

16. Volleyball
Costs for youth volleyball equipment are minimal but necessary. Knee pads and quality shoes are a must to own, but again, don't splurge on top-of-the-line gear that will soon be outgrown. Volleyball shorts and home-practice accessories -- like nets and multiple balls -- can wait until they're old enough to bump, set and spike.

Photo by rpscott123