One Form of Insanity in the 21st Century

Joey Erace travels fairly frequently to California and Texas to play baseball for amateur teams. Such travel is typical for many of us. Joey's difference is his age - 10 years old. He is one of the generation whose parents believe that their child is talented enough in a particular sport to receive a college scholarship. Besides the travel costs, his parents have invested significantly in Joey. Their New Jersey home has a $15,000 backyard batting cage. His private hitting coach charges $100 per hour, as does his Philadelphia-based fielding coach. In the world in which he travels he is well-known. He has more than 24,000 followers on Instagram. Jewelry and apparel companies have asked him to hawk their stuff. But, when asked for an autograph, he suggests a photo as, at age 10, he does not know how to write cursively. 

Joey Erace is not alone. Millions of kids have the same dream as Joey and are as wrapped up in this life which is more like that of pro athletes than neighborhood kids. As a result, neighborhood Little Leagues, town soccer associations and church basketball squads that bonded kids in a community–and didn’t cost as much as a rent check–have largely lost their luster. Joey and company live in a world which seems to be governed by companies trying to make money. 

It is estimated that this youth-sports economy – which includes everything from travel to private coaching to apps that organize leagues and livestream games – is now a $15.3 billion market that has grown by 55% since 2010. The United States Specialty Sports Association, or USSSA, is a nonprofit with 501(c)(4) status, a designation for organizations that promote social welfare. According to its most recent available IRS filings, it generated $13.7 million in revenue in 2015, and the CEO received $831,200 in compensation. The group holds tournaments across the nation, and it ranks youth teams in basketball, baseball and softball. The softball rankings begin with teams age 6 and under. Baseball starts at age 4. 

Is this what we want for our grandchildren when only 2% of high school athletes go on to play at the top level of college sports, the NCAA’s Division 1?