Have we hit our breaking point with travel sports admission prices or shall they go higher? 

A year after parents complained about $45 weekend passes to a travel basketball tournament in Lexington, Kentucky, prices have officially gone up to watch youth basketball across the United States. 

Two weeks ago at the New Balance P32 tournament in Dallas, parents were charged $40 PER DAY to see their kids play in one of seven P32 tournaments on the spring circuit. Based on the $90 per person weekend price tag, parents would invest $630 each to attend all seven legs of the circuit. 

To be fair, it’s unclear if admission prices are the same at each league stop. 

HOW MUCH IS IT TO GET INTO TRAVEL SPORTS TOURNAMENTS YOU ATTEND?

EMAIL: JOE.KINSEY@OUTKICK.COM

What’s clear is that a growing number of parents are worn out by skyrocketing prices that are feeling more and more like money grabs. 

“What’s worse is almost every team played a singular Friday game to ensure that families would pay $90 for the weekend as opposed to paying $80 for 2 days. The hustle was strong,” one basketball dad reported. 

That also means another night in a hotel, which, the same basketball dad said is also a racket around these tournaments. 

“[W]ent to a tourney on Rockford Ill and paid $200 a night for a 3rd tier hotel that generally rents rooms for $95-$100 a night. Price gouging at its finest,” the basketball dad added. 

But, at least the kids have a great time, get exposure to college coaches and win a dumb ring, right?

Not at all of these tournaments. 

“Won a Made Hoops Tournament in St. Louis a couple weeks ago. Fees were similar. Kids didn’t get a ring, medal, shirt, backpack. Not a Damn Thing!” another dad chimed in. 

Shall we keep going?

“Ohio Basketball in Louisville this weekend charged $11 per ticket for paying by card at the door. PER,” the dad wrote. “Unadvertised,” he added. 

What about parking?

Yep, these tournaments are also hosing parents to park the Suburban. “Paid the same for the Adidas circuit this weekend in CA. Insult to injury I also paid $20 to park at the facility,” a dad replied in response to the P32 prices. 

Per day parking prices? It’s unclear, but you have to figure they’re hitting up parents for $20 per day. Why not? It’s not like they’re going to say no. 

What was the big draw at the New Balance P32 circuit stop?

Besides parents watching their kids who will be playing NAIA basketball? 

Tennessee’s Gatorade Player of the Year, Jonathan Sanderson, was at the Dallas event. Based on what the experts are saying, he’s already a big-time recruit, but is it worth $40 to see him play pickup basketball against a bunch of other guys who are just there to impress college scouts? 

Not to me. 

The ER at Damonte Ranch, an extension of Northern Nevada Medical Center, is offering two free sports physical clinics for children and Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) athletes for the 2025–2026 school year.

The clinics are intended to fulfill the required pre-participation sports physicals.

The events will take place on Saturday, May 31, and Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the ER at Damonte Ranch, located at 1041 Steamboat Parkway in Reno, next to the south Reno Safeway and RC Willey.

The clinics will provide NIAA sports physical forms.

Attendees are asked to bring any additional forms required by their specific school or community teams.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The governing board for California high school sports is changing its competition rules at this weekend’s state track-and-field championships to allow more girls to take part amid controversy over the participation of a trans student-athlete.

The California Interscholastic Federation said it was extending access for more “biological female” athletes to participate in the championship meet. The group announced the change Tuesday after President Donald Trump posted on his social media site about the participation of a trans athlete in the competition.

“Under this pilot entry process, any biological female student-athlete who would have earned the next qualifying mark for one of their Section’s automatic qualifying entries in the CIF State meet, and did not achieve the CIF State at-large mark in the finals at their Section meet, was extended an opportunity to participate in the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships,” the federation said in a statement. “The CIF believes this pilot entry process achieves the participation opportunities we seek to afford our student-athletes.”

The move comes amid a nationwide battle over the rights of transgender youth in which states have limited transgender girls from participating on girls sports teams, barred gender-affirming surgeries for minors and required parents to be notified if a child changes their pronouns at school. At least 24 states have laws barring transgender women and girls from participating in certain sports competitions. Some of the policies have been blocked in court.

A recent AP-NORC poll found that about 7 in 10 U.S. adults think transgender female athletes should not be allowed to participate in girls and women’s sports at the high school, college or professional level. That view was shared by about 9 in 10 Republicans and roughly half of Democrats.

The federation didn’t specify whether the change applies to all events or only events where a trans athlete has qualified for the final. The change only applies to this weekend’s competition. The organization didn’t say how many students will be affected by the change.

The rule change may be the first attempt nationally by a high school sports governing body to expand competition when trans athletes are participating.

Trump threat to withdraw federal funding

Trump threatened Tuesday to pull federal funding in California if the state did not bar trans students from participating in girls sports. The post referenced AB Hernandez, a trans athlete who is scheduled to compete in the girls varsity triple jump, high jump and long jump in the state finals. She won the Division 3 girls long jump and girls triple jump and placed seventh in the high jump at the Southern Section Division Finals on May 19, according to CIF results.

“THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump also criticized Maine’s Democratic governor after she said the state would take the president to court over his effort to keep trans girls from competing in girls sports.

The Trump administration launched an investigation earlier this year over a California law that says districts can’t force teachers and staff to notify parents if a student changes their gender identity at school.

Newsom praises change

California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently said on his podcast that it’s “deeply unfair” for transgender girls to participate in girls sports. Charlie Kirk, the conservative commentator and podcast guest, referenced Hernandez when asking Newsom about the issue.

Trump said he planned to talk to Newsom about it Tuesday. The governor’s office did not confirm the call but said the California Interscholastic Federation rule change was a “thoughtful approach.”

“CIF’s proposed pilot is a reasonable, respectful way to navigate a complex issue without compromising competitive fairness — a model worth pursuing,” Newsom’s spokesperson Izzy Gardon said.

Sophia Lorey with the conservative California Family Council, which has protested Hernandez competing in girls sports, said the rule change was “damage control.”

“Girls who were unfairly eliminated are suddenly back in for State this weekend,” Lorey said. “This is a step in the right direction, but let’s be real: this never should’ve happened. Boys don’t belong in girls sports.”

Democratic state lawmakers blocked bills last month that would have barred transgender girls from participating in girls sports.

Equality California, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, said the Trump administration was “bullying a child” and called on CIF to uphold its “inclusive, evidence-based policies.”

“Our community is watching, and we are counting on the CIF to uphold its policies, adhere to California law, protect its athletes, and reaffirm that everyone deserves to compete safely and authentically,” the group said in a joint statement with several other organizations.

Athletes’ and district’s responses

Parents and conservative advocates opposed to transgender girls competing in girls sports have criticized Hernandez’s participation and heckled her during postseason meets.

After losing to Hernandez in long jump at the sectional final, student Katie McGuinness urged the CIF to change its policy during an interview on Fox News.

“I have nothing against this athlete as a person and I have nothing against the trans community,” McGuinness said. “My message today is really specifically to CIF and for them to act quickly and in a timely manner, because this is a really time-sensitive issue.”

Hernandez told the publication Capital & Main earlier this month in response to verbal attacks from adults that “there’s nothing I can do about people’s actions,” so she is focused on what she can control.

“I’m still a child, you’re an adult, and for you to act like a child shows how you are as a person,” she said.

In an email, Hernandez’s mother declined to comment on Tuesday’s rule change.

The Jurupa Unified School District, which includes Hernandez’s high school in Southern California, said it would continue to follow state law allowing trans student-athletes to compete on sports teams that align with their gender identity.

Associated Press journalists Janie Har in San Francisco and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed.

Austin is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Austin on X: @sophieadanna

Olympic Issues

Hall of Fame Tributes

Championship Coins

Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.

Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

I still feel that the main reason for the Rockies’ historic struggles is not their youth movement, but the large number of veterans who have given the Rockies subpar results (cough, cough, Nick Martini and most of the rotation). How far away are we from seeing more significant debuts, like Ryan Ritter (tearing it up at Triple-A) replacing Martini at DH or Gabriel Hughes or Sean Sullivan coming up? Could we end the year with an all-youth rotation of Ryan Feltner, Chase Dollander, Carson Palmquist, Hughes and Sullivan?

— Isaac Bowen, Fort Collins

Isaac, I only partially agree with you.

The veterans, such as Martini, were brought on board as “placeholders.” So, it’s not so much that the performance of journeymen has hurt the Rockies; it’s that prospects such as Zac Veen proved they’re not ready to play in the majors, and that key veterans — especially Michael Toglia and Ryan McMahon — have not met expectations. Also, the Rockies hoped they’d get at least some production out of the injured Kris Bryant.

But you’re right, the starting pitching has been a disaster, as Colorado’s MLB-worst 6.75 ERA illustrates. I could see the Rockies trading both right-hander German Marquez and lefty Austin Gomber. Marquez’s numbers are terrible (1-7, 7.66 ERA), but he’s pitched better of late, still has firepower and is in the final year of his contract. Gomber, currently on the injured list, is probably even more tradeable.

I could also see right-hander Antonio Senzatela demoted to the bullpen when Feltner comes off the injured list. So, the rotation in the second half of the season could look like this: lefties Kyle Freeland and Carson Palmquist, and right-handers Dollander, Feltner and Hughes. The wild card in the mix would be Sullivan.

Hey Patrick, as the Rockies continue to march toward infamy this season, I was wondering about the draft. Unless there are some “anti-tanking” rules/loopholes/system in MLB that I am unaware of, I am assuming that after this season, the Rockies will have the No. 1 overall pick in the next MLB draft. I was wondering if you could throw out two or three names who might be considered the top prospects to become the No. 1 overall pick.

— Douglas Hicks, Denver

Douglas, the Rockies can’t win for losing.

Because, yes, there is an “anti-tanking” rule in the system that will eliminate the Rockies from getting the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft. A team can’t enter the draft lottery for three years in a row, meaning that the Rockies will be ineligible for the No. 1 pick in 2026.

Here’s an explanation from MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo before the draft lottery at last December’s winter meetings regarding the White Sox and the A’s:

“As a team that received a lottery pick in the 2024 Draft and is a ‘payor club’ —  a team that gives rather than receives revenue-sharing dollars — the White Sox are not eligible for this year’s lottery. The A’s are a ‘payee club,’ but landed lottery picks in 2023 and ’24, and payees cannot receive a lottery pick three years in a row. They can pick no earlier than 10th and 11th in the 2025 Draft as a result.”

The Rockies, as well as the Marlins, entered last December’s draft lottery with a 22.5% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick. But the ping-pong balls didn’t bounce Colorado’s way, and it ended up with the fourth overall pick for this year’s draft, to be held on July 13-14 in Atlanta as part of MLB’s All-Star Week festivities.

At first glance, it doesn’t look like anything’s wrong.

The dugouts are full. Kids are signed up. Uniforms are clean, rosters are complete, and schedules are packed. But look closer — and you’ll see what’s really happening in youth baseball.

Where are the players?

Not just the bodies wearing jerseys. Not just the kids in the lineup. I’m talking about real players — kids who know the game, have developed their skills, and are confident between the lines. Those kids? There are fewer and fewer.

We’ve got full dugouts… but half the roster just started playing. Some are brand new to the sport. Others have barely touched a glove since the end of last season. And now, more and more are joining the game late — 15 or 16 years old, walking into a sport that usually takes a decade of reps just to be decent.

And it’s not their fault.

The truth is, we’ve stopped working with kids outside of organized team activities. We assume that two practices a week and a Saturday doubleheader is enough. It’s not. It never was. Not for baseball.

Especially not in a place like Montana, where we get four months of decent baseball weather, if we’re lucky. That means every rep matters — and when kids aren’t getting any outside of scheduled team events, it shows.

We’re watching talented kids stall out at 12 or 13 because they haven’t grown since they were 9. Meanwhile, others are starting at 16 — way behind in experience, mechanics, and understanding — and there’s no system in place to help them catch up.

And the result? Dugouts full of kids. But not enough ballplayers.

Used to be, kids got better between the whistles. Practice ended, and the real work began — hitting off a tee in the driveway, throwing balls against the garage, playing sandlot games just to stay sharp. Reps weren’t scheduled. They were wanted.

Now, if it’s not organized, it doesn’t happen.

And this isn’t just a baseball problem. This is across all sports. We’ve built a youth sports culture based on convenience and optics — show up, wear the gear, take the team photo, play the game — and hope for the best. But development doesn’t happen that way. Confidence doesn’t grow that way. And kids sure as hell don’t stick with a sport when they’re not getting better.

And the numbers prove it. National participation in youth sports has dropped from 58.4% in 2017 to 53.8% in 2022. By age 13, 70% of kids are done playing altogether. Why? It’s not fun anymore. It’s frustrating. It’s demoralizing when everyone around you seems to improve and you feel stuck in neutral.

We’re giving kids jerseys, but we’re not giving them the tools. We’re filling rosters, but not building players.

Steph Curry didn’t just lace up a pair of Under Armour shoes and become the NBA’s all-time three-point king. You know how he got there? Countless hours in empty gyms. Hundreds of thousands of shots taken — and missed. More missed than made. No fans. No lights. No social media clips. Just work.

It’s the part you don’t see. The grind behind the greatness. The obsession with improvement. The willingness to fail in private so you can succeed in public.

You think Kobe Bryant showed up to a game and became the Mamba? No — he earned that. In the dark. In the gym. At 4:00 a.m. when nobody else wanted to be there. That’s what it takes.

That’s what’s missing.

We’ve got to teach kids that showing up isn’t enough. You have to work. You have to grind. You have to fail — again and again — and keep going. That kind of mentality isn’t built in games. It’s built in the spaces no one sees.

We’re not short on kids. We’re short on reps. We’re short on people willing to stay late, to get extra swings in, to throw one more round of grounders just because a kid wants it. That’s how players are made.

So yeah, the dugouts are full. But if we don’t get back to helping kids develop between the games — if we don’t get back to the grind — we’re going to lose a whole generation of players. Not because they didn’t love the game.

But because the game didn’t love them back.