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Sunday, March 26, 2017

A Viewer Writes: Wicomico County Athletics

Hi. This may be something that you have already discussed on your site but I was wondering if you have ever talked about why Wicomico County charges parents to see their children play at their home school (any school in Wicomico).

This is something that they do for both Varsity and JV games. I find it odd that they pay a fee for the sport of $40 to Wicomico County and then in addition must pay to view. I do not mean stadium games, I am talking about at the actual school fields. Currently they charge $4.00 per person for a game. If a family of four wanted to go see one child play that would be $12 for the family . . . at maybe 2 games a week = $50 a month. It hurts my heart when some players have no support because their family cannot afford to watch them. I just wonder who ever implemented this system and why. Years ago it was not this way. When we travel to other counties and states (DE, VA) this doesn't happen.

It just makes no sense to me. You would think the schools and the county would want parental support.

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

" You would think the schools and the county would want parental support. "

They do, money.

Anonymous said...

But, but, it's for the "kidds"

Anonymous said...

Although I whole-heartedly agree with this poster, a little clarification is needed:
Any Wicomico County student t attending a game (family of but still a student in the county) attends for free. The fee is the responsibility of the school, and this, goes to the school in order to help purchase supplies for the sports. The price is also set by the school, not the county.

Anonymous said...

I think you can still buy a year long pass for your family for $100 its cheaper than any other entertainment.

Anonymous said...

If you let the "family" in. I'm sure that would be completely obused by players friends, etc. They'd need a list and need I.D. at the door.

Anonymous said...

I live in Northern Virginia and I don't know any schools that are free. I grew up on Delmar of her and I always paid and didn't think twice about it. It's better than raising the taxes To pay for your tickets. People are always complaining why should I pay taxes for something if my kids are in school. Well I'm sure this offsets the cost.

Anonymous said...

Students aren't charged nor is the faculty.

Anonymous said...

as a graduate of jmb I used to enjoy going to home baseball games. that all ended when they wanted $5 from me, will never go back

Anonymous said...

I agree. In order to promote family cohesiveness and student athlete support, they should not charge. The participation fee should be enough to cover refs and field costs. Do fundraisers for the rest.
Or, at least, for those who qualify for free or reduced lunch, give those families a card for reduced entry fee.
We want parents to watch their kids play. I can afford it and still thought it was priced too high.
Let's rethink this policy .

Anonymous said...

paying to see your kids play reminds me of the ocean city parking situation - does anyone think the prices will ever go down? I absolutely can't believe schools charge parents to see their kids play

Anonymous said...

maybe this could be the reason why barely anyone attends the games

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Although I whole-heartedly agree with this poster, a little clarification is needed:
Any Wicomico County student t attending a game (family of but still a student in the county) attends for free. The fee is the responsibility of the school, and this, goes to the school in order to help purchase supplies for the sports. The price is also set by the school, not the county.

March 24, 2017 at 12:45 PM

Under the direction of the Superintendent. John Fredericksen may have been behind this.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
I think you can still buy a year long pass for your family for $100 its cheaper than any other entertainment.

March 24, 2017 at 12:47 PM

My kid plays baseball and they play maybe 14 games and maybe 7 of them are at home.

So if I got to go to all of the home games that means I would be paying about $15 per game. Where is the savings?? I already pay taxes for the schools. I already pay taxes for the sports. I already pay the $40 sports fee that my child has to pay, but some of the other kids don't have to pay because they are underprivileged, what ever that means. Then I have to pay about $75 for his gear. So I say WTF!!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
If you let the "family" in. I'm sure that would be completely obused by players friends, etc. They'd need a list and need I.D. at the door.

March 24, 2017 at 1:06 PM

WTH is obused?

Anonymous said...

It's not new. It's been going on for at least about 10 years now.

Anonymous said...

Still cheaper than that pack of Marlboros which you can't smoke while watching the game.

Anonymous said...

In addition, the fields were horribly designed. Parking is a long way from the fields.... especially the softball field. This is difficult for elderly parents/grandparents to walk in addition to the $4 that is charged per person. Parents pay quite bit of money already. Taxpayer dollars paid for the fields so there should not be a charge to get in. It should also have been designed better for access.

Anonymous said...

This is pretty standard everywhere... Find a new complaint.

Anonymous said...

I have no problem with the charge. As far as the 40.00 fee to participate. How do you think they help pay for equipment. Everyone wants everthing for free these days. How about you give up that cup of coffee or McDonald's for dinner.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
It's not new. It's been going on for at least about 10 years now.

March 24, 2017 at 3:05 PM

Not at all the schools. I don't have to pay to watch my kid play baseball at Wihi.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Still cheaper than that pack of Marlboros which you can't smoke while watching the game.

March 24, 2017 at 3:14 PM

LMAO!! I love witty people like myself!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
This is pretty standard everywhere... Find a new complaint.

March 24, 2017 at 3:54 PM

No it's not. Since it's ok with you then you can pay mine!

Anonymous said...

Easy solution - Stop being poor.

Anonymous said...

Holly Grove charges a $75 dollar per sport played athletic fee plus a $5 per person entrance fee for each person for each game. Public school is not the only money hungry school.

Anonymous said...

You should have thought of these things before you voted for the Coffin revenue cap.

Anonymous said...

AnonymousMarch 24, 2017 at 1:32 PM
Students aren't charged nor is the faculty.

So their friends and teachers should be able to watch them for free but not their parents because that's ok.

Anonymous said...

Most counties in MD that charge a participation fee charge much more that Wicomico. Usually, it's $75-$100 a sport.

Anonymous said...

This is largely because you wing nuts defunded everything in the 80s and 90s. Sports, music, enrichment programs. Can't have it both ways.

Anonymous said...

boe employees never pay dont matter where you are from. which is total bs. if one person has to pay then everyone should pay!

Anonymous said...

Might as well, I probably already pay your health insurance, rent, phone bill etc....

Anonymous said...

I graduated in 1990 from another county and even then the events held at a stadium had an admission fee of $5.00. This was 1987-1990. This is not a new phenomenon. I am not sure what school charges an admission fee to watch baseball, my kid school does not, like 5:03 said. In VA (Nandua), I have paid an admission fee to watch my kid play a school there.. Again, not sure what you are sport you are speaking of. I am also curious to know which school is charging to watch baseball in the county? I would take this issue up with the school or boosters club.

As far as the $40 to play charge, if you truly can not pay this, their is a process in which it will be paid for you.

Anonymous said...

What's really sad is the lack of student support for their teams, Go to any game and it's all parents. What ever happened to school spirit ?

Anonymous said...

With all the money being paid out how about some lights for the new Bennett field they can only use once or twice a year because most of the games are at night ?

Anonymous said...

How bout not. Bennett has had enough money thrown at it.

Anonymous said...

If you want new lights, then you, the parents need to raise that money. Bennett is not the only school in the county.

Anonymous said...

speaking of sports venues, I was at the Parker Complex yesterday for my sons' baseball game. Unfortunately, me and my son had to use the restroom. WOW. I would strongly recommend using the woods. WOW

Anonymous said...

As nice as the parker complex is, it is hard to believe that there appears to never be any maintenance done to the concession area. When we have a softball game there, I never let my family buy food from there and make sure everyone uses the bathroom before we go there.