07/03/2026
WHAT IS IT LIKE RUNNING A LEAGUE?
PART 2- FINANCIAL
This is a topic that seems to get misunderstood quite a bit across the board with players and managers within leagues.
When starting a league you think to yourself, “oh yeah, I could make x amount doing this and you only have to pay for balls and fields.”
What nobody really dives into though is the amount of money it takes to cover miscellaneous expenses and the unwillingness of current teams to want to cover the extra expenses that might come up, someone has to do it though and that usually falls on the President.
To give an example, my first season running a league we played at a field without a mound. I ended up ordering one and spent $600 out of my pocket to get it (it’s still in my backyard to this day 😂).
The pressure to “compete” with other leagues on pricing in the beginning can be tough too because if you miscalculate, it’s that much more you’ll need to eat to make the season happen.
The next thing is not every team makes it to the amount you need from each to even break even. Then you’re put in a spot that if you remove them for not paying you’ll have teams that did pay get mad and feel like they’re being shorted games. That is a no win situation.
Over the years I’ve had teams agree to x amount for a season and allowed them to make payments so the games can happen using the honor system thinking they’d be responsible enough to handle their business.
When it comes down to getting the remainder they put it off until the season ends and ultimately switch leagues before even finishing paying.
You develop bonds with these teams and it’s ultimately hard to tell them to go. Even if they never get the balance paid from the first two seasons. Eventually, they leave on their own and you’re still stuck with the money out of your pocket.
There are expenses that are underestimated with running a league like ads (you need a player funnel or teams don’t last), insurance (every district is different), covering umps when a team refuses, and other miscellaneous things that come up.
Thank you for reading and keep an eye out for part 3- EXPENSES
Baseball Uncut
