Money Saving Tips for Baseball & Softball

October 21st, 2012
If you or your child plays any sports, you know that the sacrifice of your time and efforts is just the beginning of what playing can cost.  There are league/team registration fees, late fees if you miss deadlines, uniform costs, the expenses of traveling such as lodging, gas, rental cars, bus fees, and meals.  There are the expenses of private coaches and trainers, gym fees, training equipment, camp costs, and competition fees.  Not to mention the additional costs of lodging for your family when traveling, admission fees for family members to tournaments and the lost wages that you experience when dedicating time to all that participation requires.
Many players cannot afford all the expenses of playing on a travel team which may limit their growth as a player.  Families can carry a large financial burden just simply by deciding to involve their kids in sports, even without a travel commitment.
The recognition of the high cost of playing baseball and softball is part of why Vinci Pro decided to run giveaways.  At least the winner can experience a “break” in the costs.  We wouldn’t stay in business long if we just gave away the high quality Vinci gloves, but we can at least offer some tips for how you can cut down the price tag for playing baseball and/or softball.  Below are a few ways you can start saving now, we will continue to bring you new ideas in the future.
Start with league/team registration fees.  Sometimes a team or league may need certain types of professional services that you can offer in exchange for a reduction of your fees.  For example, if your are particularly good at social media, you may be able to run the team’s Facebook page for the season, updating on team news and sending out reminders in exchange for having your kids fees waived for the season.  Teams rely on volunteers for much of what they do but that does not mean you have to give away services that you could use as leverage to put yourself in a better position to play.  Think outside the box on what you can provide that others may not be able to and you will more likely be able to convince the administrator to make a deal.
Scholarships are an especially effective way to save money not only on registration fees, but also on training camp costs and competition fees.  There are lots of need-based and talent based scholarships available from multiple sources.  Be sure to ASK before you register or pay.  Also, apply even if you don’t think you will qualify.  It might just take a few minutes to complete an application that could save you hundreds of dollars.
On the topic of training, it may be possible to save some cash that you would otherwise spend on private instruction and personal trainers by looking to people who you already know for less expensive lessons or even free training time.  Depending on your (or your child’s) skill level, you may be able to tap into resources such as school coaches, or even advanced players for one on one training.  A young college player who has already received private instruction from great coaches and trainers may be willing to pass on the knowledge that they acquired for less than the price that they paid.  This helps that player recoup some of the cost that they paid and saves you money from the start.  Already have a trainer you love to work with?  Ask them if they can offer you referral incentives and then tell everyone you know how great your trainer is.
Playing on a travel team provides great memories and challenges players but it can come with high costs.  Plan ahead to save money by shopping for lodging deals on daily deal Sites.  Sites like Groupon.com offer savings of up to 70% on hotel stays so if you know where you are going ahead of time you can look out for deals in the area.  Don’t dismiss the idea of camping when the weather permits.  Camping with your teammates can be a wonderful experience adding to the memories and saving tons on lodging costs.  Also, you don’t need to eat out just because you are on the road.  When you choose a hotel, try to find one with a kitchenette so you can prepare meals in room, or at least make sandwiches and pack ready to eat snacks to cut down on the meal costs.
Players and parents can really save a bundle on equipment costs.  While you may not always have a say on where you get your uniforms, you can save on personal equipment like shoes and bats by taking part in – or even hosting – an equipment exchange.  At the youth level these can really serve as a way parents can save, as young players often outgrow things like shoes before the equipment has been worn out.   Not sure where to find an equipment exchange?  You can also get used equipment at used sporting goods stores and online classifieds like Ebay and Craigs List.  Sometimes buying used is ok, but sometimes it’s best to get it new.  For example, it’s a good idea to get your safety equipment new.  Plus, when you purchase QUALITY equipment, like your Vinci Glove, you will get years of use which will save you money in the long run AND provide you with all the comfort and functionality of a high end glove.

You Could WIN a Vinci Glove This Month!

October 9th, 2012

Starting today, October 9, 2012, Vinci fans on Facebook can enter for a chance to win a new Vinci Baseball Glove in the Vinci Baseball Glove Giveaway Sweepstakes. The featured giveaway glove is Vinci’s model number JC3333-22 in black leather with red lace.

The JC3333-22 is constructed of our 5 Oz. steer hide leather. This glove maintains it shape very well over time. All Vinci Pro gloves are the finest handcrafted gloves on the market and are designed with quality in mind. The Vinci Mesh 22 Series baseball gloves utilize double reinforced mesh backing. The high quality steer-hide leather along with double mesh back allows the gloves to be durable, yet playable and retain their shape longer. Our signature Vinci exclusive deep pocket design allows for better control and less spin. This glove also comes with heavy-duty thumb and pinky loops, along with thumb and pinky supports which help retain the glove shape. The high-quality Deer Tanned Cowhide interior leather lining finger stalls are specially treated for a more comfortable feel. The glove comes shipped to the winner with our special glove conditioner. Utilizing our glove conditioner dramatically decreases break in time on our gloves and protects the glove for years of use. We pre-treated the leather to allow for quicker break in time, and this glove is one of the lightest on the market today.

This glove retails for $159 on VinciPro.com but you could win it!

Entering is even easier than ever because the only item on the entry form is for a valid email address that we can use to contact you at should you win. You can enter once each day and even earn Bonus Entries when you share the link to entry that is assigned to you at the point of entry. Share as much or as little as you like, but for every user who clicks the link you shared and enters using it, you get an extra entry! We have included this in hopes that you will tell your friends, tell your family, tell your teammates and tell your coaches!

The Vinci Baseball Glove Giveaway Sweepstakes is subject to a few rules and eligibility requirements which you can read all about in the “Official Rules” found here: http://woobox.com/offers/rules/6oxivr.

Visit Vinci Baseball on Facebook and enter today and everyday through October 30, 2012.

Luis Marte to Start Tonight for Detroit Tigers

October 3rd, 2012

Congratulations Luis Marte on his first career major league start tonight for the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers will be playing against the Kansas City Royals, at Kansas City. The game is scheduled to start 8:10 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Luis MarteGood luck Luis! We’ll be cheering for you!

The Vinci’s

Vinci Glove Giveaway Winner: Is It You?

September 26th, 2012

The only thing better than buying a new Vinci Baseball Glove is winning a new Vinci Baseball Glove!

For the past three weeks we have been collecting entries in the Vinci Glove Giveaway on Facebook and today is the day the lucky winner is announced.

Is it you? Well, if your name is Deb Wallin, it might be! Check your email to see if you got a winner notification!

The prize for this giveaway is a 11.5” 22-Series black Vinci Glove featuring tan lace, basket web, open back and mesh back. See the glove below. If you weren’t a winner, you can still get a new Vinci Glove at VinciPro.com. Be sure to join the Vinci mailing list for promotion announcements and special sales!

Thanks to everyone who entered for a chance to WIN VINCI…and congratulations to the winner!

Win a Vinci Glove!

September 4th, 2012

Starting today you can enter for a chance to win this featured Vinci Baseball Glove!  Watch this video and then head over to Vinci Basball’s page on facebook to enter!  The entry form is short, requiring just your name and an e-mail address that you can be contacted at if you WIN!  Get bonus entries when you “LIKE” the Vinci Youth Baseball and the Vinci Fastpitch pages on Facebook!  Enter daily to increase your chances!  Get all the details and enter by clicking here.  Good luck!

Vinci Baseball Glove Giveaway!

Last Day For -22 Labor Day Sale

September 3rd, 2012

Save 10% on ALL -22 series gloves at vincipro.com until September 3, 2012. At checkout enter 22sale to receive this discount. All retail orders over $150 that are shipped within the continental US receive free shipping, so add a pair of sunglasses or batting gloves to qualify.

We’ve added several New Gloves

JC3333-22_Black With Navy Blue Lace and Welting

JC3333-22_Black With Navy Blue Lace and Welting

RLN49-22 Black with Navy Blue Lace

RLN49-22 Black with Navy Blue Lace

Check out these and all the -22 gloves on sale here

 

22 Series Gloves Labor Day Sale

August 31st, 2012

Save 10% on ALL -22 series gloves at vincipro.com until September 3, 2012. At checkout enter 22sale to receive this discount. All retail orders over $150 that are shipped within the continental US receive free shipping, so add a pair of sunglasses or batting gloves to qualify.

We’ve added several New Gloves

JC3333-22_Black With Navy Blue Lace and Welting

JC3333-22_Black With Navy Blue Lace and Welting

RLN49-22 Black with Navy Blue Lace

RLN49-22 Black with Navy Blue Lace

Check out these and all the -22 gloves on sale here