Scribbles on a Notebook: Pay to Play

When I moved a couple of weeks ago, I realized I had to do more than just change the address on my credit cards and bank statements.

I had to find a new primary care physician.

I thought I struck gold when nearly everybody, separately, recommended a certain doctor who was accepting new patients and also took my insurance. The receptionist said she would email me over some forms to fill out, including the membership form.

I asked what that was.

She said it was like Costco and you pay an annual fee. I figured, what can it be – $100 a year? $150? $200? Turns out, it was $825. I talked to my niece who is in medical billing and she said it was all the rage these days.

Not for me, brother.

It’s bad enough you have to fork over for the co-pay, but now they want even more money.

In my warped mind, it got me to thinking about the pay-to-play effort in high school sports. This has been a dilemma that dates back decades.

Again I say, not for me brother.

It’s bad enough that some families have to pay for the equipment, which can be exorbitant in some sports. It’s bad enough that parents and caregivers pay for ridiculous gas prices to shuttle the children around. Now some schools want to tack on a convenience fee.

I understand it’s a way for school administrators to defray expenses, but it’s crazy for a kid and their family to have to pay to represent their high school. That privilege used to be free if you made the team, and it should remain that way.

I remember interviewing a high school coach many years ago in his office. It was filled with eye-level filing cabinets. I jokingly asked him if it was already filled with dossiers on potential players. He told me to open up any drawer.

I was shocked.

Each drawer was filled with boxes of Pop-Tarts, coffee cakes, and other food – all at the coach’s expense, mind you. It was for players who came from families that were income-challenged and often came to school without eating breakfast.

That, right there, should shoot down the whole argument of paying to play.

Next thing you know, we’ll be paying for memberships to certain country clubs to play golf in addition to the already expensive greens fees.

Oh wait …

Rich Thomaselli is a longtime sports reporter in the Hudson Valley, and currently covers Putnam County. He can be reached at rich.thomaselli@gmail.com.