Parents putting kids first, private facilities agree

It was eight years ago that Mike Ryan started training kids in baseball at Fastball USA. That same year fears of economic recession were widespread after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"Everybody assumed people were going to cut out what they didn't absolutely need," he said.

What Ryan found, instead, is that parents will sacrifice for their children's well being. Fastball USA continues to train kids in baseball, and enrollment is up after the training center moved from Elmhurst to Schaumburg last fall.

But the economy has affected how Ryan does business. He hears from parents out of work, who have been out of work or who will be out of work. Five years ago 90 percent of the instruction at Fastball USA was private 1-on-1 at $100 an hour. Now 90 percent is in group training at a rate of $25 hour.

"It makes it a little more affordable," Ryan said. "We're swiping a lot less $1,000 purchases and a lot more $500 purchases."

Ryan sees families trading in an expensive trip to Disney World to stay in town and take baseball or basketball lessons.

"Parents will spend money on their children," Ryan said, "because they see it as an investment in their future."

The Bulls/Sox Academy in Lisle, going into its 16th year, also has witnessed its share of business cycles. Senior director of marketing Thad Gentry said the number of private lessons has remained steady with no giant dropoff. Parents are still putting a high priority on the development of their son or daughter. But they are holding on to their dollar longer.

"What we've seen is parents are waiting longer to commit to group training programs," Gentry said. "What might have been a purchase a month in advance, now they're coming in 10 days before or the week of the camp. Families are waiting longer to make purchases."

Erin Dwyer can remember doing a "lock-in" fundraising actitivy when he was in high school at Glenbard North. Dwyer, still a coach at Glenbard North, now rents out his DuPage Training Academy facility in Carol Stream to teams looking to raise money. Each team member gets $10 from five of their friends, they raise close to $500 and spend three hours on a Friday night at the facility playing dodgeball or kickball.

"It's not a new idea," Dwyer said, "it's just been more active. A lot more people are looking for ways to raise money."

Maybe it's a silver lining in the dark clouds. Multiple community organizations - schools, park districts, private facilities - pitching in for a common cause during tough times.

Dwyer, a former Daily Herald All-Area captain in baseball, also has an all-you-can-hit baseball program from 3:30-5 p.m. after school for $10.

"These days, people are going to spend their money very differently," he said. "We're trying to be creative."

Dwyer hasn't seen families cut back too drastically on their children's activities. That hits home, too.

"Personally, I have two daughters," Dwyer said, "and one is in gymnastics. Instead of taking her out of that, I'd sooner not buy myself something."