I have played adult baseball for more than 15 years and, at first, I just showed up and played. Since those early years, I’ve coached multiple teams during the summer season, plus fall ball and tournaments. It can feel daunting at times, but managing really comes down to planning, budgeting, and—most importantly—patience.
It isn’t that hard—but it definitely isn’t easy.
If you’re considering managing a team in the New Hampshire Baseball League (NHBL35), here’s what you’re realistically signing up for, based on my team's projected 2026 season costs.
Expected 2026 Costs
League Fee
The NHBL35 team fee for 2026 is projected at $800 for a 12-game regular season, plus playoffs. This must be paid before the season begins in April.
Home Field Costs
Each team is responsible for securing and paying for its own home field. Costs vary by location.
For my team, a typical 3-hour game plus 30 minutes of warmup time will cost $145 per game. With six home games, I’m budgeting roughly $900. (Some teams pay less. A few are fortunate enough to get their fields at reduced cost—or even free.)
Umpires
Each team pays for one umpire per game, including playoffs. At the current rate of $110 per 9-inning game, that totals $1,320 for a 12-game regular season.
Regular Season Operating Total:
a. $800 (league fee)
b .$900 (fields)
c .$1,320 (umpires)
Total = $3,020
With the league minimum of 15 players, that’s about $200 per player—and you haven’t purchased uniforms or accounted for playoff costs yet.
Uniforms:
Hats -- I budget about $25 per hat. I typically buy 20–25 hats since my roster is usually full. For 20 players, that’s about $500. Most suppliers require minimum orders, so plan ahead.
Jerseys -- Custom jerseys typically range from $30–$50 each. This year, my regular and alternate jerseys will cost about $35 each.
If I purchase 20 jerseys (15 for the roster plus 5 extras for new players), that totals approximately $700.
Some managers roll jersey costs into the player fee. Late additions can order and pay individually if needed.
Updated Team Total:
a. $3,020 (base costs)
b .$500 (hats)
c. $700 (jerseys)
Total = $4,220
To break even:
15 players → about $280 per player
20 players → about $210 per player
What About Playoffs?
Playoff costs vary depending on how far you advance, so they’re difficult to predict. I typically add $50 per player to cover potential playoff games and other unexpected expenses.
For example, I also maintain a separate team website that costs about $250 per year, but that expense isn’t reflected in the totals above.
In this scenario, I would charge each player $330 (15 players) for the entire season, which includes:
a. Regular season fees
b. A hat
c. A jersey
d. Playoff coverage
A Few Final Lessons
1. Collect money before the season starts.
2. Collect money before ordering personalized jerseys.
3. Once your team is established, returning players may not need new gear, which can reduce costs in future seasons.
4. And most importantly: you almost never end the season with extra money in the bank. Be prepared, as the manager, to occasionally cover small shortfalls.
Managing in the NHBL35 isn’t overwhelming—but it does require organization, financial planning, and steady leadership.
If you’re willing to step up, your team—and the league—will be better for it.
Best in Baseball,
NHBL35
