It’s summer. High school sports are idle, but the athletes are as active as any other time of the year. That means it is time for out-of-season sports, whether you call it travel ball, competitive ball or club sports.

Baseball, basketball, softball, swimming, volleyball, soccer, wrestling, karate and gymnastics all are in full swing through programs not necessarily associated with their high school counterparts. It’s a full summer of activity for any athlete so inclined.

It also means athletes and organizations are out raising money to fund their travel expenses and entry fees. A tough assignment in these economic times.

Just one example, the daunting task of raising money falls on the shoulders of two aspiring softball players familiar to those who follow the sport throughout the spring prep season. There are, of course, hundreds of others in the same situation this summer, each with their own “pay to play” responsibilities.

Alexi “Louie” Ross (Ida Baker) and Jackie Owen (North Fort Myers) are doing it on their own as they spend the summer representing the Tampa Mustangs travel softball program. They are the only team members who reside in Lee County.

The Mustangs, one of the oldest girls’ competitive fast-pitch softball programs in the state, are fresh off winning a national qualifying tournament last weekend in Clermont.

Ross will be a junior next fall and Owen, a graduate who signed to play at Daytona Beach State College, need to contribute their fair share for their participation. As reigning national champions, the Mustangs have an automatic berth in this year’s national tournament in California the last weekend in July, but the costs to get there as well as for food, hotel and sightseeing expenses in the tournament city fall to the players and their families.

Not just for the national tournament, either. The team participates in several tournaments throughout the summer.

Ross and Owen leave Monday with the Mustangs to play in a showcase tournament in Colorado next week. Teams packed with some of the nation’s top talent are slated to attend that tournament that also is well attended by college recruiters.

Any business or individual in a position to help can call 239-699-9524.