So after a bit more searching, we got really lucky.
http://www.digikey.com/product-searc...1966743?k=fc23
The FC23xx line of compression sensors linked here is reasonably priced enough to be useful. Keep in mind, to use these you will need an Instrumentation Amplifier to get it to a readable voltage.
The tutorial found here:
http://edg.uchicago.edu/tutorials/load_cell/
explains it pretty simply. Just imagine a cRio instead of an Arduino. It even links to a nice instrumentation amp, also available on digikey!
Good luck to you all! See you on the fields.