BHaines
Member
While i am sure this has been discussed before, I can't help but voice my displeasure with certain ballparks that find multiple ways to gouge parents for money during tournaments. In my experience, I am finding this seems to be a southern Ohio practice.
Specifically, certain softball parks charge upwards of $6 per head to come watch your own child play ball. Not only do they charge for admission, they prohibit carrying coolers into the ballpark unless it is a small cooler holding water or fruit for the BALL PLAYER. (not the rest of the family) I kid you not - at one of the fall tournaments we attended this year, the gatekeeper checked our cooler and refused us entry because we had 4 blue Gatorade bottles inside along with our apples and grapes. The Gatorade was for our daughter who was playing 3 games in the same day. I realize this rule is to encourage parents to purchase inflated priced items from the concession stand. When i have asked tournament officials about all of these superfluous charges, the response is always the same. #1. It is a Park rule, not a Tournament rule and we have no control. #2. The Park uses the money for park improvements. I notice some ballparks even have a rule on their website that there is "No Tailgating or Picnicing in the Parking Lot." So even if you bring a cooler of your own food to eat in your vehicle, you run the risk of the parking lot police putting an end to it. (I am not sure how they would do this exactly... Halt, or I'll confiscate your ham sandwich!! LOL)
Isn't it enough that parents pay $600-$1500 (or more) for their children to play a softball season? Tournament entry fees themselves have gone up consistently over the last 5 years. If a family of 4 wants to watch the tournament, it will cost them at least $24 entry fee (not to mention grandma and grandpa's fee). Then you have to purchase lunch and possibly dinner at the concession stand. They used to call golf a sport for the "Elite." (meaning people with money) Apparently, softball is hoping to take over that designation.
But i don't lay the blame solely on tournament directors and ballparks. Coaches have choices to make as well. As a coach for the last 5 years, i specifically avoided tournaments at ballparks that charged parents a fee for entry. It just seemed like such a slap in the face. Of course, this is all just my opinion. You can agree or disagree and that is ok. Thanks for letting me blow off some steam.
Specifically, certain softball parks charge upwards of $6 per head to come watch your own child play ball. Not only do they charge for admission, they prohibit carrying coolers into the ballpark unless it is a small cooler holding water or fruit for the BALL PLAYER. (not the rest of the family) I kid you not - at one of the fall tournaments we attended this year, the gatekeeper checked our cooler and refused us entry because we had 4 blue Gatorade bottles inside along with our apples and grapes. The Gatorade was for our daughter who was playing 3 games in the same day. I realize this rule is to encourage parents to purchase inflated priced items from the concession stand. When i have asked tournament officials about all of these superfluous charges, the response is always the same. #1. It is a Park rule, not a Tournament rule and we have no control. #2. The Park uses the money for park improvements. I notice some ballparks even have a rule on their website that there is "No Tailgating or Picnicing in the Parking Lot." So even if you bring a cooler of your own food to eat in your vehicle, you run the risk of the parking lot police putting an end to it. (I am not sure how they would do this exactly... Halt, or I'll confiscate your ham sandwich!! LOL)
Isn't it enough that parents pay $600-$1500 (or more) for their children to play a softball season? Tournament entry fees themselves have gone up consistently over the last 5 years. If a family of 4 wants to watch the tournament, it will cost them at least $24 entry fee (not to mention grandma and grandpa's fee). Then you have to purchase lunch and possibly dinner at the concession stand. They used to call golf a sport for the "Elite." (meaning people with money) Apparently, softball is hoping to take over that designation.
But i don't lay the blame solely on tournament directors and ballparks. Coaches have choices to make as well. As a coach for the last 5 years, i specifically avoided tournaments at ballparks that charged parents a fee for entry. It just seemed like such a slap in the face. Of course, this is all just my opinion. You can agree or disagree and that is ok. Thanks for letting me blow off some steam.
