daboss
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2014
- Messages
- 816
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With all the posts about tournaments struggling to get officials, gate fees, parking fees, canceled tournaments, exposed marketing gimmicks to draw attention, and stay to play tactics, has the sport hit a wall we can't overcome?
With all the things going on in the world I sense a higher level of frustration than I have ever witnessed in the game. I doubt that it's only in Fastpitch. I have been aware of some of the practices in volleyball and basketball for a while now. Those sports require field-house type facilities making it easier to fleece consumers. It appears TD's have figured out a few ways to increase the profit potential with careful planning and hidden costs over and above the entry fees. Capitalism at its finest.
Privately owned facilities have been doing this kind of thing for years. The marketing strategy was so juicy even parks and recreation departments pitched it. They championed county and metropolitan officials as an alternative to fund their own departments instead of asking for more money from the yearly budget.
Although some of the differences come back to the officiating thing. Private parks, in many cases, have their own working staff. Those officials are dedicated to working the games at that park and in return receive pay or perks that make it attractive. I'm sure there are more angles being entertained but I'm simply trying to make a point.
For organizations to survive what is happening in our sport, you're going to need to make some difficult choices. You may need to play less. Schedule less tourneys and perhaps look for league play that will quench your thirst of the game. Raise you fees. Quit............
Look, I don't want the game to die. I know that the majority of the families that support their kids cannot afford to continue to bleed money trying to keep up with all that's happening in the game. This isn't funny. There are a lot of very talented young ladies out there that will never see their full potential if the game continues on this path. It'll become a game only for those with real money.
Lastly, I'd like to make an observation. There's a huge increase in motivated people getting involved to profit from the game. More are willing to run their game than are willing to work the game. I've said for the longest time that volunteers are a rarity and the demeanor in this country has turned to a "What's in it for me" attitude. Volunteer. Give back to society. Encourage others to do the same. Be appreciative and show those willing to do it some respect. We need this or the game is lost.
Posting these thoughts of my own is like preaching to the preacher. Most of you are the givers in society for our game. I'm not calling you out. I'm calling out America in general.
If you want to see a change, change the way you see things.
That is all.
With all the things going on in the world I sense a higher level of frustration than I have ever witnessed in the game. I doubt that it's only in Fastpitch. I have been aware of some of the practices in volleyball and basketball for a while now. Those sports require field-house type facilities making it easier to fleece consumers. It appears TD's have figured out a few ways to increase the profit potential with careful planning and hidden costs over and above the entry fees. Capitalism at its finest.
Privately owned facilities have been doing this kind of thing for years. The marketing strategy was so juicy even parks and recreation departments pitched it. They championed county and metropolitan officials as an alternative to fund their own departments instead of asking for more money from the yearly budget.
Although some of the differences come back to the officiating thing. Private parks, in many cases, have their own working staff. Those officials are dedicated to working the games at that park and in return receive pay or perks that make it attractive. I'm sure there are more angles being entertained but I'm simply trying to make a point.
For organizations to survive what is happening in our sport, you're going to need to make some difficult choices. You may need to play less. Schedule less tourneys and perhaps look for league play that will quench your thirst of the game. Raise you fees. Quit............
Look, I don't want the game to die. I know that the majority of the families that support their kids cannot afford to continue to bleed money trying to keep up with all that's happening in the game. This isn't funny. There are a lot of very talented young ladies out there that will never see their full potential if the game continues on this path. It'll become a game only for those with real money.
Lastly, I'd like to make an observation. There's a huge increase in motivated people getting involved to profit from the game. More are willing to run their game than are willing to work the game. I've said for the longest time that volunteers are a rarity and the demeanor in this country has turned to a "What's in it for me" attitude. Volunteer. Give back to society. Encourage others to do the same. Be appreciative and show those willing to do it some respect. We need this or the game is lost.
Posting these thoughts of my own is like preaching to the preacher. Most of you are the givers in society for our game. I'm not calling you out. I'm calling out America in general.
If you want to see a change, change the way you see things.
That is all.