So I was very excited for our girls last week when we all were given the May 26th date. But after some conversations last night and another tournament cancellation, I am started to get worried again. What is the CDC wanting venues to do that is causing some to just throw in the towel?? I am hearing larger venues in particular are seeing many issues. It seems to be much more then requiring face coverings and no concessions...
Mike Craig, can you shed some light on this?
I'm not Mike Craig but I would like to support the statement above by Bob_Himmelein. "Complex" is probably an understatement at this point considering the rules and regulations that are facing any upcoming tourneys in 2020. I mention 2020 because these regulations could be non-issues by next year. Unfortunately, we have to think in the present.
With the pandemic being what it is and with the Health Dept. having so much input into enforcement of mandates, all tournaments need to reconsider if there's any chance they can pull off an event and break even. The chances of making any profit is in serious jeopardy. Besides the struggles with public park issues you have the issues with having any concessions which is normally huge in terms of tournament income.
People, tournaments are held to make money. It's always the underlying reason they are held. Whether it's to make a profit for an organization or a fundraiser for a charity, it's still about the money. Tournament Directors are in charge of trying to make this happen. Showcases and qualifiers are used as a marketing strategy to get teams to pay to play. I'm not against it. The kids benefit from it. But I am a realist of sorts and I get it. Right now, TD's are facing some huge obstacles and logistically it threatens their ability to make any money, perhaps believing they know they will lose money if they host a tourney at all.
One of the biggies mentioned is the park dept.s not having a budget for normal operation and maintenance issues. A program like that is normally the first to have cuts made. It's why I mentioned in a different thread that organizations and/or individual teams could possibly be a part of the solution by volunteering to help park programs. Many parks (not all) have volunteer organizations that do this anyway. Any money they can make by renting out the facilities help offset the costs of providing the park for the masses. Same with parks that are actually owned and operated by village, city, or county run programs. They need the budget padded by diamond rentals for yearly upkeep. Parks and Recreation really don't get much of our tax dollars when you look at the big picture. Again, I'm not saying it's fair. I just know it to be true.
We're all in this together is going to be more than a battle cry if you want to play ball in 2020. The government is in favor of having the parks open but organized gatherings this year are going to be frowned upon. That's the battle we are facing. Somebody will finally get it figured out. The problem is; it'll probably be at a cost..............