First off let me say that NANA is absolutely wrong about anything she said about the prize can be no greater than the entry fee. To let some people in on some things, Tom and I have been bombarded with letters from a certain person, which I will leave out for now, who has said the same thing... and I want people to understand there is an underlying thing with a new poster that comes on to make a statement with their first post like they did. Obviously, we have stepped on some toes here in Ohio and this is surely not finished.. because I just absolutely hate a liar or someone who posts and truthfully misinforms the coaches and parents and the players.
After talking with the NCAA people today, under NCAA guidelines we can indeed give the prizes and it will not make any girl ineligible. Through questioning for 30 minutes, the gentleman answered everything for us. When asked about the expense money and how it can be applied, it does include any costs provided by the parent to get the athlete to and from the National tournament.. it doesn't have to be based on the national tournament. This cost includes: gas, motel, food, admissions, etc... as the child is under the age of 18 and/or 18 and just finished their high school senior year.
Obviously, we all know that OHSAA is a dinosuar when it comes to rules. They refused to be a part of the conversation with NCAA.
I will be typing a letter to NCAA this evening to put out in the morning mail to which I will be asking the same questions as was asked today of them. That way I have it on their letterhead for all to view and will be able to send to coaches and parents via e-mail on request. Please be patient.
Rules you can go check out at
www.ncaa.org and read without having to buy their handbook is available for all to see. Please note: There is absolutely NO mention of any amount such as NANA poster has said. Tommy Voss and myself have come to the conclusion there are people out there trying to SCARE teams away from our events and most are for their own reason. Internet law, which deals with malicious mistatements are new.. but believe you me I will hold anyone responsible for giving out misleading information. After the phone call today with NCAA, I have hired an attorney who specializes in internet law concerning misleading statements which are damaging financial wise to me and IFA. Word of warning, I will come and take legal action against you. I have no doubts. You can't hide behind a sign on name and make misleading statements.
Go to
www.ncaa.org. Look for the section called "Legislation and Goverance. Move the mouse to there and in the box will pop up Rules and By-laws and click that. On the next page, under Division 1... click "search LSDBi ". On the next page put in these numbers:
12.1.2.1.4.1 and bylaw 12.1.2.4.1 You will see by reading these bylaws that there is NO mention of any set amount maximum that can be given. Read for yourself.
Now, I have forwarded to my TD and respected people on the OFC copies of the letters Tommy and I received from a certain person and all this person could do was say how there was a certain amount..blah, blah, blah.
Those individuals will be free to post what they have read and I hope for these girls they do as misinformation has no place in girls softball.
Next, is the issue with OHSAA... our wonderful dinosaur in Ohio. I have sent these same individuals the letter I received from Debbie Moore of OHSAA where the other day, she said that she had never been asked that question in her 20 years. Today's refusal by OHSAA to come onto the conference call has given me the indication that there is "mud" in the air and needless to say, I'm stirring it up. Tommy Voss and the whole IFA organization is completely behind me and have told me they will back me to the hilt on this matter.
Things for people to think about in Ohio and OHSAA:
a) if Bylaw 4-10-2 (a,b,c) says that prizes of money cannot be given based on finishing placement in a tournament... then why are some association being allowed to give out paid berths to the National Tournament ? Of course, this isn't direct money given to the kids, but neither is our prizes of "travel expense monies". They are given to the organization who in turns uses that money for entry fees and travel expenses for the girls.
At
www.OHSAA.org you can see the by-laws: These include 4-10-2 (a,b and c) but then again they contradict themselves in 4-10-3 where it talks about "Receiving an award, playing equipment or prize of monetary value which does not exceed the awards amount authorized by the association". In another by law, the amount is set at $200 per athlete. Needless to say, we fall way under that amount.
Needless to say, I have stirred the pot in Columbus for their vague bylaws and today asked for their attorney's name, phone number and address. His name is Steve Craig out of Canton, Ohio. On Monday morning, he will be receiving a registered letter from me asking for a defination of their by-laws .... as it pertains to our prizes that we wish to give.
I will also send a copy of this letter, as well, to all the people on the OFC who I feel are credible people and they can once again post the contents of the letter for all to read.
Until we get an answer, that is not trying to be avoided by officials of OHSAA, I am instructing my TD's to give out uniforms, jackets, sweatsuits, whatever.. based on the amount of teams they see fit. I will be supplementing you with National bid money to help offset the costs of giving these prizes. If we should win our battle with OHSAA, then we will change and add the "travel expense monies" as well. Nothing like our Ohio girls (or other Region 10 teams) going to the Nationals with new uniforms and expense monies to help them get there... should they decide to go to our event. We will not hold them to going to our National event to get the prizes offered in some of our tournaments. I refuse to be like the other associations.
There is nothing in this world I wouldn't do for these girls... and Mr Clark (Johnnies) said something in the thread "gaining respect" that is very hard for me to live up to... but I can guarentee you that I or any TD associated in IFA tournaments are nothing more than caring for the girls and will give it our best to give back to the girls. Obviously, these TD's are trying to raise money for their organizations and I try to help them by offsetting some of their tournament expenses so they can keep the money for their girls.
I think the time has come to go after OHSAA for being a dinosaur. Our girls in Ohio are hurt when other states have rules that don't regulate them so much. Being able to win "travel expense monies" like other states can do... is one factor of many.
I will not be posting again until the first of next week. Be patient. Like Arnold said, "I'll be back". I got some unfished business to take care of that is pressing.
