But, then again ... parents and coaches need to relax just a little while.. while the TD gets together with Park people... look over the fields ( which one can go up in order based on getting up first).... make a decision for a time delay... which times could be different based on the fields / age groups then....
the TD has to figure how that might disrupt the tournament based on does the fields that get up first.. have four or five age groups playing on those first up and going? If so, talk about a damper on a tournament... Catch up in brackets or pool play whatever it is... so do you hear the C R A P when you make a decsion to make the first five diamonds available to two or three age groups.. move people around.. look at the bracket.. scorecards.. how many games in the late inning.. one or two left and get another started....
Because it absolutely does not make sense to start five fields with three or four age groups.. or worst scenerio five age groups that were playing on the five fields you are getting up first... as it will lop-side your tournament.. especially if no other fields are coming up for another 1 1/2 hr or more.
Personally, I finish up whatever games were being played on those fields FIRST (which gives you as a TD a little breathing room to decide things and keep 20 coaches ( based on 2 per team..LOL) out of your A$$.. let them play their game.. finish it.. then you get the joy of telling them they probally aren't going to be playing for six hours..
Then you get this look
... then you give back this look
because you are confused why this coach (s) are standing in front of you complaining ( remind you they started first in the rain delay ) and can't understand "rain delay" and it seems to be the "new" 10u and 12u coach... that just got a big whiff of travel ball and the disadvantages of attending huge sized tournaments.. especially one advertised as a college showcase ( with college coaches attending )... ( not including Stingrays/GAPPS/others.. where they have an ARMY of people that can equally take care of the younger age groups equally as well as the older girls)....
At my two college scimmages/showcases in West Virginia this Fall.. I hired an organization familiar with the fields where we will be playing ... ran a few of their own there - knows the fields and what it takes... and the city takes care of the other three.
I got my ARMY now.... just took some innovative thinking and not so much greed....LOL
But, back to my first thought.....
"Why in the heck does a college showcase have 10u and 12u playing in them" ???? You can only take the chance..if you are properly aligned with workers or said ARMIES from above.... and not relying on good weather for three days ( which is a joke of a thought in Ohio anyway ).... and then college coaches not seeing what they came to look at ( see next year's list of college attendees and don't be surprised if it is lower, if you as a TD, start playing 10u and 12u.. while 16u and 18u are sitting and waiting as well as the college coaches... and a good indications is if the college coaches/rep leaves.... that's a good indication they aren't ever coming back...
Which misses an opportunity by a DD to be seen
afterall it is a college showcase
It's like Boy Scouts folks ... be prepared. Whether it is workers, diamonds dry... working scenerios in you head when you know rain is going to hit you in an hour because you have been watching radar... Just be prepared. Bottom line.