Stay to play has always been the one that gets me. You don't stay at the hotel they pick for you so you have to pay hundreds of dollars to stay where you want. If that doesn't scream money grab IDK what does...
In my opinion, PGF are the biggest crooks out there.
Tennessee this past weekend was $25 for a weekend pass with no guarantees your team will be there Sunday. The scheduling was an absolute joke! I'm curious at what point when you have 80 minute FTI games and schedule 5 minutes between games it's gonna run smoothly? Umpires taking 15 minute breaks between games which I have no problem with since they did every game each day. The TD only cares about $! get as many teams in as possible and we will put a schedule out that looks good until your 5:55pm game goes off at 7:45pm with the winner of that game playing at 7:20pm..Oh yeah, there was another round after that to be played but they moved it to the morning only to start a full game behind and Sunday hasn't even started yet. The competition was without question top notch but for how the tournament was ran and fields completely turning to shit by Saturday, I would avoid Ridley Complex at all costs especially if PGF has their wallets open for your money.
Its getting bad in all activities.
OHSAA the past few years has been raising school member fees and requiring additional training for coaches and umpires. I think OHSAA member schools are up to $50 a sport with the forecast to go to $100 per sanctioned sport excluding middle school. I bet its only a matter of time before they start having hotel requirements or additional fees for championships to pay for awards etc.
Skills USA Ohio moved from the state fairgrounds to the convention center.. BIG $$$$...
To do this they raised student chapter fees, put in place a heads in beds program for all schools to follow during state championships, reduced contestant meal choices including no outside food or drink permitted and this year Ohio Skills USA required parents and spectators to pay $10 to get into the championships and for schools to pay for bus/van parking.
Skills USA Ohio even had a $12 online test all contestants had to take prior to the event.
Other CTSOs are doing the same in Ohio and other states with 4H, FFA, DECA, HOSA etc.
It is going to get to the point only well funded or well off families will be able to participate in co or extra curricular activities or select/travel sports.