Interesting discussion. I can tell you from experience that nothing is worse than the Drop Dead revert back. I have never run a tournament using this format. I also hate tie-games in any tournament. At least play one inning extra to try to resolve it. Also, finish an inning in an eighty minute game is reasonable. The eighty minute game is usually a good amount of time if: Coaches co-operate and get players on and off the field and do not complain when umpires move the game along. I have seen some teams that take five minutes to get on the field and get going. Everyone wants more playing time, unless they need to spend the time "passing on words of wisdom" every half inning and every other batter.
The number of teams is a double edged sword for Directors, Ii is easy to be the third party and say "just turn them away." but most TD want kids to play, this is why they are there. If it is so easy and such a money maker, why doesn't everyone do it? The organizations parents are required to help and this is a major undertaking for them as well.. The weather is the major problem. If you play 80 minute games, finish the inning and teams co-operate and get on and off the field, games will go quick. 90 minute games in Pool Play are a havoc to schedule as you end up with all kind of weird starting times! A larger tournament, especially later in the year is preferred by most coaches, The caveat being if it rains, then the organization is bunch of money hungry gold diggers!
I can tell you as an umpire, nothing is worse than standing there watching some coach trying to teach his players basic fielding or doing the "you go to first, you go to right field, etc when the next inning should be started. Also, teams need to BE READY to start early as almost all tournaments say in the rules. This means you (coach or designated parent) needs to check the field you are scheduled on have pitcher warmed-up and line-up ready or at least close. When I umpire, I want the kids to play more and the minimal amount of time I have to waste watching nothing happen is good for me and them. I watched a team in a 70 minute indoor game, waste at least 3 minutes each inning going on defense and they were losing! Had they been winning, the other team would have complained they were wasting time on purpose, but this group is just not prepared in my opinion.
The eternal argument about too many teams and trying to make money can be valid, however with sanction fees, field rental, balls, umpires,awards and the other things that go into the tournament, there is no money being made on fees. Profit comes in from concessions and parking fees, which are a necessary evil for many organizations, due to costs.Also, the cost to to the organization is significantly higher for a qualifier.
I would ask this. If a tournament offered 5 games at $500 with no fees or 5 games at $400 with three dollar per adult entry fee, which would coaches look to. When you look down the list of tournaments and you see 5 games for $500 or 5 games for $400, which is going to get "clicked on." Remember this is what you see when looking at the list. Having an expanded listing of the forum which shows entry or parking fees may be worthwhile. I suspect many tournaments get passed over with lower overall costs just due to limited research.
In the end, I have come to believe that too often we as adults get to hung-up in "what can we do to make it better (often for our team)" and not let them just PLAY. My favorite story was a game at a State Tournament a few years ago when coaches got into a debate with plate umpire about some insignificant issue. as it went on, I walked in from my Field Umpire slot to see if we could move this along with two "brilliant umpire minds," instead of just one, and one of the players ask me; "Why can't they just let us play! She wasn't talking about the umpires!
