Open Letter to Tournament Directors

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Dear TDs - I know your job is not an easy and you often get more complaints than compliments, but after 3+ years of tournament play I have some feedback:

• 4+ hours in between pool play games is ridiculous. I am not talking about play interupted by rain, I am talking scheduled games. Especially in a small, crowded park without enough parking.
• If you make my players play on a Friday (especially noon or earlier), schedule us to play 2 games to make it worth taking a vacation day for me, my coaches, and parents.
• If you going to charge an entry of greater than $3, then let us bring our own food and water. I attended a tournament where the daily fee was $5 and we were not permitted to bring in food or bottled water. Really??!
• If we are forced to consume your food, give us some healthy reasonably priced options. We don't like our girls eating junk in-between the games; athletes need healthy options.
• We really appreciate it when you take good care of your fields. When the field turns into a sandpit, a little water is appreciated. Lining the diamonds in between games is a nice touch. We actually had a TD in West Liberty bring shade (tarps and pop-up tents) and water to our girls --- nice touch and class act!
• Rain happens, we realize that. Communication is key; the One Call Now system is a great way to communicate to all coaches in one fell swoop. Just like you have an audience waiting on you, we have parents that we need to answer to.
• Listen to us when we complain about umpires. Personally I have 10+ years of umpiring experience. You won't hear me grousing about judgement calls, but when umpires do not know the rules (dropped third strike, look back, infield fily, etc.), I may want to talk to you and/or the UIC. Be available and interested.
• Get rid of aggressive umpires. Trust me, I am on their sides 90% of the time but I have seen umpires go out of their way to start trouble with fans and coaches --- don't engage unless the situation is getting out of hand.
• Be available. I will tell my parents to leave you alone, but don't disappear (like the Middletown TD a few years ago).
• Be prompt about refunds. I am owed a refund from Pigeon Forge from 4 weeks ago when they said it would be a month.
• If I win my bracket, don't make me play at the break of dawn the next day. There should be some

reward or advantage for doing well in pool play.

Thank you to Terry in Beavercreek, Hank in Vandalia, Gar in Mt. Orab, Mitch in West Liberty, the folks at Berliner in Columbus (Firefighter Memorial), Rich in Corpus Christi, Jim in Lebanon, etc. - we will come back and play there whenever we can. :cap:

 

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some very valid points. I have ALWAYS said the quality of the tournament is teams entered and the tournament director. We are fortunate to have one of the best in 'Denny Rose USSSA Ohio commissioner.

 

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Nice post TEA.

Can't agree more with the aggressive umpires. It's really hard to approach an umpire when they have a chip on their shoulder.

Thanks to all of the TD's.

 

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Fastpitch & Fireworks Tourney-July 1-3(rain date of July 4)

I think I finally got it right.Friday,saturday pool play with sunday elimination.Rain day fell on Monday(Holiday).Very important this year!

-Took requests and played pool play friday for local teams and with requests,played teams that traveled from out of town to play thier pool play games saturday as late as I could.Helped prevent a night of hotel was the plan.

-Pool arrangements.This I felt was crucial.With 4 pools,I arranged all the presumed A's,B's,C's and D's accordingly.They were grouped to play teams comparable to thier caliber as much as I could figure on records/season.Not arrang all the presumed #1's seperately in pool play but have them play each other and so on.Why just hand out trophies wthout playing the games?Why have a presumed #1 seed playing in a 'community based' pool?

-Rain line was personal phone.Had message there but shocked and impressed people when they got a live person when they called.

-Friday went fine.Saturday,I moved 8am games back to 9:30 am.Rain started at 8am and didn't stop til 1:00pm.Rewrote the brackets twice,then cancelled saturday and moved everything to sunday/monday.If we were to play the remainder pool games saturday-they were to start around 2:30 and we were to drop on pool play game and give a refund for each game not played in the guarantee of games offered.Glad we cancelled the day-schedule back to regular with adding the rain day.Every hour of constant rain seems to need 1 hour of drying/prepping for game readiness.Had a coach updating OFC and website constantly with all updates.Coaches using those tools reduced phone calls.

-Out of 50 teams,only 1 team not able for bracket play.In that age group,all #1's were to have a bye.The missing team was a #1 seed.Re-wrote bracket with the 3 #1's and gave the new #4 and #5 a bye but play each other in the last #1 seeds spot.Informed coaches ahead of time and discussed solutions to make all happy instead of just laying it out there.

-Posted over-sized brackets instead of the normal 8x11 size.

-Run our tourney at 2 facilities with 4 fenced in fields.The fields we use host most of the OHSAA sectional,regional and district games.

-Almost all games had 15 minutes before the next games and fields were drug and re-lined between every game.2 umpires for every game.UIC at BOTH facilities-not a TD acting as a UIC but actual TD's.

-50 teams.No Bracket play had #1 seeds playing 8am games.I added 30 minutes down time into every day at 2:00 to be sure to get back on time.

-Not to toot my own horn but I think I planned/ran the Xtreme's tourney better and better every year.No matter how experienced,we can always improve.

-However,I should have had walking taco's.Had concessions at both sites and added icecream stand and airbrushing at one of the sites.

 

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Dear TDs - I know your job is not an easy and you often get more complaints than compliments, but after 3+ years of tournament play I have some feedback:

• 4+ hours in between pool play games is ridiculous. I am not talking about play interupted by rain, I am talking scheduled games. Especially in a small, crowded park without enough parking.
• If you make my players play on a Friday (especially noon or earlier), schedule us to play 2 games to make it worth taking a vacation day for me, my coaches, and parents.
• If you going to charge an entry of greater than $3, then let us bring our own food and water. I attended a tournament where the daily fee was $5 and we were not permitted to bring in food or bottled water. Really??!
• If we are forced to consume your food, give us some healthy reasonably priced options. We don't like our girls eating junk in-between the games; athletes need healthy options.
• We really appreciate it when you take good care of your fields. When the field turns into a sandpit, a little water is appreciated. :cap:

I'll try to address these issues with my thoughts.

4hr between pool play. Tournaments based on the amount of diamonds they have available... is the key to this. Smokey Baker is a 5 age groups on 5 diamonds. 10u pitching distance 35', 12u is 40', 14u, ( 40' or 43' based on what sanction) 16u - 18u is 43'. There is the problem for TD's actually. Having to move rubbers constantly. Smokey Baker is what it is... until they decide to gather more diamonds and teams.

2 games on Friday : I agree.

Gate fees : Gate fees in Ohio can be different for each TD/org running events. Remember 90% percent of all tournaments in Ohio is run by org raising money for their org. I agree, after $5.00 bucks, then teams should be allowed to bring in collers. That $5.00 bucks covered any loss at the concession for an org I would think.

Gates fees can be used for many purposes actually. Diamond dry is the big one I think personally. Entry fees.. unless real high ... usually can't cover that. Example... playing say 9 fields and diamond dry is $11 to $13 dollars per bag. Rain comes in... now 9 bags of diamond dry per field .

9 bags per field at $12.00 = $108.00 times 9 fields = $972.00

Now, it rains again later in the day and you got lights... Figure $972.00 again.

Sunday same thing.. but only one time. another $972.00

3 times for diamond dry... $ 2916.00 dollars.

Thats what gate fees are for... and maybe ball field rentals.

My biggest pet eeve is how some of these parents think after a rain... then diamonds should be worked up immediately.

Here's the thing a TD has to decide and it is not some 10-15 minute decision to be made. Most check radar immediately. Personally I check 5 radars.. Indy, Lousiville, Dayton, Cincinnati and National Weather Service out of Wilmington, Ohio. I check all five due to direction of rain and talk to Field Maintainance crew.

Everybody thinks this is just a 10 minute thing and I surely haven't figure out their reasoning personally. It is what it is I guess.

If it is going to rain again in one hour or really 1 1/2 hrs.... should I spend that 1st 972.00 or more ? Of course not. First, it is going to take over an hour or more to get games going on again by working the fields again for in another 30 minutes after that it is going to pour down to rain again. The Classics two years ago learned that lesson and then held the event on another weekend and it rained, too.. but they foughtthrough it. I hear they lost money on their event that year. Came back last year with a fine event.

My hats off to the Classic org for giving it everything they had to play

:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:


If I had a team.. guarentee that is one event I am going to in the Fall. Never, ever have I seen that much effort out of an org to get a tournament in. Never.


Umpires... Most TD's have to depend on an association to supply umpires. So they get what they get. Yes, you hope they know the rules.. but that isn't the case sometimes. Younger age groups all get the newer, less experienced umpires it seems. Nature of the tournament and schedulers thinking. Glad I can hand pick mine.

Trouble is TEA, most parents don't leave it up to the coaches to talk to the TD. Seen it Saturday night with one org. Truly embarrassing for an the org in reality. We hear stories every week in the OFC over this issue.

I know, personally, I have one org that I don't let in my tournaments because of a) their parents and b) teams don't want to play in any event if they are playing. I hear they continue their ways to this day and they will run out of places to play and I have heard they cross the border now and those TD's have problems with them. Just a matter of time for them I am sure.

As for winning pool play on Saturday and then going into single elims ... I would have to say it is based on ballfields available and amount of teams for a TD to make a decision who plays at 8 am. I would say all of that goes into a decision by TD's.. I am sure.

Healthy foods at a tournament. Personally I like the idea... but tell us TD's what healthy foods should be available. I am TRULY interested in that thought. I really am. I have thought about have fruits and stuff on ice for the girls in the morning free of charge but wonder about liability issues. I am sure it is INDEED a liability issue for ANY TD in the State of Ohio to NOT allow water in their event for the girls. They don't have to allow full-fledged coolers into their event .. but "personal" or water jugs for the whole team HAS to be allowed. They better educate themselves on that issue. HUGE, HUGE liability.

 

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As a lawyer, I agree that TDs not allowing teams to bring water in is a major mistake. I suppose they can say "it was for sale," but how is that going to look to a jury when a teenage girl is dead because she got no water while playing three games on a 95-degree day? "We had water for sale at $3 per bottle," is not going to go over well or be an acceptable excuse for not allowing teams to bring their own water. Unlike any other food, water has generally been an item that people do not have to pay for, so forcing people to pay for such a necessity is a bad idea.

 

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As a lawyer, I agree that TDs not allowing teams to bring water in is a major mistake. I suppose they can say "it was for sale," but how is that going to look to a jury when a teenage girl is dead because she got no water while playing three games on a 95-degree day? "We had water for sale at $3 per bottle," is not going to go over well or be an acceptable excuse for not allowing teams to bring their own water. Unlike any other food, water has generally been an item that people do not have to pay for, so forcing people to pay for such a necessity is a bad idea.

Amen. I'm telling you... one day the education is going to come to some TD / org over this issue.

 

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From a dads point of view our girls just completed the NSA states and although the $5 entrance was not great but for the most part the tourney was run very well. We played strong teams and for the majority of games the umpires did very well, tough job, not always appreciated but very professional non the less. Thankyou to the 3 NSA umpire supervisors,I believe they were gracious in answering fan questions and just fun to be around. Specifically we had an umpire that was on the bases who when calling an illegal pitch did not make a big deal about it but explained it to the pitcher, and coaches. Thank you

 

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I'll try to address these issues with my thoughts.

4hr between pool play. Tournaments based on the amount of diamonds they have available... is the key to this. Smokey Baker is a 5 age groups on 5 diamonds. 10u pitching distance 35', 12u is 40', 14u, ( 40' or 43' based on what sanction) 16u - 18u is 43'. There is the problem for TD's actually. Having to move rubbers constantly. Smokey Baker is what it is... until they decide to gather more diamonds and teams.

2 games on Friday : I agree.

Gate fees : Gate fees in Ohio can be different for each TD/org running events. Remember 90% percent of all tournaments in Ohio is run by org raising money for their org. I agree, after $5.00 bucks, then teams should be allowed to bring in collers. That $5.00 bucks covered any loss at the concession for an org I would think.

Gates fees can be used for many purposes actually. Diamond dry is the big one I think personally. Entry fees.. unless real high ... usually can't cover that. Example... playing say 9 fields and diamond dry is $11 to $13 dollars per bag. Rain comes in... now 9 bags of diamond dry per field .

9 bags per field at $12.00 = $108.00 times 9 fields = $972.00

Now, it rains again later in the day and you got lights... Figure $972.00 again.

Sunday same thing.. but only one time. another $972.00

3 times for diamond dry... $ 2916.00 dollars.

Thats what gate fees are for... and maybe ball field rentals.

My biggest pet eeve is how some of these parents think after a rain... then diamonds should be worked up immediately.

Here's the thing a TD has to decide and it is not some 10-15 minute decision to be made. Most check radar immediately. Personally I check 5 radars.. Indy, Lousiville, Dayton, Cincinnati and National Weather Service out of Wilmington, Ohio. I check all five due to direction of rain and talk to Field Maintainance crew.

Everybody thinks this is just a 10 minute thing and I surely haven't figure out their reasoning personally. It is what it is I guess.

If it is going to rain again in one hour or really 1 1/2 hrs.... should I spend that 1st 972.00 or more ? Of course not. First, it is going to take over an hour or more to get games going on again by working the fields again for in another 30 minutes after that it is going to pour down to rain again. The Classics two years ago learned that lesson and then held the event on another weekend and it rained, too.. but they foughtthrough it. I hear they lost money on their event that year. Came back last year with a fine event.

My hats off to the Classic org for giving it everything they had to play

:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:


If I had a team.. guarentee that is one event I am going to in the Fall. Never, ever have I seen that much effort out of an org to get a tournament in. Never.


Umpires... Most TD's have to depend on an association to supply umpires. So they get what they get. Yes, you hope they know the rules.. but that isn't the case sometimes. Younger age groups all get the newer, less experienced umpires it seems. Nature of the tournament and schedulers thinking. Glad I can hand pick mine.

Trouble is TEA, most parents don't leave it up to the coaches to talk to the TD. Seen it Saturday night with one org. Truly embarrassing for an the org in reality. We hear stories every week in the OFC over this issue.

I know, personally, I have one org that I don't let in my tournaments because of a) their parents and b) teams don't want to play in any event if they are playing. I hear they continue their ways to this day and they will run out of places to play and I have heard they cross the border now and those TD's have problems with them. Just a matter of time for them I am sure.

As for winning pool play on Saturday and then going into single elims ... I would have to say it is based on ballfields available and amount of teams for a TD to make a decision who plays at 8 am. I would say all of that goes into a decision by TD's.. I am sure.

Healthy foods at a tournament. Personally I like the idea... but tell us TD's what healthy foods should be available. I am TRULY interested in that thought. I really am. I have thought about have fruits and stuff on ice for the girls in the morning free of charge but wonder about liability issues. I am sure it is INDEED a liability issue for ANY TD in the State of Ohio to NOT allow water in their event for the girls. They don't have to allow full-fledged coolers into their event .. but "personal" or water jugs for the whole team HAS to be allowed. They better educate themselves on that issue. HUGE, HUGE liability.

Love the Smokey Baker...but I did have one pet peeve about it...if you're going to charge a gate (that's fine, I'll pay)...and you're not going to allow coolers with bottled water and sports drinks (that's fine, I'll used your concession stand even if 1 dollar for a glass or water was a little hight)...at least have PLENTY of concession stand help so you're not waiting 20 minutes in line to get water for dehydrating players, coaches and fans.

Seriously...one or maybe two people working the line? needs more or open up the park for coolers. just my .02.

 

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That's where those statements should be made to TD there. I do know that the girls were allowed their own personal water jugs. If the coaches didn't relay that to the parents.. what can you do as a TD.

 

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That's where those statements should be made to TD there. I do know that the girls were allowed their own personal water jugs.

yes, they were but when you have four hours between games (and I totally understand and accept your explanation as to why in your earlier post) those little juggs are gone before the first game is completed on days like Saturday and Sunday.
I had no problem with how the SB is run...have been there the last two years and enjoy myself...would just like to see more staff during peak times at the concession stands for the reasons I stated earlier.

 

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@ Honor and Glory... I agree on the amount of workers. I was there Saturday and stood in line , too

 

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As for the water rule ... I'd like to see the water rule with a regular cooler full of water for the GIRLS be allowed... versus personal jugs.

 

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As a lawyer, I agree that TDs not allowing teams to bring water in is a major mistake. I suppose they can say "it was for sale," but how is that going to look to a jury when a teenage girl is dead because she got no water while playing three games on a 95-degree day? "We had water for sale at $3 per bottle," is not going to go over well or be an acceptable excuse for not allowing teams to bring their own water. Unlike any other food, water has generally been an item that people do not have to pay for, so forcing people to pay for such a necessity is a bad idea.

amen, no td will tell me I cant bring water in for my kids or other kids on team. I just bring it in anyways.

 

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yes, they were but when you have four hours between games (and I totally understand and accept your explanation as to why in your earlier post) those little juggs are gone before the first game is completed on days like Saturday and Sunday.
I had no problem with how the SB is run...have been there the last two years and enjoy myself...would just like to see more staff during peak times at the concession stands for the reasons I stated earlier.

You had four hours between games and couldn't go somewhere outside the tourney grounds to refill at a cheaper price than the concession stand? and it's not that much hassle to have stuff on ice in the car either.

 

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I've actually thought about putting water in the dugout for the girls ... but not the "team type" of big jugs .. just bottles of water in ice and keep replenishing during the tournament in each dugout.

Bottle water is cheap enough.

Thought about it .. still checking on the liability issue...

 

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Well, wildfire... have you ever left Expressway and then come back ?

Parking spot is of course gone and when they (teams) are all there... parking in the "boonies" come to mind or illegally in the car lot to the front.

 

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TEA, nice points. I especially like the Friday post... with your luck... here's your Friday...a 12 noon game and then an 8:00pm game then comeback at 8am for your 3rd pool game . OH, and god help you if you get a rain delay say at 6pm on Friday night. Might as well sleep in the dugout.

 

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Well, wildfire... have you ever left Expressway and then come back ?

Parking spot is of course gone and when they are all there... parking in the "boonies" come to mind or illegally in the car lot to the front.

they do that so you have to purchase a car/truck to get out of there. It's an inside deal...

 

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LMAO.... buy a car or get towed... is that the concept?