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Member
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:
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:
- 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
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: