Playing for Money or Travel Expense Money - Right, Wrong, Concerns, Rules don't touch it!

[manitoudan]

I bout spit my pizza out of my mouth " thought I was reading a Tim Cleaver thread" .

 

[Mike_Craig_-_Ohio USSSA]

When I was with NSA last year and we were going to start giving the random scholarships, I got in contact with Roxanne Price also. She said as long it was purely a "random" draw, the athletes eligibility couldn't be in jeopardy. She did say that the minute the amount of the scholarship was contingent on order of finish, it was like winning a cash prize and would make an athlete ineligible for OHSAA events. I don't know if that applies here as "travel expense or reimbursement" is the way to package it up (at least I always thought) to avoid it being paid directly to the players.

OHSAA is a interesting beast. I coach high school bowling and the first year that the OHSAA recognized it in 2007, we had to get clarification on kids who win scholarship money bowling in youth events and there eligibility to participate for their high school teams. The main bowling governing body (USBC) has a company that is supposed to "protect" the funds so it is there when the athletes go on to college (SMART). Roxanne had a big issue with kids winning even scholarship $$ based on order of finish. We host a bowling tournament as one of our largest fundraisers. We raffle off a bowling ball. We had to make sure no tickets were sold to competing athletes because the listed retail value of the ball was over $250. If a kid won the ball, they could be ruled ineligible by OHSAA if someone made enough stink about it. We just sell the tickets, watch a parent win the ball and then turn around and gift it to their kid. No harm, no foul on our end and we didn't possibly make a kid ineligible.

They can except travel expenses IF the cash is not contingent upon the team's finish. In this case, the team has to finish 1st or 2nd in order to obtain the award.

Ricky, when I researched this about 5 years ago, I talked with Dr. Roxanne Price at OHSAA. She told me that, in the eyes of OHSAA, this type of tournament would violate the athlete's amateur status. Just relaying what I was told 5 years ago. The by-laws haven't changed and the people haven't changed. The "the team is getting the money, not the individual" argument was also dismissed by OHSAA. That was the argument that Tim used and Dr. Price shot him down.

 

[TheSoftballZone]

I bout spit my pizza out of my mouth " thought I was reading a Tim Cleaver thread" .

It wouldn't go down like that event. Number #1 your check would be cash and clear way before you played your 1st game. Number #2 my check would be so good. I will even cash it..lol

 

[Irish196]

Being part of a non profit that tries to help softball players, I have mixed feelings about OHSAA and NCAA eligibility rules. They make it nearly impossible to help lower income kids in meaningful ways or to have anyone else help them (especially at the more competitive level). I understand the potential for abuse but I also think they could use a little common sense and have a little more flexible rules.

 

[TheSoftballZone]

Join the Radio show tonight as we plan on talking about this event during the show.

 

[Bink44]

Ricky, I really appreciate all that you do for Ohio Fastpitch!! There are ways a Team could use a cash award that wouldn't involve the individual student Athelete at all. A Team could pay for an additional high priced Showcase, much needed Team equipment... new nets, balls, batting Tee"s or a pitching machine. The Team could even use it for rental of indoor practice facilities or for a nice new Team banner. There are many Team expenses that have absolutely nothing to do with individual players or eligibility. I know our Team is a 501C and I keep receipts on absolutely everything down to the envelopes I bought at the dollar store for the payment of umpires. I believe there are certain people involved with travel softball that are only interested in maxing out their bottom line profits and they would be the ones that would try in stir things up.

Next they will be saying that Team sponsers...Easton, Mizuono, Louisville Sluggers ect. will cost a student athlete eligibility for the Team helmets, warmups and bats they received free...has not happened or there would of been hundreds of student athletes nationwide ineligible since I've been coaching in 2003.

Good luck Ricky...you have my support!!

 

[TheSoftballZone]

Ricky, I really appreciate all that you do for Ohio Fastpitch!! There are ways a Team could use a cash award that wouldn't involve the individual student Athelete at all. A Team could pay for an additional high priced Showcase, much needed Team equipment... new nets, balls, batting Tee"s or a pitching machine. The Team could even use it for rental of indoor practice facilities or for a nice new Team banner. There are many Team expenses that have absolutely nothing to do with individual players or eligibility. I know our Team is a 501C and I keep receipts on absolutely everything down to the envelopes I bought at the dollar store for the payment of umpires. I believe there are certain people involved with travel softball that are only interested in maxing out their bottom line profits and they would be the ones that would try in stir things up.

Next they will be saying that Team sponsers...Easton, Mizuono, Louisville Sluggers ect. will cost a student athlete eligibility for the Team helmets, warmups and bats they received free...has not happened or there would of been hundreds of student athletes nationwide ineligible since I've been coaching in 2003.

Good luck Ricky...you have my support!!

Thanks Lee

 

[TheSoftballZone]

Lee, the number one thing people have to remember the Travel Expenses money is for the teams. Not any individual player. If you gave money to the Girl's because you won the TE funds event. Then the Coach would make them ineligible under OHSAA bylaws. You make allot.of great points Lee and I thank.you for your support.