Should these be required in OFC Tournament Listings or Descriptions?

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Couldn't agree more. I believe 2 weeks minimum for a schedule. Got a schedule for this weekend's tournament today, which means team members will have to make a request on Tuesday for taking a day off on Friday.

A 2-3 days leave notice won't work for those that have jobs that require at least a week or even 2 weeks notice to take a day off work.

I also believe if an organization is holding a regional or state tournament they should have at least 4 fields to play on. Making teams play 2 pool games, starting at 8:00 a.m. Friday morning, then not starting bracket play until Saturday 8:00 a.m. is a little ridiculous.

Need something in the ratings about communication.

I'm getting really tired of asking and asking for a schedule to tournaments and getting them two days before the thing starts. There's no excuse for this. Parents and older players need to be able to schedule time off from work, book hotel rooms, and arrange for transportation.

I can only imagine that some TD's are so afraid of leaving another few bucks on the table and hoping they get late additions. Need a cutoff date and no reason to not have a schedule out at least two weeks ahead of time, if not even more than that.

 

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So, your thoughts?---would a checklist something like this be unreasonable for TDs/Organizations putting on a tournament to answer and post for everyone?
(answers might help some make their decisions)


OFC Tournament Checklist:

Tournament Director will be on site y/n

Will use OFC for timely updates/delays/cancellations y/n

Gate fee y/n amt___

Parking fee y/n amt___

Friday play y/n earliest time___

Number of teams at each age allowed #___

Two umps each game y/n

Coolers w/drinks allowed y/n

Coolers w/food allowed y/n

Pets allowed y/n

Playground for siblings y/n

Warm up areas avail y/n

Camping/RV allowed on site or nearby y/n

Grills allowed y/n

Fields run by city y/n

Diamonds lined each game y/n

How many grounds crew guaranteed if rain #___

Volunteers allowed to help with fields if needed y/n

How much field dry avail #___

Prorated refunds depending on # of games/innings played y/n

I like it! no suprises

 

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I like it too and I hope they add a TOURNAMENT REVIEWS section where we can post our thoughts and observations, good or bad about the tourneys we played. Seems we get the same complaints about some tourneys every year only from new faces who didn't know any better when they signed up. Coaches could use the checklist and look at the reviews to decide. It would force some TD's to get their act together or go out of business but we would get better products.

 

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Went to tourney last weekend, didn't get any information about the park - figured it was a given that there wouldn't be any surprises. Well, no coolers were allowed...just one for the team. They wanted us to buy our drinks and food there.....their main FOOD items - hotdogs, nachos, and pretzels. It was 95 degrees and thats what they wanted me to feed my kid! They did have an shaved ice stand....those are going to be essential this year!

 

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I would add "fences y/n" and fence distance to the list.

 

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I guess I'm old fashioned but gate/parking fees burn me up, especially when they charge per person to park. The car must take up more room if its full.

It's harder on the parking lot pavement with the extra weight.

 

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Went to tourney last weekend, didn't get any information about the park - figured it was a given that there wouldn't be any surprises. Well, no coolers were allowed...just one for the team. They wanted us to buy our drinks and food there.....their main FOOD items - hotdogs, nachos, and pretzels. It was 95 degrees and thats what they wanted me to feed my kid! They did have an shaved ice stand....those are going to be essential this year!

Which tourney? OFC should start a blacklist.

 

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95 degrees last weekend! Each one of my players went through at least two bottles of water per game. If I got to the tournament and just found out no coolers of water for my girls I think I would have been "unpleasant". And Im with you guys............hot dogs and nachos again??????

 

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I would add "fences y/n" and fence distance to the list.

good catch

 

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I would add if they will play innings or be timed and if it will be drop dead. DD plays next week in a tourney that uses drop dead time limits.

 

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Carol, it is absolutely a must that Casey be at all tournaments. Great dog..

 

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I agree with most of what has been stated and we run a number of tournaments. In NW Ohio, all fields are rented. Last weekend field rental came to about $9000.00. We do not get concessions. The only "profit" comes from gate fees and sales of items. When you have to pay $10.00 to watch your daughter play 7-8 games and you are complaining, then please don't pay to see some non-relative play in professional sports. This comes down to $1-2 per game in most situations.
We only wish that we had free fields and our own concessions.
In saying this, there is a tournament or two every weekend in the Toledo area averaging 50 or more teams starting in late May until the end of July. A few of these tournaments have over 100 teams. Tournaments were started over 15 years ago and have brought plenty of opportunities and fun to the softball community.
Obviously something is working right here!!!!

 

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How bout refund policy? Heard that one quite a bit last couple weeks.....

Seems obvious, but man trying to get money back seems to be like reeling in a marlin on ultra light tackle. ^_^!