Tournaments the req you stay in 'their' hotels...

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Really - Rising Stars told you that? Interesting. If it is important to you I can find out, but I can tell you that umpires in that area are not an issue numbers wise. That doesn't mean they don't bring them in, just that there might be other reasons. I would think a $925 entry fee for 5 games would more than cover costs.... Don't get any ideas Rudy.....

Remember this is a BUSINESS for these people.

This was a conversation over Myrtle Beach, not Rising Stars, but Triple Crown nevertheless. The implication wasn't a numbers issue, but more of a quality issue. As if to say the local umpires weren't up to snuff for TCS.

 

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Book rooms and don't tell the hotel where you are playing that weekend, it's none of their business and if they aren't going to sell out they will play your game. They want heads in beds. You may drive a little further than host hotels, but it's your dime.

 

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This was a conversation over Myrtle Beach, not Rising Stars, but Triple Crown nevertheless. The implication wasn't a numbers issue, but more of a quality issue. As if to say the local umpires weren't up to snuff for TCS.

Triple Crown IS Rising Stars. They bought the Showcases 3-4 years ago. I believe the hotel requirement is the same for all Triple Crown events now - as are the penalities for non compliance.

I did talk to the UIC for Rising Stars. And in fact they do bring in Umpires for the event. ALL his Florida umpires work it and the ones they bring in fill in the gaps. I would imagine they would need to bring in a ton to Myrtle Beach - depending on the number of teams mind you.

 

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Book rooms and don't tell the hotel where you are playing that weekend, it's none of their business and if they aren't going to sell out they will play your game. They want heads in beds. You may drive a little further than host hotels, but it's your dime.

Teams are catching on. They book the rooms through the Tournament and book rooms on their own. They cancel the required rooms before the event and use the cheaper ones they booked on their own. It seems a little shady to do this, and if you plan on returning it probably isn't a good idea.

 

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Teams are catching on. They book the rooms through the Tournament and book rooms on their own. They cancel the required rooms before the event and use the cheaper ones they booked on their own. It seems a little shady to do this, and if you plan on returning it probably isn't a good idea.

Older dd's team went to Compuware last year and several players on the team did this too....Coach got a bill for the three rooms that were cancelled because apparently there was some fine print in the paperwork the coach signed when he turned in the reservation and these three didn't cancel within the alloted time. Pretty sure it ended up getting worked out because the Coach disputed this with the credit card company

 

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we have avoided these tournaments, don't like be "regulated" to a specific location. I'm sure it won't always be that way but of course its still our decision.

 

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This is the norm in baseball anymore. Softball TD's are starting to catch on. It's just a matter of time before it's the norm rather than the exception.

Len

 

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Never by us.... we will never require it. We have had hotels offer it but we tell them to give the cheaper rates to the teams and no kick backs.

 

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Beavercreek has never worked with the hotels and never will. The focus here has always been on running a good tournament and that means focusing on scheduling , umpires, facilities, and letting the teams determine where they want to stay. We do provide a hotel listing when asked but that is more a starting point for the teams to make their calls.

 

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I get it.. they leverage the hotel stays for money and comp'd rooms .. their choice, just be every up front with the hotel rates, buy-out and options before taking registrations.. then teams can decide.

I hate families having to pay gate as well - and yes, we are doing a gate at the Metro this year, but we plan on doing away with a gate in 2013 and raising the tourney fee to offset it some - this year it is $425 - $75-$100 less than all other comperable tourney's. Next year we plan to go to $500/team with no gate, no hotel requirements and a 4 gg - I think we are were we need to be, especially since we moved the date to the first weekend in June allowing college coaches to attend.

I agree, charge what you want in the entry fee so teams can make informed decisions. Concession money and vendor stands are fine too.

Gate fees, parking fees, and no cooler policies are ROBBERY!!! Call it what you want, and I know it's common practice at most tournaments, but it stinks!!! That is why Beavercreek is one of my favorite places to play, and I am not affiliated with them in any way!!!

 

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Isn't this, kinda, extortion or blackmail?

Sounds like TD's are holding your admission ransom, "you do what I say or pay" kinda thing? I am pretty sure my dd's team is entered in at least one of these tournaments.

To force teams to do what you want or else is kind of strong arming. JMHO

 

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I agree, charge what you want in the entry fee so teams can make informed decisions. Concession money and vendor stands are fine too.

Gate fees, parking fees, and no cooler policies are ROBBERY!!! Call it what you want, and I know it's common practice at most tournaments, but it stinks!!! That is why Beavercreek is one of my favorite places to play, and I am not affiliated with them in any way!!!

I understand your feelings however programs that must pay a rental fee for the field complex and do not get concessions cannot make a profit without admissions or parking fees unless the entry fees are much higher. Unfortunately, some programs don't pay rental fees and get concessions and still charge admissions!!!!

 

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Fast 2 Home--
I don't think your comment was aimed at Beavercreek but to the set the record straight --At Beavercreek, the City charges for the diamonds, water usage, and lights (when used). The concession stand is independently operated by the local youth softball organization and does not provide any cut to the TDs.

bob

 

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I understand your feelings however programs that must pay a rental fee for the field complex and do not get concessions cannot make a profit without admissions or parking fees unless the entry fees are much higher. Unfortunately, some programs don't pay rental fees and get concessions and still charge admissions!!!!

Exactly!!! Make the entry fees higher if your not covering costs. If they get so high that nobody wants to come, probably shouldnt be hosting the tounaments The cost for participants doesn't REALLY change, just being more honest about it. Seams like most Tourny's approaching the $500 mark and most teams don't want to spend more than that, so host then finds other ways to get more money from all the teams since they wont get away with just asking for that amount up front.

I know it's not going to change, right or wrong - it's the way 95% of the Tourny's I've been to are run. Even though it s**ks.

My opinion only!!! (I'm not speaking for anyone but me

 

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For anyone going to the TCS Myrtle Tourney, I made arrangements for our team at an oceanfront resort just a few blocks from the complex. (Ohio Glory '98)
We really wanted each family to have a kitchen, so we opted out of the standard hotel rooms. The resort gave us good group rates and multiple room types to choose from. Of course, there are multiple water amenities, etc.
In the end, the $300 penalty, when divided among the team members, was FAR less than the money we would have spent at one of the partner hotels. Plus, we were unsatisfied with the limited room types offered.
I would be happy to pass along my contact and hotel information to anyone interested.

 

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@jlv:

Kudos to you for increasing the information available to the fastpitch community. That you were able to absorb the penalty and still save money for your families is awesome.

 

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I understand your feelings however programs that must pay a rental fee for the field complex and do not get concessions cannot make a profit without admissions or parking fees unless the entry fees are much higher. Unfortunately, some programs don't pay rental fees and get concessions and still charge admissions!!!!

Exactly, we don't get any concessions, we have to pay for city of dayton fields usage, etc for the Metro .. with a $425 fee the gate is necessary to make it worthwhile to accept the risk of running the tourney. As I said, it is a pain in the rear for all .. 2013 we will not have a gate, instead a slightly higher team fee to what is currently being charged a comperable tourney's will be sufficient

 

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Fast 2 Home--
I don't think your comment was aimed at Beavercreek but to the set the record straight --At Beavercreek, the City charges for the diamonds, water usage, and lights (when used). The concession stand is independently operated by the local youth softball organization and does not provide any cut to the TDs.

bob

Bob,
You are correct, it was not aimed at you or anyone specific. You run a great show down there so Norm tells me.
We all have a choice when chosing tournaments. I tell our coaches what to look for in chosing a tournament. Tournament rules are a big factor, time limits, tournament format, sanctioning body, level of competition, condition of fields, TD's experience, umpires and more. Obvious motels can be another factor. If the tournament is desirable enough, motels are not going to be a factor. Park rules are a factor. As long as everyone is aware of these things, then no complaining afterward.
Things we hate are: Drop dead time limits (why does it always seem that they always work against us?); Only one or two top teams in each pool advance to bracket play; no coolers; running from one complex to another on the same day; stretching games from morning to night (we like morning and afternoon or afternoon and evening).
Anyone else?