Should There Be Refunds on Cancelled Tournaments?

Last night, we had over 75 hits on the Savannah tournament as I have been researching websites in the South to post the tournament. I use eteamz.com to post most events.

I heard from the teams up here in Ohio that they love Cary, NC. Absolutely love the place.

I work hard for MY girls in Ohio. Three years ago, I brought in a helicopter to blow water off the fields at 2 am on a Sunday. Cost: $1200.00 for two hours of blowing. $1500.00 worth of diamond dry.... and no gate was collected as it was a city park. It was a last chance qualifier with the World Series in two weeks in Ohio. Still talked about to this day. My umpires made more money than me. Sometimes you do what is right... and not what the pocket book thinks. That effort got me more teams over the past two years in my events.. than all the advertising in the world.

A large organization in North Carolina who yearly holds large tournaments (30 plus) should look at "How many teams are from out of town - staying overnight" and look at two cities to have the event.. talk to both Convention and Visitor Bureaus about bringing a tournament to their fair city... and pit both of them against each other. Then watch the dollars signs come out of their pockets (CVB's that is).

We base, here in Ohio, the economic impact for a city at $3000.00 per out of town team who spends Friday and Sat at a motel plus dining in the city while there. It can be more actually. Especially if it is a three day event.

Just two days, for instance, if 30 teams are from out of town.. the economic impact is $120,000.00 dollars at a minimum. Now tell me that a CVB isn't going to pay your ballfield cost to have that. That figure doesn't even take into consideration the local teams speding money.

Now, here is something else... A lot of CVB's will look to the Chamber of Comerence of a city for financial help to secure a tournament. Reason why, is that CVB's are based on motel tax and not restaurant business done in the city. So between the both of them.. they pool their money to get that tournament there.

Gate fees are for diamond dry and temp fences and employees for taking care of the fields (relining, packing in pitcher's plate area after every game, etc.... If it doesn't rain.. that a bonus for a TD.

Softball is fun.. but most of all.... it is indeed a business. And softball tournaments are just like any business.. it's based on consumer satisfaction.

You can always call me or e-mail me if you have questions. I'd be glad to help you with some thoughts about how you can maximize your profits as an organization running an event. Free of charge. I love softball and just feel it is about time for some of these CVB's to give something back to the parents and the girls. Free diamonds = better prizes.

Do national softball organizations charge TD's an amount for the right to hold a qualifiers and so much per team as well? They do in Ohio. That's why I don't hold qualifiers myself.

Teams up this way got them figured out.

 

Because I wouldn't allow a city to get over on the organizations who run tournaments and bring money into the community.

 

How do you know cities are "getting over" on the organizations now? There are several well established ASA tournaments in NC that already draw close to 100 teams, so I doubt anything is getting over on anyone.

There are also plenty of smaller tournaments that have 20-30 teams every weekend March-November, so I think travel ball tournaments are doing just fine, for the teams and the directors.

 

Here's a link about the helicopter still being talked about even to this day. http://www.game-ex.com/vb3/showthread.php?t=20716 . It's the second post.

Check out this website as well: www.thesoftballzone.com

Having a state website for the girls like you do here and like in Ohio.. is a great service to the softball community.

 

Well, that is great. I'm glad for them. But, no one shouldn't have come on and have to complain about refunds and lack of them... and then someone have to explain it away by saying costs associated with the tournament.

Next, I'll be told that a National organization won't allow a team to go to an Eastern Regional, or Disney, or elsewhere if they don't have a berth. Please. All they have to do is ask. I don't see any organization turning away a team wanting to come to their National tournament.

There is only one National Tournament in the whole United States where you MUST win a berth to attend.... ASA 64 . The only TRUE National tournament. You had to win to get there.

 

I guess my next question is: With 100 team tournaments.. do they give out dust collectors to the girls for winning?

The little ones like it.. but the older they get ..give them something worthwhile they can use.

Here's a secret folks... I got a t-shirt vendor that does trophies as well. Usuallly, if I want to give out trophies (like I had years ago).. the t-shirt sales not only paid for the trophies (team and individual for a couple places in all five age groups 10u-18u)...I usually got cash from them too at the end of the event.

Entry fees are for balls and umpire costs... unless a TD is not charging a gate. Then it goes for diamond dry and employees as well.

 

The 8U-12U teams still like the trophies. But I think the pool winners in the larger tournaments all receive bats or gift certificates.

What is the ASA 64? Are you talking about the gold or A nationals? The gold nationals has 64 teams, but the A Nationals brings at least 128 teams all who have had to win to qualify. Also, to play in the ASA eastern nationals or NSA world series, I do belive you have to at least play in your state tournament, so you do have to do more than just ask.

What association sanctions your tournaments there in OH?

 

I wouldn't call it getting over but I understand what you mean.

But the attitude currently is almost like parks and rec are doing us a favor letting us use their facilities; instead of TB organizations being recognized for bringing dollars to the local economy.

We don't have just a few tournaments with a few teams in NC, we have many tournaments with many teams on many weekends! If we had one voice the benefits softball could bring to the girls would be tremendous.

Imagine state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor practice facilities that could be used year round not only for TB but HS as well or affordable year round team instruction. That's just a couple of thoughts. Imagine!!

 

I don't believe we are doing just fine; I believe things could be much better.

There have been many complaints about some of the facilities. Nothing ever comes of those complaints.

Many organizations, such as the Cardinals, are doing an excellent job of putting on great tournaments. Such organizations are in a position to ask for and expect much more from the cities. Much more!

For example, if the Cardinals wanted to move their tournaments 50 or a hundred or more miles down the road the teams would follow them; without doubt. That is power!! That is economic power!!

Imagine that same power when several organizations speak with one voice!

It's time for softball to be recognized at a higher level!!!

 

..you would not "allow" a city .......

are you kidding me? just how would you dictate a city to change their policy.

would you take your ball and go somewhere else?

would you try to organize all of the regional teams to lobby for change?

Would you be dissappointed if the "city" blew off every idea, good or not so good, and left you hanging with a bunch of teams with nowhere to play under your conditions?

i've never been to Ohio, i'm sure its a cool place. judging from your posts about how tourneys are set up and "team" friendly, maybe the "city" could help us in TB land by making some due changes.

i know one thing for sure......no matter how crappy things might be here, we don't need someone from out of state to rain down on what we all are dealing with.

if you've got some concrete business policy options to provide us in "mayberry", then present them.

otherwise you can....EDIT

Fishman