| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Shut Out
512 Posts |
 Posted - 11/18/2009 : 16:59:55
|
| Why did the price for the spring TC 11U tournaments jump to $495 from the $450 we just paid in the fall? 10% jump in this economy. Wow! Maybe I'm in the wrong business. |
|
|
TAZ980002
831 Posts |
Posted - 11/18/2009 : 20:04:39
|
| It's to cover the cost of those really special 1st and 2nd place awards they give out :) |
 |
|
|
stinger
120 Posts |
Posted - 11/18/2009 : 21:33:28
|
And this doesn't count the high gate fees that go with TC events.
$5 per day
x 3 days
x 25 parents/other family
$375 gate fee per team
That's a total of $870 / team. You can play in a couple of other tournaments for the same price.
But the thing that bugs me the most about TC events is that you find out a 5 pm on Saturday that you're playing at 6 pm and you have a 45 minute drive to the park you're playing at. Hard to get a team properly prepared for a bracket play game in 15 minutes.
On the plus side, they draw a great group and they play at nice parks. And Tony is always around and approachable.
|
Edited by - stinger on 11/18/2009 21:57:42 |
|
|
|
justin case
57 Posts |
Posted - 11/18/2009 : 22:10:26
|
why are you guys always complaining, just go with the flow and play by the rules everyone else plays by.
jkir |
Edited by - justin case on 11/19/2009 08:57:44 |
|
|
|
bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2009 : 06:25:23
|
With Nations and USTBA making a nice splash last year, Signature Park opening in 2010, USSSA looking a little less like an Ogre, the real unemployment rate at 18%, and no inflation to blame (yet), I'd suggest they go in the other direction with their pricing.
This is not a market driven response, so it has to be something else.
|
|
|
|
Shut Out
512 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2009 : 09:10:55
|
| Tony - if you check this board would you mind chiming in on the price increase? |
|
|
|
TripleCrownAdministrator
240 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2009 : 18:55:48
|
To all of the teams and coaches:
I will try to clearly explain everything that I have to consider when running a premium quality event.
First, let me tell everyone here on the forum that Georgia Triple Crown Baseball has not increased its entry fees since I took over for Aime Farnsworth in 2006. The cost has been the exact same since you played in any tournament up to that point. Please keep this is mind as I explain everything moving forward.
Next, we play at the BEST POSSIBLE FACILITIES! Please let me know of anywhere else in Georgia that would come close to even matching the playing surface and atmosphere your team encounters in one of our events. Would you expect the field prices to stay the same from year to year???? GATE FEES FROM MY EVENTS ARE NOT COLLECTED BY TRIPLE CROWN BASEBALL. WE DO NOT GET ONE PENNY FROM THE GATE. THEY ARE COLLECTED BY THE FACILITIES WE USE. THE ONLY MONEY WE GET IS FROM ENTRY FEES! It is not possible in this economy for the price to be maintained with the expenses that are incurred in field maintenance. Examples are clay/brick dust, sod, chalk, paint, lawn mower/ drag machine maintenace, turface (for the crazy weather we have had!) and manpower to keep it going. In fact these prices increase every year while my entry fees stay the same over the last 3 + years.
Then we move to the umpire issue. We try to put a group of qualified and trained group of officials on the field so that your team gets to enjoy the event in the fairest way possible. This is a very difficult challenge so that every team feels that they had a chance to win every ball game without officials ever having a hand in the game to push it one way or the other. It requires a HUGE AMOUNT of time and money to get these type of officials. Once again would you expect the umpires to work at the same price year in and year out???? Once again the price of the umpires has steadily increased year after year while I have kept your entry fees the same.
I have enjoyed your positive criticism here and praise. One thing everyone on here can not argue is the presence of a Triple Crown Representative at almost every venue during the duration of the tournament. Whether it be myself, my brother, or any other staff member there at each game, it requires me to pay them for their time there at the tournament. We all put in over 25 hours in a weekend to make sure that everything runs smoothly and your updates are posted promptly on the website. No one knows how long it takes for me and my brother to put together schedules the week of the tournament as well. We consider all schedule requests and try our very best to honor each and every one of them when compiling the schedule. We do not have free volunteers like they do at some of the other events. Please keep this in mind with the increase in cost.
Finally no one knows that I am just a franchise owner. Those of you that are part of the business world know that franchise owners do not keep 100 percent of the profit! I must pay a royalty directly back to the corporation from every single tournament that I run along with any novelties (t-shirts and hats) that I sell. I am not like the other tournament organizers where I have total control of everything coming in and out. This has not been the same amount as well since I first started. Yet I still kept all of your entry fees very steady over the last 3+ years.
Finally, I just want to tell all of the teams and coaches how much your loyalty and support means to Triple Crown Baseball. If you have questions or concerns with Triple Crown, please pick up the phone or e-mail me directly and we can discuss them anytime. I understand if you have issues with some of the things we can improve upon, but we do our very best to make the tournament experience as enjoyable as possible. No matter what is said on this forum after this message has been posted, the price increase was necessary with the costs have that added up over the last few seasons.
I strongly urge all of teams to take advantage of the early and multiple entry discounts that are available before January 1st, 2010. Right now you can save $50 off any tournament by paying before the deadline. In addition to that you can save another $50 off any 3 tournaments by paying for them at the same time. Ultimately you can save $100 off each tournament if you pay for any 3 or more before the January 1st, 2010 deadline. WHAT OTHER ORGANIZATION CAN OFFER YOU THESE KIND OF SAVINGS???? MANY TEAMS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER AND GET THEIR TEAM'S BUDGET ORGANIZED VERY QUICKLY FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON!
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TOPIC OUT ON THE FORUM AND ALLOWING ME TO LAY OUT EVERYTHING AND EXPLAIN IT TO YOU THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE!
We look forward to hosting your club in the 2010 season and may everyone have a great holiday break!
Tony VonDolteren
Georgia Triple Crown Baseball
Office Phone (904) 230-3993
triplecrownsports@litestream.net
|
|
|
|
baseballpapa
1520 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2009 : 19:43:08
|
Bandits have applied to the federal government and asked for a bailout so that we can play Triple Crown. If it gets any pricier then maybe could set up an installment plan.
Does anyone have any good fundraising ideas. |
|
|
|
tae281
447 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2009 : 20:58:09
|
First time my son got one of those, i was like what the heck!
quote:
Originally posted by Bandit13
It's to cover the cost of those really special 1st and 2nd place awards they give out :)
|
|
|
|
Shut Out
512 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2009 : 08:00:08
|
quote:
Originally posted by TripleCrownAdministrator
To all of the teams and coaches:
I will try to clearly explain everything that I have to consider when running a premium quality event.
First, let me tell everyone here on the forum that Georgia Triple Crown Baseball has not increased its entry fees since I took over for Aime Farnsworth in 2006. The cost has been the exact same since you played in any tournament up to that point. Please keep this is mind as I explain everything moving forward.
Next, we play at the BEST POSSIBLE FACILITIES! Please let me know of anywhere else in Georgia that would come close to even matching the playing surface and atmosphere your team encounters in one of our events. Would you expect the field prices to stay the same from year to year???? GATE FEES FROM MY EVENTS ARE NOT COLLECTED BY TRIPLE CROWN BASEBALL. WE DO NOT GET ONE PENNY FROM THE GATE. THEY ARE COLLECTED BY THE FACILITIES WE USE. THE ONLY MONEY WE GET IS FROM ENTRY FEES! It is not possible in this economy for the price to be maintained with the expenses that are incurred in field maintenance. Examples are clay/brick dust, sod, chalk, paint, lawn mower/ drag machine maintenace, turface (for the crazy weather we have had!) and manpower to keep it going. In fact these prices increase every year while my entry fees stay the same over the last 3 + years.
Then we move to the umpire issue. We try to put a group of qualified and trained group of officials on the field so that your team gets to enjoy the event in the fairest way possible. This is a very difficult challenge so that every team feels that they had a chance to win every ball game without officials ever having a hand in the game to push it one way or the other. It requires a HUGE AMOUNT of time and money to get these type of officials. Once again would you expect the umpires to work at the same price year in and year out???? Once again the price of the umpires has steadily increased year after year while I have kept your entry fees the same.
I have enjoyed your positive criticism here and praise. One thing everyone on here can not argue is the presence of a Triple Crown Representative at almost every venue during the duration of the tournament. Whether it be myself, my brother, or any other staff member there at each game, it requires me to pay them for their time there at the tournament. We all put in over 25 hours in a weekend to make sure that everything runs smoothly and your updates are posted promptly on the website. No one knows how long it takes for me and my brother to put together schedules the week of the tournament as well. We consider all schedule requests and try our very best to honor each and every one of them when compiling the schedule. We do not have free volunteers like they do at some of the other events. Please keep this in mind with the increase in cost.
Finally no one knows that I am just a franchise owner. Those of you that are part of the business world know that franchise owners do not keep 100 percent of the profit! I must pay a royalty directly back to the corporation from every single tournament that I run along with any novelties (t-shirts and hats) that I sell. I am not like the other tournament organizers where I have total control of everything coming in and out. This has not been the same amount as well since I first started. Yet I still kept all of your entry fees very steady over the last 3+ years.
Finally, I just want to tell all of the teams and coaches how much your loyalty and support means to Triple Crown Baseball. If you have questions or concerns with Triple Crown, please pick up the phone or e-mail me directly and we can discuss them anytime. I understand if you have issues with some of the things we can improve upon, but we do our very best to make the tournament experience as enjoyable as possible. No matter what is said on this forum after this message has been posted, the price increase was necessary with the costs have that added up over the last few seasons.
I strongly urge all of teams to take advantage of the early and multiple entry discounts that are available before January 1st, 2010. Right now you can save $50 off any tournament by paying before the deadline. In addition to that you can save another $50 off any 3 tournaments by paying for them at the same time. Ultimately you can save $100 off each tournament if you pay for any 3 or more before the January 1st, 2010 deadline. WHAT OTHER ORGANIZATION CAN OFFER YOU THESE KIND OF SAVINGS???? MANY TEAMS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER AND GET THEIR TEAM'S BUDGET ORGANIZED VERY QUICKLY FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON!
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TOPIC OUT ON THE FORUM AND ALLOWING ME TO LAY OUT EVERYTHING AND EXPLAIN IT TO YOU THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE!
We look forward to hosting your club in the 2010 season and may everyone have a great holiday break!
Tony VonDolteren
Georgia Triple Crown Baseball
Office Phone (904) 230-3993
triplecrownsports@litestream.net
Tony, thank you for your quick and thorough response. Your explanation is valid and does reinforce why your events are typically the best around. One thing I will note from your explanation is that you mention the field cost you must pay to the venue host keeps rising. If you are paying to rent the fields they why are they charging gate fees?
Thanks again for your response.
Shut Out |
|
|
|
TAZ980002
831 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2009 : 09:28:39
|
quote:
Originally posted by gdad
I would just really like to win one of those 1st or 2nd place prizes Tony, If They dont like it ,they dont have to play.Better chance for everyone else
We aren't playing for trophies. That was my pitiful attempt at humor. There's a very good reason I am not on the Blue Collar Comedy tour !!
Tony, you guys do run a very good tournament and you generally attract the best competition in the Atlanta area. Would you guys consider giving away hats as 1st place awards? "2009 Triple Crown Spring Frost 10u Champions" or something along those lines.
Keep up the good work. I'm working on a federal bailout for Papa. |
|
|
|
billbclk
164 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2009 : 13:38:51
|
How about by the year 2012 we stop giving out trophies altogether. If it will keep the cost down I'm all for it. Send an announcement to the AJC or any other newspaper and/or post the team names on a website.
Also, I don't mind paying gate fees for good quality (maintained) fields. I don't care if the park itself is nice. The field must be prepared for each game. Use my gate fee to repair mounds and batter’s boxes between games. Hire some high school kids to hand drag each field if you don’t have enough Gators. Non-fundraiser tournaments need to put more effort into field preparation. If facility owners are using gate fees as a way to make a larger profit without putting enough effort back into field maintenance then we need to do a better job up front screening the events we play in.
Perhaps tournaments can be divided into two categories, fundraisers or “corporate events”. If you know it’s a fundraiser then pay what they are asking and expect limited services for your fees. However, if you are playing in a “corporate event” (i.e. we are putting this together solely to see who the best teams are) then you should expect Tournament Directors to provide a level of service that goes beyond just providing a schedule and field to play on.
(I had a long rant here about Umpires but I “moderated” it before Stan could. Mind you I personally know a lot of “Blues” and my wife wants me to Ump.)
|
|
|
|
BROOKSTEAM
145 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2009 : 15:53:01
|
To add to Tony's comments it seems to me and most that I have spoken to that you really can notice a difference in several areas at the Triple crown tournaments and that these differences are really worth the $$$. The teams my son has played for have played in USSSA, USTBA, AAU and several others. We have always had fun, but in my eyes the Triple Crown tournaments are really a notch above. So well run, exciting and well attendend.
It is surprising considering today's economy where everyone is lowering prices that anyone would take a price increase, but either way I think Triple Crown tournaments are worth it.
|
|
|
|
longhorn1
63 Posts |
Posted - 11/22/2009 : 17:50:50
|
| Seldom in life do you get what you pay for, never do you get what you do not pay for. Tony is a professional tourney director. No coincidence that these events are the gold standard. Having hosted several events, including 10-U Major state last year, I think they do a bang up job. The Stars will be playing in most every TCS event next year. ps I too am still waiting for our bailout! |
|
|
|
baseballpapa
1520 Posts |
Posted - 11/22/2009 : 22:49:59
|
Guys, Here are the facts as Papa sees them. If foregoing the trophy will lower the fees then forget the trophy as most of the major teams do not play for the trophy anyway. If you are going to give a trophy or medal give one worth having or keep it. I dont' believe that the cost of the trophies are going to reduce the fees much but someone figure it out.
For the ones of you that have been playing travel baseball for any length of time then you know that playing travel baseball is expensive and playing high quality tournaments are even more expensive. Papa will tell you what his Daddy told him and that is the better it is the more it will cost and that still holds true today.
You must judge not the cost but the value. If USSSA truly means to give Triple Crown a run for their money then the first move they should make it to find a way to hold the Super NIT at another venue.
For the Super NIT to move to another level we need another place to play. Think big Bubba and you will find out what Tony has already and that is that we are willing to pay if you give us the quality teams to compete against and the nicer venues to play on. Super NIT fields are sub par and does not represent Atlanta well at all. |
|
|
|
bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 11/23/2009 : 07:40:57
|
PaPa,
I agree with poor fields down South where the SNIT was played last year. The group of venues USSSA uses for the Forsyth Slugfest were much better. In March, Rec ball has begun, and its tough to find enough County fields to accommodate this size tourney. The East Cobb and ATP venues make the most sense, until Signature Park is fully operational. |
|
|
|
stinger
120 Posts |
Posted - 11/23/2009 : 08:18:41
|
I agree that Triple Crown is the best run and while I know that they don't control the gate fees, those fees do add up and can actually double the costs for your team.
I thought the USTBA Fall State was equally well run and they did a great job of turning around the fields after every game. Since they play at a county park, there is no gate except for the team gate fee. And Paul really makes the events special for the kids with all the pageantry.
So in short, I'd say this.
- Triple Crown is the best. No question about it.
- USTBA is the best value.
- USSSA is hit-or-miss at best and I agree completely with Papa about the GA Super NIT. That tournament should move to Forsyth because the Slugfest is much better run with better facilities.
|
|
|
|
CoachMark
216 Posts |
Posted - 11/23/2009 : 15:43:55
|
quote:
Originally posted by bmoser
PaPa,
I agree with poor fields down South where the SNIT was played last year. The group of venues USSSA uses for the Forsyth Slugfest were much better. In March, Rec ball has begun, and its tough to find enough County fields to accommodate this size tourney. The East Cobb and ATP venues make the most sense, until Signature Park is fully operational.
I agree with bmoser. Our team would prefer to drive to Calhoun, Rome, LaGrange or Dalton before going to Henry County. Besides the other complaints, the traffic is terrible. Unfortunately, my parents have asked me to black-list Henry County events.
I do wish Georgia USSSA would move this event.
|
Edited by - CoachMark on 11/23/2009 21:25:57 |
|
|
|
baseballpapa
1520 Posts |
Posted - 11/23/2009 : 21:00:33
|
Just to be clear I don't have a problem with the format of the Super NIT or the directors but the fields are just not up to par for this elite tournament. The fields and the traffic do not properly represent the Atlanta area. Baseball folks from around the Country read and hear about East Cobb and we all know that All Tournament Players Park and East Cobb would be the ideal venue for any Super NIT.
Bubba, Are you still out there. Is there some way we could get this thing moved out of the present location. I would even think that it would be a plus for USSSA. |
|
|
|
baseballpapa
1520 Posts |
Posted - 11/23/2009 : 22:30:14
|
Guys, How many of you played in Dalton at the new Heritage complex or the Jack Maddox fields. Heritage in Dalton is one of the best venues Bandits play at with enough fields to host most any tournament. Jack Maddox is approximately 20-25 minutes away and would double the number of fields.
To me this would be a ideal venue for the Super NIT or even better for the Border War tournament. I have always been surprised that the Border War directors have not made these venues happen.
In the past the Border Wars was one of the premier Southern tournaments but in the last few years has lost its luster. Having these fields and good weather would make it a national type event again. |
|
|
|
PS Iron Pigs
129 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2009 : 22:43:17
|
| My son played on a 9u team out of West Georgia last year and we played at the Heritage Complex in Dalton. A very nice facility! Very clean and well kept fields and concessions. Another thing I liked was that there was plenty of room for the teams to warm up prior to their games. We're a new 10u team this season so our experience with several of the other fields is very limited, but I'd vote for this facility for any tournament. |
|
|
|
gausssa
209 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2009 : 12:18:00
|
papa
I do agree that the fields in Henry County for the Super Nit are not the best but the County is trying very hard to improve them as they understand the quality of teams that are playing. The problem is with the Super Nit growing larger and larger every year( 346 last year) we have to have so many fields in order to play it. Henry County Parks and Rec is willing to shut down every park in the county (9 and not including HS for the 14u & approx 40 fields ) for us to host this event. That is hard to get any county to do. However, i hear your concerns & sugestions and will bounce them off Matt for the future of the Super Nit. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
