Money First - Safety Second

[HUH???]

Who said Select softball was cheap?
Bats are expensive!
Equipment is expensive!
Hotel rooms are expensive!
continuing to buy pants to replace the ones that get holes in them from sliding is expensive!
Heck, fuel for the most part is expensive!

If bottled water was $2.00 each and you bought 10 in a day, thats $20. Are we really complaining over $20! The T-shirt vendor charges the about the same for the shirts everyone HAS to have! It maybe about the $, but it is NOT a slam at safety. If you kid is thirsty, get them some water. Either at the C.S. or from your car. Is a parent really going to restrict the water from their player.....really.....Because that is what I am hearing. "WE CAN'T AFFORD IT, SO THEY HAVE TO GO WITHOUT" Really? If it was $5 a bottle and your DD needed it, she would have it. I know mine would too. I might not like it, but I would do it, and you would too.

[amazing]

I sat here and read all the post about this because I spoke to Doug G. today. I was told about all this going on here and just wanted to read peoples opinions on here. I have a few comments myself.
1. Being charged gate fees to get in to play ball.
I bet not one complaint is ever launched when one of these parents complaining here about paying a gate fee or having to buy from concession stands at parks because they don't want to walk back to their vehicle; when they are going to Texas Motor speedway to spend probably 500 hundred plus dollars per family, or Six flags , The Ranger game, the new 400 million dollar tax payer payed cowboy stadium, The movie Theaters that people go to every week and spend a 100.00 plus to see a 90 plus minute not including the 20 dollar bucket of pop corn and the ten dollar coke. They don't demand that these facilities allow them to bring their own coolers in. They gladly go and take their kids and pay 10 dollars for a coke or 5 dollars did you hear it 5 dollars for a bottle of water. Everyone gets the point.

Everyone wants nice facilities to play at but does not seem to want to pay for it. It cost money to rent these nice facilities. They are nice because they charge higher prices. There is not one place in this country that allows youth sports to be played on a regular basis that are allowing kids to drop dead from dehydration. It is utterly ridiculous to even suggest such a thing. Any place you go to will give you a cup of water for free. You want bottled water then you are going to have to pay for it. It is a convenience. We all have to pay for conveniences. They are not free. You want cheap bottled water then go buy some from walmart.
The same people in here trying to make private businesses change their policies are probably the same ones that go to a privately owned restaurant and demand that the owner not allow smoking or alcohol sale. You do not like the service go some where else. Don't try to make everyone suffer because you don't like something. This is the way it is in life. You want nicer things you are going to have to pay for it. For every one team that does not want to play at these parks that have policies like BLD or any other park, there are 10 who do want to. As long as there are teams that make a FREE CHOICE to go to these facilities then there will be nice class A facilities to play at.

I think Sevens Mom sumed it up best. Larry i think you are issing the point on the original post.
Holy smokes! This almost sounds like an adversitement for the over priced Gatorade at the concessions......Am I right in reading between the lines?

Translation:

We are going to charge you a huge sum to watch your kid play. Warning: it's going to be dangerously hot, so we will let you bring in water in the see-through coolers you can rent for an undisclosed sum. We have medical personnel to help when your dd suffers a heat stroke because she has lost more than fluids while out on the fields all day, and any beverage that will help replace electrolytes and carbohydrates will cost you. Forget bringing in an energy bar or fresh fruit, you have to eat the junk served at the restaurants. Oh, but when your dd throws up on the field from the cheese fries and or nachos she ate, we have medical personnel on site.

Feeling a little pessimistic this morning.

[chelsierage]

that is bs to have to buy water at 2 dollars a bottle my daughter is a catcher and not only does she drink it but wets her hair with it,and I use the cooler to keep her rags cool and wet.she went through about 4 bottles of water a game this weekend it was hot.I buy the gatorade at the CS but water no way.

[intheknow]

The bottom line is Larry and Huh, is this isn't a National Tournament. These teams have played each other all year long in the mighty VTD division. People that has played VTD has payed and payed and payed all season long for what??? $450 for a 6GG really worth it?? Southlake, Keller, and NRH has had their way this year with the sheep of softball but now the sheep are waking up.

Welcome to the end of VTD...

[pbj2000]

Although I don't agree with in the know that this is the end of vtd...one does have to be worried.

The fact is this is NOT a NATIONAL tournament. This is a Texas State tournament IMO and I agree the outrageous rules are kinda ridiculous...right now. Of course when this is a true NATIONAL tournament and we have teams from the west to the east coast attending then it'll be different.

VTD...remember the reason for splitting from ASA "ASA doesn't listen to it's clients or customers"...take this feedback and listen to your clients...please don't do the VTD cold shoulder move...Let the coolers in, check'em for food...but let them in the park!

my .02

[BallFirst]

I agree with points from both sides. However, if you are a first year "B" Team it would be better for you to go to a local National and save your Traveling expenses for next year. The economy is tough and all the great teams are "A" teams and will not want to play you anyway. lol

I don't know why anyone would want to even want to go to Indiana anyways!! From all that I have heard from HB members the only teams that have a chance at winning up there is from Houston. Don't waste your money if you don't have a chance. lol

Play in a USFA Western National or the ASA Southern National and save your money! JMO

[dgorsuch]

I want to make sure my position is accurately reflected in this post. My original position was questioning parks/tournaments that do not allow coolers in the park when temps are exceeding 100+. I think this is a serious safety issue and not good for our sport. I think we need to put safety first and take care of our families and players. My thought is spectators will spend lots of money at your tournament if they think you care about them, the girls and run a good tournament with well maintained fields.
I understand gate fees and tournament costs. Personally I would rather pay a higher tournament fee if it resulted in teams and families being allowed to bring coolers with the drinks and food they feel is appropriate to keep everyone hydrated and fed properly.
This is not meant to bash ASA or VTD. I think both organizations do a great job and have found both open to discussions and suggestions that can improve their respective organizations. Our kids have enjoyed playing in both organizations tournaments and they have provided a lot of excitement for our kids.
Without intelligent conversation and individuals willing to speak to topics that affect our sport positive change cannot take place.

[Joe]

Southlake, Keller, and NRH has had their way this year with the sheep of softball but now the sheep are waking up.

Those three have always had their way...with or without ASA or VTD. Nothing there will change.... pecker breath...

....because they're not Gateway and they don't have a TD named Gotcher or Grubbs!

Welcome to the end of VTD...

Ummmm...that's what you said last year....

[TRICKY DICK]

Southlake, Keller, and NRH has had their way this year with the sheep of softball but now the sheep are waking up.

Those three have always had their way...with or without ASA or VTD. Nothing there will change.... pecker breath...

....because they're not Gateway and they don't have a TD named Gotcher or Grubbs!

Welcome to the end of VTD...

Ummmm...that's what you said last year....

2010 VTD NATIONALS

WOW!!!! Looks pretty sad @ this point but Im no Joe so who am I to say!!! 13 teams BABY!!!!!!

Team Name Location Signed Approved Games Pictures
14u American Freedom (Crabtree) , 06/03/10 06/05/10 Game Listing
96 DIAMONDS Seagoville, TX 06/10/10 07/12/10 Game Listing
97 Texas Glory Rockwall, TX 06/29/10 07/16/10 Game Listing
Centex Express 14U LORENA, TX 04/28/10 07/16/10 Game Listing
Dallas Tigers 14 , 05/30/10 07/07/10 Game Listing
Fort Worth Batbusters 96 Bryson Rhome, TX 06/01/10 07/16/10 Game Listing
Ladycats - Alexander Brock, TX 04/27/10 06/04/10 Game Listing
North TexasThunder Wichita Falls, TX 05/25/10 07/16/10 Game Listing
Oklahoma Showtime Mustang, OK 06/22/10 07/16/10 Game Listing
Texas Elite Swanner McKinney, TX 05/25/10 07/16/10 Game Listing
TEXAS GLORY , 04/26/10 07/12/10 Game Listing
Texas Impact Aubrey, TX 06/23/10 06/26/10 Game Listing
TEXAS ZOOM Bonham, TX 06/09/10 07/18/10 Game Listing

[Joe]

Southlake, Keller, and NRH has had their way this year with the sheep of softball but now the sheep are waking up.

Those three have always had their way...with or without ASA or VTD. Nothing there will change.... pecker breath...

....because they're not Gateway and they don't have a TD named Gotcher or Grubbs!

Welcome to the end of VTD...

Ummmm...that's what you said last year....

2010 VTD NATIONALS

WOW!!!! Looks pretty sad @ this point but Im no Joe so who am I to say!!! 13 teams BABY!!!!!!

Team Name Location Signed Approved Games Pictures
14u American Freedom (Crabtree) , 06/03/10 06/05/10 Game Listing
96 DIAMONDS Seagoville, TX 06/10/10 07/12/10 Game Listing
97 Texas Glory Rockwall, TX 06/29/10 07/16/10 Game Listing
Centex Express 14U LORENA, TX 04/28/10 07/16/10 Game Listing
Dallas Tigers 14 , 05/30/10 07/07/10 Game Listing
Fort Worth Batbusters 96 Bryson Rhome, TX 06/01/10 07/16/10 Game Listing
Ladycats - Alexander Brock, TX 04/27/10 06/04/10 Game Listing
North TexasThunder Wichita Falls, TX 05/25/10 07/16/10 Game Listing
Oklahoma Showtime Mustang, OK 06/22/10 07/16/10 Game Listing
Texas Elite Swanner McKinney, TX 05/25/10 07/16/10 Game Listing
TEXAS GLORY , 04/26/10 07/12/10 Game Listing
Texas Impact Aubrey, TX 06/23/10 06/26/10 Game Listing
TEXAS ZOOM Bonham, TX 06/09/10 07/18/10 Game Listing

Hmmmmm....wow, 13 teams...? Pity the fools playing in 103 degrees...whether next weekend or in August in College Station...when it'll cool off to an even 105