ASA Teams who DO NOT give families a BUDGET

[Skarp]

Skarp, the problem with this is; most families sign up, pay the down payment, look at the monthly payments, decide they can afford it, or not. Then later in the season families are informed that they are required to sell 4 golf tickets, participate in a car wash, and so on, and towards the end of the season "SURPRISE", there is no money left to help offset the cost of ANYTHING.

Okay, I don't disagree with that...other than to say that the problem you identify has nothing to do with whether the coach/org pocketed funds, and everything to do with whether the family was fully informed in advance about 1) their expected commitment (in $$ and otherwise), and 2) what they would receive in return (equipment, practices, friendlies, tourneys, travel, etc.). Now if it was specifically warranted that the coaches would personally cover all expenses related to them and their kids, and if the team promised to return all residual funds in the form of a rebate for travel expenses or some such, and if the numbers are clearly out of whack, then sure--ask for an accounting if it is important to you.

But if others don't ask for an accounting, it doesn't follow that they are scared, or sheep. Maybe they just don't care or worry about such things. Maybe they thought they got great value for what they put in. Maybe they thought that the coach did a great job and deserves to end up with a little spending dough--or that he did a lousy job, but still deserves a little something for the time he put in. Etc. Any of which is their prerogative.

Besides, this is an anonymous forum. If someone identifies a team in this thread, they risk nothing. I don't see them coming out of the woodwork, so maybe the "problem" isn't as bad or pervasive as you seem to think it is.

[lombardisoftball]

Ya, I agree with you. No one seems to be saying anything about any team in this anonymous forum, yet I hear so many complaints from so many in the stands at games.
Maybe it’s just idle “chit chat”, at games and everything is really just “roses” out there in the travel softball world.
I tried to get people to open up, tell us who the great teams are, tell us who the bad ones are and in the end, no one says anything…

Perfect World or Just being scared Sheep, fearful of being discovered – who really knows?

I’m done, good luck!

[cHeCk Yo SeLf]

The residents of the city of Bell thought the same thing about their City Council and City Manager. How'd that work out for them???

I'll take "Awful Analogies" for $500, Alex.

For 500 dollars, what famous idiot savant on Heybucket used the awful analogie " I don't care if the coaches are partying it up with coke whores on my dime" to justify the lack of a team budget report because he felt his daughter had gained value from the coaches??

[Skarp]

For 500 dollars, what famous idiot savant on Heybucket used the awful analogie " I don't care if the coaches are partying it up with coke whores on my dime" to justify the lack of a team budget report because he felt his daughter had gained value from the coaches??

Ummm...I hate to break it to you there genius, but that's not an analogy.

Nor is it an attempt to "justify the lack of a team budget report." It's just me saying that I don't care if the coach or team is making a profit, because that has nothing to do with whether I am getting enough value for the money I spend. I made no assertions about whether the team should provide a budget to anyone stupid enough to think that is an important data point. Clearly the team should, because the rules require it.

[Iluvblue]

Ummm...I hate to break it to you there genius, but that's not an analogy.




That there is funny........ even on a softball forum some people learn all sorts of goodies:)

[SportGuy]

A couple years back a team one of my DD's was playing on had a parent start complaining about where all the money was right before nationals. So the head cheese in the organization had the team admin do a entire year budget down to the penny. They realized them that the coach had bought balls, tee, nets etc and not charged the team. There were other expenses that had not been recorded. The team had asked for a couple hundred dollars from each player a few weeks before nationals, after the budget was done the parents all owed almost 500.

I am not sure if the concerned parent got his butt kicked or not but if he didn't he should have.

The team ended up not charging them the extra money after all.

SO my point exactly.... if the team had a budget... that may have never happened to that poor poor coach. Plus a little more monthly would of been easier on parents than... BAM gimmy 500$ now! So how is this an arguement?

1st... lombardisoftball states in the original post... "ASA RULE STATES: The manager shall provide player/parent/guardian a pre-season budget and a final itemized and accurate financial accounting at the end of ASA Championship play. "

2nd... I just raised the issue that it's just simple math, whats the big deal? It's just good business.

In regards to (other reply's) don't ask and just accept it because that's JUST the way it is..., Wow, so that makes it ok. Hello... It's a RULE to protect our rights.

Ya know, with this Dont Know, Dont Care, Wont Hurt me attitude... I'd like to announce that I'm starting a organization... ALL age levels from 6U to 18U. I ONLY accept the Greatest Girls In The World, because I am the GREATEST Coach In The World. But I will make your kid a star!

Sense the sarcasm?

[Skarp]

Hello... It's a RULE to protect our rights.

Your right to what? Inspect the books? Okay, so you inspect the books...then what?

Suppose you're on a team that has been great for your kid. Strong coaching, great camaraderie, good exposure, lots of practices, friendlies, and tourneys, etc. For the money you paid, you feel like you got a great return. But because you suspect that the numbers don't add up, you demand to inspect the books, and when you do you see, right there in black and white, that the coach used the proceeds of the team poker tournament to make his mortgage payment. Let's call it $3,000. Are you going to demand repayment of your $200? Quit the team?? If the answer is yes to either question, you are an idiot.

Conversely, if you are on a team with mediocre coaching, etc., and do not feel like you are getting good value for your $$, you would be a fool to return even if the accounting is pristine. In fact, you are a fool for even putting your kid on that team, without first having done a little basic research. Softball is a small community. It's easy to get feedback on a coach/team, past accomplishments, reputation, etc.

The point is, in neither case should the contents of the budget determine your future choices with respect to the team. So demanding to see the books in order to protect your "rights" is completely pointless. Zero upside. Potentially big downside.

[SportGuy]

Hello... It's a RULE to protect our rights.

Your right to what? Inspect the books? Okay, so you inspect the books...then what?

Suppose you're on a team that has been great for your kid. Strong coaching, great camaraderie, good exposure, lots of practices, friendlies, and tourneys, etc. For the money you paid, you feel like you got a great return. But because you suspect that the numbers don't add up, you demand to inspect the books, and when you do you see, right there in black and white, that the coach used the proceeds of the team poker tournament to make his mortgage payment. Let's call it $3,000. Are you going to demand repayment of your $200? Quit the team?? If the answer is yes to either question, you are an idiot.

Conversely, if you are on a team with mediocre coaching, etc., and do not feel like you are getting good value for your $$, you would be a fool to return even if the accounting is pristine. In fact, you are a fool for even putting your kid on that team, without first having done a little basic research. Softball is a small community. It's easy to get feedback on a coach/team, past accomplishments, reputation, etc.

The point is, in neither case should the contents of the budget determine your future choices with respect to the team. So demanding to see the books in order to protect your "rights" is completely pointless. Zero upside. Potentially big downside.

You wasted your time... I didn't even finish reading this... What if... what if... what if...
Lets pretend life is all good in paradise, then YOU showed up? There goes the neighborhood!

BOTTOM LINE...The books should be OPEN... Good Coach... Bad Coach... WHAT EVER! Result is the same.

all GOOD = YOU STAY
all BAD = YOU LEAVE
all in BETWEEN = Individual decision...

Not for you to decide or pass judgment. I truly don't understand what's the big deal about having or wanting open books! REALLY, what is the BIG DEAL?? Just keep the books open!

Our current experience... all good parents... wanted to see the books. unanimous! Why, mainly to try and figure better ways to get better returns on fundraisers.

experience 2,3 & 4(old teams, other kids). Coaches all had open books. ALL GOOD.
You all can make up your little scenarios. My REAL LIFE experience with open books... All positive. Again... It's REALLY not that complicated.

Are you my mother in law? You make all this so complicated. It's REALLY not that complicated.

Seriously, put an end to all this secrecy. Just OPEN THE BOOKS. WOW... If your doing a good job, just enjoy another atta boy/girl on top of all your fantastic coaching props.

[SportGuy]

A long time ago we as parents asked that question and that was the worst thing we could've asked for, the only one that got hurt in the whole scenario was my DD. Never again will I question where the money went you just need to do your homework on a team and believe me you will know if something crooked is going on. Funny thing in our case all the parents were asking where the money was going but not one of them stepped up when we asked they all kept their mouth shut. Take my advice and just sit back and don't cause any waves and look for another team that will give you financial statements before you have to ask. Me personally all the fundraising is great but I would rather just buy out and save myself a headache of parents complaining who's doing more and who ain't doing anything that's why I stay clear of those organizations that fund raise with their snack bar all year. Gets old really fast.

Would love to know what team this was. I'll just have to find out the expensive way.

[Skarp]

You wasted your time...

You say that like you think I didn't already know it.