Teams changing organizations...

[DirtyLaundry]

In the "old" days it was true that a sponsor would give you stuff for free or even may send some "cash" your way if you were good enough. Not any more.

Most sponsors including Under Armour, Wilson, Demarini, etc., require you to purchase their products at a reduced rate i.e. buy 2 get 1 for free. If you have 15 girls on the team that need gloves you buy 10 and get 5 free or about a 33% discount off wholesale pricing. Uniforms are usually 50% off.

I find it hard to believe that using that scenario it would be $1,000 per girl just for gear. Simple math.

10 gloves @ $250 per glove (nice glove) = $2,500/15 = $166 per girl
10 Bats @ $250 per bat (Demarini, etc) = $2,500/15 = $166 per girl
10 Bags @ $100 per bag (Demarini) = $1,000/15 = $ 66 per girl
15 Uniforms @ $175 per uniform = $2,620@50%/15 = $ 87.50 per girl

The total cost for gear would be about $485-$500 on the high end and more likely around $350-$400 for great gear. So $1,000 for gear alone is not accurate and $500 for all Fall may be a little low. Probably more like $600-$700 for Fall for everything.

[Coach Leba]

Well, Mr. Slim, let me help correct some of your "facts":

1. Yes, three teams have left the organization. But, technically, only one team has left as the other two were brand new this year and coincidentally, were introduced to the organization by one of the coaches from Fitzgerald's team. So, if you want to stick with the number 3, then so be it.

2. "Teams bailed from Minors Gold because they were forced into buying new bat bags, cleats, and uniforms from "sponsors" when some of the teams just bought new uniforms and bat bags." No one was "forced" to do anything; except go with the Victory uniforms. But all teams in the organization were made aware last year that we would be going to the Victory uniforms this year (for the older age groups, so that moving players around for the exposure tournaments would be easier). Any new teams to join from this point forward would be required to purchase the Victory uniforms, regardless of age group. A deal with Ringor is being worked on, but again, no one has been "forced" into anything.

3. "The cost for just those items was going to be over $1,000.00 per kid" Don't know where that number came from- Victory uniforms are approximately $140 per set and the most expensive Ringor package was $250. As stated above, the Ringor deal is still being worked on, so again, no one has been "forced" to purchase Ringor. Even adding 3 sets of uniforms and the Ringor package still only adds up to $670.

4. "Only one team from the Minors Gold organization last season made it to a ASA national tournament. From what I understand, the parents, players, coaches, etc. all paid their own way. Nothing was paid for out of team funds other than the usual stuff like the tournament fees." Well, as the team that went to ASA National's last year, I can assure you that not only did the team pay for the player's airfare, but also the airfare for one parent and the hotel accomodations for the entire 10 day stay for every player and her family. The team also paid for many of the player's meals while we were in Marietta.

Not sure what your beef is with MG, but obviously your "source" was not totally honest with his figures and/or information.

Lena Lovelace
Minors Gold

[NumeroUno]

Well there is a bunch of incorrect information in Numerouno's last post regarding Minors Gold....

1. "$500 buy in covers all of fall" - Nope...not even close. Teams bailed from Minors Gold because they were forced into buying new bat bags, cleats, and uniforms from "sponsors" when some of the teams just bought new uniforms and bat bags. The cost for just those items was going to be over $1,000.00 per kid (not including any of the team dues) even before one game was played. In addition, some or one of the older teams worked out a deal that they would get their stuff for free if everyone else paid. Sound fair? BTW....I thought when someone "sponsors" you...they give you their gear for free for the exposure? At least that is what I remember from my playing days.

2. Only one team from the Minors Gold organization last season made it to a ASA national tournament. From what I understand, the parents, players, coaches, etc. all paid their own way. Nothing was paid for out of team funds other than the usual stuff like the tournament fees.

3. More then one team left the organization.

My kid doesn't play on any of these teams but I work with one of the parents and they gave me the correct story.

Redlands Slim made the heybucket bullsh#t liar of the week

First off I am with Minors Gold and you have no clue what you are saying so tell your so called friend that they are a liar. I have been to ASA nationals 2 years in a row with Minors Gold. Last year I had 2 girls that played for Minors gold and they both went to nationals. Both their planes tickets were paid for to ASA nationals. Every kid on the team had their plane tickets paid in full to nationals. Minors Gold also paid for me and my old ladies plane ticket. They also paid for one parent of every kid on the team. Hold on Slim Shady MG also paid for 10 nights over $100 per night of hotel rooms for every family. So get your info correct before you come on here making up lies because you kid got cut from the organization.

As for teams leaving the organization one team left this year and they had all the right to do so. If you don't want to go by Minors Gold rules than leave and they did, it happens and life goes on. No one is getting all free stuff because the other teams have to buy new unis and bat bags, another false statement

As for the buy in not all the teams are the same, 18Gold is $350.00 plus dues I think 100 a month.

14U $500 for the fall that includes, brand new Victory uniforms 2 sets, cleats, helmet, bat bag, warm ups(tops and Bottoms) sandals and 5 showcases and 2 tourneys. $500 is a deal Shady.

So come back again with your second post and bring some solid information because this post a nothing but lies.

[Dugout Dad]

Redlands Slime

you lie.jpg (19.33 KiB) Viewed 5693 times

What are you, a politician?

[Redlands Slim]

I figured those types of posts would follow. NBD. Still wrong about the team funds paying for airfare, players rooms, etc. Everyone (players, parents, coaches) drove...it was in Vegas. BTW...no one was there for 10 days.

[Fifteen's]

I figured those types of posts would follow. NBD. Still wrong about the team funds paying for airfare, players rooms, etc. Everyone (players, parents, coaches) drove...it was in Vegas. BTW...no one was there for 10 days.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm....the thunderous sound of Back Pedaling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is one hell of a follow up post, I must say!

[Redlands Slim]

"18A doesn't count" Tell that to the 150 teams who qualified to go there and all the teams that wish they could have gone. Please send ASA and some college coaches emails and ask them if they think 18A doesn't count.

I just brought information to the board when mis-information was tossed out there. I kept the hate, names of folks, and classless comments about players out of it.

Yes MG has done a lot for softball and will continue to put good teams on the field but like many big softball organizations these days, it is less about the girls and more about the $$$$$$$$$$$$.

[Rounding 3rd]

Hey Slim-daddy. After you’re booted in the first round of “Are you smarter than a 5th” grader come join the rest of us in the real world.
In our world, Parents are never in-slaved on travel teams. One bump in the road and they move on. Do your homework Slim. MG has been a class org for many years and is known for being a competitive, well organized group. They, as with all large organizations will never satisfy every player and parent. Seems to me that as long as they have been around THEY MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT!!!!
Sounds to me that you,,ahh I mean your friend is just bitter because MG passed on your,,,err his DD---who MYfriend told me is a pitcher that has 8 pitches and throws 65 from second base, with either hand. Wonder if my friend lied too????

[Dugout Dad]

My kid doesn't play on any of these teams but I work with one of the parents and they gave me the correct story.

Do you and your friend work for the local ACORN community organizing office? A lot of bullsh*t coming from this group lately. Your team, I mean your friend's team, placed 97th, are you sure MG didn't let go of them instead

[Madmun]

Your team, I mean your friend's team, placed 97th, are you sure MG didn't let go of them instead

OUCH!!