Season canceled - no refund offered

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Mar 22, 2016
505
63
Southern California
Southern California.

I have a daughter in a softball rec league and a t-baller in Little League. Softball is offering $100 refund or $125 credit towards fall.

Little League is saying that they'll restart the season on 8/1/20 and haven't offered a refund.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
We canceled our rec league and offered a 25% refund to anyone that asked. About 10% did.
Those that didn't request a refund will get a coupon code for next season for some amount (TBD).

25% was about right for us - we had played about 1/3 games, had had a few weeks practice, paid city fees, uniform and equipment and various clinic costs had been made. The comments we got from most people was that our offer was generous.
 
Nov 25, 2012
1,437
83
USA
We canceled our rec league and offered a 25% refund to anyone that asked. About 10% did.
Those that didn't request a refund will get a coupon code for next season for some amount (TBD).

25% was about right for us - we had played about 1/3 games, had had a few weeks practice, paid city fees, uniform and equipment and various clinic costs had been made. The comments we got from most people was that our offer was generous.
@marriard. That is great you got 1/3 of your games in. Must admit I am completely jealous!! But, and if you don't mind, what would you think is fair if you hadn't played a single game let alone had barely one or 2 practices that were not set up by the league. Let's say your coach or you paid out of the pocket for a D-BAT practice or 2?

You know I have always respected you (thus all the likes LOL) but just curious what you might think? For me, and I side with @Sweet Lou, I would dontate my money if it was me to my league IF they had presented that as an option. Just me.

Others might side on the fact that you if you pay for something you should get it. And if you don't, well, you should get your money back. I find it very difficult to argue with that. Uniform costs are very low and as the OP said, they get a jersey and maybe a visor. 250 teams so that equates to about $8 bucks a jersey and a few bucks a visor if that. I have purchased them in the past and I have a decent Idea. Actually, better than a decent idea but that is beyond the point.

It is an interesting situation and just curious what others think.....and I want to be very clear.....I appreciate what you said @marriard as I always have. I would side with you in a heart beat. However, what the OP states the season never even started. They ordered jerseys and that was it. Pretty sure pants aren't included either.

Tough call and see it from many angles. Really a tough situation for all to be in IMHO.

And to reiterate @marriard..........I truely am completely jealous!!!!! We got nothing this season either and it is killing me! so Happy to hear you got 1/3 of yours!!!! Again.......Jealous!!!

S3
 
Jan 22, 2011
1,610
113
@The Man In Blue If I was still on the board I would of advocated for a 50pct minimum refund, but asked those who could to donate their refund. Of course, if the board and I had similar views on fee and budget decisions, I'd probably still be an advisor to the board. ;)
 
Apr 28, 2014
2,316
113
Some really good insights on this thread.. I helped with our local rec league for a bit. The one thing that really stood out to me was the outrageous expense that the township charged for renting the fields. The fees were insane for a non profit kids league to pay. They were also due a few days after final payments were due. That said I would imagine in a year where very little if any games were played that the township would either refund payment or use it for next year.
As a parent in this case I would expected a 50% refund or at least be offered that much for next season on the option to donate that amount to the organization.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
@marriard. That is great you got 1/3 of your games in. Must admit I am completely jealous!! But, and if you don't mind, what would you think is fair if you hadn't played a single game let alone had barely one or 2 practices that were not set up by the league. Let's say your coach or you paid out of the pocket for a D-BAT practice or 2?

You know I have always respected you (thus all the likes LOL) but just curious what you might think? For me, and I side with @Sweet Lou, I would dontate my money if it was me to my league IF they had presented that as an option. Just me.

Others might side on the fact that you if you pay for something you should get it. And if you don't, well, you should get your money back. I find it very difficult to argue with that. Uniform costs are very low and as the OP said, they get a jersey and maybe a visor. 250 teams so that equates to about $8 bucks a jersey and a few bucks a visor if that. I have purchased them in the past and I have a decent Idea. Actually, better than a decent idea but that is beyond the point.

It is an interesting situation and just curious what others think.....and I want to be very clear.....I appreciate what you said @marriard as I always have. I would side with you in a heart beat. However, what the OP states the season never even started. They ordered jerseys and that was it. Pretty sure pants aren't included either.

Tough call and see it from many angles. Really a tough situation for all to be in IMHO.

And to reiterate @marriard..........I truely am completely jealous!!!!! We got nothing this season either and it is killing me! so Happy to hear you got 1/3 of yours!!!! Again.......Jealous!!!

S3

If we had not got any games in we would have probably offered at least 50% back. We do a lot pre-season.
If we hadn't started, but just ordered uniforms and some equipment, probably 100% or close to that.

I will say our org is in a strong financial position; our costs are low and we have multiple revenue streams outside registration (field concessions, tournaments, poker night event) so our reserve fund is strong and if we ever needed to drive more revenue we could. Because of this, registration for rec is targeted to be a loss leader and not cover full cost of the league- we are investing in the program.

Yes we got 1/3 games in... but if you want to be jealous... Travel tournaments start this weekend. I just got the weekend schedule and confirmation that are moving ahead. 6GG over the three day long weekend.
 
Oct 4, 2018
4,611
113
@CloudofDust Yeah, I would expect $100 minimum in refunds to the parents. If that organization has that many teams, I am wondering why the uniforms are not sponsored by say McDonalds or someone similar, which cut the uniform costs down significantly. It really sounds like that board is not doing what it was intended to do based on what you are saying.

Most people that I encounter during this time are trying to do the right thing by everyone. DD's organization froze required payments and froze the player accounts until things clear up. Many tournament organizers are offering full refunds, less cc or processing fees for tournaments that have been moved or rescheduled. Camps are pretty much the same. I have seen one tournament that would not give a full refund and it will ultimately hurt them when things settle down after this, as it should.

I do wish the uniforms had local sponsors. I loved playing on the Chico's Bail Bonds team when I was a kid. We had this one player named Kelly who was amazing. We even played in the Astrodome once -- it was awesome.
 
Feb 20, 2019
109
28
I do wish the uniforms had local sponsors. I loved playing on the Chico's Bail Bonds team when I was a kid. We had this one player named Kelly who was amazing. We even played in the Astrodome once -- it was awesome.

You guys talking about Kelly Leak?

That dude is a bad mother. You talk about a loan shark. I borrowed a nickel from him last week. He said if I didn't give him a dime by Friday, he'd break my arm.
 
Nov 25, 2012
1,437
83
USA
Yes we got 1/3 games in... but if you want to be jealous... Travel tournaments start this weekend. I just got the weekend schedule and confirmation that are moving ahead. 6GG over the three day long weekend.
Yes. Super Jealous now!!! Good luck and have fun!
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
IF you didn't play any games I would think you should get an actual refund...it may not be 100%. Uniforms are simple if you physically keep the uniform than they should give it to you, if not should be refunded. Insurance may not be completely refundable depending on the policy, there may be a few other things that aren't but I would think the refund should be 50% or better.
 

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