What makes a great tournament?

dinosaur · Sep 30, 2013

I don't have much experience attending tournaments, but i'm helping a league in trying to grow. The life's blood is obviously well attended tournaments. So.....simple question.....what are the four or five main things that make tournament a good experience? From a players perspective as well as parents perspective? Umpires? Time schedule? Concession/bathroom facilities? Extra activities (games, etc)? Sweet looking medals/trophies? I assume what rec teams are looking for in a tournament will be different than what a competitive team is looking for?

Thanks in advance for your input.

GunnerShotgun · Sep 30, 2013

Having safe field conditions so none of my players get hurt;
Having two umpires for 12u on up for every game;
Don't gouge my parents with an excessive gate fee. Just tack part of it on to the team fee and be done with it;
Do everything possible to get the games in despite bad weather;
Communicate (twitter is great).

BadMonkeys · Sep 30, 2013

It's always nice to roll into a tournament with no gate fees or cooler restrictions. Great if you have real restrooms. Nice if you have some type of playground for siblings. I like seeing fences on the fields and temporary fencing on the men's softball and baseball fields. Fields tended to between each game. No overflowing trash cans. Reasonable concessions, with any meat other than a hot dog is nice. One tournament had breakfast sandwiches. Others have grilled items. No drop dead, revert. Our organization does 60 minutes, finish the inning + 1. Gets rid of the shenanigans. A place to get electronic updates like text messaging, twitter feed, website is a bonus.

James Smith · Sep 30, 2013

I love when they pull the tractor out and restripe the field before every game.

canyonjoe · Sep 30, 2013

Out here in Northern Nevada,Cali, it's nice to have some shade.
Make sure you leave enough time on schedule so it stays pretty much on time. Leave an extra half hour a couple of times a day
to help.

If possible keep the whole tourney at the same site for families in multiple divisions, but at least keep each age group at the same site.

Allow coolers if possible

Web-site to see scores.

If possible have a gold-silver format. It's nice to know when you travel you will play 2 on Sunday(Especially for new teams).

If possible tray and not match up teams from same organization in pool play.

Finally try and find good umps. One director has a great group who are consistent and just as important friendly to the teams. Just makes for a better atmosphere.

JAD · Sep 30, 2013

My $0.02...
1) Good competition - good tournament directors take the time/effort to create even match-ups and avoid blowouts.
2) Good field conditions - nothing worse than playing on a field that looks like it was a cow pasture the week before
3) Reasonable fees - tournaments are money makers, but don't get greedy!
4) Field maintenance - raking or dragging the fields and relining the batters boxes and base paths every other game is a nice touch!
5) Trash pickup - trash cans fill up fast at tournaments, so have them emptied regularly
6) Good weather is always appreciated!

Six11 Hitting · Sep 30, 2013

1) Good competition
2) Good umpiring - consistant!!!
3) Good field conditions
4) Good concessions

Always remember that if you allow coolers in people will still eat at the concession stand. If we bring a cooler we still spend plenty of money at the concession stand.

TopCatDad · Sep 30, 2013

A place to warm up away from crowds. This weekend we had to warm our pitcher up where other people were watching a game.

Axe · Sep 30, 2013

What does hosting tournaments have to do with growing a Rec league?

dinosaur · Sep 30, 2013

Axe said:
What does hosting tournaments have to do with growing a Rec league?

I probably worded that wrong. It's a city league/park. They host rec league games....but other tournaments as well. I started serving on the board to help out. As a group we've been talking about ways to strengthen our tournament reputation to start pulling numbers they used to.

Anyway...thanks for the answers folks. It's really helpful. Keep them coming if you want!!

What makes a great tournament?

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dinosaur

GunnerShotgun

BadMonkeys

James Smith

canyonjoe

JAD

Six11 Hitting

TopCatDad

Axe

dinosaur

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