Most tournaments in our area and surrounding areas have a 4 game guarantee. Some are more ( several have a 5 gg and one has a 7 gg) and others may have fewer such as a 3 gg. Obviously, the larger game guarantee tournaments cost more, such as $550-$750 and the 3 gg run around $350-$425 on average. The 4gg is usually 3 pool play games and single elimination bracket play. The larger ones may be 3 pool play and double elimination or more pool play games and single or double elimination. It all depends on the format the TD decides on.
That said, you know as a TD, sometimes crap happens and for some reason such as too many injuries, a team has to withdraw at the last moment. Now you're scrambling to find another team at the last minute and if if you can't, then you have to make up an entirely new schedule and email it out. It sucks for all concerned but it becomes unavoidable under certain circumstances.
As for reasons that would make us say we HAVE to go there? There are many of them. We like a double elimination tournament and will tend to look for those first if at all possible. They may cost a little more but the families seem to feel it offers a better value for the money. There's nothing worse than struggling during pool play for whatever reason, having an 8 a.m. game the following day for elimination play and taking the drive of shame home by 10 in the morning because the girls haven't had their second pot of Dunkin' Donuts coffee before playing.
Another one in particular comes to mind. A unique feature such as a college coach instructed players clinic the day before, an individual showcase event such as a player combine or a butt load of college coaches and/or scouts attending for those teams that are showcasing.
There's a very unique tournament that is quickly becoming one of the largest in our state at the 14U level. It is so big that it has to use facilities in nearby towns which are typically a 15 minute drive from field to field. All of the facilities are well maintained and the umpiring is exceptional. They also use Tourney Machine to keep everyone updated. The scores are called in immediately and the results are almost posted in real time. Even when it rains, they have plans in place and alternate facilities available to use if necessary. Times are adjusted and sent out via texts and posted on Tourney Machine. It's extremely well organized and I can't remember a weekend where it was called due to weather.
They hold it over the 4th of July weekend. At the main facility, they have a town carnival going on behind the fields all weekend long. On Sunday evening, at the conclusion of the tournament, a huge fireworks display is put on. Between the organization/scheduling, constant website updating, great competition, umpiring, a few rides, food, attractions and fireworks, it's a must go for a 14U team IMO even considering the drives to towns and various facilities between games.
My only complaint would be that some of the outlying fields and facilities don't have temporary fences at 200' so what would normally be a base-clearing homerun often turns into a base-clearing triple. I like my fences.
As for playing certain ABC organization sanctioned tournaments, it all comes down to the umpiring and competition for me. In our state, NSA has the absolute worst umpires and I will play those tourneys as a last resort. USSSA used to be nothing more than rec level teams but had great umpires yet were my distant third choice. Now, they've made huge in-roads with their "grass roots" movement and we will be playing a relatively local tournament under their banner. The others will be mostly ASA because they have the best umpires and good competition and PGF as a second option because the competition is very good but their umpires not quite up to the level of ASA.
That said, 9 miles away in Western Pa, the NSA and USSSA have the best options for umpires and competition IMO and we will be playing several of our tournaments under those banners over there.
It's all in knowing your geographical area and who's strongest where.
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