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Online now: 2 members: Randy17, TABLE SETTER 11; 82 anonymousDiscussion: Sponsors Question (Poll)
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| Feb. 9, 2013 17Black Men's 60 414 posts | Sponsors Question (Poll) Having sponsored and played on numerous teams over past 30 years, I'd like to ask some of my fellow players how far team sponsors go, as far as expenses $$$$$$$. As a sponsor in a Northern City, I sponsor a League Team, (league entry fee, umpire fees, full uniforms (pants, hats, two/three sets of jerseys) AND also pay all tournament entry fees, Association Sanction fees, for same team. With todays tournament costs, and depending on amount of tourneys entered, sponsoring ONE team costs around $8,000 (lets say includng five tournaments)-----The team I sponsor is SAME ENTITY for weeknight league play and Tournament Ball. MY QUESTION-------is "travel fees" How many teams/players get air-line tickets, motel/hotels and etc? Some sponsors are also paying for all SSUSA and other assocation Individual Player ID's (or so I am told????) Most teams I have sponsored or played on in the past had players anty up and pay for their travel to a tournament, meals and hotel rooms, obvioulsy if they share rooms and travel, the costs go down for individuals. Are there guys out there getting "Everything" Paid for??? Just asking before I get into my 2013 tournament team endeavor. I think there is a wide range of answers on this. Many guys I talk to pay their own travel expenses, some teams even have every player throw in $40/$50 or more for tournament entry fees. Are there lots of teams out there on total "Free Ride"??? And I'm also asking as many tournament teams play in more than 4-5 tournaments a year too----------costs would be outrageous. |
| Feb. 9, 2013 Olden Slow Men's 75 209 posts | 17...Can't speak for all but I play for 2 Sponsored teams...They pay tourney fees and supply us with 3 jerseys (each team) and hats..Seems to me that is enough...I know a few guys that also play for different team and the same applies for them. We play 8-10 tourneys a year (both teams)...I have heard of teams that are "free ride" teams...But I have also heard that some of them are cut throat...Doesn't sound like much fun to me..Most of the guys I know are satisfied with uni's and fees paid...Just my .02 |
| Feb. 9, 2013 JDub Men's 60 206 posts | There are and have been many Great Sponsors supporting the Game of Slow-Pitch Softball! I've been lucky enough to (let's just say) basically leave my wallet home on weekends. I've been offered envelopes to play at the "B" thru Major Levels, and I live in Arizona. Tournament Schedules would have been 75% east of the Mississippi, with 12+ weekends of Thursday Travels and Monday's to Recuperate! I simply could not afford to take that much time away from Family & Work to Play! It was much easier managing a West Coast Schedule with only a few East Coast Tournaments. I could have easily Jumped Ship for so-called Better Offers ($$$), but I always chose Loyalty over Greed. Thanks so much to all of my Sponsors, Past & Present ! ! ! Regards, Jeff White AZ Elite #7 |
| Feb. 9, 2013 Olden Slow Men's 75 209 posts | JDub...I agree with what you said...Loyalty is way underrated...My mantra " I'm not good but I'm loyal, will be there on time and will play my arse off "..I also live in Az and have also had other offers but prefer to play with my buddies.. |
| Feb. 9, 2013 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | My North Cal Warriors team formally the Cal Barons are fully self sponsored.. I like to think we have Good and Loyal players! This makes it a special team to be a part of! IMO There are a few teams out there that I know are fully sponsored, and I have not jumped ship because of who I'm playing with. I enjoy our competitiveness and the players I'm playing with. In General I would bet that 99 percent of the teams have little to no sponsorship... Who's going to pay for grown men to play softball nowadays? |
| Feb. 9, 2013 Fabe Men's 65 456 posts | My club has 4 teams...young guns, 50, 55, 60. We run the largest softball tourney in the state (approx.75 teams) and use this money equally with the four teams. We run smaller tourneys n usually the seniors are working, thus we get the funds. After winning the Vegas Worlds (50 AAA) I tried to contact the big softball companies about partial sponsership without success! Oh well, we keep playing n enjoying this great game! Aloha, Fabe |
| Feb. 10, 2013 17Black Men's 60 414 posts | Guys, thanks for the feedback so far and please keep it coming. After having a team meeting yesterday in am pretty satisfied where we are at, especially since we don't start playing up here for another 11/12 weeks or so. Between myself and other co-sponsors, all expenses and fees for league play, pants, three sets jerseys, belts, hats, and all tournament entry fees are paid for. Our 2013 team will be working a fundraiser or two to help guys with air-lines and hotel fees for out of town tourneys. With any luck most (or a high percentage) of it will be covered? Again, other teams I have sponsored in the past, (here in Ohio) the players were always able to come up with their own travel expenses, but that was often to only one out of state tourney per year, usually Vegas or Phoenix. |
| Feb. 10, 2013 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | 17Black, looks like you have the jump in sponsorship more than most.. Good luck to you and hope you raise the rest of your funds for Travel! |
| Feb. 10, 2013 Ho 301 posts | Black: Hope to see you guys at THEE Classic again this year..check out the web site theebuckeyeclassic.com |
