I get the fact that playing friendlies right now in California is a challenge. However, the people running these are not doing our players any service. Stay with me for a minute here.
1. Most of these parks we are playing at are not permitted. This means the host is not paying a dime for these fields. We know they are not permitted because the restrooms are not open and locations are way off the beaten path. Playing back to back to back games without a restroom with young ladies is not healthy.
2. They jacked the prices up to $75 a game claiming fields are more expensive due to Covid?
3. Still only have 1 umpire
4. Drop dead games of 1:15 or 1:20. Most qualifiers or bracket games are 1:45 no new or 7 innings
5. Fields are not chalked or drug before each game. We are lucky if the umpire tries to chalk to field before you play. Even the 1st game of the day, fields are not often prepped.
6. Schedules get changed 3 times from Thursday to Sunday. Yet, not all coaches are notified.
Now let’s do the math.
2 fields, 6 games each field @ $75 per game.
12 games x 2 teams = $1800
1 umpire for 12 games @ $50 a game = $600
2 fields not permitted = $0
Friendly host then clears $1200.00 for crappy fields, 1 umpire, no field maintenance, DD 1:15, non-communicated schedule changes and no restrooms.
If we don’t want to leave the state every weekend, this is one of the few options we have right now. Just trying to raise awareness in hopes the people running these have a conscience and start making it about the players. I do not mind if the host makes some money at the end of the day for coordinating and making a schedule. But, for the product they are providing right now they definitely should not be clearing $1200 a day for only 12 games.
I don’t have the answer, they have us over a barrel right now. However, maybe there is a way for us coaches to force a standardize friendly pricing?
For what we are getting above should only be $40.00 a game.
Host would still clear $360
For permitted fields with restrooms, 1 umpire, 1:20 drop dead and field maintenance $60.00 a game.
Host would now clear $400
For permitted fields with restrooms, field maintenance with 2 umpires and 1:45 DD. Price $75.00 a game.
Host would clear $500.00
This time of year only could get 5 games in per field. After daylight savings and adding a 6th game per field.
Host would clear $640.00
Thoughts?????