Qualifying Tournament:
First.......get the facts straight.
It was not a 3 game guarantee. It was a 24 team tournament with four pools, which gives a 5 game guarantee. This information was on our website (24 teams / 4 pools). It was also provided to BBI and Lone Star (Thanks Richard and Sam.) All of the feed back we received, along with the teams that we had waiting to get in last year indicated we could easily make a 24 team bracket and raise the price to hopefully cover expenses, while keeping the average cost per game the same. It's a situation of going with the information that you have looked for, asked for, and received.
It's not a situation of being greedy. Expenses are $100 per game for umpires, plus $60 per game field usage charge. Now throw in baseballs. In addition, each team that won the qualifying tournament was eligible for up to $6,000 in reimbursement for travel expenses. Do the math.
The Ohio qualifier and the California qualifier had to submit $6,000 to the AABC National Office to cover expenses for their winning teams that traveled to McKinney. While I have not yet had the chance to speak with the people that held the other qualifying tournaments, I would think that they would have to have some sponsorship money behind them to keep the cost at $600 per team and still provide everything. We did not.
We spend approximately $60,000 per year for the MMWS. Things that we provide to players/coaches from more than 100 miles away are air fare, transportation to/from the airport, hotels, meal allowances, rental vans, dinner for coaches/players during the skills challenge, engraved key chains for players & coaches, along with other small momentos. We allow the fans, young and older, to keep foul balls during the games as well. Many, many other expenses.
Even though the Dallas teams don't qualify for travel expenses due to the guidelines that MBTI set up in 1995, we were going to help defray some of the costs in 2005 by using money from the qualifier if a Dallas team qualified. Not saying that we would give them $6,000, but we had planned to help. If a team from Houston won, then we would be required to pay $6,000 to the AABC National Office so that they could reimburse them.
We also make improvements to the field. In the last year MBTI has painted the outfield fence, recovered the pads on the backstop, placed a slab requiring 11 yards of concrete(Thanks, Ken) for use during the MMWS and MHS baseball season, and refurbished all of the dirt areas.
We try our best to put on the best tournament that we can. Each year it gets better. Our #1 goal is for these kids to come to McKinney, play a high level of baseball on a nice field, have a great time, and remember it for a long, long time.
We have tried to get coverage in the Dallas Morning News, Fox 4, WFAA, WBAP and KRLD with no luck. (Perhaps someone can help us in the future?) Maybe we can get them to delay the start of Cowboys training camp.
Here is my suggestion: If you think that there is a problem, then don't just complain about it............help provide a solution. Better yet, instead of just giving suggestions, come help us to make things better. My father told me that if you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem. He also told me many other things that I cannot put on this board. For those of you who knew Lindsey Gunter, you know what I'm talking about.
I have rambled long enough. I am dog tired and ready to spend some time with my own family, as are many other people here trying to make it better for these kids. I am not as young as I use to be (or as skinny) and these 20 hour days for the last week are kicking my behind. I am not complaining because I choose to do this because people did it for me when I played (a long time ago.)
To all of you that have been up to visit and complimented us on our efforts, THANK YOU. A huge heartfelt THANK YOU to all of our sponsors and volunteers: Joe, Jacky, Frank, Jimmy, Rodney, Tami, Sharon, Kathy, Lena, Heather, Rocky, Eddie, Stephen, Terri, Mike, Shelley and Dr. Bill, Tom, bj, umpires, and so many others. I apologize for leaving anyone out.
Thanks to Linty Ingram, Gary Fitzgerald, and Tommy Hernandez for being a bunch of good guys, as well as the other coaches here during the MMWS. They have all been great.
We are taking notes and hope to make things better in the future. If I have offended you........ adjust. I'm too tired to care. These are MY thoughts and do not represent the thoughts of the MMWS Committee.
Remember, Dallas Tigers v. Orange County Angels at 2:00 p.m. *** FREE ADMISSION ***
Sincerely,
David Gunter
(fat guy in the blue shirt)