| I've worn a number of hats throughout my | | | | Define rules clearly. Nothing is worse than having |
| baseball volunteering career. One that was | | | | to deal with ambiguity in tournament rules. While |
| particularly interesting was organizing and | | | | it's nearly impossible to think of everything |
| managing a summer baseball tournament. This is | | | | situation, it is important that you "spell out" the |
| the type of tournament where town travel or | | | | rules as clearly as possible. This will save much |
| all-star teams compete in age based flights. | | | | hassle down the road. |
| Tournament organizers normally charge an entry | | | | Allow enough time for games to be played. Again, |
| fee to pay for umpires, trophies, baseballs and | | | | visiting teams are paying customers. Develop |
| also to raise funds for the league or team running | | | | your schedule to allow adequate time for games |
| the tournament. | | | | to be completed. |
| Having both run tournaments and coached teams | | | | Appoint ambassadors and Tournament Directors. |
| in them I've collected a number of lessons along | | | | The manager's of your town's teams who are |
| the way. When running a tournament, if you don't | | | | playing in the tournament should be knighted as |
| pay attention to a few key areas there is a good | | | | "tournament ambassadors". If visiting coaches or |
| chance some of your customers will not have the | | | | parents have concerns or issues they should be |
| experience they paid for. | | | | able to address any of the mangers as |
| Choose participating teams wisely. Make sure they | | | | representatives of your league. It's also a good |
| "fit" into the group they are playing in. Yes, some | | | | idea to always have an appointed "Tournament |
| coaches will actually under sell their teams ability | | | | Director" on duty whenever games are being |
| to give them a better chance of winning the flight. | | | | played. The Tournament Directors' job is to be |
| You should dig around if you suspect this. | | | | the "go-to" person for any issues that arise. |
| Get the schedule out early. The earlier you | | | | Give the kids a great experience. If you want |
| release your tournament schedule the fewer | | | | parents and coaches to say "wow, that |
| scheduling conflicts teams will have. This saves | | | | tournament was well worth the money" make |
| tons of time and aggravation. | | | | sure the kids get their money's worth. Nice |
| Communicate with managers. This is one of THE | | | | trophies, good umpiring crews, groomed fields, |
| most important areas. One of the first things you | | | | clean facilities, good snack bar, etc. These are |
| should do is put together a contact list of all the | | | | things that build your tournament's reputation. |
| managers of teams participating in the | | | | If you follow the above rules you will develop the |
| tournament and email it all the managers. Keep | | | | reputation of running a great tournament. This will |
| them up to date during weather situations. | | | | lead to managers emailing or calling you months |
| Respond promptly to requests. These are paying | | | | before you open up tournament registration. |
| customers, treat them that way. | | | | |