Yesterday we were part of a great tournament in Paragould hosted by GCT. I would like to know where the limit is to how much the gate charge is. I am fully aware of the AAA policies, seeing I have been in contact with a member concerning this. As a parent, grandparent, family member you are going to pay whatever to go watch your kid play, but come on tech $10 adults and $5 students? It cost me $25 to pull my car in yesterday to watch softball....$25!!!!!!! I have no problem with 4 or 5 per adult and 2 or 3 for students, but this was just plain highway robery. Let me expound on things a little further....after our 1st game we said well the girls can go to the concession stand and get something to eat before the 2nd game only to get there and a sign is hanging...OUT OF HOT FOOD!!!! WHAT? This was after the 1st game that morning and already out of hot food (mind you it was a chiller yesterday) So a few of us loaded up and went to McDonalds to get our girls something to eat, remember this after all of us parents had to go get a loan to get into the tournament. Now I have no quarrels on the tournament itself, great games, fans and facilities, but $25?? I have placed a pic of the pass I recieved to have proof of my rant as well as the same pic being e-mailed to the AAA. I personaly heard 3 different coaches (not including ours) make statements that they would not bring their teams back next year because of the gate charge. You guys had to of cleared in the thousands yesterday. It is not right when the coaches are going around appologizing to the parents for the outlandish charge at the gate. I am usually uplifting and nice, but this stuck in my crawl all day as it did many others.

That is crazy. I cannot understand why they would charge that much. Heck, I think that half the time schools should charge not students for athletic events any way. I know of schools that have 50 cent night for there students. For a softball tournament like the one yesterday, 4 and 3 is about right.

You sure can't please everyone but 99% of the people polled would say $10 is higway robbery for a high school softball event.

I agree, that was unreasonably high. $5 and $3 seems more reasonable for a 1 day tournament.

The Nettleton tournament comparison isn't valid. $8 pass ($4 a day) for two days of games is well worth it.

I was coming but would have had to pay $60 to get in...no thanks.

They have you between a rock and a hard place. I know as a parent, seeing my daughter play is priceless and always has been. Putting the worth in dollars and cents can't really be done. However I see where paying this amount could be seen as quiet excessive.

i have thought over the last 2 years,that 5.00 was alot, but i guess i was wrong. IT reminds of gas prices, cause you have to pay it,and if my child was playing i would have HAD to pay it, but my husband would have to stay at home. I hope that this doesnt become the norm. i wont be able to attend unless it was pay day.

Tech coach has offered to refund the schools their entry fees. What's done is done. Keep the entry fees, learn from the mistake and move on. I heard it was a good tournament. Just the concessions and gate prices were the problem.

I can understand using the tournament as way for the program to fund their needs but that price does seem extreme. I thought AAA set a limit on what could be charged at High School athletics. Maybe I am wrong. But I have a high school player and I would reluctantly pay it myself to watch her.

I know that a lot of you think that the gate prices were high and the coach has stated (from what I have heard, have not asked speicifically) that he would refund the schools' programs. I think that is just. If you really want the money back then talk to your school and get it from them, otherwise donate it to the program. As someone stated earlier, the softball's main concession stand was on field #1 which is the trailer. The brick concession stand, where the restrooms are, only sells sodas and candy, which is for the soccer program. I understand and I am sure coach understands your concern but you also have to figure everything else that went into this tourny. All the field prep before and during the tourny, all the hours and hard work to keep it running, umpires, and other unforseen expenses cost money. I know that entry fees help with that but you have to learn from your mistakes. Next year the tournament will probably be better and more organized. After you do something once, you make notes to know what works and what doesn't and how to fix those mistakes. With all that said, it is over and done with, we can't go back and change it so why bicker about it. I understand the frustration and know that venting is how some people get over it but it is done and can't be undone at this point. Appreciate your concern and next year will take all this into consideration.

Well I guess I'm really glad I went Turkey hunting this weekend. LOL. Just kidding folks, it did cost me a little more.

I know everbody thinks the price of admission was to high and appreciate the fact that the coach realizes everbodies concern, but overall it was a good tournement and as a parent from Nettleton want to thank everbody involved. I know personally how hard they worked to put this tournament together, since I have been involved in our own for the past two years. There is alot of preparation that goes into putting an event like this together and more than just a coach is needed. Thanks to all the parents, players and volunteers and will be looking forward to seeing you for the next couple of years.

"PROUD FATHER OF LADY RAIDER ATHLETE!!!!"