concession stand

[chevy13]

For all of you that attending any games this weekend that disreguarded the signs everyone puts out about no outside food or drink I just want to say thanks. Some of you people do not understand that referees cost money $50 a game per referee. That means for just 4 games it costs the home team $550. I am not going to  mention any town names today, and it wasn't all people, but some of you who walked past 2 signs in neon and continued to disreguard the sign I again thank you.

[jazz]

It is sad that after all of the signs that people do not care. But these are probably the same people that drop there kids off at pracrice and leave or the ones that cant show up to help out. they have no idea what it takes to do everything that goes into making these leagues work.

[dog_days]

mmmm NACHOS  ;D I would think $550 would be tough to raise.

[queenb77630]

I do bring snacks with me to the games; BUT I also buy from the concession stands.  Why? Because I can't handle the spicy food that is more then often offered at the concession stands (links; chili; nachos because the cheese sauce always taste spicy to me).  I have had trouble at some concession stands in buying Diet drinks.  I tend to bring my own chips "just in case" I need it.  I do normally buy concession food for my kids though; I bring snacks for myself.

Sometimes the concession stands run out of food.   As I mentioned above, sometimes the stands do not offer what some people can eat.

More then likely, people just are stingy and don't want to spend the $4 for nachos when it only costs about $1 to fix them.  

[I❤️BC]

Good post queenb.  I hope everyone keeps this in mind over the next few weeks when they have to pay admission too.  For the playoffs, the STJFL pays for the refs, but also for the field use fees, security fees, and for all of the medals and trophies for each team whether they are eliminated in round one or play in the super bowl.  So...please remember this and be aware that admission fees are charged at playoff and super bowl games.  AND remember the STJFL is completely non-profit, so all money taken in goes back into these games.

See ya at the playoffs!

[GetSome]

[quote name="jg69421080" post="885908" timestamp="1287888659"]
For all of you that attending any games this weekend that disreguarded the signs everyone puts out about no outside food or drink I just want to say thanks. Some of you people do not understand that referees cost money $50 a game per referee. That means for just 4 games it costs the home team $550. I am not going to  mention any town names today, and it wasn't all people, but some of you who walked past 2 signs in neon and continued to disreguard the sign I again thank you.
[/quote]

Dear jg6942..br549,

Aside from the urge to correct your spelling and grammar, I would also like to say, quit complaining about trivial stuff that really has no effect on the football games or the league in general.  These STJFL teams raise plenty of money.  I know, I pay quite a bit for my son to play every year.  I also coach his team.  The league has a surplus of funds [u]every[/u] year.  Have you ever gone over the speed limit...ever?  There are signs that prominently post the speed limit.  There are people that die in car wrecks every day due to speeding.  My insurance premiums raise every year due to the high cost of auto repair, medical bills and life insurance payouts.  Thanks for speeding and causing my insurance premiums to skyrocket.  Sounds stupid, doesn't it.  Well, so does your post.

[mfd814]

Policing people who bring in their own drinks and snacks to little league games is difficult in all leagues.  Some leagues do make money off concessions to pay for the little things.  In the TIFI league, someone either mans the gate coming in, or checks the stands for violators. If found you are asked to take it back to you car, throw it away, or you can leave the field voluntarily or by escort.  Most people comply when asked, but not all are nice about it.  Again, it is a rule that some feel they do not have to abide by.  It is a shame. 

[thetragichippy]

You ever think the few who do it, may not have the money? To me, if single Mom brings chips for her kids.....big deal. Maybe thats all she can afford.

[mfd814]

A mother feeding a young child is way different then a mom bringing a picnic for the family. There are still rules. If you want to feed them what you bring, go out to your car at halftime or after the game. They are not requiring you to purchase anything. I've been there, and have gone out to my car at the half. Just respect the league rules.

[GetSome]

[quote name="mfd814" post="890804" timestamp="1288403111"]
A mother feeding a young child is way different then a mom bringing a picnic for the family. There are still rules. If you want to feed them what you bring, go out to your car at halftime or after the game. They are not requiring you to purchase anything. I've been there, and have gone out to my car at the half. Just respect the league rules.
[/quote]

It is not the league rules.  It varies at each venue.  Some places could care less if you bring food in or not.  If you show up with food and you dont know the rules for that particular park, I guess you could throw it away so as not to offend anyone.  Regardless, the league has plenty of money to go around.  This a non-issue.

[mfd814]

in the TIFI league that the Beaumont Bulls play in it is a League rule for all teams. Some may not enforce it, but it is in the rules.  Things may be different in the leagues here. Someone complained about the concession issue, ask your league to implement a rule if you like.  Youth league for the most part are not for profit, money made at concession goes to help with team costs. There are some teams/leagues that are for profit. I am not talking about those.  Talk to you league board members.

[GetSome]

[quote name="thetragichippy" post="890724" timestamp="1288401430"]
You ever think the few who do it, may not have the money? To me, if single Mom brings chips for her kids.....big deal. Maybe thats all she can afford.
[/quote]

Be careful tragichippy...that comment makes waaayyyy too much sense.  Some of that might rub off on some of these other "posters" and before you know it, they may begin to make sense too.  We can't have that, now can we?...

[teamraider]

Each association makes their own rules on concessions, but all have the same general rule that most other youth sports organizations have and that is no outside food or drinks allowed. The concession stand pays for game officials that generally costs $150.00 per game. Small venues have to reduce their fees in order to keep participation up and that is usually only enough to pay for jerseys and equipment. While some larger associations are able to maintain a surplus it wouldn't be enough to pay for the refs all year. If concessions continue to be problem it will either become a league rule or reduce the number or quality of the officials.

[LilBobcatMom]

[quote name="thetragichippy" post="890724" timestamp="1288401430"]
You ever think the few who do it, may not have the money? To me, if single Mom brings chips for her kids.....big deal. Maybe thats all she can afford.
[/quote]

I totally agree.

Another thing to think about.  We don't always know what's going to be available concession-wise from town to town.  I know last Saturday was the first time my son has played at Kountze.  Not every field you play at has an actual concession "stand".  Thank y'all for having a selection to choose from.  He's played at some that the only choice was a hot link, chips, and a soft drink.  Some kids aren't going to eat that, so maybe their parents bring them snacks.  

I don't think that the few who bring their own food/drinks into a place are taking a huge chunk from the association's profits.

[GetSome]

[quote name="teamraider" post="891073" timestamp="1288408199"]
Each association makes their own rules on concessions, but all have the same general rule that most other youth sports organizations have and that is no outside food or drinks allowed. The concession stand pays for game officials that generally costs $150.00 per game. Small venues have to reduce their fees in order to keep participation up and that is usually only enough to pay for jerseys and equipment. While some larger associations are able to maintain a surplus it wouldn't be enough to pay for the refs all year. If concessions continue to be problem it will either become a league rule or reduce the number or quality of the officials.
[/quote]

Sorry teamraider, I cannot totally agree with your viewpoint.  I am assuming you are from Lumberton by your name.  Lumberton has plenty of money in their account.  Ask Chris or Danny or Mike, and I am sure they will agree. This late in the season, all refs have been paid for and there is still quite a surplus.  I understand your point; however, outside food and drinks are not crippling our teams.  If the smaller venues cannot make it without these sales, simply post an attendant at the front of the gate at each game to police the infractions.  Additionally, the refs could be paid for by fundraisres or a nominal increase in fees ($5 per kid) to help pay for this or a combination of the two. 

Look, if I want a diet Mountain Dew and your concessions don't provide that, I'm bringing it in.  If I cannot stomach another link on a bun or frito pie, I might be tempted to bring a healthier option from home.  I get to the game 1 to 2 hours beforehand, I am with my team for the duration of the game (including 1/2 time) and I may stick around to scout an upcoming opponent.  I cannot always leave and I am ready to eat something or drink something other than what the concession stand has to offer.  I do purchase items from the local concession stand, but I refuse to be tied to just that.

[teamraider]

I am from Lumberton, and we are are lucky to have the participation we have. But I have also seen associations that hurt for funds and can't raise their registration or pay the officials fees without concessions. I do see your point too though because I have three kids that are hitting me up for a dollar every time I turn around and I never get away from a field without spending at least 20 bucks. Having said that, there are almost no sports venues that will let you bring food from home. I like going to Texans games and the truth is I like my BBQ sandwich a whole lot better than theirs and I can make it for a whole lot cheaper than 10 bucks... But rules are rules.

[GetSome]

Raider, you are correct, rules are rules.  So all of you team moms and dads, I guess you need to quit bringing snacks and drinks for 1/2 time and for after the game for the team to enjoy.  You know, the ones that every team I have ever been associated with request parents to bring on a rotating basis.  On that note, I guess we should be buying the concession stand bottled water too instead of providing our team a water keg and squeeze bottles on the sidelines (after all, rules are rules)...  Does anyone pick up on the sarcasm, because I am laying it on pretty thick.  The practice of outside food being brought in is not crippling our league budgets.  If the concession people think it is then they should serve some better food for us to eat.  By the way, at the Texans game I can get a gourmet salad, hamburgers, hot dogs, Mexican food, prime cut bbq, baked potato stuffed with whatever I can imagine, the list goes on and on.  Hardly a good comparison.  Plus the Texans games are on private property and the tickets cost upwards from $75 for the cheap seats.  Finally, I can drink as much beer as I want at a Texans game (as long as I have a wallet full of money).  Serve beer at the local concession stand and I won't eat anything all day!

[queenb77630]

GetSome: EXACTLY!  Some people cannot stomach the concession stand food.  I would rather bring in my own ham/cheese sandwich and know that I won't have to pop some Prilosec later in the afternoon because I chose to eat a link that agitated my acid reflux.

Like you said, some parents are out there for HOURS!  I can't leave either and I'm not a coach; just a parent.  I'm sorry if my not buying the food irritates some; but if I am buying for ME, 9 out of 10 times, I will not buy from the stands.  If my kids want something, that is different.

PLUS, its happened more then once that I was unable to get diet drinks at the stand so therefore; i no longer take that chance..... I bring my own.

Now, its time for me to go shop for my snacks for todays playoff game.

Bye!

[Gusher]

All this bellyaching has caused me to loose my appetite… But If I get hungry later I will visit the concession stand or just bum a diet mountain dew and ham and cheese sandwich from one of the other “youth league supporters”.  ;)

[queenb77630]

[quote name="Gusher" post="891802" timestamp="1288462330"]
All this bellyaching has caused me to loose my appetite… But If I get hungry later I will visit the concession stand or just bum a diet mountain dew and ham and cheese sandwich from one of the other “youth league supporters”.  ;)
[/quote]

;D just ask and I will share with ya!

[I❤️BC]

Get Some....you are SERIOUSLY misinformed.  I don't have a CLUE where you get your "surplus funds" information from and truly don't care.  I can tell you that at BCYRA for one - and more are in our situation than not - we DO NOT have a surplus of funds and depend solely on the concession stand to pay our officials, buy equipment we need, pay for our lawn equipment AND TO OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS to furnish equipment and uniforms to the kids who cannot otherwise afford to play.  So...is asking someone to buy food at our concession stand ridiculous?  NO, and if it is, don't eat, it's a two hour game, just wait, that way no rules are violated and no one else decides to do the same thing because they saw another do it.  No association has a problem with drinks being brought FOR THE TEAMS, but everyone has a problem with people bringing in food/drinks for the fans at a youth football event when we need every penny. 

[mfd814]

That was sarcasm at its best.    Team snacks and water do not count as bringing in outside food to feed an army.  As far as the rules go. I will abide by them.  If I must have something that I cannot get or cannot afford from the concession stand it is in my car, and I will have it there. 

[queenb77630]

I would like to say that yesterday, during the 1st round of the playoffs in Orangefield, I found the prices to be reasonable.  I did not bring MY snacks like I normally do so I had to buy from the stand.  $2.50 for nachos was a good price.  I dont normally buy nachos because of the spicy nature; however, I did not find them spicy at all.  AND they offered Diet Dr. Pepper!!!!!!

If the concession stand prices were more reasonable, I'm sure more people would buy.

Of course, if Bridge City Little League Baseball people would be at EACH concession stand selling their hamburger baskets, well, I'd buy everytime!  I miss that!  :P

[GetSome]

[quote name="mfd814" post="892655" timestamp="1288508072"]
That was sarcasm at its best.    Team snacks and water do not count as bringing in outside food to feed an army.  As far as the rules go. I will abide by them.  If I must have something that I cannot get or cannot afford from the concession stand it is in my car, and I will have it there. 
[/quote]

I appreciate your stance, and it is an honorable thing to abide by the rules, even if they are stupid ones.  Look, if someone eats their crappy homemade sandwich in their car or in the stands, the concession stand still gets no revenue.  I do not have the luxury of leaving the park, and I am there for hours.  I DARE anyone to try and stop me from eating a healthier meal than most all of the concession stands provide.

[Gusher]

[quote name="GetSome" post="892834" timestamp="1288545846"]
[quote author=mfd814 link=topic=74969.msg892655#msg892655 date=1288508072]
That was sarcasm at its best.    Team snacks and water do not count as bringing in outside food to feed an army.  As far as the rules go. I will abide by them.  If I must have something that I cannot get or cannot afford from the concession stand it is in my car, and I will have it there. 
[/quote]

I appreciate your stance, and it is an honorable thing to abide by the rules, even if they are stupid ones.  Look, if someone eats their crappy homemade sandwich in their car or in the stands, the concession stand still gets no revenue.  I do not have the luxury of leaving the park, and I am there for hours.  I DARE anyone to try and stop me from eating a healthier meal than most all of the concession stands provide.
[/quote]I got it... this should make everyone happy those bringing food into the game give a donation of $____ to the organization. Then you can eat your sandwich no matter how crappy it is when you have time of course.  :P