Softball 5/3/13 - 5/4/13
I have never been so cold in all of my life and I have never been so soaking wet. I was one of the tournament administrators of an two day tournament that we went to. We battled wet and cold conditions on day one and cold and windy conditions on day two.
I arrived an hour before the first contest. I was given my field and specific duties by the overall tournament administrator. So I go down to my field and everything is so unorganized. Workers were just hanging around, the dugouts and media areas were not ready to go, and the field had not been lined yet.
So I cracked the whip, the whole time thinking that I wish my own game day workers were there, and had the five young men that were standing there jump into action. I assigned one to each dug out, two to the field and one to the media/press box area.
They dugout guys made sure that the area was swept (sunflower seeds make thing so messy). The field guys quickly chaulked the lines and the guy in charge of the press box made sure that there were enough chairs, the score board was hooked up properly, and that the power was turned on and the press box was operational.
I have to say that we had our field done and ready to go before the other two. I received a lot of complents on having it done. It really made my day. During the tournament, not only way I in charge of the administration on the field but I did the stats as well. The only hickup that we had was when we ran out of cups for each dugout's water station. But the was quickly fixed when we found out that a Wal-Mart was literally a mile away. I got one of my dug out workers to hot foot it over there was some concession stand money and we fixed the situation.
So all in all on day one, I spent 12 hours out a softball tournament. I wasn't very successful in staying dry and I am ever so thankful for a hot shower when I got home that night.
Now on to day two. We only had five games, so it was only seven hours of softball instead of 12. I am very greatful for that because on Sunday, I slept until 1:30 p.m. I was exhausted. So I get to the fields two hours before the first pitch and I had my same five guys from the day before. They showed up on time and were ready to go. I assigned them the same assignments as the day before and we worked like clockwork.
I again was in charge of stats on the field and because of our team work, they decided to have the championship game on our field. My guys and I had a little celebration pepsi after we learned that.
So the guys got the field ready for warm up. We were very thankful that it wasn't raining like the day before. There was just a very harsh wind. So I made sure that my group had the dugouts ready to go, the field chaulked, and the press box open and ready for the media.
Again, thank goodness, it went like clockwork. I wish I could hire those five guys full time to be incharge of game day set up at OU. They were wonderful to work with and they worked very well as a team. But being a small NAIA you don't have that in the budget, but I can dream!!
I arrived an hour before the first contest. I was given my field and specific duties by the overall tournament administrator. So I go down to my field and everything is so unorganized. Workers were just hanging around, the dugouts and media areas were not ready to go, and the field had not been lined yet.
So I cracked the whip, the whole time thinking that I wish my own game day workers were there, and had the five young men that were standing there jump into action. I assigned one to each dug out, two to the field and one to the media/press box area.
They dugout guys made sure that the area was swept (sunflower seeds make thing so messy). The field guys quickly chaulked the lines and the guy in charge of the press box made sure that there were enough chairs, the score board was hooked up properly, and that the power was turned on and the press box was operational.
I have to say that we had our field done and ready to go before the other two. I received a lot of complents on having it done. It really made my day. During the tournament, not only way I in charge of the administration on the field but I did the stats as well. The only hickup that we had was when we ran out of cups for each dugout's water station. But the was quickly fixed when we found out that a Wal-Mart was literally a mile away. I got one of my dug out workers to hot foot it over there was some concession stand money and we fixed the situation.
So all in all on day one, I spent 12 hours out a softball tournament. I wasn't very successful in staying dry and I am ever so thankful for a hot shower when I got home that night.
Now on to day two. We only had five games, so it was only seven hours of softball instead of 12. I am very greatful for that because on Sunday, I slept until 1:30 p.m. I was exhausted. So I get to the fields two hours before the first pitch and I had my same five guys from the day before. They showed up on time and were ready to go. I assigned them the same assignments as the day before and we worked like clockwork.
I again was in charge of stats on the field and because of our team work, they decided to have the championship game on our field. My guys and I had a little celebration pepsi after we learned that.
So the guys got the field ready for warm up. We were very thankful that it wasn't raining like the day before. There was just a very harsh wind. So I made sure that my group had the dugouts ready to go, the field chaulked, and the press box open and ready for the media.
Again, thank goodness, it went like clockwork. I wish I could hire those five guys full time to be incharge of game day set up at OU. They were wonderful to work with and they worked very well as a team. But being a small NAIA you don't have that in the budget, but I can dream!!
Baseball JV 4/16/2013 - Softball/Baseball 4/20/2013
Like I said below, junior varsity is pretty slow and I get to cheer for the student athletes. Again we only use one worker and the baseball players go an fetch the foul balls so I didn't have to worry about getting someone to do that. We did use this time to train another worker, going to be a fifth year senior former baseball player. He wants to keep involved in baseball so he is going to be our baseball, main, game day worker. So this was a great opportunity to do this.
Softball/Baseball 4/20/2013
Well we had something a little different today. It was our breast cancer awareness day. Both baseball and softball raised money for breast cancer research. There were around 300 fans at the game and we raised over $3,000. Because of the expected large number of spectators we had four people instead of two in the concession stand. I still had two workers at each table. We didn't have any issues and everything, thank goodness, ran like clockwork.
Softball/Baseball 4/20/2013
Well we had something a little different today. It was our breast cancer awareness day. Both baseball and softball raised money for breast cancer research. There were around 300 fans at the game and we raised over $3,000. Because of the expected large number of spectators we had four people instead of two in the concession stand. I still had two workers at each table. We didn't have any issues and everything, thank goodness, ran like clockwork.
Tennis 4/11/2013 - Baseball/Softball/Tennis 4/13/2013
So for just the second time in program history we have had a tennis match at home. I did pretty much the same thing as I did the last match we had on 4/8. We don't have any student workers but I was there to do my administrative duties and I was able to watch some pretty good tennis.
Baseball/Softball/Tennis 4/13
A triple header!! Whoop, Whoop!! I only was able to spend two hours out at tennis before I had to go and take care of softball and baseball. I was able to get a student worker to do what I did for the last two tennis matches. I made sure that she knew what she was doing and then I went off to baseball and softball. Eight hours later the student workers were picking up tables and putting up chairs. I am thankful that we have had good and dependable workers. I have never not had someone show up.
Baseball/Softball/Tennis 4/13
A triple header!! Whoop, Whoop!! I only was able to spend two hours out at tennis before I had to go and take care of softball and baseball. I was able to get a student worker to do what I did for the last two tennis matches. I made sure that she knew what she was doing and then I went off to baseball and softball. Eight hours later the student workers were picking up tables and putting up chairs. I am thankful that we have had good and dependable workers. I have never not had someone show up.
Softball/Baseball 4/6/2013 - Tennis 4/8/2013
So we had softball and baseball varsity going on at the same time and over 200 people watching both games. It was a very long and crazy day. Thank goodness that all of the worker showed up like they were supposed to. On a day like this it is huge to have communication between the game day staff and the baseball/softball coaches.
Everything worked like clockwork, thank goodness. It took us a little longer to get things picked up because of the larger crowd but all in all it was great. I made sure that both sets of refs were properly fed between games. I also made sure that fans knew that game day programs were in the concession stand. The workers did a great job and we didn't have any issues with fans or with things not being done. It was great.
Tennis 4/8/2013
Now with tennis. We added it last year and this year is our first year of competing. I have never been to a tennis match and I really had no clue what goes on during these matches. I found out that they have to officiate themselves. That would be pretty hard. But all I had to do for the six hours that I was there was made sure that water was there on each court and if teams needed balls then I would help out our head tennis coach and get balls for the court. It is a very interesting sport. Not one that I want to play but one that I like watching.
Everything worked like clockwork, thank goodness. It took us a little longer to get things picked up because of the larger crowd but all in all it was great. I made sure that both sets of refs were properly fed between games. I also made sure that fans knew that game day programs were in the concession stand. The workers did a great job and we didn't have any issues with fans or with things not being done. It was great.
Tennis 4/8/2013
Now with tennis. We added it last year and this year is our first year of competing. I have never been to a tennis match and I really had no clue what goes on during these matches. I found out that they have to officiate themselves. That would be pretty hard. But all I had to do for the six hours that I was there was made sure that water was there on each court and if teams needed balls then I would help out our head tennis coach and get balls for the court. It is a very interesting sport. Not one that I want to play but one that I like watching.
Wow, it has been a while (3/22/13) / JV Baseball and Softball 3/25/13
So thanks to mother nature here in Kansas we have had a total of 34 inches of snow. We had 12 games canceled or moved for baseball and softball. Golf was even practicing out in the snow. So after this last storm (Virgil by the way) came through the area, we had a softball (3/23) and baseball (3/24) game canceled. But we were able to get the conference baseball game in on Friday (3/22). It was supposed to take place on Saturday (3/23) but we moved it up a day snow to avoid the 10 inches of snow that we received (thank you Virgil).
So I am learning all about rescheduling, contacting workers, working with coaches on availability, rescheduling my own personal schedule because of this weather. Now I was large and in charge on Friday. We had a very small working staff that day, it was the last day of class because we start Spring Break on the 25th. I checked on the workers (the ones running the score board and music) between innings. I also made sure that the consession stand workers were good. We literally only had eight people watching the game and that includes my two people running the scoreboard and music.
Between games I took care of the officials. I got each of them a hot dog, a drink and then the candy bar of their choice. They were surprised that we did this. So I have now learned that not a lot of schools take care of the officials. In football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball and baseball we take care of our officials. With the sports other than SB and BB they get Subway sandwiches. So in my opinion, a happy and well fed official is a good official.
After the long and cold double header I hurried up and put up my lap top and rolled up my extension cord. I then made sure that the concession stand money was good to take back up to the athletic office. I made sure that the officials were good and then I made sure that everything was picked up due to Virgil that was expected to enter the area.
I am having fun with this mentorship and I am learning a lot. It is another part of the athletic department that I didn't know anything about. I will put up my log within the next week.
3/25/2013
So I was able to be the game day administrator for junior varsity with baseball and softball. Since it was a JV game we didn't have the concession stand open. Both games started at 1:00 p.m. so there just were not a lot of fans that we had to worry about. I had only one worker at each field. We didn't worry about walk up songs or other fun songs that we play during the games. So we just played songs when the pitchers were warming up.
JV games are fun because I got to watch a lot more. I didn't have to do my sports information job of doing stats. I got to sit there any cheer. When I sit at the table doing stats, no cheering. So JV games are wonderful!!
So I am learning all about rescheduling, contacting workers, working with coaches on availability, rescheduling my own personal schedule because of this weather. Now I was large and in charge on Friday. We had a very small working staff that day, it was the last day of class because we start Spring Break on the 25th. I checked on the workers (the ones running the score board and music) between innings. I also made sure that the consession stand workers were good. We literally only had eight people watching the game and that includes my two people running the scoreboard and music.
Between games I took care of the officials. I got each of them a hot dog, a drink and then the candy bar of their choice. They were surprised that we did this. So I have now learned that not a lot of schools take care of the officials. In football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball and baseball we take care of our officials. With the sports other than SB and BB they get Subway sandwiches. So in my opinion, a happy and well fed official is a good official.
After the long and cold double header I hurried up and put up my lap top and rolled up my extension cord. I then made sure that the concession stand money was good to take back up to the athletic office. I made sure that the officials were good and then I made sure that everything was picked up due to Virgil that was expected to enter the area.
I am having fun with this mentorship and I am learning a lot. It is another part of the athletic department that I didn't know anything about. I will put up my log within the next week.
3/25/2013
So I was able to be the game day administrator for junior varsity with baseball and softball. Since it was a JV game we didn't have the concession stand open. Both games started at 1:00 p.m. so there just were not a lot of fans that we had to worry about. I had only one worker at each field. We didn't worry about walk up songs or other fun songs that we play during the games. So we just played songs when the pitchers were warming up.
JV games are fun because I got to watch a lot more. I didn't have to do my sports information job of doing stats. I got to sit there any cheer. When I sit at the table doing stats, no cheering. So JV games are wonderful!!
Golf 3/14/2013
Golf, now that is another sport that I have never been around until I became a sports information director. I really didn't know what a game day administrator did at a golf tournament but I soon found out. So I got there at 8:00 a.m. in the morning and helped put up the large score cards. Next I made sure that parents had golf carts (we have a sweet deal with the golf course about getting carts for the spectators). Then it was waiting and answering any questions that coaches had. After a couple of hours of sitting and looking pretty I got to go out with Coach Smith to hurry up the speed of play for some teams. That was fun. I got to go out and help look for balls in the timber. Yep, I got poison ivy. That was double fun. But I did learn a lot and I helped people out. We received a lot of complements on how professionally our tournament is ran. That was great for my tired self.
Baseball (2/19/2013) and Softball 3/13/2013
Let me tell you, there is nothing like sitting at a table with a feet warmer down at your feet during a cold baseball game.
Baseball played a one nine inning game against Central Christian College. You wouldn't think that it would last very long ... oh, then you don't know baseball. Three hours later we were just entering the eighth inning. The game ended up going 10 innings but on a positive note we won.
So since it is just one game I only had four starters working for me. There were two at the table and two in the concession stand. Thankfully eveyone showed up and we had plenty of hot chocolate and coffee ready to be sold (we made bank on concessions).
Everyone did what they were supposed to do. We did have an issue with the baseball team's ipod so they had to come over and fix it. I have talked with the other game day staff and they have put in their budget for next year to have one ipod. This way they have different folders for the different sports and they know how to run it.
The workers are pretty good about doing what needs to be done after the games. After I got my lap top put up I stood there and supervised to make sure that everything got put away and if they had any questions. It is great to have workers there that know what they are doing (good training) and are very dependable.
After having a few games change locations we finally had a home game on March 13. I am getting use to wearing cloths that you don't mind getting totally dirty. After the rain that we had, and snow, it was a mud pit in the area where the fans and I sit to do stats.
The workers are showing up like they need to. We use baseball players when they aren't playing. They are great because they seem to handle the cold weather a little better than our basketball player workers. The workers and I are getting into a rhythm. I have found out in my short time as the game day administrator for softball and baseball is the key is to have workers that communicate and are very reliable.
Baseball played a one nine inning game against Central Christian College. You wouldn't think that it would last very long ... oh, then you don't know baseball. Three hours later we were just entering the eighth inning. The game ended up going 10 innings but on a positive note we won.
So since it is just one game I only had four starters working for me. There were two at the table and two in the concession stand. Thankfully eveyone showed up and we had plenty of hot chocolate and coffee ready to be sold (we made bank on concessions).
Everyone did what they were supposed to do. We did have an issue with the baseball team's ipod so they had to come over and fix it. I have talked with the other game day staff and they have put in their budget for next year to have one ipod. This way they have different folders for the different sports and they know how to run it.
The workers are pretty good about doing what needs to be done after the games. After I got my lap top put up I stood there and supervised to make sure that everything got put away and if they had any questions. It is great to have workers there that know what they are doing (good training) and are very dependable.
After having a few games change locations we finally had a home game on March 13. I am getting use to wearing cloths that you don't mind getting totally dirty. After the rain that we had, and snow, it was a mud pit in the area where the fans and I sit to do stats.
The workers are showing up like they need to. We use baseball players when they aren't playing. They are great because they seem to handle the cold weather a little better than our basketball player workers. The workers and I are getting into a rhythm. I have found out in my short time as the game day administrator for softball and baseball is the key is to have workers that communicate and are very reliable.
I came, I froze, I conquered (2/16/2013)
So with it being February in Kansas and with it also being softball season, I froze. Now after I have gotton that out of the way, on with what I did on one of the longest days of my life. So I made it to the ball park at 11:45 a.m. I made sure that softball had everything set up to how they wanted. Then I made sure that the PA mike and the scoreboard was set up. I then made sure that my stat computer and printer was set up. Next it was on to the concession stand. I made sure that the money was there, the game day programs were available for fans to see, the prices were right on the board and that the hot chocolate, coffee and wate was ready to go. So now all I had to do was wait on the workers.
20 minutes before the first pitch the concession stand workers and the field workers arrived. I had my two field workers wait by the table (we don't have a press box) while I took the two concession stand workers in to show them what they needed to do. Also, I had to make sure that the heater was on and that they knew they could move it around. Then I went back outside and talked to the field workers. We have a person who does the starting lineups and then we have a person who works the scoreboard. I showed him how to fill out the script information and to go and talk to the opponent assistant coach to get pronunciations for names. Then I went through with the scoreboard operator on how to work the board.
After that everything pretty much runs itself. I only had a couple of questions in the four hours of softball. Gave the umpires a hot dog and a drink in between the double header. I have found out that it is very important to make sure that your umpires, officials, and refs are taken care of.
With basketball I made sure that the live streaming camera was set up. I then made sure that the person running the computer knew what they were doing. It was his first time of running the computer. I made sure that he knew how to turn off the live feed and switch to the next game (we had both men and women basketball games that night). After the game I took down the camera and made sure that everything was put up correctly.
All in all, I worked 12 hours and froze for three. Just another day in NAIA athletics.
20 minutes before the first pitch the concession stand workers and the field workers arrived. I had my two field workers wait by the table (we don't have a press box) while I took the two concession stand workers in to show them what they needed to do. Also, I had to make sure that the heater was on and that they knew they could move it around. Then I went back outside and talked to the field workers. We have a person who does the starting lineups and then we have a person who works the scoreboard. I showed him how to fill out the script information and to go and talk to the opponent assistant coach to get pronunciations for names. Then I went through with the scoreboard operator on how to work the board.
After that everything pretty much runs itself. I only had a couple of questions in the four hours of softball. Gave the umpires a hot dog and a drink in between the double header. I have found out that it is very important to make sure that your umpires, officials, and refs are taken care of.
With basketball I made sure that the live streaming camera was set up. I then made sure that the person running the computer knew what they were doing. It was his first time of running the computer. I made sure that he knew how to turn off the live feed and switch to the next game (we had both men and women basketball games that night). After the game I took down the camera and made sure that everything was put up correctly.
All in all, I worked 12 hours and froze for three. Just another day in NAIA athletics.
The Day Before 2/15/13
Well even though I am supposed to freeze tomorrow, the softball double header is still on. I am going to wearing layers and bring a blanket with me. Oh the joys of softball and baseball in the month of February in Kansas. The baseball team plays a single 9 inning game on Tuesday so that will be the first home baseball game of the season. That should be fun.
So what I did the day before to get ready for tomorrow. Confirm all of the workers by calling them on their phone. I make sure that I have a sheet with their names and phone numbers just in case they don't show up tomorrow. If that happens I am supposed to call them. If there is no answer then I am donig to go back to my list of workers and find someone who is not a basketball player, we have basketball tomorrow night at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., to fill in.
Then I am going to have a sit down meeting with the person to find out why they didn't show up and to make sure that they know this is a one time mistake. The next time that you don't show up you don't show up you are no longer part of the game day crew. Whew, so much responsibility. I have the power and I think I like it!
I will type up what happened tomorrow. I also get to help out with basketball tomorrow night as well. I don't know in what capicity as of yet but I will add that in here.
So what I did the day before to get ready for tomorrow. Confirm all of the workers by calling them on their phone. I make sure that I have a sheet with their names and phone numbers just in case they don't show up tomorrow. If that happens I am supposed to call them. If there is no answer then I am donig to go back to my list of workers and find someone who is not a basketball player, we have basketball tomorrow night at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., to fill in.
Then I am going to have a sit down meeting with the person to find out why they didn't show up and to make sure that they know this is a one time mistake. The next time that you don't show up you don't show up you are no longer part of the game day crew. Whew, so much responsibility. I have the power and I think I like it!
I will type up what happened tomorrow. I also get to help out with basketball tomorrow night as well. I don't know in what capicity as of yet but I will add that in here.
Game Canceled, No Communication 2/8/2013
So the game was canceled of course but do you think that I received any word. Well I did, but not until 11:30. Nothing, nada, zip. So my first lesson, always make sure that your person in charge of game day administration knows if the game is canceled or not. They make the games run so that the coaches and players don't have to. So communicate, communicate, and communicate.
So I called the workers and canceled with them. I have learned to always communicate. You can never have to much communication in game day management.
So I called the workers and canceled with them. I have learned to always communicate. You can never have to much communication in game day management.
Rain, Rain, Go Away (Not Really) 2/8/2013
Well this is the first day as a home game day administrator for a varsity game and what do you know, it is raining. Now don't get me wrong, we need the rain here in Kansas so bad. The ponds are drying up and the trees are dying. But did it have to happen on the season opener for softball and my first day of being a game day administrator.
I will post more if we still have the softball game, but this rain doesn't look like it is going to quit anytime soon. We will see.
I will post more if we still have the softball game, but this rain doesn't look like it is going to quit anytime soon. We will see.
The dress rehearal 2/11/2013
Well this was the dress rehearal for a home game day administrator. We had a junior varsity softball game and what do you know, it was cold. I got a little bit of training myself at the jv game. I learned how to work the score board and how to make sure that I knew how to work the music and the PA system. I also figured out how to open the windows to the concession stand. On a side note about the concession stand, you would think that it is easy to open the windows, nope. There is a trick to it and I was taught it.
Game Day Administrator (Away)
So I got my first taste of being a game day administrator at another school. A near by school had both softball and men's and women's basketball going on at the same time. So to help out I was asked if I could be the administrator at the field. They fed me lunch, it was great. So I made sure that the workers showed up. They already had a script made up and I helped the PA announcer with the pronunications of the players. I also made sure that the softball girls knew that they had to retrived all foul balls. (Communicate, communicate, communicate!!!)
But it was great. I enjoyed working with different people. Thankfully they had a press box because it was really, really, really cold.
But it was great. I enjoyed working with different people. Thankfully they had a press box because it was really, really, really cold.
Live Streaming (What??)
Ok, so to help out I am doing live streaming to kick off my sports mentorship. This is just another part of sports administration that I am learning about. We did have a GA doing this but they wanted them to take care of doing more game day administration for basketball. This way with doing live streaming I am able to keep doing stats as a sports information director and take care of making sure that the games stay live on the internet.
So this is what I do. I have the haul around this huge case. Then I put the camera and computer up. Next I make sure that the student worker knows that after the game to push stop on the live streaming. Then after I get my sports information stuff done I go and put the camera and computer up and get it ready for the next contest.
After doing this for two games I am ready to give this up. It is very physically demanding, having to carry this huge case that weigh over 50 pounds up and down stairs. It is also one more thing that I have to worry about. Thankfully I have been told that they will have another GA take care of it next year. I am glad though for the experience and now I know that I want nothing to do with the live streaming equipment.
So this is what I do. I have the haul around this huge case. Then I put the camera and computer up. Next I make sure that the student worker knows that after the game to push stop on the live streaming. Then after I get my sports information stuff done I go and put the camera and computer up and get it ready for the next contest.
After doing this for two games I am ready to give this up. It is very physically demanding, having to carry this huge case that weigh over 50 pounds up and down stairs. It is also one more thing that I have to worry about. Thankfully I have been told that they will have another GA take care of it next year. I am glad though for the experience and now I know that I want nothing to do with the live streaming equipment.