Maybe I'm Knit-Picking

[Drew10]

But shouldn't all new and returning PIHA teams be charging the same price for tryouts. I think a uniform league wide fee should be in place so people observing the operations of this league including new players don't think people are gauging. I've seen tryout fees from 15-60 bucks...I'm not saying what that price should be, but I do believe every team should be equal in this respect. Let me know what you think....

Drew M.

[PIHAPacific]

Not all teams pay the same for rink time. Some pay more than $150 per hour. Some pay nothing. Thats a big factor, plus some teams give jerseys, t-shirts and some offer more than one tryout date... etc....

[INLINENut]

If PIHA is a true Pro-League why do they have to pay to play? I can understand charging for tryouts and player camps to raise funds, but I dont understand how you can say its PRO, and the players must write a check to play.... Its just a glorified MENS league.... I'm still waiting to see what all is involved with the new MLRH, but it looks like they are at least going in the right direction. I'm still not all the way convinced with MLRH just yet- but im assuming the new owners have some tricks up their sleeves to make things work.

[Dave Garland]

Professional, depending on your definition however, is based on the level of play (in my opinion).

There is nothing 'above' PIHA Pro right now in terms of quality of players and teams (in terms of a full season program).

People pay to come see the games and the players get a ton of perks.

[born2runPROgm]

Gotta love all these new members coming in and bashing piha.... almost like some type of conspiracy or something

[Dave Garland]

Very interesting indeed

[growl89]

I tried bashing it back in the day when it had like 7 teams... and now look at it... HUGE ... so it shut me up and now i'm on the band wagon


since i need to bash something, it might as well be Dave and his brutal dancing in detroit...

I think tryout fees are good to help make some cash for the organization, but like it has been said, some teams get free rink time, some rinks pay 150 an hour. I do however do not feel players should have to pay for the season, gas money is a hidden fee in itself haha

[GROWL]

Here is a much more realistic reason why tryout fees are different.

When a team is new it only makes sense to charge a bit more for tryouts. More then just a means of income, it shows a sort of commitment from players attending. Some one willing to pay $75 to tryout, means that they take what they are doing serious. Newer teams need this, when they don't know who is and isn't a commitment concern. Not to mention that those players have a better shot to make this team then a veteran one with many returning players.

The reverse is true for veteran teams. Once you get into a grove in the league, you begin to know that at least half of your team will be returning. This gives you a level of comfort when it comes to players and commitment. It's only right that you then charge a bit less, as the opportunity to make a veteran organization is less than a new team.

You can see this in the Growl's tryout fees over the years:

2003 - $75
2004 - $75 / $50 returning
2005 - No Tryout
2006 - Minor Tryout Only $25
2007 - $40 / $25 returning
2008 - $50 / $25 returing

In the early years we filled our entire team from tryouts, so the price was high. In 2005 & 2006 we simply did not have a tryout, because we knew who are team was and we didnt want to steal money from people when we knew what we wanted. Last season we had just a handful of spots and we had a low tryout fee. This year we are returning to picking our team from a tryout and have raised the fee to a reasonable level.

[Drew10]

Just to let everyone know I wasn't bashing, I was just curious. I have been playing in the PIHA for years and Flynn you make a good point. Good luck to all teams this year. Things are looking up...

[Dave Garland]

Billy,
I'm a dancing maching

[GROWL]

i cant wait for the spelling nazi to read this tomorrow.

[Wingman]

At least admissions to games are the same. (or so I've heard)

[Dave Garland]

Ours in the Gateway Division are $5 and kids 8-and-under and free.

Different ticket prices wouldn't be too unusual; however, for example in the NHL every team's ticket prices are different.

[Wingman]

Ours in the Gateway Division are $5 and kids 8-and-under and free.

Different ticket prices wouldn't be too unusual; however, for example in the NHL every team's ticket prices are different.

It's either 5-8$ for Winchester, (I think) and 8U attends for free. The fans don't care much for try-outs fee's, so if it's about looking professional, that's what counts.

[growl89]

Billy,
I'm a dancing maching

dave.... after further research i found out what a "maching" really is...

Maching (adj.) when a male helplessly grinds himself all over a pole at a club instead of letting the half dressed girls do it


Flynn knew i would be all over it haha