FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There are many questions that we are asked quite often, in many different forms. As the nature of the event changes annually, we strongly advise each coach – and player – to read through the following list of sample questions. The information may save you all valuable time in the future !

Q: Where will the fields be in 2009 ?

A: Negotiations occur annually for field space in Palm Beach County. GKD works with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission staff as well as local venue operators to reserve space. “ SpringFling “ used Lake Lytal Park in West Palm Beach ( off Southern Boulevard, very close to the airport ) , Loggers Run Park in Boca Raton, Mirasol Park in Palm Beach Gardens, and Katz Park in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington’s Village Park. Negotiations continue for added field space for the event.

Q: How are practices scheduled ?

A: Practices may be scheduled directly with Gene DeLorenzo by email at gkdsportsvision@comcast.net . Deadline for submission of requests is December 1, although the earlier the better. Time blocks available in 2009 will be one hour, one and a half hours, or two hours per day. IF Space and time is available, requests for additional time may be included. GKD will guarantee two hours per day, more if space and time permit. Coaches should submit email request that includes the day of the week, the general time of day, and desired length. Specific times may be requested, but cannot be guaranteed. A tentative practice schedule will be sent to each school by December 31. Requests for adjustments required by January 15. Final practice schedule in hand by February 1. Teams are highly discouraged from changing practice dates or times once February 1 has passed and subsequent requests may not be granted.

Q: How are games scheduled ?

A: Coaches may call one another. Confirmation of eventual date, time, field are made through Gene DeLorenzo at GKD Sports. Deadline for scheduling games is December 1. Teams arrive at home/away, uniform colors by mutual decision. Game times are at 10 am, 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm unless special conditions are in effect. Game day priority is on a Monday – Friday basis, weekend games will only be scheduled under specific conditions. There will be an athletic trainer assigned to your game. Game dates and times will be published on the web on an ongoing basis and we will also release updated schedules through our internal email tree frequently. NOTE : In 2009, eventual price determination will be directly related to the number of games a team will play, so please be judicious about game scheduling and refer to the pricing structure as you schedule games.

Q: What kind of follow up do we receive after our game ?

A: GKD will have a full length digital imagery package for you following the game. Will record onto miniDV tape. The tape is valuable and able to be edited / reviewed on your home or office equipment. Quality of digital imagery is far superior to analog ( VHS ) and is an exciting addition to “ SpringFling “. Statistics will be provided in form of a complete box score. We are hopeful of using the official “ Stat Crew” software in 2009 with box score for the coaches as well as full, same-day reporting to college SIDs. GKD SportsVision is currently reviewing budgeting requirements as well as negotiating with site directors in order to be able to fully extend this courtesy to coaches.

Q: What do coaches need to provide prior to the game ?

A: A bit of a “ push “ on your college SID to help us have complete rosters well in advance of your game day. The earlier we have complete rosters, the more well prepared we can be come game day to have necessary templates in place for all of your statistical needs.

Q: How many officials for a game ?

A: All collegiate games will have three officials on the field. All of our officials are exceptionally well trained and carefully chosen to be at “ SpringFling “. Virtually all have their “ national “ ratings, the few “ districts “ we have on hand are at the top of their level of officiating prowess. Many of the prep/high school games will also have three officials.

Q: Is there water and ice available for games ?

A: Yes.

Q: How about practices ?

A: Virtually all practice sites will have water available. In most instances, ice will be provided. The logistics of maintaining a fresh supply of ice at every remote location are occasionally quite difficult. We recommend that teams bring along a cooler with ice if they sense a need for ice. Remember that the “ remote “ practice locations will actually be found quite close to the teams’ hotel; thus the need for ice on site may be diminished somewhat by the built-in reduction in travel time. Fill up a cooler with ice before departing hotel and the 21st. century need for ice can be accommodated.

Q: What is pre-game protocol ?

A: Standard NCAA procedure. Teams are allowed on field one hour prior to listed game start. Clock starts at 50:00. Captains at 5:00 ( on clock ), stick check at 0:00, followed by introductions and anthem. In event of previous game ( in event of a doubleheader format ) running long; teams will have a minimum of 45 minutes for warmup made available.

Q: What is allowed during game warmup ?

A: All activity allowed with exception of 7 v 7 in arc for five minutes, maximum. RATIONALE: Heavy activity caused during 7 v 7 can be very damaging to field area and cause for resultant problems with the opportunity to return to field site.

Q: Who should we call for auto rental assistance ?

A: Number One choice is Enterprise Rent A Car. ( 954-354-5149, ask for Lotty Munoz ). They provide the best service, pre event documentation, and speedy pick up and drop off. They rent up to 8 passenger vehicles at best pricing in area. We cannot guarantee matching level of service from any of the other service operators in the area. At both PBI and FLL they are located very close to terminal.

Q: How about housing assistance ?

A: Judy or Vicky at JBS Destination Solutions ( 561-296-0817 ). They have the connections necessary with local hoteliers to find you discounted rates on the rooms that are made available to SpringFling teams. We highly recommend that you make your calls very early in the process. Rooms at lower rates are in short supply and will disappear quickly. Check out www.globaljbs.com for listing of hotels and amenities. The Holiday Inn Lake Worth ( 561-968-5000 ) is another relatively low cost option. The Royal Inn in Royal Palm Beach ( 561-793-3000) is a low cost option that some schools select.

Q: What about condo options ?

A: They exist, but are difficult to reserve in advance on a 7 day basis. Most owners have 90 day minimums. GKD does have a few connections in place and coaches may call Gene DeLorenzo for further information.

Q: What is the weather like and are there nice beaches ?

A: Beaches are plentiful and public. Weather is usually in high 70’s and low 80’s in March. In 2006, there was one afternoon of rain, in 2007, the drought limited rainfall to one 15 minute downpour about halfway through the month. 2008 featured more rain; although only one game was cancelled and only a few practices were impacted by the sporadic rainfall.

Q: Are cell phones important to have at “ SpringFling “ ?

A: For the coaches, absolutely ! Call Gene DeLorenzo or Rick Nelson at any time, anywhere, for updates on scheduling, traffic, practices – anything at all. The new 1-800 Hot Line to the Palm Beach County Conventions Bureau for restaurant recommendations and discounted group pricing will also be a must for all coaches to use .

Q: What does the GKD fee pay for ?

A: Fields rental, video inventory, cameras, tapes, dvd’s, decks, lacrosse goals, paint, cones, tables, chairs, p a systems, phone, supplies, officials’ game fees, officials ‘ housing, officials’ travel, staff fees, staff housing, staff travel, staff per diem, postage, marketing costs, advertising, computer related costs, labor, auto rentals, storage costs, taxes, insurance, miscellaneous game costs, other.

Q: How much does it cost each player ?

A: That will vary. Depends upon your eventual Air Travel Cost ( if travelling by air ), ground transportation, housing, food costs and the GKD Fee. The GKD fee is the most constant number. We highly urge teams to use the auspices of companies we affiliate with ( such as All World Wide Travel, Enterprise, JBS Destination Solutions and My Sweet Dreams) to make it as affordable as possible to attend a spring training event like “ SpringFling “.

Q: Our baseball team travels South for less money, why does it cost more for women’s lacrosse ?

A: Baseball umpires are a dime a dozen, are local to the area, and cost very little to employ. Women’s lacrosse officials are a very specially talented group, and the best ones are in limited quantity. We have to have them to produce a quality product and we fly them in, house them, transport them on the ground and pay outstanding game fees. Another area is field rental; we rely on the good graces of local venue operators in the area to be kind to us. Their kindness comes at a price ! GKD has been at a “ break even “ point with the event for many years. There exists a need to more fully substantiate the efforts put into the event. We expect the 2009 pricing to be at the same as 2008. To be most cost effective, teams should look to schedule two games and several practices.

Q: It is our first trip to Palm Beach County, how do we get around ?

A: We will help you out as much as possible by providing maps and directions. We strongly urge using such internet features like www.mapquest.com to help out. With the use of search engines and your computer, almost all travel headaches can be taken care of in advance.

Q: Is the Director of the Event always available during the month of “ SpringFling “.

A: Yes. Absolutely.