10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5

[Country Girl 43]

AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!

Ok that felt better. Now I can get back to work!!

If any of you remember that I run a youth sports league, then you know that the Fall season is getting ready to begin and I have to deal with a bunch of MOORONS that can't read or listen!!! :whack:

We have over 500 registered this season..... and of course everybody does not know how to read the website!!! They call and ask stupid questions when all the answers are right on the website and we sent out numerous e-mails explaining things in detail AND to check the website!!! ugh!!!!!

Here's the most common calls we are getting right now... (keep in mind our registration closed 3 weeks ago)

"Hello, I just tried to register my son. I see that your website says registration is CLOSED, but I really wanted to get my son on a team. When I tried to register it wouldn't let me. Can you call me back and tell me how to get my son registered?"

I get this same exact call at least 5 times a day! And the website states NO LATE REGISTRATION!! :whack:

[dame_wolf]

Don't call them back. It clearly states no late registration and you can't give them a late registration. Remember, 'Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.' Harsh but true.

[dame_wolf]

Sorry, guess I'm just in a bad mood today...

[JackieB]

You go through this every year. :)

My wife gave me a good bit of advice along these lines once. I was complaining about a person in my job before me who left the job a total mess for me to spend the better part of a year cleaning up. My wife said "Don't forget, if she hadn't left the job, you wouldn't have gotten it yourself." Good point.

So, I guess I would try to say "Without these parents, the ones who follow the rules and the ones who don't, I wouldn't have a business that provides me with the opportunity to take care of Nico and Chy, and pursue my love of horses."

I know it's hard. Sometimes impossible. But it does help me when I get frustrated.

[vicklynn]

Ya, well hit them with a stick for me too....dumb butts.
I bet nice is not what your thinking while your talking nice to them.
UGH.
I have say, dont answer the phone, let the machine get it, and dont return the calls that are stupid like that.
Also, on your machine, put on there, no late registrations allowed, and tell them due to your schedule, you will not be able to answer all the calls, to please check the web site, that all questions can be answered there.
Sift through and return the calls on the ones you want.

[Country Girl 43]

Dame Wolf... LOL you are funny! My thoughts exactly, but I usually have some choice words to scream AFTER I have hung up the phone. Thank God my kids are back in school, because some of the words that I scream out loud are not very nice and sends the dogs running for the corners...

JackieB- Yes, I know what you mean. ;) I think of that EVERY day and make sure that when I do talk with people I have a smile on my face even if it is over the phone. What drives me crazy is we have THREE seasons every year. And this happens EVERY season. I will have to go through this again in December and then again in March! And this is only the registration process..... next the wave of calls will start coming in that their practice is too far and they want to switch teams. Then the next wave of calls is.... I don't like the game times, can you switch the game times to accomodate MY schedule... um yeah, and disrupt the other 499 players just for you.... suuuurre!

So you can see where my frustration comes in.... it's not just at the begining of the season, it lasts for about 5 weeks, then settles down and then we start all over again. :crazy: I keep telling myself I LOVE MY JOB, I LOVE MY JOB!...

VickLynn...here's the funny part... I do EVERYTHING you mentioned and they still call! Yep, I sift through the calls and get back to the coaches or current players, then I do call the other people back and let them know all the teams are full, BUT we will be opening registration for our winter season soon and they are welcome to sign up then. Of course they don't want to hear that!

Ugh, I guess it is just the nature of the beast.... YOUTH SPORTS!!!

I originally started this league for my kids, so that I could be with them in all their sports and guarantee that either myself or my husband would be coaching them. I was sick and tired of the crappy sports leagues we had around here, so I started my own. Our very first season 6 years ago we had 144 kids sign up. Now with both sports Soccer and Flag Football, we have over 600 kids each and every season! :eek: We had 1000 kids last year but that was too much work, so I put a cap on the amount of players I could handle each season. That cap is supposed to be 500, but I get a soft spot and let more kids sign up...LOL

The funny part is, Nico is now too old to play in my league and Chy doesn't play sports anymore cuz she is into the horses and music. :) So now it's just a job and sometimes it does get in the way of me being able to watch some of Nico's sports since he has to be in different leagues. :( But like JackieB stated, it does pay the bills and help us to keep and care for the horses. :)

[AUEquine]

The scary part to this is that these are the parents! Not teenagers or preteens, but parents. They're supposed to be the responsible ones! I know we all get busy and miss something now and then, but I'm not going to call and harass someone else over my own mistake!
I'd recomend getting some parents involved to help the organizing and planning, but I saw how that can go sour with our volleyball leagues. The parents that get involved are usually the ones that will try to stear the program to only benifit them, and it all ends up a bigger mess than it started!

Well best of luck to you, and when stressed... just go sit on a horse!

[vicklynn]

Oh my, what is up with the parents then? Gesh folks, READ, the READ and UNDERSTAND.

Thats to bad about what AUEquine said. I mean, to have help would be great, but to have them try and steer the program is not.

[Country Girl 43]

I just make sure I have a few beers at the end of the day and all is usually fine. However, because this is my baby, I tend to take things more personally than if it was "just a job". I wish I could find some competant help. I have one gal that does help with several things, but she also works a regular job, so of course that takes priority. But she is a BIG help and her calm behavior helps to keep me calmed down most of the time...LOL