Assignment task:
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) is an organization that was established in 1983 to promote professional growth of fastpitch softball coaches and advance the sport of fastpitch softball. It is an international organization with members from Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden, and the United States. The organization provides many services to its members, such as education programs, coaches' clinics, awards programs, camps, and tournaments. One of the tournaments the organization hosts is the Leadoff Classic for collegiate softball teams. Tournaments are arranged by division membership (there are separate tournaments for NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, Junior Colleges, and teams from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). These events attract some of the top teams from around the country for three days of high-level competition. One participant described it as being "like playing a national championship tournament right out of the gate." An example of one of these events was the 2018 Division III Leadoff Classic. Thirty-two teams participated over three days in March at Lincoln Park in Tucson, Arizona. In order to accommodate so many teams, games were played on eight fields with each field hosting four games per day (10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.). Each team played two games per day for a total of six games over the three days. Awards were provided to the championship team, runner-up, and all-tournament team.
Case Study Application:
Considering the number of athletes participating and the number of games played over the three days, making sure an event like this goes smoothly can be a daunting task. If you were running one of these events, you would want to deliver an excellent event so that participants, spectators, and sponsors would have a good impression of the NFCA and want to return to future Leadoff Classic Events. To this end, you would have to put in a lot of planning to make event day successful.
1. Regarding participants' experiences at the event, what would be specific examples of moments of truth? Based on these moments of truth, what services would you need to provide the teams in order to ensure a good experience for them? What information would it be necessary to provide participating teams?
2. It would be impossible for one person to manage all of the games and activities that need to take place, which means you would have to rely heavily on your staff. How would you make sure your staff provides a good experience for everyone involved?
3. The event also draws spectators. What would be your admissions policies? How can you effectively communicate with spectators at the event to make certain they enjoy their experience?
4. Events like these often rely on sponsors to cover costs and provide needed goods and services. How can you make sure sponsors are satisfied with their partnership with you and would want to renew for future events?