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I have been bombarded with many
questions and have compiled a list of answers. If your question is not
here or not clear call me at -
416 694-9284 or 416 219-7469 cell
Wayne Crowley - mailto:SloPitchFun@aol.com
PS - if you would like these answers in a Msword.doc or some other
format for printing out - let me know.
What airline do we travel with?
A Toronto/Cuba hassle
free, Direct Charter flight on Royal Airlines, starts the
party rolling way before we get to Cuba, with free alcoholic drinks,
food, headphone and movies. No costs here!
We will depart early
6:00 -7:00 a.m. on February 10/01 to arrive in Varadero before 11:00
a.m. and transfer to the hotel to continue the festivities. After we
establish our rooms, there will be a local orientation and turn you
loose for the rest of the day and night. The Sunday morning meeting may
come early for many of you! A complete agenda is available upon request.
Is there any possibility of a last minute cost increase?
Once you have paid
in full, there will
be no increase. This is a particularly important point this year since
the cost of fuel is rising so quickly that fuel surcharges are a real
possibility.
If the character does not go, do we get all our money back
(including the resort portion)?
You would get all your
money back, but the plane has to go!
The airline has 2 jobs, pickup and delivery. Even if the plane
was empty it still has to go to pick up last weeks guest from the
resort. Their obligation is to pick up passengers in Toronto and take
them to the resort. Once at the resort they pick up last week's guess
and bring them back to Toronto.
Royal Airlines is a major Canadian charter with many aircraft. They
adjust the size of the plane to suit the number of passengers being
picked up or delivered. There was a small scheduling problem recently,
when Ross was in Cuba. To solve this, Canada 3000 simply put on a bigger
aircraft to cover for them. Of course there can be delays in the winter
but the airline is more desperate than to keep their Cuba schedule than
you are.
How many stars is the hotel?
The accommodation, which
is nice but not spectacular, is 3.5 rated. The resort's food, facilities
and service definitely deserve a 4+ rating. To find out more, check out
the website at www.superclubs.cu
Slo-Pitch
information
What level are the teams that we are playing (roughly)?
From the Canadian side,
this is uncertain until enough teams sign up to give us the picture. I
expect this to happen by the end of October or beginning of November.
Once signed, we will match the teams or players as best we can. However,
we do it, it will be a fun time!
There are three Cuban teams from various hotels who feel up to the
Challenge. These fellows are hotel employees and play in a regular Cuban
league, much the way we do here. I am trying to find out their skill
level, it may be trial and error as Slo-Pitch is new to them. If they
are too good, we may have to pick an All-star team from our Canadian
group to take them down. Don't get too serious and keep in mind a Fun
Holiday, rather than trying to beat them. You will get more from your
holiday by integrating with the Cubans. It is
not them and us - It is the opportunity to share and learn from each
other through a Mutually Shared Sport.
Since this is the first
year, Divisions are difficult to pick just yet, because the number of
Travel teams will be much less than a local tournament of 50 to 200
teams. I suspect we will be in the range of 8 to 10 teams of
varying skill levels and will Tailor
our package to suit.
The main objective is to provide a Winter Holiday away from the snow, to
which we will add some ball and Slo-Pitch recognition as an add-on, to
the many existing FUN opportunity the resort already provides. The
Puntarena Super-Club resort is a large part of this event and our
success is important to them.
We intend to make this an annual event. When the first year's people
come home, they will become the Cuba games ambassador's, by spreading
the word of a good time had by all. I suspect the 2001 season will fill
up quickly (at least our lead time will be reasonable). For the
following years we will layout the division on the front end as it is
normally done and have the teams sign up for their level of choice
When I say on the flyer, be a pioneer and lead the way to Slo-Pitch
Cuba. It is no shallow statement. Another neat word is Flexibility. Be
flexible and let the Fun come through. Some of the organization will
take place day to day as things develop. You can look at this as not so
good, or let if be enjoyed as part of the Excitement of the First Cuba
Games. If you choose the later, then I know you will be right in there,
side by side, proudly helping to lead the way for others to follow.
How do you divide up the
players?
For instants, I play Men's B and play 1st Base. Will I be on a team of
my own caliber and playing 1st?
Some people will sign up as teams or partial teams and some as
individuals. Through, a questionnaire and phone conferencing we will
attempt to match teams and players or build teams. If we have 3-4 strong
teams then we have a competitive division and they would have their own
divisional tournament. If most players are more recreational in nature
then, it would make sense to balance the teams with some strong players
and some less skilled or masters players.
You are a strong player and although you play 1st-base on a competitive
B team, you could probably play most or more positions on an E team. I'm
not displacing you and will make every attempt to accommodate your first
choice and position of play. (I wouldn't make a decision without you and
your full consent.) I am just making this point.
On a recreational Co-ed team, I play Shortstop and they think I'm good.
(Little do they know.) When I move to men's recreational they send me to
the field (short doesn't cut it anymore). If I move up a division in
men's, they send me to catch and hope I can hit line drive singles (then
when I make it to first, they get me a runner). So, going up the ladder
drops off and narrows quickly. Dropping down in levels expands the
opportunity to comfortably play more positions.
How many players make a Roster
A complete roaster
would be 10 or more players (You can field a team with 9 minimum). Don't
get bogged down on this issue because we can help! There will be
individuals signing on for the trip and you can pickup players from the
player pool to make up the team. (A roster form will be sent to you when
you register as a traveler.)
Deadline
This resort sells out
early and February is the peek travel time. We can only guarantee resort
vacancy until mid November. It is crucial to get names
and deposits in before Mid November (now). We don't want to miss this
opportunity. So if you have a partial roster get it in and add to as we
go.
Will some people play on more than one team if necessary?
Normally, a person can
play on more than one team if they wish to, but cannot be on 2 teams in
the same division. The second team has to be in another division. For
instance, they can play in a Masters division and also play on a Co-ed
or a men's team. These are all different divisions.
How many of the seven days will we be playing baseball? (Roughly)
A minimum of 3 games
are needed and will take place over 2 or 3 days. This leaves time for
people to enjoy other resort activities or spend time with spouses and
friends. We will try to avoid mid day heat by having morning and late
afternoon games.
For those that want more ball
(besides the 3 scheduled games) we will have pickup, Recreational, and
some Co-ed games available to balance out and provide a skill level for
all to enjoy and to let other guests into the sport and become part of
us.
What about uniforms?
There is no uniform
rule and if you have your own, that is fine. Also, it is OK to enter
your team under the existing name. Otherwise, I think we will take care
of this and provide a Team shirt so your Players will have matching
tops. This will most likely will go by colours (red, blue, white) and
you can make up your own handle - like the "Green Machine",
the "Black Knights", "Blue Ice", "Frosty
Whites", "Glitter Gold's", or anything your team will
agree on.
Will spectators have to pay to watch the game? (My wife that is!)
Hell No - Absolutely
not! They will get the same transportation and privileges as the rest of
us. If not actually watching the games, your friends may enjoy walking
through the two towns we play at, Varadero and Cardenes.
We are to visit a Professional baseball game. Is it in Havana?
No - Matanzas.
What are the Prizes?
The prizes are simple
in nature, no cash rewards. The Winners will each receive a small trophy
up to 14 players. We are hoping to have a bigger trophy that will stay
at the resort with subsequent winners' names being added each year.
SPN shirts for sure and other donations are yet to come. So, more on
this later.
All participants will receive a team T-shirt, a professional photo of
your team and attend the banquet.
Cost
Questions
My wife might go with me & she doesn't play slow pitch. What
is her price?
The price is the same
for everyone and is a good value regardless, if you play ball or not. If
you check, you will find the cost of this trip to be $20.00 less, than
if you booked the same resort (without softball) through Sun Quest.
I know we are use to paying extra for our ball games. However, the ball
portion is sponsored by the Puntarena Super-Club (& some volunteers)
and is a free inclusion in their Feb 10-17/01 package. Their objective
is to attract people to the resort by offering something the others do
not. That is where I come in - and hopefully you too.
We continue to look for programs & events to accommodate the
non-players. The resort has a ton of things to do, including a tour of
Veradero. However, we are evaluating other ideas to add to these and at
present are investigating the possibility of a Cruise for
non-participants. Again, trying to provide a little something the others
don't have.
What is the single occupancy price?
The resort will
guarantee you a roommate of the same sex, but if you wish to have your
own room, add $350 to the cost.
Does this price include travel to & from the airport and the
hotel?
Absolutely! Also, to
the ball stadiums or other places we may go.
Does this price include taxes?
YES - and gratuities
as well! The only
cost missing is 20.00 $US Cuban departure tax (for all visitors). This
is not included, as the agency is not allowed to prepay this levy. This
is the same situation, everywhere for all travelers.
Does this price include the alcoholic bar drinks?
Yes, it is true! All
local alcoholic drinks are included with 6 bars at your beckon call. On
this trip, you can eat and drink for free until you throw up!
Golf
Questions
The
FREE Golf, is it unlimited?
One round per day
based on availability - the sooner you book, the better your tee off
time.
How far is the golf course from the hotel?
About 10
minutes by cab at a shared cost of 10.00 $US per cab (each way).
Is the caddy and cart mandatory?
The Caddie is
Optional and available at a 10.00 $US cost, if you choose to use one.
Carts are mandatory up
until 1-PM only. After this time, it is an Option. If you elect to use a
cart the cost is 22.00 $US for a two person cart. If not using a cart
book afternoon tee off times.
What extra facilities are available at the Golf Course?
The old Dupont
mansion in Cuba is worth a visit. Golf Clubs storage and a locker is
included. The opportunity to play with Cuban members may be possible,
driving range, putting green and chipping practice
I want to take my
own Clubs
- What is the travel arrangement?
Golf clubs count as one of two
bags but with such a large group or even amongst your own friends, there
is a good chance someone has only one bag. Check in as a group and there
should be enough bags allowance.
We checking into a request for some excess baggage allowance (or maybe
at a reduced price).
Payment Method?
Payments can be
credit cards (Visa, Master Card, Amex) or cheques. If using a card, the
charge will appear on your statement as, "Signature Tours". If
paying by phone with a card, Please, ask them to mark your payment to
the attention of Wayne Crowley Slo-Pitch Tournament.
Where do I send my checks?
Attention:
Wayne Crowley
Slo-Pitch Tournament
The Travel Edge
Suite 210
14 Prince Arthur Avenue
Toronto, ON, M5R 1A9
Information numbers
Wayne
Crowley
(Slo-Pitch) 416 694-9284 416 219-7469
Ross Greenwood
1 877 935-2660
Resort lesion. Ross is the Travel Rep who did all the Cuba legwork on
this package and will be going with us to Cuba to make sure all goes
well.
Travel Edge Agency in Toronto 416 923-4047 800 862-7057
Is there a travel contract or agreement to be signed?
I didn't really
understand this question. So, whoever asked me - Ask me again. I guess I
missed the point. I don't know of any travel or ball contract (the Blue
Jays maybe, not us). There is a roster form for those signing as teams
and this will be given to you, when you make your deposit.
On the application and itinerary form there is a liability clause, which
travelers subscribe to once the trip deposit is made. Since this is not
a professional tournament (amateur), they will be covered under their
insurance policy with us (the Travel Edge)
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