$49 fee for USATT membership

We held a tournament recently and I tried to sign up some newbies as well as players that haven't played in a tournament in a few years. One of the main problems though for them was having to pay that $49 for the USATT membership. I guess you can do a 1-time playing permit if you've never played in a tournament, but for the players that had played in a tournament even if it had been a few years, they don't get to purchase that permit...they have to pay the full $49 for the adult membership. As a result the 2 players I tried to sign up didn't do it.I wish the USATT would have some other options for those people that are new or only play in 1 tournament a year. Maybe you could pay $15 fee per tournament if your membership is expired. That way if you only play 1 or 2 tournaments a year it might be a little more appealing. Any thoughts on any other options the USATT could offer?

Just out of curiosity, did having the tournament sanctioned increase participation or in some way improve the event?

I really think that $49 per year is too much. I think USATT has to think of the bigger picture. Make a membership cost $25. This has a ripple effect more. More people will join (a positive). More people will participate in tournament and pay tournament fees (a positive). More people will possibly join clubs (a positive) More people buy into the sports is a positive. I think the amount of memberships would increase and tournament participation would increase, thus the sport grows. I know at least 5-10 players who asked me about playing tournaments and as soon as I mention the $49 membership fee, they instantly shut down.

jt99sf wrote: The USATT should offer a monthly Tournament pass.   Happy that I bought my Lifetime Pass before they increase it to $200 from $150.

Baal wrote: USATT can't develop the sport without money.  I get that.  I just don't feel like we as players and members are getting much return for our money.

Pushdeep wrote: $49 includes 12 issues of the USATT magazine and a sticker. I think it's not bad. I think they should work out a deal with clubs and retailers (doesn't have to be TT retailers) for discounts.

ZApenholder wrote: So, say I visit USA, and play in a sanctioned tournament. I will need to pay $49?

Edited by Toprank - 11/14/2013 at 4:12pm

ZApenholder wrote: So, say I visit USA, and play in a sanctioned tournament. I will need to pay $49?

No, if you only visit once you can pay the one-time fee of $10 to play in tourney.

assiduous wrote: We have many players in the club that never play tournaments because of the initial fee. It's kind of a shame

skip3119 wrote: Rating Fee is $7.  (used to be $3).

Actually, there no longer is a "Rating Fee."  It is now a "Tournament Processing Fee."  The change was made to recognize that the fee is being collected to do more than finance the ratings calculations. 

The change was made in lieu of increasing membership fees.  Nonetheless, membership fees were also increased a short time later.

jt99sf wrote: skip3119 wrote: Rating Fee is $7.  (used to be $3). Yes,  it costs more now to press the 'Enter' key.

berkeleydoctor wrote: what club are you at?

hookumsnivy wrote: Honestly, the fees are ridiculous.

It's the cost of having a sport that doesn't attract sponsors.  Take away the fees and the organization probably just goes away. 

I don't have the numbers in front of me, but last time I looked Membership fees accounted for something like 33% of the USATT's income and is the largest chunk that doesn't have a nearly same size offsetting expense. 

I agree that the benefits of membership are not proportionate to the cost.  Essentially, you are donating money to support TT in the U.S.  Given that people seem to happily spend well more than $49 to cover one side of their racket with rubber, I, personally, don't find giving that kind of support particularly bothersome. 

wturber wrote: hookumsnivy wrote: Honestly, the fees are ridiculous.  Essentially, you are donating money to support TT in the U.S.  Given that people seem to happily spend well more than $49 to cover one side of their racket with rubber, I, personally, don't find giving that kind of support particularly bothersome.

Edited by Toprank - 11/14/2013 at 8:58pm

jt99sf wrote: berkeleydoctor wrote: what club are you at? SF Lawton TT Club.

I find it peculiar that tt clubs in US seem to have so many oriental players among their members.
it seems as though tt did not really get to the local crowd and people playing are mainly those who came from east and probably knew and liked tt before.