Yorktown Varsity Fastpitch Springbreak Trip Preview

Background
The Yorktown varsity softball team will travel to Myrtle Beach during spring break 2007 to compete in the Grande Strand Classic. The Classic is a commercial tournament run during the spring break weeks each year. The Tournament The tournament attracts a number of teams each year. The 2007 limit is 48 teams. Currently there are 25 registered. Teams are divided into 16-team groups with a champion from each grouping.
Teams
Here is a list of the teams registered for the week:
Allegany-Limestone; Northeastern; Barberton; Osbourn;  Brentsville; Osbourn Park;  Brookville; Perrysville; Daniel Boone;  Raceland
Dunkirk; Robinson ; Gar-Field ; University;  Greenville;  Valley Central;  Green;  Washington; Grove City;  Westerville Central
Inst. of Notre Dame;  Westerville North; Langley;  Yorktown; and Little Miami

I recognize teams from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and, no doubt, there are other states represented as well. (The entries tend to correspond to the schools that are on spring break that week.) Each 16-team group is divided into four four-team pools. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, the teams play pool games. On Thursday and Friday, the teams that finish first in their pools are matched in a four-team tournament for the championship, and the second, third and fourth place finishers are matched together in four-team, tow day tournaments as well. Teams play only one game each day (unless weather interferes with the schedule).
Lodging
We have reserved a block of suites at the Myrtle Beach Resort. Each suite has two bedrooms and also a sleep sofa. We plan to place four or five players in each suite. According to its website, Myrtle Beach Resort is an oceanfront condominium resort that includes:
750 feet of white sandy beach
24-hour security
4 outdoor pools
Convenience store and deli
2 indoor pools
Poolside snack bar
4 lighted tennis courts
4 whirlpools
 Lazy river water park
 Oceanfront cabana bar
3 health spas
Basketball, volleyball and shuffleboard courts
Complimentary Wi-Fi
It sounds too good to be true! For more information about the resort, check out is website at http://www.beach-condo.org/ The team has reserved seven rooms for players and coaches. I believe that Shirley Bloomfield has reserved some additional rooms for parents and fans. Please contact her if you plan to stay at the resort.
Travel
We plan to travel to Myrtle Beach in three seven-passenger minivans. We will leave Yorktown High School on Sunday, April 1, 2006 at 8am and depart for our trip home at approximately the same time on Saturday, April 7, 2006. We still need a third to drive one of the vans and also could probably use some help in transporting equipment. It could get quite crowded if we had to transport our traveling party, team luggage, and team equipment in the three vans.
Costs
Anticipating a certain amount of fundraising already scheduled, we estimate per player costs of under $350. This includes the tournament entry fee, lodging, some team meals, and transportation. Players will want to bring additional money for meals, entertainment, gifts, and souvenirs. Additional fundraising can lower this amount. There is potential scholarship money so that costs should not be an impediment. If you need financial assistance, please let me know in confidence.
Travel Party
Our tentative plans are to travel with a party of 17 players and three coaches. Returning varsity players should let me know by January 15 if they plan to make the trip. We will collect refundable payments of the total by that date.