Austin Tryouts

[MR34]

Hi does anyone know when the Turfcarts will be hosting thier player tryouts?

[Caballo Diablo]

I don't want to comment on items that haven't been publically released yet.

contact: J. Ronald Oswalt
Vice President/General manager
866-969-8228
turfcats@gmail.com

Thanks for your interest.

[ronaldoswalt]

This info will be released soon, we expect a great turnout by responses. Look at turfcats.com and it should be up soon.

[Caballo Diablo]

Austin Turfcats Tryouts Planned For Hutto

January 15, 2009
Media contact: J. Ronald Oswalt 866-969-8228 (TCAT)
turfcats@gmail.com

Austin – In a continuing effort to add talent and strive for an SIFL championship, the Austin Turfcats of the Southern Indoor Football League have scheduled a free agent tryout camp on Saturday, January 24, 2009. The tryout camp will be held at Hutto High School in Hutto, Texas. The camp will be under the direction of Turfcats Head Coach Chris Duliban and his coaching staff.

The format will consist of a variety of physical tests, including the 40 yard dash, 20 yard shuttle and the standing long jump. Participants will be timed and measured in all of these events. After an evaluation of each participant’s times and scores, the group will be reduced to a number of individuals who will be asked to participate in select physical drills. Another evaluation will leave the remaining to participate in skill drills which are related to Indoor Football. There will not be any contact drills.

The cost of the camp is $50 cash per individual. Registration will begin promptly at 9:00 am until 10:00 am. A thirty minute period of supervised warm-up drills will follow. Testing will begin at 10:30 am.

The camp is open to anyone who has completed their college eligibility and is physically able to perform the drills. A waiver and release form will be signed by all participants stating that they are physically able to participate and not hold the Austin Turfcats liable for any injury suffered during the camp.

Participants need to provide their own workout attire. Shorts and t-shirts along with turf or tennis shoes are recommended for the camps. Rubber molded football cleats no longer than one half inch will be permitted for tryouts. Metal football cleats are absolutely forbidden and you will not be allowed to participate.

Participation in the free-agent camp is not an offer of employment but merely an evaluation. The Austin Turfcats are not responsible for travel or lodging expenses. Food will not be provided.

If you have any questions, please contact the Austin Turfcats General Manager Ronald Oswalt at roswalt@turfcats.com.

[Caballo Diablo]

REMINDER

The Austin Turfcats will be holding open tryouts in Hutto, Texas on Saturday -- Several players from ut and texas state will be in attendance great story and photo opportunity.

For those of you not familiar with the area;
Starting at I-35 and Hwy 79 in Round Rock

Exit from I-35 at Hwy 79, this is the next exit North of FM 620 and South of FM 3406.
Go East on Hwy 79, as you pass Toll Road 130 Hutto High School will be on your right at the corner of Hwy 79 and FM 685.

Attention all future Austin Turfcats -- Please have both of these forms completed prior to your tryouts

- Forms can be downloaded here for Tryout Waiver and Tryout Bio -
http://turfcats.com/fan-zone/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Austin Turfcats Tryouts Planned For Hutto
January 15, 2009
Media contact: J. Ronald Oswalt 866-969-8228 (TCAT)
turfcats@gmail.com

Austin – In a continuing effort to add talent and strive for an SIFL championship, the Austin Turfcats of the Southern Indoor Football League have scheduled a free agent tryout camp on Saturday, January 24, 2009. The tryout camp will be held at Hutto High School in Hutto, Texas. The camp will be under the direction of Turfcats Head Coach Chris Duliban and his coaching staff.

The format will consist of a variety of physical tests, including the 40 yard dash, 20 yard shuttle and the standing long jump. Participants will be timed and measured in all of these events. After an evaluation of each participant’s times and scores, the group will be reduced to a number of individuals who will be asked to participate in select physical drills. Another evaluation will leave the remaining to participate in skill drills which are related to Indoor Football. There will not be any contact drills.

The cost of the camp is $50 cash per individual. Registration will begin promptly at 9:00 am until 10:00 am. A thirty minute period of supervised warm-up drills will follow. Testing will begin at 10:30 am.

The camp is open to anyone who has completed their college eligibility and is physically able to perform the drills. A waiver and release form will be signed by all participants stating that they are physically able to participate and not hold the Austin Turfcats liable for any injury suffered during the camp.

Participants need to provide their own workout attire. Shorts and t-shirts along with turf or tennis shoes are recommended for the camps. Rubber molded football cleats no longer than one half inch will be permitted for tryouts. Metal football cleats are absolutely forbidden and you will not be allowed to participate. Participation in the free-agent camp is not an offer of employment but merely an evaluation. The Austin Turfcats are not responsible for travel or lodging expenses. Food will not be provided.

If you have any questions, please contact the Austin Turfcats General Manager Ronald Oswalt at roswalt@turfcats.com.

Great locations are still available for the 2009 season! Act now to reserve the best seats. Call a Season Sales Representative today at 866-969-8228 (TCAT) to reserve your seats today. The Austin Turfcats are committed to being a premier team in the Southern Indoor Football League and being involved in the community for which we serve.

For more information or get photos for media outlets or to get your 2008 Austin Turfcats season tickets, contact the Turfcats office at (866) 969-8228 (TCAT) or by electronic mail at roswalt@turfcats.com

[sportznut]

looking forward to this,Indoor Football season is getting closer

[nksports]

The undersigned acknowledges that the Austin Turfcats and Turfcats Sports and Entertainment, LLC. does not offer Workman’s Compensation as this team does not hire employees to play indoor football. All coaches and players are independent contractors who perform a skill less than ten hours each week throughout the 2009 season and that this is a seasonal part time business for all coaches and players. No employment contracts are issued.

The first point is what landed the EIFL in hot water (although in this team's defense, the EIFL did promise insurance).

I don't know about specific laws in Texas above and beyond the state and federal laws I'm used to, but to claim independent contractor status, the said player would likely have to provide his own uniform, provide his own equipment i.e. balls., etc.

The general rule is that an individual is an independent contractor if you, the person for whom the services are performed, have the right to control or direct only the result of the work and not the means and methods of accomplishing the result.

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99921,00.html

The final point means a player could leave for another team in the league or another league without any penalty to the player or the other team signing him.

I would hope the team would at least offer catastrophic injury insurance as well as medical treatment for injured players, otherwise a player could get really messed up. Again, see EIFL.

[NatePreds05]

The first point is what landed the EIFL in hot water (although in this team's defense, the EIFL did promise insurance).

I don't know about specific laws in Texas above and beyond the state and federal laws I'm used to, but to claim independent contractor status, the said player would likely have to provide his own uniform, provide his own equipment i.e. balls., etc.



http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99921,00.html

The final point means a player could leave for another team in the league or another league without any penalty to the player or the other team signing him.

I would hope the team would at least offer catastrophic injury insurance as well as medical treatment for injured players, otherwise a player could get really messed up. Again, see EIFL.

This is low for the SIFL if they are not going to issue contracts or give their players insurance. That is stooping to NIFL and EIFL status for sure. I hope all players for SIFL teams understand they will not be insured or under any contract.

If they are not on any contract, how is there any guarantee of getting paid?

[nksports]

One more thing that came to mind about independent contractor status; does the team provide away-game transportation?

I hope these things (insurance requirements and such) aren't why the Swashbucklers left the IFL. That would be reaching into their NIFL roots.

[phydeaux72]

One more thing that came to mind about independent contractor status; does the team provide away-game transportation?

I hope these things (insurance requirements and such) aren't why the Swashbucklers left the IFL. That would be reaching into their NIFL roots.

I'm glad that some people are FINALLY catching on!

[indoor fan]

Phydeaux should worry more about the bankruptcy filling IFL teams, than the SIFL.

[daytonadan]

I'm glad that some people are FINALLY catching on!

Brandon

Please be professional and focus on your own efforts. Thanx.

[exit322]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the "independent contractor" status wouldn't hold up in court. To truly be ICs players would be able to negotiate individually whatever practice schedules they want, as well as game schedules. The fact this isn't true probably makes them employees. It's an interesting idea and certainly one worth investigating, but I don't think the end result is in favor here.

[raidermac10]

That said brandon is just fine with the ifl!!and the frisco thunder was not on our schedule or with us on the 09 season cause of obvious reasons that are comming out in the press now!! No harm to our league just shows that we will not just let a team limp in to the best league next to the nfl !!!!the pipe dream of the sifl has started to reveal it,s delusion by having no player contracts therefore not insuring them on two fronts their money!!!! And more importantly their health!!! So the semi pro lets get by on a wing and a prayer set fourth by its founder mr tom hager who built this model from the spector of going dark as an alternative is in full swing !!!good lord !!!!!!!!! Next question please!

[Caballo Diablo]

Phydeaux should worry more about the bankruptcy filling IFL teams, than the SIFL.
The Indoor people love to accuse the Arena Fans of trashing the Indoor leagues. From what I've seen the Indoor people trash each other far more that the the Arena people ever have.

I have never in my life seen such unprofessional infighting between a group of businessmen. When you look around the empty barns you play in and wonder why, it might not be the games themselves the masses are avoiding but the unprofessional bush league actions of the people financing the sport.

It's really a good thing not many fans come here, this is embarrassing.
If all that effort was put in to promoting the sport in a positve light and worry about your own concerns the sport might get more respect.

No need to bash, it's more productive to raise the standards of your own teams and leagues instead of lowering yourself to the level of what you seem to complain about.

[WalltoWall]

Funny how it continues to tout itself as the best league in the country and its main marketing ploy seems to be to badmouth the other leagues.

I for one think the Turfcats are taking the right approach. The reality is playing for teams in any of these leagues in not full time employment (the only one was the AFL and you see where it got them). Really paying the players (if they get paid) to perform in a game is really nothing more then hiring a band, the circus, etc. to perform in the Arena. At least they are being up front, unlike 90% of the teams in this business. They are basically saying we will pay you to play, but you will not be an employee of the company. I also think the league is being comfortable with what it is. It is a regional, minor league indoor football league. As opposed to a lot these owners who act like they are major league, promise a lot to the players, don't deliver and the reality is they are not the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, or even the CFL for that matter. Fred Jackson gets mentioned, but he is one of probably 100,000 players that played indoor football. You have better chances with the lottery.

So be up front with the players. We're going to play some ball, because you love it. We're not the Cowboys, Giants, heck even the Raiders would be a blip on the Bills butt when it comes to organizations, so lets just play some football and have some fun in front of hometown fans.

[Bruiser]

I agree, and truthfully, I dont think a majority of these indoor teams have adequate insurance anyway. The number of stories I hear about denied claims is staggering. And that included the AFL!

Now I know that's not any different than what the common joe is put through by their own insurance companies, I understand the inx industry relies on deny, deny, deny as a tactic to frustrate people to the point of giving up on a claim, so why not stop the BS and just tell the players up front what they will (or will not) be provided? Sounds reasonable to me.

[sportznut]

No bashing here. I have in my hand, the SIFL players contract that ALL players must sign and teams must return to the league office before their players are considered active. This is a document that was drawn up by the SIFL lawyers and is a binding contract.



I will again state, the SIFL is not competing against the IFL or any other League. We wish nothing but success to ALL Leagues, it only makes the sport stronger as a whole! Our focus and commitment is to our team, players, fans and communities. I personally would not be associated with the SIFL if i did not believe in the success and the positive outcome it will have.

[sportznut]

For the record!

ALL players MUST be covered by each team BEFORE the step on to the turf. Each team MUST have Workman's Compensation or Catastrophic insurance as the players well being comes BEFORE profits.

The SIFL insists on player coverage as we seek safety first before entertainment. Any contrary statements are unsubstantiated and deserve no additional attention.

[Bruiser]

Unsubstantiated? It's in black & white in one of the SIFL team's waiver forms!

If it is contradictory to the league requirements, then that T-cat tryout waiver
should be re-worded. It sounds like if one makes the team, they will NOT be
covered under ANY workman's comp policy and are considered as simply a hired
hand with no additional benefits.

What you say and what the waiver implies are two different things.

[Caballo Diablo]

Is the waiver just for covering the Tryout?
Once they make the team and sign a contract to play will it be different?

[exit322]

Well, yeah, that's a good point. If the waiver just covers the tryout, that's standard operating procedure. Always good, too, to get legal help in creating those sorts of documents.

[sportznut]

Is the waiver just for covering the Tryout?
Once they make the team and sign a contract to play will it be different?



That is all that registration form was, a waiver for tryouts... Players have a SIFL contract to sign when they make a team.

Back when i helped run Rec basketball leagues, we had all participants sign a waiver, that was like this.

[nksports]

No need to bash ...
The undersigned acknowledges that the Austin Turfcats and Turfcats Sports and Entertainment, LLC. does not offer Workman’s Compensation as this team does not hire employees to play indoor football. All coaches and players are independent contractors who perform a skill less than ten hours each week throughout the 2009 season and that this is a seasonal part time business for all coaches and players. No employment contracts are issued.
According to this, the team offers no contracts for either players or coaches period.
I'm not bashing for the sake of bashing. I have no financial or other interests in any league or team. I have seen games in four leagues now (five this spring). No one has been totally or vastly superior to any others (with the exception of the APFL, which is what it is).
I am for the protection of players. Players have been killed in indoor football. The proper insurance protects the player and it protects the team. I would think if a player was seriously injured under IC status, the team could be sued outright.
Providing certified trainers and medical personnel is only ethical and moral when asking players to risk their bodies for this sport.
If a league or team is not up to the task or protecting its players, then perhaps the prospective owners and executives should find something else to do.
A player contract protects both the team and the player. It secures the team the rights to that player for the time it is in effect (one season contracts are pretty much the norm in indoor football). Without a contract, a player could walk out and play for a different team (or in a different league) and the team would have no recourse. I don't even see how playing without a contract saves a team money, unless the team has no intention of paying the player. Under this no-contract stuff, a coach could walk out, take his playbook with him (remember as an IC, he would own it, not the team) and go join an opposing squad the week before the game.
The other leagues have their problems. I've seen 2 1/2 leagues go under, all justified. While it would have been nice if the Swashbucklers stayed in the IFL, I could understand it for geographical reasons. Most of these leagues have started out reasonably, but people have gotten delusions of grandeur, thinking they have to be coast to coast.
There are a lot of petty reasons for bashing in minor league sports, but the way a team or league proposes to treat its players, especially if that treatment is less than professional, then the bash it legit.
Yes, many amateur teams require a player carry insurance before being allowed to participate, but there is a difference between a rec league and a professional league.
If that makes me, as Spiro Agnew once said, "a nattering nabob of negativisim," so be it.
I'm a man and I can take not being the most popular cheerleader at the junior prom. If I cross the line on the boards, the moderators will slap my wrist and I'm man enough to take that punishment.
But I will say, the casual fan when reading in the daily news that player x was hurt at the game and was not taken care of because the team has no provision for it, will not support the team (unless they were looking for some sort of gladitorial games).

Here endeth the rant.

[Caballo Diablo]

According to this, the team offers no contracts for either players or coaches period.
I'm not bashing for the sake of bashing. I have no financial or other interests in any league or team. I have seen games in four leagues now (five this spring). No one has been totally or vastly superior to any others (with the exception of the APFL, which is what it is).

My quote you used saying "NO NEED TO BASH........" was taken out of context. It wasn't about the questioning of the contracts and waivers.
It was about all of the owner/front office staff using this forum as smackdown hate for other teams/leagues.

I came here from ArenaBall with the intention of becoming an IndoorBall supporter and try to learn a few things about this segment of the sport.
What I've learned is many people across the differing leagues seem to dislike each other stronger then the ARENA vs INDOOR debate.

It's been very discouraging to see so many scream I'm better than you and wanting to air dirty laundry against each other instead of promoting the sport in a positive manner.

Here's my entire post in context:
The Indoor people love to accuse the Arena Fans of trashing the Indoor leagues. From what I've seen the Indoor people trash each other far more that the the Arena people ever have.

I have never in my life seen such unprofessional infighting between a group of businessmen. When you look around the empty barns you play in and wonder why, it might not be the games themselves the masses are avoiding but the unprofessional bush league actions of the people financing the sport.

It's really a good thing not many fans come here, this is embarrassing.
If all that effort was put in to promoting the sport in a positve light and worry about your own concerns the sport might get more respect.

No need to bash, it's more productive to raise the standards of your own teams and leagues instead of lowering yourself to the level of what you seem to complain about.

[Caballo Diablo]

January 24, 2009
Tryouts Successful Despite Cold Day In Texas

Austin, TX – Over 50 players showed up at the Turfcats first open tryout at Hutto High School despite temperatures in the upper 30’s and wind chills in the 20’s and winds above 30 miles per hour were howling at the start of the event.

Turfcats Head Coach Chris Duliban and his coaching staff ran the players through several different drills and one on one situation in front of several fans and media outlets.

Turfcats General Manager/Vice-President Ronald Oswalt said, “The players in attendance today were true warriors of the gridiron, the wind along with the cold temperatures made the tryouts rough on these guys but it shows to me that they really came to play for a spot on the Turfcats.”

The format of the event consisted of a variety of physical tests, including the 40 yard dash, 20 yard shuttle and the standing long jump. Participants were timed and measured in all of these events.

Several players showed promise as players from Middle Tennessee State to Texas Tech and several other football programs were in attendance.

If you have any questions, please contact the Austin Turfcats General Manager Ronald Oswalt at roswalt@turfcats.com.

Great locations are still available for the 2009 season! Act now to reserve the best seats. Call a Season Sales Representative today at 866-969-8228 (TCAT) to reserve your seats today. The Austin Turfcats are committed to being a premier team in the Southern Indoor Football League and being involved in the community for which we serve.

For more information or get photos for media outlets or to get your 2008 Austin Turfcats season tickets, contact the Turfcats office at (866) 969-8228 (TCAT) or by electronic mail at roswalt@turfcats.com