Sadly, they're one of the few companies in Cleveland for large-scale, organized recreational sports. It's a shame because, with a little effort by those who run Cleveland Plays, this could be a great, stress-free tool for everyone in Cleveland. Sadly, it's mostly an unorganized mess.
For example, you pay a $50 fee UPFRONT for forfeits (on top of normal league fees). If your team doesn't forfeit a game that session, you're refunded that fee at the end of the session. However, it's been exactly one month/a full four weeks since the finals were played, and no team from our league has been refunded. I don't understand why they can't handle the promised refunds in a timely manner, and it seems a bit unfair to hold this money for so long.
Generally, the schedules and scores are updated very, very late. We had multiple instances where our league page was not been updated for three weeks of games/scores. While this isn't a big problem, it would be nice to have an up-to-date standings page during the season. This would take minimal effort from the staff to keep this updated.
There are some weeks they don't bother entering results. You'll have full sessions go by with missing scores. It takes a few seconds, but apparently our money/fees don't cover entering all of the scores.
Their have also been instances in which schedules, which have been posted for weeks, were changed at the last minute with no direct notice to anyone on a team. There's also been instances in which they will schedule overlapping sessions - so, if you want to play a spring and summer session, be prepared to spend an entire night for a few weeks going to multiple games at different locations, because you'll have to jump between locations to get both games in (that's if they don't schedule your team to play at the same time at multiple locations). Fellow players have actually been able to reach a Cleveland Plays representative on the phone about a problem, were told they would get an immediate call back, but wouldn't get a call back. Generally, there isn't a response from the emails posted on their website, either. It's incredibly frustrating to have incorrectly reported scores or schedules that are posted and have to track down a staff member to get the information.
These is when you can actually get ahold of someone. You're lucky if you can actually get a direct answer from somebody.
Or you'll have to go to Facebook and post on their page, because that or through text is the only way to get some sort of answer, and, usually it's answered the day of or the day before the game in question, with no update posted anywhere else.
Don't count on any communications for cancelations regarding outdoor events, either. They'll often announce games are canceled after the games were supposed to take place, if at all. They recently had an 'announcement' (which was just a comment they posted under their cover photo of their Facebook page) that all volleyball games were cancelled at 6:30 p.m., but the games started at 6 p.m.
I can't comment on other sports (kickball, football, etc.), but if you can help it, go with one of the similar companies for volleyball. read more
