ComplaintsforUSA Prime Baseball LLC

• Initial Complaint

  02/26/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  My son was selected to play for *** Prime ******** team in Winter 2023 for the upcoming 2024 Spring/Summer season. We have paid in a total of $2,539.20 of the $3174 in fees which included uniforms. On 2/24 he was targeted and accused of player misconduct while at practice. This was not ****** to our attention even though we were at the field, watched the full practice, and saw everything that was occurring. The parent of the player that made the accusation went to the coach at the end of practice and threatened to assault the players and their families if the comment was ever made again. The slander which he is being accused from was used by the coach and multiple players, but he was the only one cut from the team. We have reached out in multiple attempts to contact the coach and team director over the instance for clarify and they have not returned calls. We have sent our response over the occurrence as best we could considering we do not have true and complete details of the accusations. We have asked for clarity and no one will answer. We received notification today he was cut from the team for this conduct, but again, we do not have full truths of what was charged against him. We have attempted to reach corporate office, the team director and more with no response back. We were not provided fair and due process to defend his side of the events. We are requesting full reimbursement for the funds already paid to the team for his season which hasn't even started, and uniforms.

  Customer response

  02/26/2024

  USA Prime Baseball has responded back stating they are going to be processing a full refund.  I do not want to close this complaint until the refund has been received.  We are still very upset that my child was the only player removed from the team when others, including the coach, were using the same language.  We were also informed that the parent who threatened assault to *********** and their fathers is allowed to remain with the team. 

  Customer response

  04/12/2024

  *** Prime has fully refunded us for the fees and uniform cost we had previously paid.  The team director and/or coach for *** Prime ****************** still has not spoken with ** to explain what my son was accused of and why he was the only player cut from the team.  We have received calls from the headquarters who have listened to our situation, but no one can tell us or answer to the accusations against our son. 

  Business response

  04/17/2024

  Dear BBB Representative, 

  
  We are writing in response to the complaint filed by ******************* regarding her experience with USA Prime Baseball. We are pleased to inform you that we have successfully resolved the issue raised by ************ to her satisfaction.
  Upon thorough direct communication with ************, we have confirmed that she has received a full refund in the amount of $2,539.20. We are glad to hear that she has been reimbursed in full.
  It is important to clarify that USA Prime Baseball has diligently worked with ************ to address and resolve her concerns. As such, the matter regarding **************** further concerns with *** Prime ********* is distinct from our operations. USA Prime Baseball LLC solely acts as the processing and registration entity for *** Prime *********; hence, any grievances pertaining to *** Prime ********* should be directed to them accordingly. 

  
  We appreciate the opportunity to address **************** concerns and are committed to ensuring the highest level of customer satisfaction. Should you require any further information or clarification regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.
  Thank you for your attention to this matter.

  USA Prime Baseball LLC

  Customer response

  04/22/2024

  I have reviewed the business response and accept this resolution. *** Prime has fully refunded us for the fees and uniform cost we had previously paid.  The team director and/or coach for *** Prime ****************** still has not spoken with ** to explain what my son was accused of and why he was the only player cut from the team.  We have received calls from the headquarters who have listened to our situation, but no one can tell us or answer to the accusations against our son. 

• Initial Complaint

  12/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  In August 2023 we signed up for a baseball team through *** Prime in *****, **. The team was in the process of being filled with players. In November, there were still not enough players to complete the team and the team was disbanded due to not having enough players. From August to November 2023 we paid $1,100 of the $2,000 fee to play. We were refunded $600 of the $1,100 and have not received the remaining $500. This was our payment schedule:8/8/2023: Paid $500 (required with sign-up)10/4/2023: Paid $300 (refunded on 11/16/2023)11/4/2023: Paid $300 (refunded on 11/16/2023)I have tried to contact *** Prime at the national level and have not received any returned communication. Our head coach has tried working through *** Prime locally as well. We have not played any games. We have not had practices or utilized the facilities for practices/workouts. We really did not have an official team because we did not have enough players but we were required to make payments regardless. I understand there is a no refund policy but I don't think that should apply when the team was never formed. We received a little over half of what we paid and I don't understand why we are not receiving the remaining amount. The other concern I have is when I look at my *** Prime Account, I used to be able to see that $500 transaction but it is no longer showing on my account. I've attached a redacted copy of our bank transactions showing the $500 paid and a copy of our transactions seen in our *** Prime account.Would really like to get this resolved. Thank you.

  Business response

  01/02/2024

  Dear Better Business Bureau,

  We hope this message finds you well. USA Prime Baseball wanted to provide a quick update regarding the recent complaint filed by ****************************

  We take ************************ concerns seriously and are actively addressing the issues raised. We've been in touch with *** Prime ***** to ensure all details are accurate.
  Our internal team is reviewing the situation, and we're committed to making necessary improvements to prevent similar concerns in the future. Once we receive further information from our *** Prime ***** affiliate, we will be sure to reach out to ******************** promptly and update the BBB with the communications involved to resolve this issue. 

  
  Thank you for your assistance, and please let us know if there are any specific steps we should take to ensure a satisfactory resolution.

  
  Best Regards,

  USA Prime Baseball Corporate 

  Business response

  01/02/2024

  We communicated with *********************** and were able to successfully accommodate her request of an additional refund.  This is an exception to our policy and an exception based on the agreement that was signed by her player stating all payments are not refundable.  However, it was decided that her situation warranted a refund and it will be processed this week.

  Customer response

  01/04/2024

  I have reviewed the business response and accept this resolution.   I appreciate the national *** Prime organization taking the time to understand my issue and working with the local organization to get it resolved.

• Initial Complaint

  09/19/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My son tried out for the USA Prime 14u team out of New Jersey and made it. The coach told us that we need to make a decision asap so that he could schedule practices and tournaments. He sent us the letter of invitation and we paid in full on 7/29, but my had been having some shoulder pain and needed to go to the ortho and 2 weeks later before any practices or any other communication from the organization the ortho told us he needed to be shut down from playing because he has "Little League Shoulder". The coach said we couldn't get a refund only a credit for spring/summer, even though there is nothing in the contract that states this and we were told that there is no guarantee a kid makes a team from season to season. He responded with us needing to contact info@usaprime.com to get a refund. Their only response has been that "we already spoke to the coach about the options" They have stopped all communications with us at this point. They have never returned a call and stopped responding to emails. We just want our $1100 back.

  Business response

  12/28/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 7, 2022/10/06) */ Per the executed player agreement there is a no refund policy. Once players have committed to the team budgets are pre set (tournament budget, facility budget, coaches pay etc) that are based on the number of committed players. If a replacement player can be found by the coach then they money can be refunded. Here is the exact language in the player agreement... 4. Refund Policy: There will be absolutely NO refunds of player fees after a player registers for a USA Prime team. However, if the player quits the team or is injured for the remainder of the season and the player's roster spot is filled by another player early enough that the new player agrees to pay player fees for that season (at the head coach's discretion), then a refund may be processed once the replacement player registers online and pays all required fees. Uniform fees will not be refunded under any circumstance because they are ordered immediately after registration and made specifically for that player. The northeast directors offered them a credit for the future season (which they did not have to do) in order to help the situation. Consumer Response /* (3000, 9, 2022/10/07) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) The player agreement executed does not have any information related to a refund and paragraph 4 as referenced by them is related to uniforms, not refunds( attached). They are quoting from a document that is different than what they supplied. Furthermore they are fielding a Fall Ball team. I understand not being able to get a refund for the uniform. Once again we are asking for a refund for our 13 year old son who only stepped foot in that facility once, to try out. Then was injured, well before the season started and well before registration was closed.

• Initial Complaint

  03/19/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  John C***** (Director of Baseball Operations) with USA Prime stated at the tryouts in Houston on December 4, 2021 that he was building a AAA/Majors team and confirmed in writing via email the AAA/Majors classification on December 7, 2021. Parents were given 3 days to accept the offer to join the team and pay a deposit to hold their son's spot for the 2022 season. Instead of building a team that could compete at the AAA/Majors classification, John put together a team with 2 or 3 players that could compete at AAA/Majors with 11 players that lack the skills to compete at AA. John C***** built a team with 14 players (meaning that up to 5 players would be benched) with the intent to collect additional revenue for USA Prime. After evaluating the team during 3 weeks of bi-weekly practices and losing the first game 16 to 1 (run ruled) we decided that the 13U team was not a good fit for our son. I sent an email to John C***** explaining that we were leaving the team as a result of his failure to build a AAA/Majors Team and were requesting a refund. We were immediately removed from all future communications. In the meantime, the team has lost 5 out of 6 games and allowed 70 runs in AA/AAA tournament play. I have attempted numerous times via email communications to resolve this matter to no avail. USA Prime has built a reputation around its national program and believes that it can take advantage of players and families at the local level to subsidy their national program. Unfortunately, now that I have begun to engage with other families, they have similar stories regarding USA Prime. I attempted to resolve this matter with the CEO of USA Prime Ryan N***** in advance of filing a complaint with the BBB. Ryan N***** is steadfast that the player agreement is binding and refuses to acknowledge that his organization provided both verbal and written information that was False and Misleading when recruiting our 13-year-old son to join USA Prime. Refund Due $2075

  Business response

  04/08/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/03/21) */ There are numerous things wrong with the above listed complaint. One Mr. ****** knowingly signed a player agreement that directly states there are no refunds once practice begins. Team budgets are based on the amount of players on the team and when/if a player quits they directly impact the teams total budgets. First incorrect statement, only 12 players registered for team he is referring to which is a very normal amount for this age. Secondly, the part omitted in regards to the level of the team, is that his son was actually the starting pitcher during the game they lost 16-1. After speaking to the coach and the director in Houston, they informed me that Mr. ****** was angry his son was pulled after the first inning. We take arm care very seriously and when a 13 year old throws 40+ pitches in an inning and gives up 8 runs, the coaches thought it best for his arm care and his mental well being in terms of confidence to remove him from the game. Third glaring error is he has only made 3 payments totaling $1554. We have already refunded his 4th payment and cancelled his 5th payment (none of which we were required to do per the player agreement, but did as a gesture of good faith) We take offense to these types of false accusations and unfortunately have to deal with these type of situations where parents often believe that their child is at a different skill level than they actually are. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2022/03/22) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) In response to USA Prime's rebuttal. USA Prime knowingly provided false and misleading information verbally and in writing stating that they were building a AAA/Majors team to recruit my son. We would have never signed the player agreement if USA Prime was honest at the onset about the AA classification. It is interesting that USA Prime fails to address that the Director of Baseball lied, even though we have written proof. USA Prime clearly believes that their player agreement protects them against false and misleading statements and continue to lie to justify their unsubstantiated claim that they do not owe a full refund under this situation. USA Prime is not looking out to develop their local teams. The objective is clear that their focus is profit and they will say anything to increase revenues through player dues even If it means that they tarnish their reputation. It is so unfortunate that the USA Prime organization continues to hold steadfast that unethical behaviors are legal and binding according to their player agreement. There have been no communications with the coach or director to date, as they never once reached out to me to talk about the reason we left USA Prime even though I sent emails, texts and attempted to call the director. I was not angry that my son was pulled, as a matter of fact I was relieved. The fact that 8 runs were scored with 40 pitches thrown was due to the fact that majority of the players on the team lacked the skill to compete in a AAA tournament, as evidenced by the lack of defense. What I find ironic about the USA Prime claim is that they have since lost 4 out of 5 additional games since we left - February 27th L 5 - 8, March 5th L 0-17, March 5th L 1-9, March 6th L 8-11 allowing a total 70 runs over 6 games so far this season. For the record, I have submitted a list of the roster (to the NCTX BBB as proof) that was obtained from USA Prime which indicates 13 players (was 14 until my son was removed). Clearly USA Prime does not take accountability for wrong doings and instead chooses to continue to provide false information. Regarding the payments, 4 payments in the amount of $518.80 each were taken. 1st on 12/16/2021, 2nd on 01/18/2022, 3rd on 02/15/2022 and the 4th on 03/15/2022. On March 22, USA Prime did refund one payment which they took last week even though they stated in writing on 03/11/2022 that they would not withdrawal any future payments from my checking account. I am requesting a full refund and therefore the remaining refund I am seeking is $1,556.40 due to the fact that USA Prime provided false and misleading information about the classification for the 2022 13U team (AAA/Majors) to recruit my son. Regarding the assessment of my son's ability - which has nothing to do with this claim, USA Prime does not care about skill level for their local teams, they only care about revenues as they clearly demonstrated with the formation of this team (i.e. MONEY GRAB). Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2022/03/23) */ I'm not sure if any more time needs to be spent on this issue. Bottom line is Mr. ****** is upset his son was pulled from a game and continues to insult our integrity. Unfortunately, this is a common theme among youth sports/parents, they get unhappy, quit, and blame someone else. He also neglected the fact that they have been practicing on newly turfed fields, air-conditioned indoor facilities, have paid professional coaches, uniforms made and delivered, so the "money grab" comment seems very uninformed. There will not be any more refunded money from our end. Consumer Response /* (4200, 11, 2022/03/24) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) USA Prime Baseball believes that it is ethical and legal to provide false information while recruiting youth baseball players. USA Prime stands strong behind their 100% no refund policy and fails to acknowledge accountability for false and misleading information provided by the organizations leadership. Contracts are considered "Null and Void" when false and misleading information is stated or written. Again, USA Prime's focus for its local teams appears to be profit over development and putting competitive teams on the field (outside their national program). The 2022 13U roster included 14 players, resulting in 5 players being benched at any given time. In addition, USA Prime failed to put together a AAA/Major Team as stated in writing which we relied on (prior to us agreeing to the player agreement) by the Director of Baseball Operations. I am not sure how these actions are not referred to as a "Money Grab". Again, we left the team due to the lack of collective skill to even compete at AA and USA Prime's failure to put together a AAA/Major Team as committed to at the try outs in December and in writing (prior to executing the player agreement) from the Director of Baseball Operations. The only thing that we are unhappy about is that we were lied to when USA Prime was recruiting players.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩