Help Me Hank: Camp Cancellation

The curve of the ball. The crack of the bat. The fans cheering in the bleachers. Don Frye just can't get enough of baseball.

Don Frye
"For as long as I can remember it's been the glue that has kept me together."

By day he's a software manager, but his best times are in center field for his over-30 league.

Don Frye
"It’s sort of been a way to live vicariously the way that the big league players played."

So when Don heard about a summer camp--held at a Florida ball park where the bigs do their spring training--a camp that would let him swap stories with baseball legends, and even wear a Sox uniform--he started saving his cash.

Don Frye
"It took me probably seven or eight years of tucking the money away."

And finally--a year in advance-- he paid his $3,290 to step up to the plate on his own field of dreams.

Don Frye
"I wanted it to be a really great experience...."

Don even paid extra so his biggest fan—fiance Kymberlee could cheer him on.

Don Frye
"She said well it'd be nice time for me to go for five days down to Florida, hang out by the pool...".

But a few months before opening day--storm clouds rolled in...

Don heard a rumor the camp was canceled.

Don Frye
"I was a little upset at that point."

So Don checked the camp web site and it was confirmed--game over.

Don Frye
"I was just so bummed out."

But Don wasn't about to sit on the bench-- he thought he should get a refund--so he put down his bat and picked up the phone.

Don Frye
"They said that would be fine we'll send you your money back."

His contract battle lasted two years--with no refund.

Don Frye
"It just never happened."

Don thought he'd simply struck out.

Don Frye
"That's when I got a hold of Hank..".

We didn't need an umpire to make this call- we found the exact contract clause--a money back guarantee.

Hank Phillippi Ryan
"You know your contract says when the camp is canceled - you give a refund."

After our legal pitches, the company realized they had swung and missed-- they agreed to play ball-- return Don’s money.

Don Frye
"Well, I got my check last Friday."

So now even though Don’s still playing on his Worcester home turf-- -he's got money in hand--and in the words of every Red Sox fan: he knows there’s always next year.

We were able to help Don because he had a very clear contract. So before you put up big bucks for one of these camps--remember to check the fine print and then hang on to your paperwork.