What if you were charged to tryout?

[default]

A try out is not much of a practice so to go just for the practice is lame. Must be rec ballers. LOL

When we talk about doing research and due diligence on a team before going to a try out in Cali and paying a nonrefundable fee, I wonder if it is easier to do out there. Not easy in Ohio. Most team web sites are out of date and useless. Where would you find schedule, results, fees etc here? No central site like OFC keeps that info. Have to get it from the team I guess. Maybe by going to a try out. So going to a try out here is doing your research because you have access to the coach and can ask the questions.

 

[default]

I'd sure like someone to name a Cali team that charges a tryout fee, because I can't find anyone that has heard of it. I'm not saying it has never happened or no one is doing it, but it certainly isn't customary nor pervasive.

I call BS until someone provides some proof.

 

[default]

Probably one of the most ridiculous ideas I have heard in long time. I can find no better reason to slow down the growth of softball than to make it a game for those that can afford it. To hear coaches whining about this of all things makes me laugh. When I see on here coaches who already have a team picked searching for another pitcher or player because they are not happy with what they got. One central ohio team I know had 5 girls that could pitch and was still "looking for a number 1". How do you think that makes your players feel. I have even heard coaches on here proud to say that every play is a tryout. The coaches arrogance and competitiveness to win has filtered down to the parents and kids that as soon as you get here we will be trying to replace you with someone better. They feel no loyalty what so ever from coaches or teams so they give none back. Thus you have kids going from team to team and trying out for several teams to see what is the best situation. College coaches spend money and time recuiting players half of which choose somewhere else. If you get to choose who you like why do players not get to have choices as well.

 

[default]

My daughter only tried out for teams she definately had an interest in. Once she made her decision, we didn't go to any more tryouts. With the price of gas, and taking the time to drive her there, it wouldn't be worth it to go to any others. I am confident in my daughter's abilities, because she DOES work on her own on a DAILY basis. She treats softball as a job, one that she truely loves. She goes to the batting cage weekly, and has been working in the 55MPH cage for months. She has taught her siblings drills that they all do with her. Even her 5 year old brother gets to work out with her. We have already discussed with her that SHE is responsible for earning her spot on the team, if she wants to play a certain position, then she has to work for it. I am proud of her abilities, because I know how hard she has worked to earn them. She is a perfectionist, who is more critical of herself than anyone else, she will work on one thing until it passes her approval, and she sets the standards very high. I think if the teams started charging for tryouts, that would turn a lot of really true raw talents away. Sometimes with the right coaching a lump of coal will turn into a true diamond, you just have to be able to shine the rough edges.

 

[default]

I'd sure like someone to name a Cali team that charges a tryout fee, because I can't find anyone that has heard of it. I'm not saying it has never happened or no one is doing it, but it certainly isn't customary nor pervasive.

I call BS until someone provides some proof.

I have to agree I looked threw a few tryout boards for Cali and Florida and not once did I see a fee for tryouts

 

[default]

It is my understanding that tryouts out that way are more by invite only, rather than the big cattle call we do here. They have to have second and third level teams out that way, along with rec ball.

 

[default]

It is my understanding that tryouts out that way are more by invite only, rather than the big cattle call we do here. They have to have second and third level teams out that way, along with rec ball.

There are a few real elite teams in the older HS ages that know the players they want and recruit them. Those players don't tryout. I guess it's possible someone asking for a tryout might be told they'd have to pay for it.

High quality teams don't need to advertise to get the kind of players they want, but most still do. They'll be contacted by interested families who have done, or are doing, their research. Some will hold tryout-style workouts and others will just run modified practices. Many will want the finalists to play some friendly games with them before making an offer.

The big cattle calls are mainly done by the mid to low-level and/or younger teams, especially 12u, since a lot of players are transitioning from rec and unknown.

 

[default]

Years back a team charged for tryouts in Oklahoma, they kept the money for the girls that didn't make it. The girls sued and the team had to give the money back. There is law about changing legal tender/ and getting something of value in return. In which they didn't receive anything in value. Sort of like if Starbucks charged people 200 bucks for an interview, and then keeping the money even if they don't hire you.

 

[default]

I totally agree with what I believe to be Howard's main point, which is that a player has to be dedicated to practicing on her own using the right techniques. Parents who think that they can secure their daughter's ability to be recruited by "winning the lottery" and getting their daughter placed on a very good team are very mistaken if their daughter is not committed to practicing on her own.

My other point is that good teams who only need a few players can cut down on the try-out numbers by very specifically describing what the team is looking for. We've done that for the last few years and the number of try-out participants for our team has been very low. But we've always found gems in the group who have helped improve our team dramatically.

 

[default]

I was surfing the sites of about 10 of the top tier 16/18U teams in California.

I did not find much on charging for tryouts but, I did find tryout request/ consideration forms.
The player fees for some that had that info were about half of my total team budget! 2k to 4k X 15 to 18 players! That is enough to keep the ones not serious away.
They all had SWEET websites with tons of quality info and forms. Down to how parents must wash and care for the uniforms.
Defiantly a total different level of commitment especially from a financial standpoint with Charter bus service, Preferred air lines/hotels. Wow...just think of the support people needed just to run some of these organizations. I wonder if the Grapetts, turn into the Raisinetts in the fall?

I agree with CGS, Just making a showcase team doesn't necessarily mean you are a showcase player. Fiances aside, the player must be 100% committed on their own with their athletic practice/workouts, schooling and research/college communication.

 

[default]

probably one of the most ridiculous ideas i have heard in long time. I can find no better reason to slow down the growth of softball than to make it a game for those that can afford it. To hear coaches whining about this of all things makes me laugh. When i see on here coaches who already have a team picked searching for another pitcher or player because they are not happy with what they got. One central ohio team i know had 5 girls that could pitch and was still "looking for a number 1". How do you think that makes your players feel. I have even heard coaches on here proud to say that every play is a tryout. The coaches arrogance and competitiveness to win has filtered down to the parents and kids that as soon as you get here we will be trying to replace you with someone better. They feel no loyalty what so ever from coaches or teams so they give none back. Thus you have kids going from team to team and trying out for several teams to see what is the best situation. College coaches spend money and time recuiting players half of which choose somewhere else. If you get to choose who you like why do players not get to have choices as well.

amen!

 

[default]

Probably one of the most ridiculous ideas I have heard in long time. I can find no better reason to slow down the growth of softball than to make it a game for those that can afford it. To hear coaches whining about this of all things makes me laugh. When I see on here coaches who already have a team picked searching for another pitcher or player because they are not happy with what they got. One central ohio team I know had 5 girls that could pitch and was still "looking for a number 1". How do you think that makes your players feel. I have even heard coaches on here proud to say that every play is a tryout. The coaches arrogance and competitiveness to win has filtered down to the parents and kids that as soon as you get here we will be trying to replace you with someone better. They feel no loyalty what so ever from coaches or teams so they give none back. Thus you have kids going from team to team and trying out for several teams to see what is the best situation. College coaches spend money and time recuiting players half of which choose somewhere else. If you get to choose who you like why do players not get to have choices as well.

In my opinion it does not slow the growth of the sport down at all however if you can afford it you would most likely pay for it if you thought your daughter would profit from it.

Why do you think some kids go to a small community college verses the Big Ten? It is what they can afford or possibly even poor grades or poor ACT or SAT scores.

If you knew that team was holding a try out, had indoor year a round coaches and were playing all over the country and you could afford it would you play locally?

I know of parents that go to college camps just so they can have their daughter looked at or observed by a particular coach and that cost money. So is someone looking to gain a competitive edge on you and your daughter? Probably, as we all do it.

When you have money you have choices and when your daughter has talent and test scores they have more choices. It does not slow the growth of the sport however it is an opportunity in some cases provided you have the total package to an upper tier school door being opened.

Some golf on public courses and others at private courses however they are still playing just like playing in rec leagues, travel A or B or Gold teams and they are still playing also.

 

[default]

I have a really good friend that lives in the LA area and her daughter plays on one of the top CA teams. I just e-mailed her with a list of questions in regards to the tryout process. Hopefully once she's awake she will be able to provide some insight from a person that currently is in the system.

So once I hear back from my friend Pam, I'll post her response.

 

[default]

I have a really good friend that lives in the LA area and her daughter plays on one of the top CA teams. I just e-mailed her with a list of questions in regards to the tryout process. Hopefully once she's awake she will be able to provide some insight from a person that currently is in the system.

So once I hear back from my friend Pam, I'll post her response.

Just did the same thing.... about an hour ago.

 

[default]

Some of these parents are hauling their kids around the "circuit" just to "see" what the other organizations are doing or how they are running their tryouts verses another and comparing their kids against the others in my opinion and at your expense and time.

If they have done their home work "they know" who gets the results!

Watching how an organization runs a tryout is part of "doing your homework"

 

[default]

Watching how an organization runs a tryout is part of "doing your homework"

So is talking to the coach. I spoke with a parent the other day who was apprehensive about our team because he heard that we practice four hours every day (not true by the way!) I'm really glad he called me.

I don't think that listening to rumors can be considered adequate due dilligence if you haven't also spoken with the coach. I don't care how good a coach is I guarantee you can always find at least one parent somewhere who doesn't have something nice to say.

 

[default]

I agree & I do that at the tryout if not before. It is really helpful to know what the organization is looking for.

 

[default]

Yes the very super-elite teams charge to try-out. I just think it is another one of life's lessons.

First, Is it something that the family can afford? If not, then we are doing without. Sorry, but that is the way life works.

Second, does DD really want to play college ball? If not, then don't try-out for a showcase team. I'm not saying "don't play travelball", I'm saying don't try-out for a team whose primary goal is to get major college exposure.

Third, What is the financial gain that you are looking for? Is it to get your DD a major athletic scholarship at a D1 or D2 school? Then do the research about the average athletic scholarship monies given for the position that your DD plays versus how much money you are pouring into travelball. Does the amount you are pouring into travelball exceed or not exceed the amount of athletic scholarship money that you might receive? Simple financial planning.

I think all 10U parents should attend one of the Akron Winter clinics to hear Coach Jones talk about scholarships. I know that all of the parents would get a clearer, more accurate idea of just how scholarships are awarded and just how much money is given based on position. Very eye-opening. Do it when your DD is 10U and you will have a lot clearer vision of how to navigate travelball as your DD gets older.

Just my thoughts on what I learned as my DD was playing travelball.

 

[default]

Just did the same thing.... about an hour ago.

LOL great minds think a like! I do remember when Bloomington/Normal, IL hosted the 14u ASA A Nationals in 2002 the Corona Angels coach was speaking to a number of the BNGSA coaches. He told us (at that time) it was $1000 non refundable fee to tryout. I have no clue if he was telling the truth and had no way to validate at the time. What I do know is if you go to their website, everyone of their players in 16u/18u are committed to colleges and I would say from just a quick glance that 75% are DI out of state. . . There is one going to OSU. . .

Anyway, can't wait for Pam to wake up and answer the questions. . .

 

[default]

I'm gonna go back a few years ago when my daughter was playing, We were at a tournament where the California Orange Crush were playing and I had a chance to talk to one of the coaches and this is what I was told, To try out for this team your check must be sent in 1 week before tryouts to make sure it cleared of $5,000.00 dollars (yes 5 thousand) if she made the team it went towards the fee's if not you got back $3,000.00 (Yes 3 thousand) But if your daughter made this team she was Guaranteed a D1 full ride if she wasn't offered one the Organization payed for it. If true or not I can't say for sure, this is what I was told from the coach. Must be a team of doctors kids lol