"Breaking Into the Travel World"

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Member

• May 12, 2009

• #1

I was curious how one goes about breaking into the fastpitch travel world. I currently have a 13 year old that does play travel and enjoys it very much, but I also have a 9 year old that I think has the potential of being very good with the right coaching. She just began her first year of fastpitch and her coach knows nothing!!! It is very frustrating to watch when you are used to watching very good travel teams.

When is the "right" time to start, and do any travel clubs take "inexperienced" players that show potential?

Please help out a frustrated parent! Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated!

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #2

My dd is in her 2nd year of 10u and the growing pains of last season were well worth it come this year. Without last year she would no be half the player she is now. If she is good I am sure there is a team that would love to have her. I believe the Ohio Ice 10u has some 9's on it as does the Ohio Hawks Black team

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #3

FPS,

Thanks so much for the quick reply...I will check them out.
I think the Hawks are close by, do u know where the ICE are located?

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #4

Momto77's said:

FPS,

Thanks so much for the quick reply...I will check them out.
I think the Hawks are close by, do u know where the ICE are located?

Click to expand...

I believe the Ice are in the Northeast part of the state. The Hawks are located in the Middletown area.

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #5

The Ice are based out of Akron.

The main thing is take her to tryouts. At her age coaches are more than willing to take potential. 9, 10 and 11 are formative years, and if you're thinking about it at all, get them started. Your kids can handle way more than you give them credit for. I'm sure there are plenty of 10u teams looking for players. Check the teams looking for players forum.

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #6

Start her now. I have 3 girls and each one has started earlier than the first. Many of the 10U teams have 9 year olds on them. It will only make her better, even if she gets limited playing time she will still benefit from the instruction.

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #7

Thanks very much Klump and Wgman!
I appreciate it! Should she still finish her
Rec season or should I look now or do both?

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #8

Look in the teams needing players forum:

http://www.game-ex.com/vb3/forumdisplay.php?f=87

And post a profile on the players looking for a team forum:

http://www.game-ex.com/vb3/forumdisplay.php?f=86

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #9

Its never to early to get them started, like cshilt said post it someone will give her a look this year. This will be my DD's 3rd year in 10U and can still play 10U next season as well. Most of my girls still play rec but most of them play up an age group or two. Best of luck!!

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #10

I would try to find a travel team right now. You can always do both this year. Let the rec team know that travel comes first.

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #11

If you are interested in trying out this fall, Take the extra time to keep working with her. My daughter plays travel, and I also coach her rec team. I know softball and would like to think I am a good coach...but there is only so much I can do with kids in 1 hr 1/2 twice a week. The girls who's parents I see taking what they are being taught and working on it away from the games and practices are the ones who always shine. If she works at it and you have the passion it sounds like you have. I am sure she will make a great player for someone this fall!! 10u is the right time to start.

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #12

MOM77,

Ohio Hawks 10u was at the game we watched tonight. Great guy, and know a couple of his players too... We should jump together, as I held off in spring, but thinking like others stated above, it will only make them better for next year....

Call me, we tried out and were accepted for 3-4 teams, but chose to stay rec at the time... I can give you some good info on several local travel teams (Slammers, Heat, Hawks, Static, Bandits...)

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #13

And then there is always the option to start Doom99 (^_^!).

Triplethreat said:

MOM77,

Ohio Hawks 10u was at the game we watched tonight. Great guy, and know a couple of his players too... We should jump together, as I held off in spring, but thinking like others stated above, it will only make them better for next year....

Call me, we tried out and were accepted for 3-4 teams, but chose to stay rec at the time... I can give you some good info on several local travel teams (Slammers, Heat, Hawks, Static, Bandits...)

Click to expand...

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #14

It is just sooooo disappointing watching her lack of coaching that she is currently receiving! He is a great guy don't get me wrong, but with all the potential players that are on the team they are learning NOTHING!!! I just can't take it! The other big problem is, how do you have kids all over the state on different tourneys?!?! I wish I could have my daughters travel the same tournament circuit then it would take a little of the expense out of it!

I can dream can't I???;&

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #15

Keep dreamin on that front. Even with kids in the same org. you're gonna travel to different tournaments and areas. You can always have one kid travel with another parent one week and have your other kid travel with a parent on their team the next. Travel teams are a big family. There isn't a kid on our team that I wouldn't help out if they needed it.

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #16

well there are alot of teams moving to that type of format i coach with ohio glory and we started this organization with that in mind having teams that were good enough so we could travel together and this year we only have 12u and 14 u but next year are looking to add 16 and 10 we will see the best advice is work with her alot yourself not to many travel coaches see girls enough completely develop them as go2go said they give instruction and it is up to parents to help kid practice it or pay for private coaching coaches tell them things they need to work on and drills they can do to get better but 2 hours a week dont cut it

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #17

Also, buy the Howard Kobata dvds. He is, in my opinion, the best defensive trainer in the country. My dd has gone to two or three of his clinics and benefited tremendously.

 

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• May 12, 2009

• #18

Momto77's said:

I was curious how one goes about breaking into the fastpitch travel world. I currently have a 13 year old that does play travel and enjoys it very much, but I also have a 9 year old that I think has the potential of being very good with the right coaching. She just began her first year of fastpitch and her coach knows nothing!!! It is very frustrating to watch when you are used to watching very good travel teams.

When is the "right" time to start, and do any travel clubs take "inexperienced" players that show potential?

Please help out a frustrated parent! Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated!

Click to expand...

we definately live off of potential and athletic girls at various ages. Last year I had 1 8u, 2 9u's, and our 10's were young as well. I have all three young'ins back this year. We grow'em from the bottom up. It's part of my team's niche. We get better every week and base our season upon being a "marathon" and teach them fundamentals. I recommend talking with parents NOW at tourney's and watch the coaches in action. Are they working them, TALKING AT THEM, training them, talking over their heads, getting to the "childs" level, or coaching them? Ask around and you'll see how or what that particular coach does his/her thing. If the coach will "take some lumps" early on... the program will be very strong long term. That's one coach's view and I know other organizations do this but it is not for everyone or every program... which is another subject entirely. Just look and you'll find them. If you have time, do your homework and the light will turn on.

Triple.. thanks for the props and shout-outs for the local organizations!! You da' man!!!

 

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• May 13, 2009

• #19

There is no decoder ring special password or anything crazy to get in.It takes commitment from the parents with developeable talent.Not trying to be callous but Willie Lunchmeat out Larry Lunchbox, need not apply if she isn't a candidate yet don't push her she'll hate the sport as well as you to . With one DD already playing how far are you willing to take this,obvious they are different teams.Who goes where and who's willing to take the younger?Are you commited or she commited?Big difference here make sure it's what you and her want you're giving up alot and soo is she.This isn't just yours or Dad to make but a family decission.From here on out your going pretty much seperate ways.I know this because both of mine play Travel been in Cincinattati while the other was in Atlanta Ga rough on the parents and kids along with money.Make up you mind as to how commited everyone is.Like I said,not being callous but these are decissons that you'll have to make.We made it as a Family.I suggest you start there.

 

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• May 13, 2009

• #20

go in with your eyes open and DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS , we hopped into travel at 10u and loved it but twice a week mandatory practices at an hour and 10 min away (you show or no PT) along with trying to play rec ball about got me divorced ! MD