Can I get a poll?

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By removing your DD from the team due to your impatience and discontent you have taught your child that she is more important than the team. Yes, parent, coach conversations can lead us all to believe something that may not actually happen when it comes to game time. Ever stop to think that maybe, just maybe, your daughter wasn't quite as good at her requested position as the girl they had now? Sometimes it takes time for a new player to break the built chemistry on an established roster. You have got to be patient and willing to build the trust of the players and coaching staff.
It is just very hard for me to believe that if your child is such a stud on the corners and hits "245" bombs that the coach wouldn't take advantage of this talent. When she's not hitting bombs - does she strike out? Heck - I have seen about 300 high school and college games and don't believe I have seen a shot go that far. Maybe I'm just not attending the right games. :rolleyes:
Bottome line - yes, you need to do what's best for you and your family but you are about to lose a whole season of travel ball. Kids in this day and age that lose a whole season tend to really struggle when competing against girls that stay active and play live ball. You can only beat so many balls in a batting cage before you realize none of the hits count as RBI's or hear the applause of teammates and parents.
I hope you can take some time and really contemplate this decision. Is playing an undesired position really worth cancelling a whole summer of development and memory building? Remember, it's about developing your child for the future.....not trying to rekindle your past.
 
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I'm sorry. I assumed way too much about how travel ball works. You know why they say you should never assume, because it makes an *** out of u and me. I assumed that travel teams were for showcasing talent. I assumed that a coach chose a player for the team because of how well they played the position that the team needed. I assumed that travel ball was to prep a player for college and for a college to check out the player at their best position. I guess that's why I got so upset. My DD was the last player on that team that should have played r-field. I assumed that the coach knew this and would never have weakened the team in that spot, espesially when playing one of the top teams in Ohio. But, it was the coaches choice. I now know what to look for from a coach at a tryout and what to ask about the organization. As for all the people complaining about the drama, I only asked if anyone else had been lied to by a coach. I guess I should not have assumed that was the only response I would have gotten. Besides, you didn't have to read it, or respond if you thought it was stupid. That was your choice.

You asked a question in a forum, and not one person has agreed you have done the right thing or handled the situation correctly....Not one person in a thread that is ten pages long.

Yet, I see you still passing blame and making excuses. I guess some people don't like to learn from mistakes.

If you feel like you are being picked on, don't make yourself out to be such an easy target.

Do the right thing, apologize to the organization, team, and coach and move on. At least leave with a little dignity.
 
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I need to print all these replies from OFC'rs and put in a book.. so much experience and words of wisdom from those that have been there .. we should hand this out at Tryouts in Aug to all the parents to read while their DD is trying out.

It appears that the TEAM is lost in today's society. I tell parents that they have every right to look for a team where their DD will play a lot and not sit out much. If she is a serious player that is the right thing for her development - players need to be on the field. But, they have to realize that the girls behind her 'should' be working to take their DD's starting spot and their DD working hard to improve to keep it. Everyone improves.

We have had 3 families (out of 150) contact us after this first big weekend of ball wanting their DD's release because their DD did not play 'her' desired position(s) enough. Their "expectations were not met" was the logic of 2 (14u's), 1 (a 10u) wanted to go play summer s-o-cc-er (boo!) - after the first weekend! Only the 10u's parents were courteous enough to call and talk with the coach before hand. Sadly, the other parents dropped an email.

My DD plays on our 14u team - after 2 years playing third, she was asked to catch for the betterment of the team - it is NOT her HS position or her favorite, but she had no problem playing there last weekend and thru dad's eyes she did great. She made the team better thru allowing the coach to put the best lineup on the field - and the best line-up does not always have girls in their personal 'best' position.

ASA has it right by enforcing their policies, preventing players from jumping from team to team each week and ruining the integrity of the sport. When a player asks to leave one of our teams we will wish them well, point out the ASA policy and alert the ASA commish of the departure. After that we move forward as planned...
 
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This is our first year in travel ball, but as a former player and now parent, I can say this: If you don't trust your coach to do what is best for the TEAM, then you need to either find a new team or lower your expectations. If that means your kid bats 7th and plays right, so be it.
 
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This is our first year in travel ball, but as a former player and now parent, I can say this: If you don't trust your coach to do what is best for the TEAM, then you need to either find a new team or lower your expectations. If that means your kid bats 7th and plays right, so be it.

Agreed expect even the right field position is not a lesser spot at all in travel ball, only perhaps in 10U rec ball. After 12U the outfield is as important as the infield. Past the infield because a kid lifts her head...one base. Past the outfield because an outfielder takes the wrong angle on a shot on a 320' field...automatic triple and possible homerun.
 
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Agreed expect even the right field position is not a lesser spot at all in travel ball, only perhaps in 10U rec ball. After 12U the outfield is as important as the infield. Past the infield because a kid lifts her head...one base. Past the outfield because an outfielder takes the wrong angle on a shot on a 320' field...automatic triple and possible homerun.

I was quoting MOM when she said "Why would you move your starting 1st &/or 3rd baseman, (depending on where he put her for that game), as well as 4th in the line-up to right field and 7th when you played against a well known select team?"

RF is not a weak position in my eyes. No position or position in the batting order in travel is weak at all! :cap:
 
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I know one kid these past few years that her role on her HS team was 98% EP and only hit. She was smiles and jacked for every game and there were even times my wife and I would hope the coach would let her play in the games that didn't have as much meaning, even though it meant ours would sit. Even though that didn't happen, this one individual would do her job, day in and out, with personality and smiles and I would take 10 of those types any day in my book.

At the end of the day it's a only a game played by kids, not life and death situations.
 
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I know one kid these past few years that her role on her HS team was 98% EP and only hit. She was smiles and jacked for every game and there were even times my wife and I would hope the coach would let her play in the games that didn't have as much meaning, even though it meant ours would sit. Even though that didn't happen, this one individual would do her job, day in and out, with personality and smiles and I would take 10 of those types any day in my book.

At the end of the day it's a only a game played by kids, not life and death situations.

Very well put!
 
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Don't reply unless you've read ALL the posts. Don't read between the lines. Otherwise I just skip over them as uninformed. I never objected to DD being moved to 7th. I said she was PROMISED 4th, that's all. Ergo the poll about being lied to. I never said r-field was not an important position. I said my DD wasn't the best player for it. She's not fast enough. Everybody knows outfielders are supposed to be the fastest players on the team. Or do they? Besides, if a coach doesn't tell a player why they are being moved around, HOW does is educate her in order for her to improve herself?????????
 
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I've read every single post on here. Fair enough, you don't feel she was the best player for outfield...my dd is slow too, I cracked up when I got to a school ball game and they had her in CF. I figured they needed her there for one reason or another and if she wasn't a fit, they would see that soon enough....whatever, they are the coaches, that's their choice. Yes, you did say you wanted a poll about being lied to, but you also said you quit. Did you and your daughter try to have a conversation with the coach..a civil, open minded one? Right after a game is not the right time to talk to a coach. You would be surprised at what answers you will get when you speak calmly with a coach. My son plays travel baseball, a few years ago, he was offered a position on the team as a 1st baseman. A few games into the season, he started playing right field. I didn't understand why...so I asked. The coach said "Are you kidding me? That kid has the best arm on the team...I NEED him there" that was a good enough answer for me, my kid found out he loved right field and that's where he plays to this day, I don't think you could pay him to play first base again. I am sure you are a real nice person who wants what is best for your daughter, but it sounds as though you didn't even give anything a chance, the minute she didn't play a position or bat in the order you said she was promised she pulled her....after the first tournament, no less. Ask a college coach for their opinion of what you did and see what they say....
 
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Here is the way travel ball works. You find a coach and team you like. Do your due diligence. If you and your DD like the team and are offered a spot you commit for the year and turn your DD over to the coach. Then you sit back, shut up and enjoy the kids playing. You cheer them on only being positive about EVERY player. 11 players with a couple parents and maybe some grandparents, say around 20 to 25 adults are not all going to agree with what the coach does. But you keep quite because you don't have all the info or thoughts into why something was done. Coach can't confer and get consensus on everything they do. Your DD might have been put in the field for a reason you don't know about. If you can't sit back and enjoy with-out butting in or posting all your cr@p on a public forum be honest with your coach and tell him that's is how you are so he knows whats he's getting into. Don't blind side him. Good luck to your daughter. Has to hard on her leaving new friends and teammates.

this should be posted at every set of bleachers
 
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Stop feeding the Troll.....

troll-2.gif
 
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I need to print all these replies from OFC'rs and put in a book.. so much experience and words of wisdom from those that have been there .. we should hand this out at Tryouts in Aug to all the parents to read while their DD is trying out.

It appears that the TEAM is lost in today's society. I tell parents that they have every right to look for a team where their DD will play a lot and not sit out much. If she is a serious player that is the right thing for her development - players need to be on the field. But, they have to realize that the girls behind her 'should' be working to take their DD's starting spot and their DD working hard to improve to keep it. Everyone improves.

We have had 3 families (out of 150) contact us after this first big weekend of ball wanting their DD's release because their DD did not play 'her' desired position(s) enough. Their "expectations were not met" was the logic of 2 (14u's), 1 (a 10u) wanted to go play summer s-o-cc-er (boo!) - after the first weekend! Only the 10u's parents were courteous enough to call and talk with the coach before hand. Sadly, the other parents dropped an email.

My DD plays on our 14u team - after 2 years playing third, she was asked to catch for the betterment of the team - it is NOT her HS position or her favorite, but she had no problem playing there last weekend and thru dad's eyes she did great. She made the team better thru allowing the coach to put the best lineup on the field - and the best line-up does not always have girls in their personal 'best' position.

ASA has it right by enforcing their policies, preventing players from jumping from team to team each week and ruining the integrity of the sport. When a player asks to leave one of our teams we will wish them well, point out the ASA policy and alert the ASA commish of the departure. After that we move forward as planned...

Dropped by email. How can you leave a team without discussing it with the coach? If it was because things weren't like you expected then you owe the coach the opportunity to talk about it. If it's because of outside factors like the family financial situation you owe the coach at least a phone call. Your leaving him/her and 10-11 other girls in a lurch. Just the decent thing to do. What happened to integrity in adults? :rolleyes:
 
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Is this site a coaches site or can I get an honest players poll? How many coaches have out right lied to a recruited player? We just quit a team because a coach promised our dd that she would either play 1st, 3rd, or catch. She would also bat 4th. He kept his promise up until her first tourney in
Dayton. We were travelling 3 hours just to get to practices down their. He also promised he would sign up for some tourneys around here. Nope. Why would you move your starting 1st &/or 3rd baseman, (depending on where he put her for that game), as well as 4th in the line-up to right field and 7th when you played against a well known select team?

Hmmm...had to be a reason I would suspect.



First let me clarify...Not saying r-field is not an important position. My dd is not a fast runner. She hits home-runs instead. Her foot & glove work make her infield more than adequate, ask anyone around here that sees her play. Believe me she surprises a lot of people. "Mommy goggles"? People say I'm way too hard on her. BUT, let's get back to the original question for players, NOT coaches. Have you ever been lied to by a coach.

I've only had a problem with one coach. I wouldn't say he lied though. It was a long time ago...about 4 or 5 years.



Oh yeah, by the way...We weren't even looking for a team this year. He came looking for us. She does play rec, also H.S., ACME, and summer all-stars. She hits otf 245'+. Her stats speak for her as well. I can see a coach moving a player if she is not the best player for the position, but what if she isn't. Not even saying my dd was the best. I think the coach was playing local players and for parents that complained about why their dd wasn't playing in the infield. (I just happened to hear them and...).

You posted that you were indeed looking for a team in the "Players Looking For Team" section. Also, people see things different ways. Obviously, you and the coach saw things differently.




I agree. Let's put the kid where she BENEFITS the team the most. And if she doesn't want to play where she was put, then she doesn't want to play and sit her down.

Maybe that's exactly what happened in this situation.



Look. I don't think you are getting where I'm coming from. IF my dd ever plays for a travel team again, I want to know up front what is going to happen. It costs way too much $$ and time to travel for us, (ergo not looking for a team). Our weekly schedule is filled with camps and practices and other extra curricular activities. BELIEVE YOU ME! What is the purpose of spending all that time and money to learn how to play a position she won't play anywhere else. I'm sorry, but I didn't put her on a travel team just to say that she is. I want her to get all the experience she can. I wanted her to play for a team that was more interested in what they looked like ON the field, not what they looked like walking to it.

We know exactly what you are talking about but the reason you pay $$$ is so your dd can get better at the game...period.



You know, I had to register after reading thread. I've lurked around on this board for a couple years now and never registered, but this one hit home for me. I went back and researched the threads that the original poster had replied to in order to verify my thoughts because this scenario was all too familiar. We had a girl quit my daughter's team this weekend, and lo and behold, this thread was started by the girl's parent who quit.
I won't go into what was promised to this girl, because I wasn't present for that "conversation" and frankly have no idea what was said or if that "conversation" even took place. But I will say this....if you're going to sit back and feel like your daughter deserves to be granted that much privelege regarding playing time, position preference, etc., then she better be the next Crystal Bustos. And let me tell you, I didn't see the next Bustos there this weekend. Not even close. I don't know, maybe if she'd not quit and showed up to finish the tourney, then maybe we'd all seen something different. There certainly were none of those " 245' " blasts that was referred to earlier in this thread, well, at least not from her. Sorry, but that's just the facts.

Sorry folks, but I took this thread to be extremely demeaning to the girls on this team who have worked their tails off in the off season to get where they are now, only to have someone come along and demand that their kid gets preferential treatment in her very first tournament with them. I'd like to know, how many teams has this girl played for anyway, and will their search ever end?

And if anyone wants stats, I can probably get them....



Hope you all have a great day, and this will conclude my very first post on OFC!!!

P.S. Yes, I do feel better now!

Your dd does not appear to be the player you portray her to be according to this person.



continued.........
 
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Not her first season and not the first time hearing parents just like me. I guess they are just too afraid to put it in "writing". I however believe I am teaching my daughter NOT to take **** off anybody. Her power is to believe in her self, not that someone thinks she's not good enough so try harder. Sorry you didn't see the game, but the first 4 games on this team she played 3rd & 1st and made no errors. 1st, 2nd, & short made plenty. I mean come on, if a 1st baseman can't catch a ball thrown right at her at perfect tag level???????? When he switched her to first for an inning she didn't have any errors. I smell coaches and butt kissers. Like I said, I don't put my kid on a travel team just to say she is. I put her there to get more experience. She has played fall ball at the local college for H.S. players for 3yrs. now. She's a freshman this year. The college coach has already offered her a spot. She's not good enough?

Not one person that knows you and your dd has come on here to defend your dd and what a solid a player she is. Someone on here must know her and her awesome abilities. Where are they?


All of our DDs teams since 12u have promised us sunshine and roses. Some kind of other player drama has been shown during the season. Late pick up 12u pitcher promised to be starting, (moved the other "starting" down), and as soon as she pitched a real tourney game and showed she couldn't was given my DDs spot and she got the bench. The organization sold their winter practice building so the new pitchers dad gave them his barn. They were teaching her how to play DDs spot during the tourney. My DD was 3rd all winter practice. At young 12u her heart was broken so we decided to back out rather than watch her cry. No 13u teams around here. 14u coach that she subbed for last year because not enough players, (asked her to play left field and she was happy to do so), promised her a spot the following season. We didn't care where on the team. It was a real good coach and a real good team. He dropped my DD and picked up a LOCAL player who had quit her team the season before for the same reason we are accused of, (she even got picked up by another team to finish that year as their starting pitcher). He promised us he wasn't going to do that because he wanted to pick up more than "local" girls. We came from an hour away. 14u coach our DD was playing for in that same season, (in the same organization), let his DD coach the games because she had gotten injured. We thought we'd try further away for THIS season with an organization that was playing under a well renowned organizations name. The team we were going to use the "no girl left behind" scholarship fund for. That 14u coach left his team during a winter team tourney standing on the field in the middle of a game. His wife threw a fit because he had promised his own daughter 2nd pitcher. When he put a substitute 12u left fielder in the spot instead, his wife grabbed her bawling DD off the field and left. He went right after them and never came back. You already know what this seasons 14u coach did. Are we naive? I don't know? After those coaches? All her other coaches, (college coach included), never move her except to the places she KNOWS how to play. She plays 1st, 3rd, & catch. I guess I'm naive about the way travel teams run. I guess rec, H.S.,ACME, all stars, & fall ball are enough experience. Maybe a camp is best for teaching her how to play different positions, (instead of a game). Her 12u team showed us that. If our DD plays on a teams spot that she doesn't know how to play, and take it from the player knowledgeable for that position, how would that player & their parents feel? Think of it this way, take the starting PITCHER out, (and bench her), and put my DD there instead.

You've had some serious drama in your fairly short stint in travel ball. You're like a drama magnet; it's like it follows you wherever you go.


If a coach is offering promises, aren't they in a way telling us that they really want our DD on the team for that specific reason? Maybe it's YOU that can only put us down because your DD has NEVER been promised a position. Maybe you are just happy to spend the money to say your DD made a team or a coach or organization that is happy to get it. After all ask the OFC if they sent us the applications for the coach to fill out and if that coach sent them in. He told us his team was going to pick up the tab! As for those of you so critical about my experience and reactions, I would never want my DD to play on a team that criticizes other players and their family in this way. Look into yourselves and see why this upsets you so much. Maybe there you will find the person that you want to criticise.

You spend the money in hopes that your dd gets better at the GAME. What she plays now is not indicative of what she will play later on in her fastpitch career. Many...and I mean many college fastpitch position players are converted shortstops.






I'm sorry. I assumed way too much about how travel ball works. You know why they say you should never assume, because it makes an *** out of u and me. I assumed that travel teams were for showcasing talent. I assumed that a coach chose a player for the team because of how well they played the position that the team needed. I assumed that travel ball was to prep a player for college and for a college to check out the player at their best position. I guess that's why I got so upset. My DD was the last player on that team that should have played r-field. I assumed that the coach knew this and would never have weakened the team in that spot, espesially when playing one of the top teams in
Ohio. But, it was the coaches choice. I now know what to look for from a coach at a tryout and what to ask about the organization. As for all the people complaining about the drama, I only asked if anyone else had been lied to by a coach. I guess I should not have assumed that was the only response I would have gotten. Besides, you didn't have to read it, or respond if you thought it was stupid. That was your choice.

All I can really say is good luck finding the team that suits your and your dd's needs, irregardless of level of play.


Len
 
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That's kinds like breaking up via text message. Seems to be the way it's done with school kids these days. :confused:

Back to the real question.... Yes, I suffered through the whole thread. Mom, I am skeptical of what really took place in the "promise" conversation. My feeling is something was said, but something else was interpreted to the point of it being a promise.

Most coahes I have ever met only promise what others have already said, a spot on the team and playing time based on what the coach feels is best for the competition of the team. There are some (few) teams that are strictly for showcasing the girls for college exposure, but the vast majority of travel teams I have seen are trying to compete and win. Improving and developing their player's skills fits in right along with that goal as well.

Personally, I won't let my kids quit anything in season once they decided to do it unless there is some sort of safety or abuse issue involved. They have to **** it up and stick out the season because they made a commitment. To me, pulling a kid over playing time or positions is just setting them up for major dissapointments and troubles later in life. I encourage my kids to play a sport for the life lessons it teaches, not for the sport itself. I think quitting in the face of a little adversity teaches the absolute WRONG message.
 
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this is the first time I have posted on here but I feel inclined to do so on this. We took our DD to a few tryouts last year and left decision ultimately up to her on what team would be the best fit. We were promised nothing up front, she is a pitcher and she knew they already had 3 pitchers on the team. She worked hard over the winter at winter pitching clinics and worked with her team all winter to earn her postion in the rotation. She also plays first but often is playing center field and has absolutely no complaints. The coaches are very positive and it shows as this team is gelling and winning games in tournys as A TEAM.... She has learned more this year then her previous 2 years combined. As long as she is contributing to the team in some way she and I are keeping quiet and enjoying the ride!!:yahoo:
 
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You are assuming she is telling the truth.....remember, there are TWO sides to every story.

She is telling the truth about there last team in the fall.The coach lied to everyone,was worthless and untrustworthy.Had no loyalty to players commited to his team.The man told so many lies that he couldnt remember what he told to whom.He even told one parent before a tournament that we were having money troubles and that I went out along the side of the road picking up cans to make enough money to pay our way to this event.:lmao: I found out that everything he said was a lie,(the team did disband)
And what they said about this guys antics in the winter tourn. is right on the money.If anything she was being kind in the way she worded the story.Couse there is so much more to the story.
And after being on a team like that wouldnt you be leary of a coach that lied to you right of the bat?Wouldnt that bring up memorys of driving 2 hours for practice one way?Wouldnt it make you wonder are we getting into the same situation that we were in before?If you say no you are a fool.
So what would you do in this situation? Does it make you wrong for wanting your dd to be on a team where you can believe what you are told by the coach?When everything is out in the open no lies no b.s. everyone gets along better.The players know what to expect and so do the parents.And they gel as a team.Teams like this are most the time pretty good teams and do well in games.
You have to be able to trust in your coach.PERIOD

So dont be quick to judge as this poster does have every right to be cautious after the disbanding of there original choice of a team.
 
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You are assuming she is telling the truth.....remember, there are TWO sides to every story.

She is telling the truth about there last team in the fall.The coach lied to everyone,was worthless and untrustworthy.Had no loyalty to players commited to his team.The man told so many lies that he couldnt remember what he told to whom.He even told one parent before a tournament that we were having money troubles and that I went out along the side of the road picking up cans to make enough money to pay our way to this event.:lmao: I found out that everything he said was a lie,(the team did disband)
And what they said about this guys antics in the winter tourn. is right on the money.If anything she was being kind in the way she worded the story.Couse there is so much more to the story.
And after being on a team like that wouldnt you be leary of a coach that lied to you right of the bat?Wouldnt that bring up memorys of driving 2 hours for practice one way?Wouldnt it make you wonder are we getting into the same situation that we were in before?If you say no you are a fool.
So what would you do in this situation? Does it make you wrong for wanting your dd to be on a team where you can believe what you are told by the coach?When everything is out in the open no lies no b.s. everyone gets along better.The players know what to expect and so do the parents.And they gel as a team.Teams like this are most the time pretty good teams and do well in games.
You have to be able to trust in your coach.PERIOD

So dont be quick to judge as this poster does have every right to be cautious after the disbanding of there original choice of a team.

There is a difference between being lied to and hearing what you want to hear. This isn't the same fall ball coach, because you were lied to once doesn't mean every coach who doesn't agree with you on your dd's talent is lying to you.
 
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With what you are saying it makes her story all that more unbelievable. After what you say she went through she believed that her DD would be guaranteed the #4 spot?? When she was looking for a team she said there wasn't a lot of money for travel ball and wanted local tournaments but signs on with a team that travels a lot and is several hours away?? No one seems to be hearing anything that warrants her and her DD walking out on their commitment to 11 other girls and their coaches. She screwed up, they pay for it. Cautious is something she should have done BEFORE she committed.

She is telling the truth about there last team in the fall.The coach lied to everyone,was worthless and untrustworthy.Had no loyalty to players commited to his team.The man told so many lies that he couldnt remember what he told to whom.He even told one parent before a tournament that we were having money troubles and that I went out along the side of the road picking up cans to make enough money to pay our way to this event.:lmao: I found out that everything he said was a lie,(the team did disband)
And what they said about this guys antics in the winter tourn. is right on the money.If anything she was being kind in the way she worded the story.Couse there is so much more to the story.
And after being on a team like that wouldnt you be leary of a coach that lied to you right of the bat?Wouldnt that bring up memorys of driving 2 hours for practice one way?Wouldnt it make you wonder are we getting into the same situation that we were in before?If you say no you are a fool.
So what would you do in this situation? Does it make you wrong for wanting your dd to be on a team where you can believe what you are told by the coach?When everything is out in the open no lies no b.s. everyone gets along better.The players know what to expect and so do the parents.And they gel as a team.Teams like this are most the time pretty good teams and do well in games.
You have to be able to trust in your coach.PERIOD

So dont be quick to judge as this poster does have every right to be cautious after the disbanding of there original choice of a team.
 

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