daboss
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In regards to our local rec, I can personally state travel isn't the issue! Here's our local rec story:
In the beginning we had a minimum of 2 team for each age division; however slow and steadily I have witnessed a harsh decline in our rec league. The more I think about it, it's not a decline more of a demise or on life support! Anyhow this prompted me to start investigating, as to why we were losing so many players; especially since our tball program is thriving! Through my investigating and talks with several players and their families I found the main issues wasn't travel or loss of interest it was contributed to the following:
1. There are to many worried about #1. We have coaches and board members building teams around their children and their desire to play particular positions. Locally it doesn't matter how hard other players work or how talented they are, coaches kid and their buddies get priority! These coaches will lose games before moving their child and buddies players; seriously it's all about developing the select players, the rest is just bodies in the field (outfielders mostly)
2. Mutliple Coaches have mutliple kids playing in mutliple age groups, even when they are not needed to fill the roster. For example: coach has 2 daughters that are 2 years apart; first child plays 10u and 12u rec along with travel (dad Coaches all 3 teams) 2nd child plays 8u,10u rec and plays travelball (mom Coaches all 3 teams) often times the 2nd child will also play off weekends with 1st child's older travel team. Now here comes tge twist, mom and dad are related and best buddies with older 16-18u coach so they arrange 1st child to fill in and roster on this team too; as well as making arrangements for 2nd child 14u. Now all these teams have complete rosters but these children are still added, are often times started and playing just as many if not more than girls who only play on age appropriate team. As a 10u, 12u, 14u, 16u, 18u rec player how does it make them feel, sitting the bench (50% or more), while an 8 or 10 year old plays in your spot? It might take the sting off, if these 2 players could outplay the girls on the bench, but not when they are making errors and striking out every at bat.
3. Board members pushed rec and travel players away that would speak against what they were about to do! Anyhow 2 towns went from 4 team down to the point hey they had to many for 1 team and not enough for 2 teams; which allowed them to absorbed players from another town. Upon distribution of the players only the talented, mostly travel, players, from another town were stacked on 1 team; which pushed all the new or rec only players to the 2nd team. Then the stacked team tore through the league undefeated. What makes all other players want to return next year to be slaughtered again?
Before I go any further I would like to personally accept responsibility for my actions. I am not innocent, I have been apart of the problem; however when my child was playing on mutliple teams and starting/playing over girls who only played on 1 team, I pulled my daughter after 2 games! I was not allowing my child's hard work and talent to take away any opportunity from any children whose parents do not have the time or resources to play travel ball or a kid who just wanting to play ball! Although I wasn't a coach, I was part of the problem; to make up for the part I played, I began to look for a solution! This led me to advocated change!
I started discussions and pushed for coaches to only be allowed to coach 1 age division. For players to play in whatever age division they signed up in! Also a player could only be allowed to be pulled up 1 age group from the age division they were initially playing. Also to restrict pulling kids up until the roster fell below 10 players. I further pushed that a player pulled up was not allowed to start or play more innings than a rostered player and they batted at the end of the lineup. Also the opposing coach had to be notified of any player who was pulled up and both books had to document every inning the younger player played and who she subbed; then turned in for review, to ensure the rules were followed! Finally I looked into replacing the board members; however there is no way to replace them. Once you are a part of the hierarchy the only way a member leaves is if they retire, die, or someone hire up sets a vote and calls in favors to push them out; unfortunately when the issues comes from the president down there isn't anything that can be down. Also i was quickly hushed by all those in power, my children were treated horribly for my actions; Finally pushing me just to give up and move my child to travel only!
Eta: I wrote this while driving (yes, I know I'm horrible for it) anyhow please excuse any grammatical errors
My beginning comments deal with travel ball because you mention it as a course of action that would eliminate many of the problems you just dealt with in a Rec ball situation. Sorry, but unfortunately travel ball has it's own set backs.
As much as I hate to admit it I have witnessed something very similar over the years in travel ball. I (we) were never a part of it so I never had reason to to take action. I merely witnessed others dealing within and wondered why they passively stood by and appeared to be willing participants. While sanctioning bodies have rules to help deter many of the things you mentioned, teams picking up replacement players in season can create a storm. The difference between a tropical storm or a hurricane may only be a few MPH.
The teams I observed, appeared to be part of larger organizations and gave the appearance this was normal protocol, yet the faces of the parents along the foul line fencing was telling a different story. The grumbling amongst themselves would grow and many times comments could be overheard after the team would lose. I would ask a few, as they prepared to leave the area, what just happened and they were careful to say they would be looking for another team for next season. They insinuated they were duped at tryouts and some said they were promised this kind of thing wouldn't happen. The dissension was obvious as a core group of parents were tightly gathered at the backstop and the dugout while the others were some distance away.
This is one of the reasons I referred to in my previous post as why parents were jumping ship as early as June. Families experience a winter and spring of promises that things would be different once the "real" season begins. It doesn't take them long to see their money has been wasted on the current situation after a friendly or tournament. It's still present.
Similar scenarios can and have happened in Rec, but the cases I saw were purely related to a lack of volunteers. The saying "beggars can't be choosers" comes to mind. Some say "even bad help is better than no help" but I have felt that's no always true. Volunteers in today's world are in short supply. Volunteers with knowledge and teaching skills that also have a sense of fair play are rare gems. If you find them, grasp them and support them. These same mentors will be relaying more than the game to your children.
Peanutgallery, it sounds like you have a corrupt Rec program with deep roots. I admire you for trying to make a difference. It's admirable that you took the moral high road and by example pulled your daughter from the environment. The problem in many cases comes from Rec programs that constantly twist things so a few can justify their selfish behavior. If they would simply follow the guidelines set by Little League, Cal Ripkin, or a similar program they could avoid many of the issues you mentioned.
You tried. That's more than most would do. You already know you'll probably need to find a greener pasture. Just walk away for now and find a solution for the remainder of your summer. Perhaps this winter you can approach the local Rec. or the Community Club with your proposal of change and offer to help restructure things in the off-season. Volunteer to help.