Can your players go to other tryouts?

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My daughters previous coach didn't offer spots to any of his players. But invited them to the tryouts and told them they where "on the bubble" And he recommended the girls go to other tryouts and thats what we did and I know 3 out of his players have been offered spots with other teams and gladly accepted. Sometimes thinking your waiting for the next best player can hurt a team in the long run. ;&

Thats how I feel; If on our first weekend of tryouts we see a good ball player I am not going to tell them to wait. Last year for our second weekend of tryouts I just needed one player. This year I may have the players I need at the first weekend of tryouts. In my case if you are seriously considering our team I hope you make the first tryout, becasue I will not assume something more is coming next week. As far as my players going to other tryouts; I already ready said I would not mind but, if they are just "checking" out other organizatons then I am going to check out other players. If they remain on the team then there would be no backlash for it. I know coaches from other teams called a couple of my players (which I think is tacky) becasue my players told me and they are staying.

 

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At the end of every season, I ALWAYS encourage ALL my players to go to as many tryouts as they can. It is a good way to gauge their skills against others their age, get some extra practice, pick up some drills, and to see what offers they get. Alot of people think I'm crazy because I "allow" my players to go to tryouts other than mine. I am their coach not their parent, they don't need my permission to tryout for a team they want to tryout for. I think it is absurd NOT to allow your players to check out every opportunity that is available to them. I'm constantly being asked..What if you lose them? What if they get a better offer and jump teams? If they are jumping teams, than they weren't happy anyway and it is better to get it taken care of now than halfway through the season. If you are a good coach and you are doing your job well, than there is no need to worry about losing your players.

Klump, you're spot on! This is exactly how I feel and I believe this is the way it should be.

Len

 

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my dd's coach invited all 10 players back. No tryout neccessary. Something about keeping the girls he has and building off an already successful team. If you want to look go ahead. No one looked. Show the girls how inportant they are and they'll be back.

 

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I dont quite think its as cut and dry as yes go to all the tryouts you want. I have no problem as a coach with kids trying for as many teams or organizations as they want. They sign a 1 year committment, not a life time contract. But, if your going back to your former team, why waste the time of other people who are trying to form a team.

I would would want an answer before tryouts so I could fill my own team. I think a Yes we are back, no we wont be back or we are not entirely sure would be fine. I want an idea of what I will need to fill my own team before tryouts. The "not sures" take the chance that I might find somebody that I like and offer them their spot, its not personal but I have a obligation to my team to fill the open positions or possible open positions with the best player I can find. It doesnt mean the "we are not sures" arent welcomed back, it just means I am going to be actively looking at tryouts to fill their spot.

I remember taking my oldest to a tryout right after the Laser tryouts, she was offered a spot during the tryouts, of course that was 16's when by that time pretty much all the coaches know what your about, but we told the coach she was waiting to hear back from the Lasers and if offered a spot by the Lasers she would take it. He told us that was fine but he could only hold her spot for 48 hours and then he'd he have to fill it. She ended up playing for the Lasers and he had time to fill his open position with somebody he liked rather then a warm body.

So I think if your going to attend a bunch of tryouts, you atleast need to be upfront if offered a spot right away.

 

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I agree with Uber. You cannot expect coaches to wait forever. Every day they wait for your daughter to decide means there are less players available for them to get to complete their roster. I do believe that August is the month when you do what is best for you and the rest of the year you do what is best for the team, but at some point you have to make a decision.
This may ruffle some feathers, but a part of me thinks there is some ego involved in some of these cases. People like to say my daughter was offered spots on X number of teams.

 

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Doug,

I agree with you 100%. We've also asked all of our players to come back next year & have asked for commitments prior to tryouts. Our feeling is that if a player has committed her time & energy to our team this year, there is no reason to try to fill her position with someone else. We also try to build relationships with our players & families & genuinely want the group to stay together. If players/parents are unsure of what they want to do the following season, then we appreciate the honesty of knowing that & would certainly not try to prevent anyone from trying out for other teams. However, if a player does commit to our team, we take that commitment in faith & would not look to fill that position with someone else at tryouts. If a player doesn't commit, we consider that position open & will look to fill it.

To me it's simple, respect your players & their families & be honest with them. Our expectation is simply to receive that same respect in return.

Good luck to all teams & players at tryouts & in the 2011 season!

Patina
Buckeye Heat '98

 

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Staff22

It seems simple really. I am building our team over a long haul .. we returned all 10 players - I would like to find 1 more. My coaches have taken our players over the past 3 seasons and worked with them to make them very good players and hitters. They are on the upper end now of skill and will only improve. I don't want to see those hundreds of hours of training invested go elsewhere.

You mentioned respect and honesty. That is the key along with communication. Our '97 team took my model and used it this year - he meet with 2-3 players that he felt he would probably not invite back after tryouts and meet with their parents and let them know up front - while that hurt - they are now free to look for other opportunities elsewhere now. Some org's don't tell their players they are returning until late Aug and keep inviting girls that they 'like' to 2-3 tryouts in a row, then tell them in late Aug if they want them. We have already picked up several girls (good players) that felt like their position was being shopped by their old team and they would rather move than wait until late Aug to see if they are invited back. To each their own I guess.

I tell our coaches not to string kids out like that - invite them back to 1 more tryout to get a better / another look but no more - make and offer or not after the 2nd tryout - but be up front with the kid and family.

 

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yes, they can go... ultimately... whether we want them to return or not... we don't own them. They can play with us if "they" choose and my goal as a coach and a person is allow them to feel as if they can find the absolute and best match/pick/fit that they can. That means that some will go. Love keeping a successful team together and it's really about the families decisions over the teams needs for we were people before ball players. From a unity and "gellin" standpoint, risky but ultimately they are young. Besides, there are better coaches out there than me and they may find my coaching is spot on but "Sally" may have a better gut feel about team xyz.

Just my view.

 

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Seems there is no middle ground on this subject. I have a hard time understanding the idea of a girl wasting the time of an org. or taking time from other more likely prospects. If a tryout is well organized and ran efficiently, a few girls that are committed elsewhere shouldn't be that big of a deal. I encourage even the committed girls to attend other tryouts. The environment of being evaluated is great experience. More of a "Big Picture" approach I guess?

 

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staff22:

Well said. Yes, if a player is unhappy with her past team or thinks she can do better, she should try out for other teams as long as she has not committed earlier to her team from the past year. We advertise based upon the commitments that have been made to us from our present players. If we can't rely upon those commitments, then we would have to advertise for all positions and then we would need to make offers based upon a "guess" as to who will or will not return. Klump, I respect you a lot so I am interested in how you handle that situation. Isn't part of your "go to other tryouts" accompanied by "and I will consider your position open"? If not, then are you saying that you will preserve a spot and if your player commits to another team you will fill that spot after the tryouts are over? Because I think taking that risk damages the team as a whole if the player leaves.

Hard questions, no easy answer. We DO ask our players to make a commitment before try-outs and we trust their answers. We've never had someone say that they are on the fence and will be attending other try-outs but I am guessing that if we got that response, we would be looking at try-outs to see whether we can secure a player of equal or better talent. How fair is it to other team members to run the risk that we will be searching, after try-outs, for a player to fill a position left open by the fence-sitter's decision to leave? I must be missing something here?

 

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P

Interesting reading... thanks for starting it Klump.

I went to all my players that started the season two weeks ago and told them that I would like to have everyone of them (10) back for next year. I asked them to give me an answer before Aug 7th and everyone accepted. Had any not accepted I would not have been upset, I would have just proceeded to look for a better player at tryouts.

My parents all told me they appreciated that their DD's were not 'hanging' out waiting - I appreciate knowing our team will only improve going into their second year of 12u. And the girls can't wait to start practice for 2011 later on today! LOL .. actually just a little hitting training tonight for those that can make it.

We have 2 spots to fill yet -if the right player and parents come along. Last season we sat at 10 thru June.. I hope to add 1 this year.

I was talking to a parent last night and he told me that their coach had told all his players that he will make offers around the end of August after tryouts conclude and that he encouraged all his players to go tryout during August.

I don't really understand that - I know there is not much loyalty in FP - everyone is a volunteer but really? If you have good players and families on the team, why would you not secure them before tryouts if they wanted to stay and you wanted them. That sends a message that the coach is going to see if he can find a better player than you but if not he will be back to offer. I take it as a challenge to train my kids, with their hard work, I personally find it much more rewards to build a team that has success than recruit one every season.

We have kept our team together and improved our girls for the past 3 years - always moving forward in their skills and training - the last thing I want to do is start with a bunch of new players every year - even talented ones - teaching them the game, Carriers hitting methods and the like. I have seen many 14-16u kids come in our org that have played with 3-4 orgs/coaches every year. Each one has changed their swing or re-positioned them for the team. I hope to engrain our kids with the training we get from Howard, Hartwig and all the instructors we bring in to show us how to teach the kids. That produces a more fundamentally sound and successful team in the long run.

My last comment is that if a player wants to go to some tryouts please do .. but not if you are committed to your original team - as said above - don't waste the coaches time at the tryout at the expense of another player.

Tis the season ..... I found this thread very helpful last year. I thought it was worth bumping for anyone who missed it.
I wish that all organizations went with the policy of Doug's and Klump's. As always you both have the kids best interests at heart. It isn't always about the "organization" or "winning" when in reality what you are working with are the hearts and feelings of kids.
This hits close to home for me. We are very happy with our Ray family, but my niece is with an outfit that just doesn't get it.
This is my favorite statement in Doug's post;


[I don't really understand that - I know there is not much loyalty in FP - everyone is a volunteer but really? If you have good players and families on the team, why would you not secure them before tryouts if they wanted to stay and you wanted them. That sends a message that the coach is going to see if he can find a better player than you but if not he will be back to offer. I take it as a challenge to train my kids, with their hard work, I personally find it much more rewards to build a team that has success than recruit one every season.

 

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Staff22

It seems simple really. I am building our team over a long haul .. we returned all 10 players - I would like to find 1 more. My coaches have taken our players over the past 3 seasons and worked with them to make them very good players and hitters. They are on the upper end now of skill and will only improve. I don't want to see those hundreds of hours of training invested go elsewhere.

You mentioned respect and honesty. That is the key along with communication. Our '97 team took my model and used it this year - he meet with 2-3 players that he felt he would probably not invite back after tryouts and meet with their parents and let them know up front - while that hurt - they are now free to look for other opportunities elsewhere now. Some org's don't tell their players they are returning until late Aug and keep inviting girls that they 'like' to 2-3 tryouts in a row, then tell them in late Aug if they want them. We have already picked up several girls (good players) that felt like their position was being shopped by their old team and they would rather move than wait until late Aug to see if they are invited back. To each their own I guess.

I tell our coaches not to string kids out like that - invite them back to 1 more tryout to get a better / another look but no more - make and offer or not after the 2nd tryout - but be up front with the kid and family.

Once again, Well said!


"You mentioned respect and honesty. That is the key along with communication. Our '97 team took my model and used it this year - he meet with 2-3 players that he felt he would probably not invite back after tryouts and meet with their parents and let them know up front - while that hurt - they are now free to look for other opportunities elsewhere now."

 

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Great Thread. I have learned a few things from it.

Last year we had a girl tell us up front she was going to another try-out, but had no intentions of leaving the team (she is still with us). She told the other team she just wanted to see where she ranked in making this team. Good for her that she was up front to both teams.

 

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I hope I’m not being redundant but would like to share my thoughts on the thread.

I encourage players and families to shop around and find that perfect fit if they believe there is something better and if they are not happy with the instruction they are receiving with me and the staff. All I ask is they compare apples to apples when judging us with others and point out they should be sure to get the obvious questions answered before committing to a new club if that’s what they decide to do.

Check the overall cost, not just the fees to be paid. Find out their tentative schedule for the upcoming season that may influence your decision on how much traveling you can afford. How many days a week will you be expected to attend team functions including practices? Will they be participating in a league and where?

I agree that if a family has any interest and decides to change, they weren’t totally fulfilled with us. It is America as mentioned and people are allowed choices. I don’t want them to stay if they are not happy. Now, if they have already tried out and committed to us for the next season, I believe they SHOULD NOT be traveling around trying out for others for any reason. It simply gives others false hope if you have no intentions of considering a move. I would find it offensive if I found out girls that have committed to me were doing this. After all, you have committed. There is nothing to gain here and everything to lose. If I’ve already invited you back, I’ve made a commitment to you for another season. Show some loyalty and respect by addressing any invitations by informing others you have accepted a slot with us and follow that up with a down payment or your dues as agreed to. How trustworthy is your word?

If a family is shopping, contact as many clubs as you can before tryouts. Just remember it is first to sign so if you make the organizations wait, there’s no guarantee they’ll be holding a spot for you when you return. Do your homework early and narrow your list to only the clubs that meet your criteria of expectations. Those should be the clubs you will want to attend the physical tryouts. You may strike many teams off your list before ever attending by simply calling ahead and getting some answers in advance.

Be sure to be honest with clubs about your intentions. If you need more time, tell them you want to go home and think about it. If possible agree on a time line of when you can let them know, then be adult enough to give the club an answer even if it is “no.” I always appreciated the players that would inform me as soon as possible of their decision. If that same player came back to tryouts the following year, I would give them every chance to earn a spot on the roster because I would assume they were not happy where they went and had a change of heart about playing for us.

Honesty is always the best policy.

 

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I think it's important for girls to explore their options. Lets face it if were doing our jobs the girls are getting better every time they step on field. So it's only natural for some of them to want to see how they stack up against other kids. As a coach however I would like to know if they are looking elsewhere for the simple fact of having time to replace them with a similar player. Not because they owe me anything, but respect for their teamates. But they dont need permission from me to venture out and see whats available.

heres the trouble......what you are promised from another team is not always what ya get! The grass is not always greener.

 

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@ daboss:

On the same page with you and still have the same approach that I posted last year on this thread. We make our offers to return before the tryout period and ask for commitments before we do our tryouts. If a player says she can't commit to us and wants to attend other tryouts, then we advertise for the position(s) she plays. It isn't really "cutting" the player because we might still make her an offer after our try-out. The timing can get complex, but I think a coach has to protect the interest of the team above the interest of one player. If someone is trying out for other teams after she has a offer to return, a coach needs to advertise for her position(s).

If a team has chosen to hold "open tryouts" each year (that is, the team has not chosen to make pre-tryout offers for returning players), then that team will have some and perhaps many young ladies try out for them even though the team knows it is going to make offers to return. I think this is very unfair to the young ladies who are trying to get the most from the tryout season. Tryouts generally run over the first two weekends of August. Under our system, we would only advertise for positions/specific skills that do not have a sufficient number of returning players. Some years we have only had a handful of tryouts for our team. That's a good thing. The young ladies should be at team tryouts that match up needs with the ladies' talents.

 

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Great posts..... I agree, everyone is free to attend other's tryouts but don't do it to waste people's time. If someone came to our tryouts without any intentions of signing then we would not waste any time with this person at future tryouts and would not offer her a spot.
Our players are free to go to other tryouts but when we officially offer her a spot, she has 48 hours to commit or we move on to our next choice.
Realistically, parents and players know about the other programs long before tryouts. If you are really interested in playing for a particular program, contact the coach and let them know prior to tryouts.

 

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I pretty much have a love/hate relationship with this time of year.

- always exciting to see who is going to show up
- always gut wrench time if you need to cut a returner

My daughters all play within our org so I do not have much issue looking around. I took them both to another tryout last year and they both got offers and I then felt kind of weird about taking them there. They are both really good players and they are going to get offered on almost any team so I am thinking of skipping that this year. I did it so they could "feel the pressure" of a real tryout. But after realized they still had no pressure because neither one was worried about making the team........seems obvious now. But seemed like a great idea on the way to the tryout.

 

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Right choice not sending them... I hear ya on the 'tryout' pressure, that is good, but really not fair to other kids trying to earn a spot and the coaches looking for kids ..

 

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If you have players that have already committed for next year to your team then I say no. They are wasting the time of the people running the tryouts and also taking time away from the other girls there to actually try-out.

Now if you have already committed to a team and you want to come to a try-out just for new drills and the practice, then let the coaches know when you get there so that they can charge you the coaching fee.

Last Year another for profit org around here, Had all her players at the 10u level that aready accepted to her teams, she told them to all go to our tryouts just for the purpose of flooding our tryout... Very classless org..

At the end of every season, I ALWAYS encourage ALL my players to go to as many tryouts as they can. It is a good way to gauge their skills against others their age, get some extra practice, pick up some drills, and to see what offers they get. Alot of people think I'm crazy because I "allow" my players to go to tryouts other than mine. I am their coach not their parent, they don't need my permission to tryout for a team they want to tryout for. I think it is absurd NOT to allow your players to check out every opportunity that is available to them. I'm constantly being asked..What if you lose them? What if they get a better offer and jump teams? If they are jumping teams, than they weren't happy anyway and it is better to get it taken care of now than halfway through the season. If you are a good coach and you are doing your job well, than there is no need to worry about losing your players.

I agree If they want to tryout else where so be it... If we find a better fit for players then so be it.. It is a two way street... If we offer them a spot before tryout and they accept than that is different, because we are not looking to fill their postion.

Right choice not sending them... I hear ya on the 'tryout' pressure, that is good, but really not fair to other kids trying to earn a spot and the coaches looking for kids ..

Thats why one org around here is in a class of its own,,,,which is NO Class..