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Member
I think the way tryouts are set up now is impossible for the teams and just as impossible for the players.
1. Many teams require returning players to try out. That tells them and their parents that they do NOT have the security of a position or even a roster spot.
2. Many teams hold their tryouts before or during Nationals. Players from teams that go to Nationals can't make these tryouts.
3. Teams that hold the earliest tryouts always want an answer from players who may want to try out for other teams later in the month. They force the player to commit or to gamble that she'll make another team.
4. Teams that are really looking for a pitcher or maybe a catcher or an outfielder or a bench player hold "open" tryouts and waste the time and money of dozens of players and their parents who really have no chance to make the team--no matter how good they are.
5. Any coach who says he/she is holding an "open" tryout is lying. If they have an established team, then they have pretty much guaranteed certain positions to returning players. They have to do this. So, when they hold this "open" tryout-- and their top three pitchers and their catcher are returning-- they are simply going through the motions when they start evaluating pitchers and catchers at the tryout. It's deceitful and it's a waste of time. They'll argue that they have players who are trying out for other teams and that they have no idea whether those players will return, so they have no choice but to hold "open" tryouts. That's what makes the whole process absurd.
6. What's the answer? Damned if I know.
1. Many teams require returning players to try out. That tells them and their parents that they do NOT have the security of a position or even a roster spot.
2. Many teams hold their tryouts before or during Nationals. Players from teams that go to Nationals can't make these tryouts.
3. Teams that hold the earliest tryouts always want an answer from players who may want to try out for other teams later in the month. They force the player to commit or to gamble that she'll make another team.
4. Teams that are really looking for a pitcher or maybe a catcher or an outfielder or a bench player hold "open" tryouts and waste the time and money of dozens of players and their parents who really have no chance to make the team--no matter how good they are.
5. Any coach who says he/she is holding an "open" tryout is lying. If they have an established team, then they have pretty much guaranteed certain positions to returning players. They have to do this. So, when they hold this "open" tryout-- and their top three pitchers and their catcher are returning-- they are simply going through the motions when they start evaluating pitchers and catchers at the tryout. It's deceitful and it's a waste of time. They'll argue that they have players who are trying out for other teams and that they have no idea whether those players will return, so they have no choice but to hold "open" tryouts. That's what makes the whole process absurd.
6. What's the answer? Damned if I know.