Changing Organizations

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Well said Joe, afterall it is a ME, ME ME, ME world these days.

 

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sbplaya: I hear what you're saying, but let me then add the following to my post from earlier this evening: Insert "or if we see a better opportunity available to us" after 'if it makes us happy as an organization'.

 

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The bottom line is, all that is really important, is your family, think about #1. ?Very few teams or organizations will do whats best for you, ?you have to do that for yourself. ?Right now, if you feel this is whats best, thats all that is important. ?Just remember that the travel softball community is a close knit family with the computer age, and future travel ball doors could be slammed in your face, if you leave a team high and dry. ?Make sure you consider all your options, short and long term before you make any decisions. ?JMHO.

 

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reading many of these posts I see the same theme keeping popping up. Me , Me, Me. Also, organizations seem to take a beating. There is no way to please everyone.

here is what I think most people are forgetting. Why are we doing this? What is the reason we are taking time out of our summer, spring, winter and fall? Are we wanting to get our players better, or just have a nice social experience? If our goal is to get our player better, and we gave a good effort looking for the right team or orgnaization then it seems that it would beneifit the player by learning the life lesson of working thur the issues and getting better. In other words making the most out of your situation.

on the other hand if the main reason is a nice social experience (and in my opinon there is a high percentage of these) then you should try to find the most comfortable surroundings. Maybe someone that will cave to your every need, and treat your princess like the second coming. While this may make you feel good, it often does little to improve a players physical or mental toughness.

Fastpitch softball is actually a tough game to play and have success at for a player. It is bascially a game of failures with a few successes sprinkled in. If a player (and parents) do not understand this on a long term basis then there is little future for their child in this sport at a high level. competition makes players better. It makes them work harder and it helps them to never be satisfied with their current abilities or accomplishments. Most players are not able to be pushed to maximize their potential while mom and dad are making excuses and trouble in the background. The players who continue to grow at this sport are the ones who have support in a positive way and parents who allow them to be coached and grow as part of a team.

 

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If things are good where you are currently are, you'd be insane to switch. ?But if $600 is that important (heck, just say $1000 including extra gas and travel), then go ahead and switch, but complain to no one if it doesn't work out.

Also, did your current team cut anyone in the fall tryout period with the thought that you (or your daughter) would be on the roster? ?Will your conscious be ok with abandoning that team and leaving it in worse shape? ?Does the current team cut players in November after offering them a spot in August? ?

I'm with you, Joe!
Eat the $600.00, drive the extra 20 minutes, and stay where you are.

 

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There is no easy way to break away from a team you dont (really) have a problem with. Sometimes you just have to go. If the team is feeling stale and its not fun or if there is a better opportunity for your dd to grow as a player take off. The only issue I have is your decision to wait till after the tryout season to leave. Most teams have some downtime after the season, thats when you should make your decision. That being said unless your dd is a #1 pitcher most teams worth their salt would still have time to get another player. I also dont agree with thinly veiled threats of being black balled. If you've been with a team a few years then leave I dont think you would have much trouble hooking up with another organization as long as your dd was a decent player. If you've really thought it through and still want to go then say goodbye and go. Dont let us make up your mind for you.

 

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By the way did I mention that we really like the Mid-Ohio Thunder 14u and would'nt dream of going anywhere! ;D

 

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I have a hard time with this one. Every player and team had an opportunity to make choices when the tryout seaon occured. That is the time of transition. I would be willing to bet both of these teams had spots availbale then. Both the org. and the player could have made choices and both could have recovered and move forward during this time.

Maybe I am old school but once both make a commitment to each other I think they should be locked in for the season. In todays day an age we give ourselves way to many easy outs to either get ourselves something that appears better or to remove ourselves from something bad without looking in the mirror first and saying what can I do or what I am contributing to the issue to not make it the best it can be. I am jumping off my soapbox.

 

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By the way did I mention that we really like the Mid-Ohio Thunder 14u and would'nt dream of going anywhere! ;D

You're a good man, Chico! ?And one with impeccable taste, I might add!

 

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I think you are going to get a different answer from coaches and parents. The coaches on here seem to be telling you not to leave. I think you should weigh the pros and the cons and make a careful educated decision. If you truly feel this is the best opportunity for your daughter then you should switch. If it is strictly money, you need to see if this other team is going to fulfill your needs. Remember she is going to be low man on the totem pole. They already have girls that may play your daughters position and she is going to really have to show her "stuff."
I agree with chicoflip about the thinly veiled threats. If your daughter is good enough she will be picked up by someone else. Remember, once you make this decision there is no going back so if you guys aren't happy with this other team you will probably not get back on your previous team.
I am sure this team would much rather you change now, then wait and change in May. At least now, they have time to look for another player. But again you have to do what is best for you and your daughter, not everyone else.

 

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I am not reading enough details here from the original poster to be able to give a good opinion on this. We are assuming that since its November that someone is breaking a commitment here which I think most of us have a problem with. Are we to assume here that the "normal" tryout/selection/commitment process occurred with the old organization back in the August time frame? Believe it or not, not all teams do that and they just assume you are coming back. Also, would the DD's leaving create a big void in the old organization ... how are they on numbers overall and for the position she plays? For example, I see this differently if she is one of only two pitchers or two catchers vs. if she is a role/bench player and they have 12 girls on the roster without her. If the latter were the case, I would talk to the coach about the reasons for considering the change and see how they feel about it. The other question centers around the importance of the money ... it kind of sounds like it was thrown in there for a rationalization, but there are definitely families out there where I would not blame them making a change if they could save that amount of money. And like everyone else, I agree that if you are going to make a change to do it as soon as possible, and definitely know what you are getting into with the other team ... i.e., not just the location and money, but things like playing time, schedule, etc.

 

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Just wanted to do a response to let you all know the decision we came to as a family. First off...We are not breaking any contracts or commitments...The organization that she has played for the past 3 years is a little differant...They hold try-outs all summer, and choose about 16 girls with those girls they do a fall tourney. All the girls get to play in the tourney to vow for a spot. You than get a letter in the form of a contract that the family must sign and have returned by the first of Dec. with the first installment of payment.....So for those of you who was saying that we was selfish we aren't. You don't know what you are saying. We as a family have taught our DD's that once you commit to something you finsih it out.

This is the correct time to opt out.

Anyways we are switching teams and are happy with our decision as a FAMILY, and thats what this is all about. period For those of you who actually wrote good advice wether I agreed or not thank you.... For the rest of you who was cynical and down right rude...you know what to do......Thanks all....

 

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I just got back to this thread, when I made my original post it was under the assumption you had not made a commitment to either team at this point, after reading your explanation I see my assumption was correct.

I would not condone anybody leaving a team after making a commitment to that team for that year. I also dont believe my DD has signed a lifetime contract with a team, if after the season we couldnt afford the travel or were looking for something else then it would be in our right to look for another team.

Picking a team is about you or ME ME ME as some of you put it, once your on a team its about the team for that year. Everybody has different goals, family dynamics and financial contraints. And that can change everyear for some people.

I say all this and my DD is starting her first year of 16U and going on her 4th season with the same core group of kids. We also are very happy as a family where we are at now and my DD is also very happy and is getting the proper coaching from a group of coaches I would put up against any other teams