coach ethics and recruiting!

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I was at a tournament this weekend, where I witnessed something that I thought was very tacky. While talking to coaches from another team between games, along with one of their players, a coach from another team approached and commented to the player that she should be wearing his uniform next season. That was't the first contact from that team at the same tournament. Is this ethical ? Or am I just "Old School" thinking a team attracts players to tryouts by playing good ball with an organization with a good reputation? Just did'nt think it was right to recruit during play at tournaments; and especially so rudely in front of the players current coach!

 

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That's recruiting? It doesn't seem like to me, old school or not. It's the equivalent of saying your a good ball player.

 

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Seriously.
We say that to a ton of girls. Especially the DDS of the other coaches....it is always meant as a compliment.

Not sure why another team or coach telling or asking a player to come to their tryouts is bad form.

 

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Not knowing the whole history with the player and the coach I wouldn't think to much about it. This community, even though large sometimes, has certain old acquaintances that run into one another. Old rec coach making that comment to an old player is nothing more that I would like you to be back with me.

Nothing wrong with letting the player know she did a good job. This is the way some coaches do it at the end of the season.

 

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Not knowing the whole history with the player and the coach I wouldn't think to much about it. This community, even though large sometimes, has certain old acquaintances that run into one another. Old rec coach making that comment to an old player is nothing more that I would like you to be back with me.

Nothing wrong with letting the player know she did a good job. This is the way some coaches do it at the end of the season.

These are my thoughts too. Girls move to different teams for various reasons and the families still maintain friendships with the old coaches.

 

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I've seen a 99 coach pull some BS this year... and one was to my wife of all people. Unreal... not good and no it wasn't the Lasers. Have some tact and don't be scum... after August or Nationals... do it!

 

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Sometimes you just can't wait until after nationals. Some players will only have a few days between their nationals and the first try outs of the season. I know a lot of coaches that make it known that they would like certain players after the season is over. They are recruiting.....not poaching.

I would even go as far to say that it makes the players job easier. It's a win/win going to a team that you like AND that wants you. It takes a lot of the guess work out of things.

Poaching is different and should be handled differently.

As far as Lester's 99 problem......you got to cut them some slack. They are new to the game and "know not what they do". :lmao:

 

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I personally don't think its right to do until after Nationals ... just too much risk of upsetting chemistry of teams who are still playing together. I don't want it done to our team, and I wouldn't feel right doing it myself to someone else's team. Yes, its a very narrow window, but that's the breaks. I have restricted my recruiting at this point to posting about tryouts, and fielding questions that come to me unsolicited. I will make phone calls this week to a few who I know are done with Nationals, and then next week to some others who are finishing up like us this week.

 

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The original thread doesn't sound like recruiting to me. As others mentioned, I would consider it a form of a pat on the back for a job well done. People joke around and life does not need to be taken so serious that simple comment like that would be considered recruiting, nor saying it in front of her current coach especially if they know each other. It's just a jab but also a sign of respect they are doing a good job.

I heard thru the grapevine a year or so ago that a couple of high school coaches were talking smack about me because they heard I supposedly was recruiting their ballplayers to open enroll and play ball at our local high school. lol. I laugh every time I tell this story because 1. It’s not true, 2. I have no vested interest in our school to benefit from such a thing. My daughter graduated years ago! The only thing I can think of is some parent overheard some banter between a couple of coaches and a few adults joking about the kids from a summer travel team I was helping coach. Heck, I may have joined in but I don't recall it. Any time I was around, I never heard one word said I considered recruiting. As a matter of fact; that summer one lady was bad mouthing her high school coach and mentioned she's like to go elsewhere and I calmed her down and reminded her she would be very unhappy leaving all her classmates and friends with only a few years of school left. I was serious about that, yet to this day I understand those same high school coaches that have never met me still believe I would do such a thing. I guess today would be a good time to tell them I'm sorry for helping teach them the game so their schools could benefit from the summer experience. lol.

 

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Not sure what happened in your situation but you might not know the whole story. Example, my dd "subbed" for a 14u team this weekend in Strongsville. After the last game, one of the coaches from the opposing team (who knew that her current team - not the team she subbed for- was moving up to 16u and that she could play 14u again) stopped us and told her good game and that he would like to see her at their tryouts this year. I don't think any harm was done. JMHO

 

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Doesn't really sound like major recruiting and maybe the coaches knew one another. On the other hand, the coach might have been planting seeds. Just throwing out there that he really thought she was a really good player, never know how many kids he has gotten through the years with those simple words. Pay a young lady a compliment and I bet the family looks that team up on OFC for tryout dates unless they are really happy with their current team. Only takes one or two seeds to grow and you have two new players.

 

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As far as Lester's 99 problem......you got to cut them some slack. They are new to the game and "know not what they do". :lmao:

Don't let the 99 fool you. This guy has an older dd who ran the course of travel ball. He is far from new to the game.

 

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Don't let the 99 fool you. This guy has an older dd who ran the course of travel ball. He is far from new to the game.

not sure if it's the same guy or not... to me doesn't matter. I'd rather watch a dog puke than put up with these antics.

I've had many sub for me and never recruited out of respect for what that team built all year, the coach built, and the time necessary to have that player on the team for the season. Licking chops may have occurred but never did we bite. Class, tact, and common sense... all to easy to throw out and say why don't they have it. Well... why ask why with some of these yahoos.... :cap:

 

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I personally don't think its right to do until after Nationals ... just too much risk of upsetting chemistry of teams who are still playing together. I don't want it done to our team, and I wouldn't feel right doing it myself to someone else's team. Yes, its a very narrow window, but that's the breaks. I have restricted my recruiting at this point to posting about tryouts, and fielding questions that come to me unsolicited. I will make phone calls this week to a few who I know are done with Nationals, and then next week to some others who are finishing up like us this week.

I agree. Let your results and coaching be able to attract good ball players. There's a female Stingray coach you have to watch snatching players during the seaon while running off her own players!!!

 

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I think certian coaches recruit and others let the results speak for themselves. Lets face it travel ball is a 1 year commitment (although some players/parents are not sure what that word means.

I have had players approached in the parking lot walking to their cars after tournaments by coaches handing out business cards. While that would not be my style I don't think there is anything wrong with telling a player or parent if there is ever a time you are thinking of making a change I would be intersted in talking.

 

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Snakewomen, Do you really think OFC is the place to address your problems. i would have much more respect for a parent who at least called me as a coach to discuss thier concerns than one who tries to discredit me on a softball forum. Remember the TB communty is not that big and you probably do your DD more harm than good posting here.

I am not familiar with your situation but I do encourage you to contact the coach and have a private discussion. if at that point you still need to vent I guess it is your decision. I hope you find a team you are happy with going forward. Good Luck!

 

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I am ok with players being courted by other teams as long as they honor their one year commitment. Let's face it - each year players come and leave. If you treat the girls right and understand the goals of each of your girls, then they will stay if your team and coaching style matches their goals. Actually, I think that some turnover is good. It is a small community and as long as they do it the right way, everyone understands. I personally rarely recruit. But depending on the level of organization you join, it supports drastically different goals. So I say let your players play as a pick up with other teams. Be confident that they will come back if it is a good fit.

Coach Murph

 

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Snakewomen, Do you really think OFC is the place to address your problems. i would have much more respect for a parent who at least called me as a coach to discuss thier concerns than one who tries to discredit me on a softball forum. Remember the TB communty is not that big and you probably do your DD more harm than good posting here.

I am not familiar with your situation but I do encourage you to contact the coach and have a private discussion. if at that point you still need to vent I guess it is your decision. I hope you find a team you are happy with going forward. Good Luck!

agree 100%

 

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Our dd got her first chance to sub for another team last weekend at Strongsville, and watching the interplay between coaches, I'm sure there was a lot of gentle teasing between the coaches about coaches' dd seeking better opportunities elsewhere.

For our part, dd got a chance to play for a wonderful coach, and had a bonus weekend of fastpitch and experienced the thrill of being part of a team that got hot on Sunday and ripped through the bracket to the championship game. A great way to end the season.

 

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coaches doing this i can deal with,but how about when players are telling there teammates mid season that they are trying out for or playing for this next year!!and dont even get me started on parents!!!
how can you be part of a TEAM when your already talking about what team your going to jump to!!!!