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parents should research both of these thoroughly. ofc is a great place to check. unfortunately even with alot of research. this summer turned into a nightmare for our family. did not get what we paid for.
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Always a tough one if you don't have prior knowledge of the organization and coaching staff. And even within each organization the team can vary wildly. You are right that OFC is a way to get a feeling but nothing says nothing until you are in thick with it.
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During tryouts when your sitting on the sidelines interview the parents that are there from last year. I find it a great way to get a feeling for the kids, coaches and parents that you will be practicing with for the next year. Tryouts are also a great way to find out why others are leaving there team. While you are sitting on the sidelines trying to hold your tongue as your daughter dives and runs ask the other parents with dd trying out why they are leaving their teams.
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I would ask where the team has played in the past, not where they intend to play in the future. Just because they intend to play at a tournament in the upcoming season, doesn't mean they will be accepted.
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Chewy, I agree 100%. Great point!!
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Never good.
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Sometimes you just pick wrong....
One year we joined a team that had a great reputation as a showcase/powerhouse going back to the beginning of softball in the region. A friend that played for them and highly recommended the team. We were thrilled to be selected.... the season was very different...They selected 5 pitchers out of the 12 kids and then only pitched 2 of them until those 2 were injured and then threw them some more. My dd only pitched 3 games that summer. She played every position except catch but did not pitch. Of the 5 pitchers; 3 went onto pitch D1, one D3, and my dd to the NAIA. They know how to pick them, just not honest with there intentions.. the team eventually collapsed and is no longer in existence.
The next year we moved on sadder and wiser.
Went with an organization that had a great founder, honest, good coach and that his girls loved. We were warned off of another coach in the same organizatiopn. Prior to accepting the slot we asked about this other coach (and his dd's) We were told that he would have his own team and that he would have nothing to do with our team...... In January he started showing up with some players at our practices and by March it was clear that the two teams had been joined......another miserable year... the players hated each other... the new coach took over... even invited players from other organizations to take part in showcases that we were attending...... Another wasted year....
The next year we found a softball home with great coaches, players and families and remained there until she aged out.
There is no fool-proof system to discover the future.
One year we joined a team that had a great reputation as a showcase/powerhouse going back to the beginning of softball in the region. A friend that played for them and highly recommended the team. We were thrilled to be selected.... the season was very different...They selected 5 pitchers out of the 12 kids and then only pitched 2 of them until those 2 were injured and then threw them some more. My dd only pitched 3 games that summer. She played every position except catch but did not pitch. Of the 5 pitchers; 3 went onto pitch D1, one D3, and my dd to the NAIA. They know how to pick them, just not honest with there intentions.. the team eventually collapsed and is no longer in existence.
The next year we moved on sadder and wiser.
Went with an organization that had a great founder, honest, good coach and that his girls loved. We were warned off of another coach in the same organizatiopn. Prior to accepting the slot we asked about this other coach (and his dd's) We were told that he would have his own team and that he would have nothing to do with our team...... In January he started showing up with some players at our practices and by March it was clear that the two teams had been joined......another miserable year... the players hated each other... the new coach took over... even invited players from other organizations to take part in showcases that we were attending...... Another wasted year....
The next year we found a softball home with great coaches, players and families and remained there until she aged out.
There is no fool-proof system to discover the future.
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Fairman ... good and wise post ... while I guess part of the message is that you never know, another is to be careful in going to organizations whose only focus is on winning. Saw something happen just recently along these same lines, but at least it didn't happen until the season was over and the players/families had a chance to tryout for different organizations and try over. Sad that coach and/or organization egos can occasionally get in the way of kids sports and the best laid plans.
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Nice posts.
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Thanks Bronx, appreciate it. Just speaking from experience. Our org has received a lot of calls from players/parents who say, "they said we were going to play ......" and it didn't end up working out for whatever reason. If a player's goal is to play in college, a teams schedule is huge (obviously I am talking about the older teams here). During the tryout season, check out the teams website prior to going to their tryouts and see where they played last year. If its what you are looking for, go for it. It they didn't play the schedule you are looking for, why do you think they would play that schedule the following year?
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every year players sign contracts when joining a team. usually all from the team stand point. how about a contract to cover the family. organizations have a responsibility.
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Exactly! Dont tell me empty promises of what youd like to do, hell i wanna play for the Yankees, doesnt mean i can.
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Regarding player contracts, I've never seen one. Who has them and what do they include? Is this a code of conduct essentially? Something more? Maybe I am over simplifying but I was under the impression that agreements made with minors are voidable by minors. That's why banking institutions don't give loans to minors without another party involved that cannot void the contract. Are these really parent contracts then?
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For exposure it's not just the team. You have to do your own homework and contact the schools where you would like to attend and perhaps play. Stay in contact throughout the season. Make it easy to find you. Also, the importance of the NFCA camps cannot be overlooked. By all means attend the one at Berliner Stingrays weekend.
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The contracts are just for psychological effect. They have no legal effect.
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Advice for attending tryouts...
1. Do talk to the parents of the players on the team. I requested the parents of my returning players to be at the tryouts for that reason. You will good information that way.
2. Have your daughter talk with the teams returning players. This will give them an idea if they would "meld" well with the team.
3. Read the organizations handouts (if any) and ask any and all questions you have. Make sure you understand fee payments and player/parent responsibilities.
4. Be aware if the organization requires their players to attend the nationals - if the team qualifies. DO NOT join a team if you have no intentions of going to the nationals. Seek a team that suits your "enthusiasm" for the game.
5. Never criticize another player at the tryout. If I find this happened - there would be no way I would select their daughter for the team. If done in front of the wrong parent, they make take care of the problem before I do.... ;&
There are more general guidelines but this will give you an idea of what a good organization looks for at a tryout.
1. Do talk to the parents of the players on the team. I requested the parents of my returning players to be at the tryouts for that reason. You will good information that way.
2. Have your daughter talk with the teams returning players. This will give them an idea if they would "meld" well with the team.
3. Read the organizations handouts (if any) and ask any and all questions you have. Make sure you understand fee payments and player/parent responsibilities.
4. Be aware if the organization requires their players to attend the nationals - if the team qualifies. DO NOT join a team if you have no intentions of going to the nationals. Seek a team that suits your "enthusiasm" for the game.
5. Never criticize another player at the tryout. If I find this happened - there would be no way I would select their daughter for the team. If done in front of the wrong parent, they make take care of the problem before I do.... ;&
There are more general guidelines but this will give you an idea of what a good organization looks for at a tryout.
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Cincy Elite, you hit the nail on the head. Nothing wrong with playing xyz tournaments, but people thinking this will get them recruited is not true. Our coach Dave. Day has won Colorado sparkler and other big name tournaments, his entire team was d1&2 scholar shipped and not one he told me because of those tournaments. As a coach who has lots of kids playing college, and director of an organization filled with them, it really bothers me that people are led to believe this. I had the pleasure of coaching the best player in Ohio at adidas futures last summer, every college watched us, because they knew of her in advance, she did and does the hard work and leg work.
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Our parent contract us pretty straight forward, any parent, fan or someone associated with a player acts inappropriately there are firm consequences that will be enforced.
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I'm leary of self promotion that never ends... talking about giving oneself credit constantly. When others outside the org give another org or coach credit, that to me is a good indicator of the situation. Seeing what tournaments that a coach/org can get into is a pretty good indicator of quality teams, doesn't mean they can coach or have a good connection with the players. Coaches with turnover are a sign as well. Using OFC plus talking to other parents at tournaments (if you can) is a great way to stay ahead of a potential "me me me" song and dance.
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Very sound advice. My daughter and were at a tryout that was very self-promoting to say the least.
