competitive in Cincinnati - help

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Yes she's on a travel team but I'm not sure that I'm impressed with their drive. The team does not do anything independently they stick together as an organization. Also, I see them working on the fundamentals but I also see coaches dd that are not very serious and it's frustrating b/c I wanted more than a "good" rec team. My dd was already on a great rec team that went undefeated and one conference tournaments. We went to travel ball to be more competitive. My daughter has been taking hitting lessons for 4 months and took one lesson with Crystl Bustos. I'm not sure that I'm seeing a 1/3 of the drive from anyone on the team. Am I expecting too much?

Is she already on a team ? and Yes hitting/fielding clinics are great . Don't worry about Northern ohio. Not that they are not good but northern ohio has no edge over southern ohio IMo. MD

 

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Keep in mind , team fees. If your looking for a deal, it's not necessarily the lowest price. You can't take a team that has low fees and expect year around instruction.
Also keep in mind that you can get instruction elsewhere. There is descent to excellent instruction everywhere. Don't sit and mope about your team. Go make your kid the best she can be. If she wants to!!! If you see that this team that you have committed to, is not what you want after playing the season, find another.
You will learn a lot your first year. You will also meet a lot of people. Ask questions and find the level that you want IMHO

 

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If you are already committed to a travel team, are you thinking of bailing on your commitment? You may be expecting too much at 10u. They are just developing their passion at that age. Might want to consider sticking with this team, keeping your commitment is a good life lesson and continue the hard work to improve. You will then be in a good position to find a team that is a better match next year. You will know the other teams better from meeting them on the field. It's early in the year, your team may surprise you. Just my opinion.

 

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We saw one of the 9/10U Ohio Hawks teams play last summer at Pasttime Park. My DD was helping the Northern KY Bandits b/c of a shortage of players due to vacations. OH was impressive.

 

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Recruiting...LOL.... Lester , I found your sunglasses :cap: :lmao:

At 10u, it is learning the fundamentals, not expecting much, having fun to the point that the girls WANT to come play and last but not least.... hope they don't get sick in the parking lot because they are so nervous and never seen this many people at a tournament before !!!!!

 

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I appreciate all of the feedback. No we are not bailing from the team we are committed to at this time, we will complete the season as I always make my kids do, finish what they start. I just wanted to know if I was expecting too much at this age. I will definitely keep my eyes and ears open this season to come. These posts are not stabs at the team she is playing on, but I thought once girls got at the level of travel/select ball that the commitment would be different. I hope the team surprises me, but most of all I hope my DD continues to love the game!!!!

 

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Good luck and have fun.... because if the girls don't have fun... they usually leave when they are 11 and 12 and never come back to travel ball.

 

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We saw one of the 9/10U Ohio Hawks teams play last summer at Pasttime Park. My DD was helping the Northern KY Bandits b/c of a shortage of players due to vacations. OH was impressive.

Thank you for comments. We challenge our younger 10 and 12u teams to develop their players. Our coaches attend our clinics with Carrier, Hartwig, Kobata, etc .. it is not fair to the kids to have coaches that are learning on the job - we expect them to want to seek out instruction.

Derek does a great job with the clinics.. just last weekend our 10u team had almost 3 hours with Howard Kobata training .. the coaches learned as much as they did. Each week our 10u's have indoor training of 2-3 hours all winter - this is how they learn the fine details...

I wish you the best in the situation you are in... I had to see a kid 'waste' a year at a young age when they need to be learning.. maybe talk to the coaches and see if they will pick up their game... I agree with MD about committment, but the coaches owe you a committment as well - to coach up your DD...

 

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Keep in mind , team fees. If your looking for a deal, it's not necessarily the lowest price. You can't take a team that has low fees and expect year around instruction.
Also keep in mind that you can get instruction elsewhere. There is descent to excellent instruction everywhere. Don't sit and mope about your team. Go make your kid the best she can be. If she wants to!!! If you see that this team that you have committed to, is not what you want after playing the season, find another.
You will learn a lot your first year. You will also meet a lot of people. Ask questions and find the level that you want IMHO

This..
Don't expect everything from the travel coach. My DD sees a personal trainer, a catching instructor (thanks, Les! Cindy has really turned up Meg's over all defense this fall/winter) and a hitting coach. I'm blessed that my DD wants to work as hard as she does. She's 11.:yahoo:

 

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This..
Don't expect everything from the travel coach. My DD sees a personal trainer, a catching instructor (thanks, Les! Cindy has really turned up Meg's over all defense this fall/winter) and a hitting coach. I'm blessed that my DD wants to work as hard as she does. She's 11.:yahoo:

Hi Al,
Good points!
Megan is a hard worker and has the desire to play at the highest level she will go far with the support you are getting her.

 

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My DD is also seeing a hitting coach and pitching coach, which is really working out great, she's 10. It's been interesting to see her grow in the sport and I can't wait to see more!

 

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My DD is also seeing a hitting coach and pitching coach, which is really working out great, she's 10. It's been interesting to see her grow in the sport and I can't wait to see more!

I think you will see big changes and within a year. My DD didn't start travel ball until last year, mostly in thanks to Les and Dennis, who evaluated her, gave advice and let her work with them on a volunteer basis. She also had a tremendous coaching staff last year who challened her even if I didn't always see eye to eye with them. After one full year the player she is now compared to what she was is absolutely amazing. The one absolute truth I have learned is that there are some really good people in this sport in this area that truly have nothing but the best interest of the girls at heart.

 

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I think you will see big changes and within a year. My DD didn't start travel ball until last year, mostly in thanks to Les and Dennis, who evaluated her, gave advice and let her work with them on a volunteer basis. She also had a tremendous coaching staff last year who challened her even if I didn't always see eye to eye with them. After one full year the player she is now compared to what she was is absolutely amazing. The one absolute truth I have learned is that there are some really good people in this sport in this area that truly have nothing but the best interest of the girls at heart.

you were willing and able to bring your DD and put the time in. Thanks for the kind words. Al's right, lots of good teams an people out there...

 

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We are from the Cincinnati area and this will be the first time with select/travel ball for 10u. My daughter is very into the sport and wants to improve every way that she can. She's taking hitting lessons and going to offense/defense clinics, but how can I make sure that she is as competitive as other girls in the Northern part of Ohio? Would it be a wise choice to attend the clinics in that area to try and get up to speed with the rest?

I hear all the time about players bailing on their commitments. Well, I feel the teams/organizations/coaches have a commitment to fill as well. When you make a commitment to take team, they are making.one as well.

When a team/organization breaks the commitment to you, well the contract is broken as far as I am concerned. I'm not teaching my DD that its OK to be a quitter, but by goodness you don't sit around and be robbed or taken advantage of.

 

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I agree with the North vs South comments and good teams and even org's come in cycles. Sounds like you are doing your homework and that will pay huge dividends. Not all instructors, coaches, and teams are equal so ask and look hard.

I may also suggest you attend clinics at reputable Universities. And ones that cater to your daughters level and can connect with her, motivate her, and have the ability to help her long term.

If she would like to attend one of our practices we would welcome her to my team's practice. I'm sure any of our other teams (11u or 10u) would also invite her with open arms. Contact me anytime and we can help you get on a path that can help you guys out.

Way to go Les!!


SL