Ensuring elite players play on elite teams

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Believe me we are not a wealthy family. All of the travel teams that I've encountered work pretty much the same way. They put you on a payment schedule for your dues, you are able to go out and get sponsors, and they do a ton of fundraising that you may or may not choose to participate in. All the money that is raised goes to defer the cost of the individual on the team. If you are so lucky as to raise more money than your fee, you can use that for your travel expenses to away tournaments. Most organizations will work with you to complete your commitment to them.

 

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~*{Mom}*~
When my husband and I talk with people about whether they want to venture into travel, we always say, "If you have concerns about giving up time... do not do it. If you have angst about the money it takes .. do not do it. If you cannot make it a spring, summer, fall and winter commitment... then do not do it." This is not for everyone and if it causes you and your family hardship then the decision is clearly made. I understand the frustration.

 

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~*{Mom}*~
When my husband and I talk with people about whether they want to venture into travel, we always say, "If you have concerns about giving up time... do not do it. If you have angst about the money it takes .. do not do it. If you cannot make it a spring, summer, fall and winter commitment... then do not do it." This is not for everyone and if it causes you and your family hardship then the decision is clearly made. I understand the frustration.

Hardship is the story of our lives. We chose to have a child and it is our job to help her to succeed in what ever she chooses. She plays other sports because they keep her in shape all year round, (for softball), and they are free in our school. She does play travel, but "elite" teams are not really "local" out here in BFE. Time? Other than having to choose between a full paycheck and softball, well you know what our choice has to be. Having to choose between "affordable local" and "costly remote" causes our DD to not even try out for "elite" teams. Here's the way I hope it will be....A coach shows up to a tournament her team is at. A player on the other team is being looked at and they see our DD. Well, you see where I'm going. Maybe it's like winning the lottery. Well maybe it has a better chance than the lottery. You have to play to win.

 

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You want to know who the "Elite" teams are....

They are the teams that play ASA.
They are the teams that go to showcase tournaments.
They are teams that don't care about winning a trophy.
They are the teams year in and year out that compete every weekend in the top 5.
They are the teams that everybody talks about and wants their team to be like.
They are the teams that kids want to play for, but may think they are not good enough to even tryout.
They are the teams that everyone loves to hate, because they are good.
They are the teams that have been around for more than 5 years.
They are the teams that practice. (Except for maybe some!!!)
They are the teams / organizations that have been around and have stood the test of time and are still around today.

Those are some of the things that make teams "ELITE"

Just my 2 cents worth...

Fast Wizards in NW Ohio started an "elite" program this past year. The reason was that several NW Ohio girls were leaving NW Ohio to play for organizations that offered college exposure opportunities because no program in our area did that, although some may have a team here or there that did well in top tournaments.

The choice was made to do the things that Wolf Pack, Classics, Lasers, Stingrays and other top organizations we were losing top players to, do. Going down Jamie's list, I am happy to see that we meet most of his expectations of an "elite" program - the main exceptions being the longevity ones. We just haven't been doing it a long time yet.

But we have high standards of commitment, including a respectable GPA, play more for the exposure than the trophy, and we practice year 'round. Our coaches are experienced, dedicated and are constantly upgrading their own skill sets. It does cost a bit of money to participate in our program, but like others, we offer ways to raise money.

Happily, even though the trophies weren't top priority, our 14U Elite team went to ASA nationals, and our 16U Elite team, after a spanking and a lesson in "elite" softball at the Wolf Pack Fall Best of the Best, improved to where we finished third at GAPSS and in the semi-finals of other showcase tournaments this summer.

So, we think we are on the right track. Is so-called elite for everyone? No. It takes dedicated players, and parents, that are supportive of what it takes to get to and compete at the highest level. If that dedication, to their daughter's goals and to the goals of the program, isn't there, for whatever reason, than it's best to play on a team that doesn't require as much. Those teams can be fun, less expensive, still give top teams a good game occasionally, and maybe win some hardware at the lower level tourneys. They just won't get the exposure that the top teams do, and that's okay. This is a great game and there is something for everyone!

 

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I think this goes hand in hand with the recruiting threads on here. Just because you are on a so called "elite" team doesnt ensure you a scholarship or being seen.
As was stated on those threads, college coaches dont just show up at a tournament where some "elite " team is playing with a shopping list with 1. eggs, 2. milk, 3. no.1 pitcher who throws 65, etc. They are there to see a particular player who has corresponded with them about playing for them, it almost never random. Playing on a "elite" team doesnt gaurantee you anything, except the entrance into the invitation only tournies.

DING DING DING,....Hitter 23 gets the prize or, " just gets it". I personally know of 3 players who never played for what some of you may consider "elite" teams. Two have already completed their successful college careers. Simply said, most girls who want to play in college can if they do the work. Identify the schools that fit your education needs, look into those schools softball program, visit campus, contact coaches, send schedules,....they will get interested in you when you get interested in them.