False advertising

[default]

When I read tryout listings offering certain rewards, awards, perks, etc. and other enticements for players to join an organization, I often wonder how teams can make such promises. Through experience, I have found that many of the enticements are false. My question is, what should a person do if they KNOW of organizations falsely advertising their product?

 

[default]

I wouldn't get into the business of policing other orgs. claims or promises. You'll just come off looking like a sour parent or something. Just do what you can do to make your org. better.

 

[default]

My family is fairly new to the travel ball world. The DD was picked up this year to play. Throughout the summer, I have read a lot of posts on OFC, listened to people/parents/players around me and researched all of the teams in our area as my DD has a lot of years left to play.

I will say that I have been disappointed in the way I have seen some of the top-advertised organizations conduct themselves and their organizational business.

I know that the game to some is all about winning and bragging rights but I think what is the most important to most parents (myself included) is what the DDs are bringing away from the game both physically and mentally. Winning is great but the players' development in all areas is what counts. I have seen these teams do whatever it takes to win games regardless of how they do it or who they hurt in the process. Then they post about their "great" team but do not post about how many players they rostered in one season to get there.

Honesty is also huge and I have seen some pretty DISHONEST things happen just this summer alone. My DD will NOT be a part of dishonest coaches or organizations.

My DD had the privilege of playing for a good team and coach this summer. No, they weren't the most winning team in the area but she learned and came away a better softball player mentally and physicially than what she was before she started.

I think that a lot of players/parents are going to be disappointed with some of their choices and will have to learn the hard way before its over.

 

[default]

The conundrum of player development (and pre-season promises) v. team success is not something easily solved. I've been both a ticked off parent and a coach on a staff deciding that a player's PT needs to be reduced so that the team has a better chance of winning. There is no easy answer and, as with most issues raised on OFC, helpful generalities are hard to come by.

Coaches do need to be careful about making promises as part of the tryout process. If an organization is making multiple promises to multiple players and it later becomes clear that there was no way all those promises could be kept to all those players, that organization is likely to suffer a hit in its reputation that could make the following year's tryouts less successful.

 

[default]

Edgeoo this is a very interesting topic. I think this is a two way street though. What if the player promises to work her tail off and does not. How do you keep those promises if the player/parents are not keeping their end of the bargain? I see teams take chances with kids who have potential all the time, sometimes it works out and sometimes it don't. When it doesn't work the way both parties invision, it seems the coach always gets the blame!

Don't get me wrong there are plenty of snakes out there who will tell you and your kid whatever you want to hear. My advice to the parents and the coaches ...be honest with each other.

 

[default]

 

[default]

what if your coach brings in a player to play the weekend and then sits out a regular player. what does that say about the other girls on the team. u dont need the xtra player u still have 11 wiyh out her

 

[default]

How about when some teams want to give you there teams win loss record and they have a high winning percentage but played in weak tournaments. Or here's a classic, "We finished in the top ten at Nationals!" and when you read into it its some type of B National!:lmao:

 

[default]

Parents should do some research before taking dd to tryouts. Find out what type of schedule each team played THIS year - not just what they hope to play next year. If they got into the big tourneys in 2009 there is a better chance they will get in again next year. Records are important, but my dd's current team had a similar record to her previous organization's team. The difference was that it was a COMPLETELY different schedule. This year was mostly ASA, including Compuware and ASA Easterns, and they played three 18U showcases as a 15U team.

 

[default]

How about when some teams want to give you there teams win loss record and they have a high winning percentage but played in weak tournaments. Or here's a classic, "We finished in the top ten at Nationals!" and when you read into it its some type of B National!:lmao:

is it better to finish top 10 in a B or 60th in an A nationals?

 

[default]

is it better to finish top 10 in a B or 60th in an A nationals?

or not go at all?

 

[default]

I think any finish in an A national should be considered better than a high finish in a B. Personally, I'd rather play .500 in A than .800 or better in B. Choosing A over B even if you may not be as competitive sends a message that you are committed to playing the top teams and getting better. Now if playing B is stepping up for you, I feel you are showing that same commitment to make your team better.

 

[default]

I think going to an A national when you know your team will only play .500 is a dumb idea. You have to know the abilitiy of your team and select based on that. Getting creamed by top teams will not automatically make your team better. The reason for having A and B nationals is so you can select the appropriate one for your team. Going to an A national with a B level team would make me think the coach was a goof. IMHO

 

[default]

I think going to an A national when you know your team will only play .500 is a dumb idea. You have to know the abilitiy of your team and select based on that. Getting creamed by top teams will not automatically make your team better. The reason for having A and B nationals is so you can select the appropriate one for your team. Going to an A national with a B level team would make me think the coach was a goof. IMHO

Saw some of this at Nationals, and that is exactly what I thought about a few teams ... why are you here? But then, I understand the need to "experience" see what it takes.

When we first got started with current Org at 10u, all 3 teams went to NSA "B" ... because all 3 age groups could at least compete, and sibs could travel/vacation together. A few teams were "forced to "A" going forwad, lol ... thank goodness. Now all ages/teams "expect" to do well at the "A" level. So, I guess teams just need to understand where they are on that similar "progression chart" .....

Each team has to decide where its abilities & goals lie ... and then be honest about it so that players/families can comfortably find the right place for them, with co-aligned goals, commitment, purpose, expectations.

Anything less than honesty with "yourself" and "others" is a recipe for disaster, ... or at least a miserable summer. Who wants that???

 

[default]

My experience over the years is that unless you go and see what the competition is like then you have no idea where you stack up or what you need to improve upon. Over the years we have had teams compete in different nationals ranging from USSSA "B" to ASA "A" Eastern and there is a difference. Next year our teams number one goal will be to qualify for the ASA Nationals. Have no idea how we will compete there but we will find out alot about ourselves and what we need to do to be better.

I have found that much of what I've learned over the years has come from watching god teams do things well. You mainly see that level of play at the better tournaments so if that is your goal then you kind of have to be there.

I also think that not every team is after the same thing. For some they know that they will not be able to compete at level and maybe have no unrealistic expectations about doing so. At the younger age groups steps up as they mayure is not always a bad way to go.

One thing is for sure. If you are a middle of the road team and you have one or two very nice players, at some point they will want to (and need to) play at a higher level if they intend to play college ball. More then likely those teams will lose that player if they continue to play lower level events. This is just the nature of the game.

 

[default]

When I read tryout listings offering certain rewards, awards, perks, etc. and other enticements for players to join an organization, I often wonder how teams can make such promises. Through experience, I have found that many of the enticements are false. My question is, what should a person do if they KNOW of organizations falsely advertising their product?

What exactly where these "certain rewards, awards, perks, etc. and other enticements for players to join an organization" Sounds a little fishy to me but without knowing what they actually are it's tough to comment on. Please elaborate.

 

[default]

is it better to finish top 10 in a B or 60th in an A nationals?

I say top 10 at B!

 

[default]

I think going to an A national when you know your team will only play .500 is a dumb idea. You have to know the abilitiy of your team and select based on that. Getting creamed by top teams will not automatically make your team better. The reason for having A and B nationals is so you can select the appropriate one for your team. Going to an A national with a B level team would make me think the coach was a goof. IMHO

Even in the ASA Gold class some teams will go 0-4. Does that mean they su.ck. Nope, the format demands it - it's not a round robin. It's just the nature of the beast.

 

[default]

Depends on your outlook, if winning is #1, you'd never go to a tournament you don't think you could win. That's probably a clearer goal for young players. If you think players get better by playing tougher teams, plus exposure, is key, you go to the most competitive tournament you can qualify for.

Going 0-4 doesn't mean you got creamed, either. It does mean you know what you're up against if you go next year.

But this has gone a bit off-topic. I think the original topic is related to all the "too many teams" threads. It's competitive out there.

 

[default]

If a team is remotely competitive, it's much better to be 0-4 at A Nationals than in the top 10 at B Nationals. Each coach has to make a decision on whether the team can be competitive. If a team is going to get run-ruled every time at an A Nationals, then by all means, go B.

But any team with girls serious about playing college ball who have the talent to realistically end up doing it, needs to be shooting for at least Eastern A Nationals and eventually ASA A Nationals.