Good Idea? Bad Idea? or just plain stupid idea?

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No I'm not talking about statman being the next FP Radio guest. At a recent tournament I had a parent approach me about our team and tryouts. She had a DD on a team we were playing. I told her I would be happy to talk to her after the season and answer any questions she might have. She kept talking and filled me in on all the details about her current team and situation and why they were not happy and all the stuff going on - typical travel ball drama. She said she is coming to tryouts and would like to play for us.

My question is: Is it kosher to talk to the coach of the team she is leaving and get his opinion on the player. In her conversation she seemed to raise the 'ol Red Flag in the sky. I wasn't looking to recruit this player and I don't want someone who was a problem. If someone called me and asked about a player I knew wasn't coming back, I think I could give an honest answer. I have a pretty good rapport with the other coach but is this just a big ol? can of worms that shouldn't be touched.

 

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Re: Good Idea? Bad Idea? or just plain stupid idea

Ringer, not sure if I'd open that can of worms with that coach. If legally it got back to her that he or she slandered the player, that alone could have ramifications just like in the business world. When someone leaves their job, legally all we can say is yes or no they worked here and the timeframe they did. Nothing more is allowed within the law.

Crazy world of litigation we live in and you need to ask yourself, is one player worth it?

 

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Re: Good Idea? Bad Idea? or just plain stupid idea

Hillarddad, I was kind of thinking the same thing. I'll just have to use my best judgement at tryouts. :-X

 

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Re: Good Idea? Bad Idea? or just plain stupid idea


uh, good luck is all i'll say, tryouts are coming soon.....i would talk to the coach, what cant it hurt, no one is going to know except you (maybe even speak to another parent from the org, but that might be overstepping it)....didn't we say to AVOID these types of situations...of course, in travel ball, how can you avoid them

 

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Re: Good Idea? Bad Idea? or just plain stupid idea

This is something that needs to be done with tact. Ask for a skills evaluation, game situation evaluation, post game socialization evaluation, and how she progressed over the season. All pertinent points that will allow you to read between the lines and keeps everyone out of jeopardy.

If there is baggage, you owe it to your returning players to find out about it before it causes any problems. JMHO