How far is too far?

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Ok, this is my 4th year in travel ball. We have been with the same organization the first three years. Our team had to fold due to numbers and lack of pitching and catching. So now we are on the try-out circuit. We have been to 3 tryouts this week and got offers from all three but I am not sure they are the right fit. So how far is too far to look for a team? I really want her to be on a competitive team. I have always said that I would rather her be the worst player on a good team than the best player on a bad team. the majority of strong teams seam to be in SWO or NEO. We are in Springfield so it is a long way for each region. How do coaches handle a player that lives a hundred miles away? Do they want them at every practice? I am not really sure so I am looking for guidance. Thanks

 

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This is what you and the coach of the team need to discuss before you join. I know in the past I had some girls 3 to 4 hours away. I agreed that if they worked on their own that they only needed to come to practice once a month. We practiced on Sundays for 5 to 6 hours or during the winter indoors for 2 to 3 hours. With that being said, when they came you could tell if they were working or not, if not what I liked then they had to come like everyone else. I never had to do that though. Traveling far is tough but great if the right fit. Only time can really tell if it is the right fit or not, unfortunately. I will help you anyway I can Jon and so will a lot of others on this site. In the end though, you have to do what your daughter and you thinks is best. Goodluck in your search

 

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Ok, this is my 4th year in travel ball. We have been with the same organization the first three years. Our team had to fold due to numbers and lack of pitching and catching. So now we are on the try-out circuit. We have been to 3 tryouts this week and got offers from all three but I am not sure they are the right fit. So how far is too far to look for a team? I really want her to be on a competitive team. I have always said that I would rather her be the worst player on a good team than the best player on a bad team. the majority of strong teams seam to be in SWO or NEO. We are in Springfield so it is a long way for each region. How do coaches handle a player that lives a hundred miles away? Do they want them at every practice? I am not really sure so I am looking for guidance. Thanks

Have to ask your daughter...what her goals are? I would think as long as her grades aren't affected and you can afford to chase HER dreams you will find a right team no matter the distance.

 

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Yea Paul, but we have a special opportunity to workout all winter with a great 16u team!:yahoo:

 

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Yea but we have a special opportunity to workout all winter with a great 16u team!:yahoo:

than why doesn't she play for them? I'm assuming she is at least 13 and good enough.

 

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We have considered that Blue_Ice but I have 13 now and they want to stay and grow with the team they choose. She is a nice player with speed and works hard.

 

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We gave up the distance worry. Driving for the team, coach, schedule that fit is worth it. It helps when they get their drivers License. It would be nice to stay with one team the entire way through, but sometimes things don't work out that way and often it's not in you or your dd's control. Decide the level of ball she wants to play (schedule) and then have her decide where she fits in. Go where she's wanted. Remember she holds the cards.

 

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Where does your dd want to play? How hard does she work? DD is based just west of Cleveland, and we've gone all the way to Cincinnati for practice-weekly a few years ago. Here's a couple reasons why I'm doing what I'm doing:

1) Team chemistry..it's hard when you work on your own, then do the exact same thing with the team when dd is being taught to throw before girl receiving ball is on the bag making the play. That girl receiving the ball may not even know it's coming.

2) DD has high aspirations. Regardless if she makes it or not, I told her if she works her tail off; I'll do whatever it takes to help you get there. So she does. Since she makes that sacrifice, I'm willing to make that sacrifice.

 

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Damn the Torpedoes!!

 

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We have a similar situation. Our team is made up of members from Cincy/Dayton area all the way to to the Lake County area where we are. We have a practice in each "Region" and one centrally located during the month. It is suggested that you attend the one in your "Region" and the Central for the entire team, with the 3rd being optional . What makes the anywhere from 1-2.5 hour drive worth it, is that we go from 9-10am until 4:30 pm on those Sundays. As mentioned above, you have to see what your DD wants out of this game and make a decision from there.

 

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You may want to be the worst player on the best team but your dd needs to play.

If she is keeping the book and shaggin' flies and not getting serious game time then she is in over her head. If the number 9 player is that much better than her then you had better keep-on shoppin'. If the coach is working with her and playing her and she is learning then you can take some bench time, but if she is sitting 30 of the 35 innings a weekend she will not improve. Some day she may be that stud but don't rush her just because you can.

Be very careful with coaches when they are recruiting a marginal player. What they say in September is not always followed through in June and it will become what I call a wasted year.

 

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Have to agree with fairman ... it's probably a good thing to be on the lower end of the talent scale of your team if the coaches are able to help you get to the upper end, but if you're off the chart low or high from the rest of the team, you're on the wrong team, and any drive is going to be too far.

 

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Some VERY good comments on here! Some thought provoking, which I like. She has found a team and they are about an hour drive so not too bad. She fits in real nice with the team talent wise so I am sure she will get good playing time. I think/hope we have found a team that she can grow with and stay with for a few years. Thanks to everyone for their input.

 

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Congrats John and Paree. Glad you found the right team and hopefully she can grow and move forward with them. If you ever need anything just let me know. I will do what I can to help out. Paree is more than welcome to come to any of our practices.