How long do you wait before committing

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First I hope that is the way you spell it. LOL I was wondering and posting a question to the coaches, How long would you wait? In my opinion, if my DD does not make a good enough impact on you at that time to make you give her the option of taking her on the first look then maybe we are not what you are looking for or you are not what we are looking for. I recently went to a try out which was that teams 3rd tryout (mind you 3rd) tryout, and only 2 girls showed up. After the tryout they said they were going to make final decision's after all 14 u coaches got together and conversed, to make a, b, c teams. If only two showed up you should have in mind what you need, who you liked, who you didn't and if these 2 girls fitted in. I might also add that on this tryout the coach went out to the field and was hitting infield approached the two players trying out and told them he was going to hit the ball a little harder to them. Well my girl has caught some of the better pitchers in central ohio at a facility in Newark, and even caught a college pitcher one night, and let me tell you the shots they were forced to field and prove themselves was outragous, I don't think A-Rod could have fielded them, (NO KIDDING). But how long do you wait? We had a very reputable and successful team offer us spots in two days after trying out and now have 4 offers on the table wanting us to play for them. Is it first come first serve, or do we choose who we like, who we think will offer the best opportunity, or who will teach our girls the most. Coaches, in my opinion if you like something or you see something, you better jump cause it maybe gone when you want a committment. Would you like us to wait a week and 1/2 or two weeks to see if you find anyone better , come on!!

 

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I say, that if you weren't happy with the way they held the tryout or how long it's taking to get back to you, you should just take one of the other four offers that you have. Don't get caught up in what you don't like. Get caught up in what you do. Good luck to you.

 

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They have to have time to compare what positions their daughters play and what positions the girls who try out play-- and then eliminate the ones who would pose a threat.

"Sorry, Mr. Johnson. We're not really looking for a shortstop with a cannon arm, great speed and a big bat. Feel free to try out for our team again next year. Maybe my daughter will want to play another position by then."

 

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Hehe the truth

 

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isn"t that the truth. there are alot of good girls out there that do not make teams because of daddy ball

 

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I'm not a coach, but I think that's the first time I've ever heard someone say the coach was hitting grounders too hard! Usually the kids aren't even really tested. Besides, as a fielder, how do you even KNOW what you can accomplish until you've REALLY been hit some smokers! What better way to showcase her diving skills to a coach! Her attitude should be "Bring it on!" if she wants to make a top shelf team.

 

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Sammy, I understand where you comming from, I have been a coach, but beleive me when I say,we have played travel ball, and I have never seen a 18-u , 16-u, or 14-u ever (EVER) hit the ball that hard to any spot in the infield. My DD played 3rd this year and caught some line shots right off the bat but these were even harder than that. I will say in addition about 85 to 90% of those balls where stopped and knocked down but were not fielded cleanly as to what they were looking for,the field had, had no rain for 4 days and was like concrete which I thought was a safety issue for a try-out, but We were there to make a team! So nothing was said by any of us, and the parent there with us whom I am very familiar with and know as a quiet unspoken person, and who played as a catcher, pitcher, and who actually plays in an adult baseball league, even mentioned to me that he thought the coach was really hitting alot hard, hard shots.

 

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..."Sorry, Mr. Johnson. We're not really looking for a shortstop with a cannon arm, great speed and a big bat. Feel free to try out for our team again next year. ..."

I actually did pass on what looked to be a great player this past weekend (although I knew my other team would make her an offer - otherwise I would have had a real dilemma) simply because although she was very very good, she didn't play the position I needed to fill. Now if I had needed that position, or was retooling a team I'd have made her an offer before she left the dirt.

My point here, sometimes it's not how good you are at "your" position, as much as it is, how good are you at the position "I" need to fill?

 

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My point here, sometimes it's not how good you are at "your" position, as much as it is, how good are you at the position "I" need to fill?

I think that is understandable, I always thought that was the hardest part of trying out at the 16 and 18U levels, finding a team that had similar goals as you (college exposure, only local tourneys,full schedule, light schedule etc.) and had a need at the positions you play. Its tough.

I am not sure how long you wait, if your waiting on a team you view as the perfect fit, maybe you wait a little longer. If a team tells you we would love to have your DD but we need to know an answer in 48 hours and that team is your second choice, well maybe before the 48hours is up you contact your #1 choice and talk to them and perhaps you can get a for sure answer. It would be ashame not to land on either your #1 or #2 choice because of poor communication.

 

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Bear makes a great point, one that carries through to your college search.

If you're waiting on a phone call from a coach, you're wasting time that could be used looking for a better fit. HOMEWORK: When deciding what travel team(s) to try out for, decide first what position(s) your DD is capable of, and willing, to play. Then contact the coach of the teams you would like to try out for and ask them if they are looking for any ________ (fill in the blank with positions). If they have three pitchers, that should give you a clue.

Then prioritize the teams. If you are offered a position on the spot at a tryout, why would you refuse? If you leave the tryout without an offer, you have to assume you are not a top pick for that team. Therefore, you are still a "free agent". If you do recieve an offer on the spot and decide to wait, you do so at your own risk! Just don't be upset if the coach fills the position you were offered! You had your chance.

Don't sit around waiting for a phone call that may never come! If you do your homework, you up your chances of finding a good fit.

 

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I completely agree with Bear. There may be several very talented players at a given tryout, but if they are looking for playing time at a certain position, and you already have that position filled, then maybe that team is not a good fit for you.

Some organizations have more than one team per age group and maybe one team needs 2 players while the other needs 6, those coaches need to be given the opportunity to discuss with each other who each would like to pick up, if any, before any offers are made.

one week is not an unreasonable time to wait for a call back.

 

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I'm not a coach, but I think that's the first time I've ever heard someone say the coach was hitting grounders too hard! Usually the kids aren't even really tested. Besides, as a fielder, how do you even KNOW what you can accomplish until you've REALLY been hit some smokers! What better way to showcase her diving skills to a coach! Her attitude should be "Bring it on!" if she wants to make a top shelf team.

Didn't catch the age group we are talking about. But I was watching my Oldest Daughter tryout for Champion HS a few yrs. Ago... In February , The Flashes Coach was Hitting Rocket shots Off the Asphalt outside. It was serious smoke.. I have played Softball for years and been accused by my Teammates of trying to hurt them in Pre-game . As a Player Manager and the Left Center fielder I always chose to warm up our Infielders... But Champions Coach was Banging stuff off the PAVEMENT that easily rivaled what I had been smashing at them . Only it wasnt On Dirt !! As a Fastpitch Coach , I have trying to "Tone it down " on my Girls ... but they are tested ! I fully believe in that too.

 

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are you waiting because it is a top team?

 

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I agree with Sammy. We did our homework before attending tryouts. We knew that there would not be a lot of teams looking for our daughter's position (although suprisingly more this year than last year). We called coaches of teams we thought might be a good fit and asked a lot of questions--the first was if they had need for a catcher. Our daughter also received several offers without even trying out, which gave us a chance to evaluate what each team had to offer.

There are a lot of great teams out there that would have fit, but I feel that our daughter chose the best one. Things that influenced our decision are need for our daughter's primary position, quality of the coaching, quality of the team, reputation of the team/organization, distance to practices (we wanted a team that practiced together but needed to watch the gas prices), college exposure, tournament selection and we are also happy with the team fee.

I am happy to say that this team meets or exceeds every criteria we were looking for. It has just the right number of tournaments in the fall, winter, and summer to make our experience enjoyable and still have time for college visits.

 

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At our tryouts this year they were approached before they left (Or called ASAP after tryouts if they escaped to fast) and given 24 hours to respond. Most decided on the spot. The other called back within hours.
No positions were offered as set. All players either know more than one position or will be taught more than one. In their future play in the game the more positions they learn, we think, the better off they will be.
Just think, a college coach approaches your DD & asks what position do you play & her response is, "anywhere you need me coach!" Ultimately, it will be nice to be able to say, 3 prime positions & willing to learn more. THAT is what we want to see come to tryouts. (I don't know if college coaches would actually DO that but you get my drift. )
Don't pass up a chance to jump on the first team you like. The positions will fill up fast.
We made 5 offers first tryout and all 5 took us up on the offers. One came back to second tryout & is now on the team. Don't give up, but don't hesitate. She who hesitates can loose sometimes!

 

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Beck, thats what I believe should happen, the choice if you see it and like it, should be that day, not after the 4th tryout, or 3rd, I have still yet to here one way or another from our last try out. Its been 2 weeks tommorrow, Im not holding my breath, but after the 3rd try out they should have known yes or no right then. We have since made 3 teams, and decided on one!!!

 

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wylee, no we did not try out for teams like stingrays, pheonix, or lasers just some teams in a geographical area (without calling them out). Just think some decisions need to be made on the spot. One team we were real serious about and I sought them out, did my homework, called and got references, waited 2 weeks to contact us. The good thing is that a team we did not think we had a shot at making called 48 hours after there tryout ended and they want us. Its the team we wanted as our first choice and we committed. Its just principle now that I want the other teams to respond.

 

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FREAK,

14-u

 

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Bear... If i have a great player come in and her position is filled - I offer her any way. great athletes can play lots of places. My best SS may play be good enought to play 2nd at a D1 college or may be skilled and fast enought to be an outfielder. I think most Colleges look for athletes too. Positions (other than pitcher and catcher) are just their best option to play, not positions.

 

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I think Bear made a great point and one that is most misunderstood from the players and many times from the parents point of view. I will add that since I coach an 18U team the same goes beyond travel ball, but to colleges as well. It is the very reason, I suggest all my players contact many college coaches at all levels and get feedback from them, concerning the opportunities to play at that level and to be seen in game situations.

I have seen girls that get accepted to a college and then hope to make the team as a walk on and had never even talked with the coach and what they need.

In travel ball or college everyone needs to realize that the 9 positions need to be filled, and just because the player is great at her position, it may be one that has already been filled. I think it also could lead to problems when the player does not get to play as much as they expected or is asked to play a different position than expected.

Anyway, great post from Bear, and the bottom line I feel for both travel ball and college is getting the "right fit" and instead of using the situation as a negative response, realize that it could be a positive sign for the delay, or even rejection.