How to decide which offer to accept

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Need help on how to accept the right offer for my DD. I know some about one organization, and know very little about the other. I have been trying to read on OFC to try and find out info about both except I can't find much. Any help will be appreciated.

 

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How old is your daughter? Does she have a favorite?

 

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Who does your daughter favor? She's the one that has to play the games. Other factors:

Travel for practices - how far are you willing to go. Tourneys - ditto. Coaches - did they communicate well? Position - will your DD fit the team's needs?

Facilities - where do they practice, how well equipped are they and who's doing the teaching.

Team fees - are they up front or is it a moving target.

Parents and kids - did you and your DD feel welcome? (To some this may not matter)

Team skills - Are they compatible with your DD?

You need to understand your DD goals, your goals and the organization's goals so that they all mesh. That's just a few to consider off the top.

 

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1. Can this team make my daughter better.

 

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#1 Is that coach gonna make your daughter better period. You see some teams do well with weak coaching but good talent (These teams have assembled these girls but not coached them)

 

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I think she is leaning one way, I think both teams will make her better. They are both the same distance away. The main question for me is they both will be new coaches for her and I am not sure which one one has the most talent in the girls. The tryouts we went to all of the girls were not there. I went through this with her last team and some of the girls were just average ( no offence). Thanks for the advice.

 

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Need help on how to accept the right offer for my DD. I know some about one organization, and know very little about the other. I have been trying to read on OFC to try and find out info about both except I can't find much. Any help will be appreciated.

Try to talk for people who have played (current and past) for that team and organization. Even talk to families from different age groups-you might be surprised what you hear.

Within most organizations you will find there are strong age divisions and weak-it can vary dramatically.

Ask about w/l record from last year and years past. Ask why did the girls leave? Ask what positions coaches daughters play-is it the same position you are trying out for?

Hopefully, you or your daughter has a "gut feeling" about which way to go-
Good luck

 

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Having issues with this one myself, so I feel for you. We are new to travel ball and trying to make the best choice for my DD, but limited in what we know.

For us it is trying to decide whether it is better for her to play with a team with a lot of talent, but possibly less playing time for her or a team where there is likely more playing time for her, but likely less overall talent. DD liked both teams and both coaches from what she saw at that point...so that doesn't help

 

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For us it is trying to decide whether it is better for her to play with a team with a lot of talent, but possibly less playing time for her or a team where there is likely more playing time for her, but likely less overall talent.

To me this is an easy decision. What is sounds like is, we can win more games but not play alot or lose more games and play alot more.

I would get her more playing time with the intent of getting better so she could get more playing time on either team in the future. Nobody gets better on the bench.

 

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I say start a dialog with the potential coaches and see how you feel after that. Let them know your concerns and see how they respond to them. You will either get the feeling that they are genuine or that they are blowing smoke. You can also let them know about the other org you are considering, their response may tell you about the coaches character.

If you are fairly new to travel ball you may not be able to tell if they are blowing smoke or just naive about what they can accomplish so I suggest talking with former/current players with each org and see what they have to say. Many times former players may have a more negative take on the org, so you have to be able to pull the facts out of their opinion and leave the emotional part out. JMHO

 

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Unfortunately many times in softball you wont know if you made the right desicion until you look back once the season is over. Just be cautious on coaches overpromising things during tryouts. For example, "all positions are open" when they know they are really just looking for a few outfielders because they already have a "core group" who all play infield positions.Good luck on your decision.

 

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A team or coach will not "make your daughter better". A team only provides an OPPORTUNITY for your daughter to improve her skills. What your daughter does with those opportunities will determine the outcome.

Regardless of her age, your daughter (with parent's help) should have goals for every summer. Is the team she is considering a part of those goals? Will this team provide her opportunities? The tournament history of the team will give a hint toward answering this.

By 12u to 14u, she should have a grasp of her abilities, and know if she's a college capable athlete. This ALSO includes her academics. By this age, she must be on a team that has a history of attending college showcase type tournaments. She should never underestimate her ability. Choosing a team can be tough, but choose the team that provides the most opportunity to reach her goals.

As you progress through you "travel ball journey" with your daughter, you will find there are two basic flavors of travel teams, and both are becoming more expensive by the year. First, there are the "original" college focused teams that provide the exposure and college opportunities for your daughter. There is also a growing number of teams that are basically "rec-travel" teams. Both provide an opportunity for your daughter to participate. It is up to you and your daughter to decide which one will provide the opportunities for her to reach her goals.

Sounds like a broken record, but it can be distilled down to a few simple concepts:

1) Set goals (college ball; play with friends; etc.)
2) Know your abilities, work ethic and commitment
3) Devise a plan: "I am going to play ball in college by improving my ..."

 

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To me this is an easy decision. What is sounds like is, we can win more games but not play alot or lose more games and play alot more.

I would get her more playing time with the intent of getting better so she could get more playing time on either team in the future. Nobody gets better on the bench.

No, not at all....it's not about how many games they are going to win to me. She will likely see playing time in both, just possibly in different positions on the one team as more of a utility player (which isn't a bad thing) or primarily in one (preferred) spot on the other team (not a bad thing either). The one team does likely have more talent as the other team has many new players, as well as a new coach - though in fairness it is hard to judge either team since not all of the players were at tryouts. My point about the talent is that I want her to be around other talented players in order to push herself with them. Not so much about winning games, but more about furthering my DD's development.

Don't get me wrong, I see your point about playing time furthering the development too...that is part of why we are conflicted.

Sammy....you make some very good points too.

 

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Having issues with this one myself, so I feel for you. We are new to travel ball and trying to make the best choice for my DD, but limited in what we know.

For us it is trying to decide whether it is better for her to play with a team with a lot of talent, but possibly less playing time for her or a team where there is likely more playing time for her, but likely less overall talent. DD liked both teams and both coaches from what she saw at that point...so that doesn't help

In addition to coaching you need to also think about the other girls/families on the team-nice or crazy? There are crazy parent (s) that can really cause havoc and make for a long season versus a great set of families that make for a great season (no matter the w/l)

Personally, I might consider playing for the better team IF I thought the coach had the knowledge to instruct to improve her game with really well structured practice where they work on player development-

But if you felt coaching was equal, I would lean towards more playing time& experience

Maybe if you have time, go back to their tryout and workout with them again-spend more time with them. It is a long season and I understand wanting to make the best decision.

 

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I have to respectfully disagree with Sammi that by 12u a girl should know if she is a college capable athlete. Many parents may feel that way about their DD when they are 12 or 13 but that can be an unrealistic expectation. I do agree that academics is very important though.

 

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Need help on how to accept the right offer for my DD. I know some about one organization, and know very little about the other. I have been trying to read on OFC to try and find out info about both except I can't find much. Any help will be appreciated.

Sorry old man....I really didn't mean to hijack your thread!

 

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Pinky's mom, not sure how old your daughter is, but my personal opinion is...most players have that favorite position to play, but the more versatile a player can become, the more desirable she is to coaches as a recruitable player. Years ago, my DD started as a 3rd baseman, and in the years since, has played SS, pitched, 2nd base, and is currently splitting time between 2nd, catching and left field going into her second year at 14u. Have had several coaches comment on how they love knowing that wherever they put her, they know she'll get the job done. And don't think that being known as a utility player is code for "benchwarming sub". My DD started in about 90% of her games this spring/summer, and I truly believe that was because her coaches felt they could put her in so many different places on the field. If she has the chance to learn and practice multiple positions, which I'm sure in time will probably also include that favored position, she is in the best position to up her playing time and importance in her coaches eyes. When you are FANTASTIC at 3rd base and ONLY 3rd base, but then an even better 3rd baseman comes along, where do you think the coach will put you? Something to think about, and good luck deciding!!!

 

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Need help on how to accept the right offer for my DD. I know some about one organization, and know very little about the other. I have been trying to read on OFC to try and find out info about both except I can't find much. Any help will be appreciated.

To find answers to some of your questions you might find it helpful to send private messages to some of the members with more stars by their name. They have been active on these boards and if they don't know the teams they may know the people. You won't find many negative comments about teams or organizations in message threads as it usually devolves into bashing.
Good Luck

 

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1. Can this team make my daughter better.

I agree with this

 

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1. Can this team make my daughter better.

Think about this for a minute... then ask: "Can a Porsche 911 Turbo make me a better driver?" or another famous misconception: "Can a $350 hi-tech bat make my daughter a better hitter?"

The answer is no. It's NOT the car, team or bat that makes anyone better. It's the training, learning from mistakes, hard work, perseverance, etc. that makes the person better. The advanced tool comes AFTER the knowledge for proper use. Besides, if a kid doesn't work on her skills, she'll find it very difficult to get on the roster of one of those top teams!

If the coach is experienced and knows the ropes, your daughter will have much more opportunity to advance. Many of the top teams in Ohio are loaded with players that were already skilled when they joined the team. Sure, some kids come up through the ranks, but the majority are recruited on those top teams. Expecting a team coach to "make your daughter better" by giving her more playing time is a flawed concept. Top level travel ball is very similar to college ball. You must be good to make the team in the first place.

Your daughter MUST learn to accept working on her skills on non-game days. She doesn't "get better" at team practices or in games. She gets better by PROPER instruction in a controlled setting with MANY, MANY repetitions. That's how hitters, pitchers and fielders get better.

Think of it this way: Games are just the "proof" - they show how much you've learned AWAY from the game on your own.