Just because she didn't make it doesn't mean she isn't good

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I think alot of parents get unnecessarily offended when their kids don't make a team. Just because she didn't make a team doesn't mean she isn't a good ball player. She may be great but the position is aready filled with a great player who has already put her time in with the team all year. There were some good players who came to my try-out who didn't make the team because the only positions they could play were already filled. If the players would make themselves more versatile, they would probably get more attention. I can't take a team of 7 shortstops or I will have 6 angry SS and 12 angry parents. The coach has to fill the spots the best way possible to give the girls a chance to be successful. Not everyone will agree with her/him, but that is why you should try-out for as many teams as you can until you find the right fit.

Well... If she is Really GOOD , I am at least gonna ask her if she would mind playing elsewhere. Not to mention I never let kids try out AS a certain Position. Get all the "Players" you can and Mold them into a TEAM.
 
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Some are willing to be molded and some are not. You take and mold the ones you can and the others you let go to find the team they are looking for.
 
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The title of the post is so true. You may not know what they are looking for. Some teams are full of skinny fast girls while others are looking for larger stronger players.

Dont be discouraged especially at the younger age groups. There are alot of players that have been getting by on having grown and matured earlier than their peers. There are many many many cases of that great player being quite ordinary in the older ages as their peers reach their maturity and the playing field is leveled.

Focus on your fundamentals and be a solid complete player.
 
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My DD has been a catcher for 5 years. This past season her travel coach put her in CF. At first, she looked lost, but now she is in love with that position. She already had the arm from catching and her slap hitting speed allowed her to cover a lot of ground.

She made a double play from CF catching then throwing the tag up girl out at home. She told me to sell her catchers gear. She wants to be in CF and I have to tell you that it is a lot more exciting to watch.

In 16U a bad infielder will get base runners, but a bad outfielder will lose the game.
 
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If a team already has positions filled, should they not advertise that? Why have catchers come out if you are not looking for catchers, or pitchers, or infielders, etc, etc? Seems like it is a big waste of the girls' time and it is tough enough to get through try-outs anyway....:confused:

well, sometimes the amount of open positions and the "type" of open positions either is not stated openly on OFc or at tryouts by the coaches, or isnt read somewhere within the threads...plus, it wont stop a parent from bringing their DD to a tryout knowing a position is already gone..i still think they will show up
 
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and i know the outfield will eventually catch up and bite DD's in the butt if they arent ready. Second year 14's, just about every game was decided by an error in the outfield...a dropped ball, letting a pop drop in front and bounce off the knees, or letting the ball roll under the glove for an extra base (my personal favorite). Now that DD is 16, she filled left field, learned it, trusted her ability and made some good plays..our right and center fielders were awesome as well, diving and what-not, so much that we hated taking the three of them out of the field. There is a stigma that starts in what, 10u, that my DD must stink sicne she's playing right field..and when i do see the ball hit into 10u outfield, it's a homerun cause none of the girls can catch!

I'm getting used to seeing DD in the outfield. If she does so again, more power to her!
 
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Maxfly I agree 100% with you. My DD played for a team last year where the outfield was the only place rotations were made. Sends a bad signal to the players! The outfield is extremely important and especially at the older levels

I'm pretty sure they rotate their pitchers too!

Why would anyone want their dd's to be one dimensional? My dd can play anywhere. She is better at some positions than others but is glad to be playing the game wherever her team needs her. Isn't that what the announcers were talking about during the USA games. Versatility! That is the word of the day! :yahoo:
 
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If I may be so bold as to try to get back "on topic", there are a number of reasons not yet mentioned why your daughter didn't make the team. Skill alone is often not enough;

Attitude - was the player showing effort, enthusiasm, talking to other players, etc...? Do they hang their head after an error?

Was the player constantly being shadowed by a parent? (Signs of trouble down the road.)

Hustle everywhere?

... and this is just a short list - done while I'm supposed to be productive here at work.

If players didn't get invited to join a team, they should always ask the coach why. You deserve to know. But be prepared for some answers that may not be what you want to hear - but it's an indication of area where you need to improve.
 
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There may be another good reason your DD doesn't make the team other than the position being filled -- ATTITUDE!!! I was at a 12U tryout with my DD. There was one girl that had the worst attitude! When they were taking infield, if she missed a ground ball, it was "I wasn't ready" or during batting practice when she missed the ball swinging "I wasn't ready". If memory serves me correctly, there are no redos in an actual game. She was a good ball player; good arm, ran quick ... needless to say, she didn't get an offer. And the parents are wondering why????
 
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Just to get back off topic... (sorry) During ASA States, in a 7 game run my outfirlders were responsible for 41 outs, either caught fly balls, or throwing to bases. Our outfielders were motivated by the others succesess and fed off of that, diving for foul balls and banging fences. From the college coaches I've talked two all three of them will get D1 or D2 offers as juniors this fall :)

If I am a pitcher, I want studs in the outfield, not back up pitchers...
 
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This one makes me laugh. The dd had to practice spelling Utility, since she didn't spell it correctly on the first tryout form. The dd circled every position but catcher on a few forms. Her primary position is short stop, but her comment to her coaches was always where do you want me coach? This year she will probably play CF, since the team she plays on has two girls playing SS-Pitcher, that rotate. . That was OK for her, she just likes to run and play the game. Last year she played 8 positions before the year was over. Two years ago she agreed to switch to the left side and has stayed with it to now hit for power, along with being a lefty/slapper. Parents your kids can do more than you give them credit for if they have the right attitude.
 
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This one makes me laugh. The dd had to practice spelling Utility, since she didn't spell it correctly on the first tryout form. The dd circled every position but catcher on a few forms. Her primary position is short stop, but her comment to her coaches was always where do you want me coach? This year she will probably play CF, since the team she plays on has two girls playing SS-Pitcher, that rotate. . That was OK for her, she just likes to run any play the game. Last year she played 8 positions before the year was over. Two years ago she agreed to switch to the left side and has stayed with it to now hit for power, along with being a lefty/slapper. Parents your kids can do more than you give them credit for if they have the right attitude.

Great post SBFamily. It's all about attitude and the team being bigger than the person. Thanks you.
 
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My olders DD played only infield for the 1st 2 years of travel. In the 3rd year I asked her coach to move her to CF and She almost fell over. She asked why I wanted to move her into the grass. I explained in our HS program if you are going to be able to make Varsity as a frosh or soph you better know your way around the outfield. She can now play any spot except pitcher/catcher. And a fast outfielder/slapper can usually find a pretty good travel team too!
 

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I think alot of parents get unnecessarily offended when their kids don't make a team. Just because she didn't make a team doesn't mean she isn't a good ball player. She may be great but the position is aready filled with a great player who has already put her time in with the team all year. There were some good players who came to my try-out who didn't make the team because the only positions they could play were already filled. If the players would make themselves more versatile, they would probably get more attention. I can't take a team of 7 shortstops or I will have 6 angry SS and 12 angry parents. The coach has to fill the spots the best way possible to give the girls a chance to be successful. Not everyone will agree with her/him, but that is why you should try-out for as many teams as you can until you find the right fit.
Agreed and I will add one more: your kid might be a great player, but the parent is not a person I want to spend a season with! I have passed on a few kids because I didn't like mom and/or dad. If they are going to be a PITA, I will pass on the kid regardless of her talent level.
 

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