Lasers Memorial Day Shootout

[Jdwkaw]

Assistant coach on a team that played in the event yesterday. Wonderful event with many great teams. Umpiring was up to the challenge and witnessed many seasoned umpires helping newer umpires with positioning on the field.

With that being said, something that happens all to often happened to us before out last game. A coach from a very large well-known org approached a girl/parents on our team right in front of our players and coaches and asked her if she would be interested in joining their org. He even handed the financials and said to think it over. To make matters worse, there were 25 girls on that team/bench during the game.

This is the nature of the travel softball beast, but to not even care it was in front of the players/coaches on the team is actually sickening. This girl is already on a team for the summer, so why approach her at this time of the year. Invite her to come to tryouts in July.

 

[CoachTEA]

Jdkaw - You got a part of the story right; let me see if I can set the record straight. I am the coach in question. This young lady missed our tryouts last season (July and August) and landed on her feet with another team. I don't know it to be a 100% accurate but I heard most of the team she is currently is going to age out. Like many of us, we all know each other and she is friends with players on our team. Recently they expressed a desire to join us for the 2022-23 season (not the current 2021-22 season) and based on recommendations from several people I know and trust, I wanted her to know that I will hold a spot for her on our roster(s). The finances we discussed WERE NOT our team fees; rather it was the tuition of a D3 school that made her an offer. I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help her in "closing the deal" because I am friends with an assistant coach at that particular college.

We didn't have 25 players there, just 23 LOL!!! That is because my staff and I coach an 03 team and 04 team and didn't think we would have as many players available. Thankfully Mike Waddell and the Lasers had a team drop and we picked up a extra game and we were to get more innings/at bats for everyone, but it was like herding cats. I also agree with you; the umpires and format was great.

Both of 03 and 04 teams have 15 and 14 on roster for this summer and I AM NOT LOOKING to "steal" anyone from another team or organization this summer; barring more injuries our teams are full and even with injuries we don't need to steal players. Like you said, let's leave that to tryouts in July/August. Transparently, I have a list of 35 names already of players asking for a tryout for next season and like most coaches I will probably be posting my tryout announcements around the July 4th weekend.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to text me at 513.256.3595 and I will happily discuss your concerns!

 

[Passion4theGame]

It's the nature of the beast. It does suck sometimes but you have to be confident in your coaching abilities and that you are doing the right thing for the team. I always say if a player leaves mid-season then I probably wasn't doing my best as a coach.


We all talk to players and families throughout the season. I agree with @CoachTEA We do not try to steal players during the season but set up prospects for the following season.


You will see me talking with multiple athletes this season as my entire group will be heading off to college this fall. I will be seeking 2023s & some solid 2024s & 2025s that want to play up.


Waddell always runs that event well. I wish we could of played it this year, but with graduations, a couple was still playing this past weekend i didn't want to push it. This season is more for fun for our ladies before they head off to college.