~ Loyalty to returning Players~

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I agree Explosion14U. If our team wasn't competitive the previous season, then it would make sense to have everyone try-out. However, your comment hits the nail right on the head with a competitive team. We felt our team was very competitive winning 3 tournaments, placing 2nd in 4 others and having a good showing at Nationals. I know we're moving up a level to 16u, but our core players (as well as others who didn't play much chipping in when needed) are what got us there, so why put them to the test when they already proved it on the field?

 

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I'm not any closer to knowing the answer to the question I posted then when I posted it. It is a complex question and I see a little in both sides.

We have lived one side and it has worked out for my dd for the better, she has gotten more oportunity and as a result of that she is becoming a better ball player. She said to me the other day " I may have a longer, harder road ahead of me to get to college ball but I have just as much oportunity ahead of me as the girls I left to find it if I work hard"

We have also seen a few young ladies who have stuck it out where they are and the coaches have held on to them b/c of loyalty. Their chances are not as great b/c the playing time they need to progress they arent getting.

This is where I am on the whole Loyalty to returning players. I think that if you hold on to a player just out of loyalty and you know that young lady is not going to progress enough to see good playing time you are doing her no favors by holding on to her. Cut her loose and let her find her way. When one door closes almost always another one opens.
But if you keep that same girl, put as much time into her as you put into your top 9, b/c if you don't you most certainly set her up to fall and thats on you as a coach not her.

 

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I agree Explosion14U. If our team wasn't competitive the previous season, then it would make sense to have everyone try-out. However, your comment hits the nail right on the head with a competitive team. We felt our team was very competitive winning 3 tournaments, placing 2nd in 4 others and having a good showing at Nationals. I know we're moving up a level to 16u, but our core players (as well as others who didn't play much chipping in when needed) are what got us there, so why put them to the test when they already proved it on the field?

I do understand this as well. You guys had a great season that ended late. Our season ended early and wasn't a very good one. I guess it all is in your perspective. I've seen it both ways, and I'm sure there are several views by all different people! LOL :lmao:

 

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By making it clear to parents/players UP FRONT exactly what your team goals are, coaches can minimize (but not eliminate) a lot of misunderstandings and hard feelings. At 16u, there are two paths teams can take, one of which is the college showcase route. These teams MUST put a priority on recruiting and keeping quality athletes, or else they will not be attending very many showcase tournaments. Being a stud at 12u doesn't guarantee a stud at 16u or above. The flip side is that being a mediocre athlete at 12u doesn't mean they won't be a stud at 16u. There are far too many variables to even mention. If my DD had been on a team at 16u that claimed to be a college exposure team, and then kept slackers over the years under the guise of "loyalty", we'd have been gone in a heartbeat! For the top teams, every season begins new. What ever happened to EARNING your spot instead of just accepting an ENTITLEMENT? Showcase teams have different goals, and keeping players on the roster who do not share those same goals, or are not in the same talent area, only cheats the rest of the team out of opportunities. Cutting a kid you've had for a few years because they're not progressing is certainly tough. But by NOT cutting that kid, you're telling the rest of the team that you're OK with mediocrity. It's NOT necessarily about winning, it's just that the teams with the talented players usually win the bulk of their games.

If your team is not geared towards showcasing players, keeping tenured players at any cost is not such a bad thing. Different goals dictate how you handle your roster from year to year. That's the difference between roster ball and travel ball.

 

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Loyalty begins when the dd makes the team and ends when the season is over! Longer if the girl decides to stay with that team or organization!

 

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Very well said Sammy!

 

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I agree Explosion14U. If our team wasn't competitive the previous season, then it would make sense to have everyone try-out. However, your comment hits the nail right on the head with a competitive team. We felt our team was very competitive winning 3 tournaments, placing 2nd in 4 others and having a good showing at Nationals. I know we're moving up a level to 16u, but our core players (as well as others who didn't play much chipping in when needed) are what got us there, so why put them to the test when they already proved it on the field?

Your infield hasn't taken part in tryouts for the last 3 years if I remember correctly. Only your outfielders the first three years. Who are all still with you except my dd who asked to be released for hopes of more playing time somewhere else. Which really has worked out for her and we will alway love the Blast girls...

I see both sides in this one too! Ohio Blast Dennison really did have a great season and I can completly understand why you guy's have chosen to keep your core together. However Sad has made some good points! I have alway felt to only make a few tryout each year except this year was a little harsh to those who did have to continue to tryout each year. It has been clear from day one when we were Bat-n-Balls who the strong girls where in this group and who needed more work. Maybe had they all went through tryouts together each year regardless of who you knew was coming back for sure or not your weaker players would have felt more like contributing factors on the team?? I have also liked the idea of all returning players taking part in tryouts so that new comers can see what kind of ball player our Organization has. Represents your team in a positive light if you may. I know one thing, if I where a young lady looking for a new team and I saw your team in action that's where I would want to play.......

 

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I think that it is important for a team to be successful that they keep their options open. The big organizations have tryouts every year. No one is guaranteed their spot. The team my DD played for recently has had a few girls that have been there from the beginning. They take their spots for granted and do not always put in the effort that the "new" girls put in. They also are playing in positions where there may be a better player. This is out of the coaches loyalty. I am not complaining my DD has played plenty, and the team was very successful this season. I just think it hurts the team as a whole when players have a sense of entitlement instead of having to always put their best effort into it. It definately stands out to the other players and parents.

 

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I think that it is important for a team to be successful that they keep their options open. The big organizations have tryouts every year. No one is guaranteed their spot. The team my DD played for recently has had a few girls that have been there from the beginning. They take their spots for granted and do not always put in the effort that the "new" girls put in. They also are playing in positions where there may be a better player. This is out of the coaches loyalty. I am not complaining my DD has played plenty, and the team was very successful this season. I just think it hurts the team as a whole when players have a sense of entitlement instead of having to always put their best effort into it. It definately stands out to the other players and parents.

Now this I agree with 100%

 

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Loyalty is a tuff subject; I personally feel you must tryout every year, "That is Travel Ball". This is a dog eat dog world sorry to say, and I feel Travel Ball is to get these young ladies ready for the next step. They MUST perform, if they plan on playing at the next level. I've never seen a college coach keep a girl on the field because she was Loyal. I'm not saying I would cut a loyal girl but She needs to see that there are girl's out there that want her spot. Some might say this is hardcore but take it as a life lesson and let them know you have to give your very best cause there?s always someone waiting to take that spot. Just my Opinion.

 

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Or that job!! Believe me it is a life lesson! Things don't get handed to me, how about you?

 

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Loyalty is a tuff subject; I personally feel you must tryout every year, "That is Travel Ball". This is a dog eat dog world sorry to say, and I feel Travel Ball is to get these young ladies ready for the next step. They MUST perform, if they plan on playing at the next level. I've never seen a college coach keep a girl on the field because she was Loyal. I'm not saying I would cut a loyal girl but She needs to see that there are girl's out there that want her spot. Some might say this is hardcore but take it as a life lesson and let them know you have to give your very best cause there?s always someone waiting to take that spot. Just my Opinion.

This kind brings to mind another thing I have seen go on over the last few years and thats that it seems sometimes some positions are up for grab and some arent regardless of wether better talent comes along for those untouchable positions or not. I say all or nothing, if your outfielders can be replaced by better talent then so should your infielders. Why should it be a dog eat dog world for some and not others??? Seems to me every girl on the team would have to keep on their toes from year to year if we invited stud first basewomen and stud shortstops ect.... to compete for that spot each year. Don't just stop at bringing in a new pitcher or stronger outfielder. All or nothing!!!! If its College exposure your looking for.

I myself will be happy to have my dd playing for good coaches who arent trophy hunting but instead focus on fundamentals and getting my dd to the next level with hard work, respect and loyalty.

 

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one thing to consider...

say the team has 11 players of which lets say 6 are studs, probably can go anywhere they want and play (maybe not their preferred position but can play). Now the coach has 5 players that are "average". Combined the girls hit .260 (no power, no speed) and play their positions average - making all the routine plays but not making any of the "flash" plays.

The coach is thinking, "man, if i could get 5 more girls like the six studs i have, we could compete at the top level".

question: What does the coach do?

a) make everyone tryout again - in the hope that he can get 5 more studs?

b) be honest with the 5 girls that are average and say, hey, you have to earn a spot on the team next year (your spot is not guaranteed). And tell the 6 studs they are invited back?

If you say... Option A... her is another question?

If your daughter is one of the studs, what do you do? Do you tryout for this team and this team only or do you protect yourself and go to other tryouts? Lasers, Wolfpack, Valley Extreme, etc. etc.? What happens if Christal Bustos shows up and she wants to play your daughter's postion. If the coach has made it clear that the best girls earn a spot on the team, your daughter may lose her position on the field.

From the coach's perspective... does he want your daughter out trying out for other teams... NO! She is one of the 6 girls he hopes to build a team around next year. He HAS TO TELL the girl she has a position back on the team or the next thing he knows, his six studs are gone because they got WOW'd at another team's tryout

 

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There's no standard answer here.

Coach has to weigh breaking up chemistry of existing team VS. building a kick-@$$ team - which, in the spring, may, or may not, develop into what he "thinks" is their potential right now.

 

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MediaSteve, My dd is trying out for a team this year who are very big on telling all of their potentials for next season to hit other tryouts including their returning players. They want them to know whats out there and they want them to be sure if they are offered a spot on their team that they are making the right decision for themselves.Instead of that player decided before the season starts it not what they wanted. They also have all of their girls tryout every year and they wait until their tryouts are complete to offer spots.

Some would say this is risky b/c another Org. could sweep in before they get to make their offer (I believe it actually happened last year) but I thinks it's pretty smart. Who wants to have a player who kinda wants to be on there team, instead those who really want to be their wait until they get their offer. It seems to work for them, I haven't heard of much turnover in that Org. Once they come on they really seem to want to stay.

 

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I personally don't see the difference between a player leaving the team for another team due to higher exposure, lower fees, different coaches, etc. and a team choosing not to keep a player because they haven't lived up to their potential or someone else clearly outshines the player wanting to return. There should absolutely NOT be a free pass just because one player has been with the team previous years.

 

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fastpitchersMom, So are you saying if a young lady comes to tryout for your dd's spot and she's lets just say a little better then your dd she should get your dd's spot? No matter how long your dd has been with that team?

Not trying to be smart but I do think returning players should get the benefit of the doubt in a case like that.

 

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fastpitchersMom, So are you saying if a young lady comes to tryout for your dd's spot and she's lets just say a little better then your dd she should get your dd's spot? No matter how long your dd has been with that team?

Not trying to be smart but I do think returning players should get the benefit of the doubt in a case like that.

I would think she would have to be substantially better, or the player that had been with the team did not perform up to expectations. I would think all returning players have a advantage because the coach knows how they performed, their attitude, their parents attitude, how they mesh, etc. Or they are at a disadvantage because of all the reasons listed.

 

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Macsmom be careful when an existing Manager tells his returning players and potential players to go to other try-outs. He might just be looking for a new organization and doesn't want to leave players without options of their own. This time of year everyone looks around and to sees what fits their own needs. You have to do whats best for yourself and so does everyone else.

 

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Thanks for the heads up but not the team I'm talking about. Their coaches are very happy where they're at.