Need some advice

[default]

So my DD and I was approached about possibly playing for another organization. A little history, my DD started travel ball this year on a 9u team (9u's played 2 tournaments), mid summer she was asked to come play with the 10u's. Now, she is playing with the 12u's, to finish up their season, she's league age 9 right now. Our travel team, which is playing 12u now, hadn't even considered having a 10u team next year. So, I volunteered to take them. Right now I have 6 players that I've went out and got on my own. We haven't held our tryouts yet, scheduled for this week. We can compete with the 6 I have, but need a couple good 3,4 utility players, and a pitcher. So today, we were approached by another organization (they did not know that I was taking a team). We had a long conversation, and too say the least it went well. He said that she has a spot, and that he will not fill his roster until spring. He's taking 11 girls, and has 10 already filled. What I told him was...That if I couldnt get atleast 10 girls that I was confident in, that I would get back with him. I just dont want to feel my roster with less than mediocre girls just so a couple of them can play. I really just dont know what to do, and I want the best for my DD. I'd love to coach the girls, but dont want my DD to miss out on some great opportunities. Any advice?

 

[default]

It doesn't seem like you have a great shot at fielding a team. Don't minimize the kids you'd be leaving behind. Try to help them find a new team if you do leave.

 

[default]

I guess if you have tryouts scheduled for this week, go through it and see if you can add enough quality and quantity to your team to make a go of it. But if not (i.e., I would say if you didn't come out of it with at least 9 players), I would recommend disbanding and helping all of the girls you recruited secure positions with other teams ASAP. As far as your own DD, you might want to make sure that the organization which approached you is the best one (in terms of coaching) that she would have a chance to play for before you just accept a position with this team. There are still lots of teams out there looking.

 

[default]

Outside of what is best for your daughter as a coach you have committed yourself to the other 5 girls so I would conduct tryouts, try and fill out the rest of your team not just for your daughter but also for the other 5 girls that have signed on to play. I guess my question to you would be why so late in having tryouts? Most tryouts were in August so any 10U eligible girl "that you would have confidence in" is probably on another 10U team. The girls that you might find now are girls making the jump from parks and rec ball. Look for an athletic young lady that you can make into a player that you are confident in by spring of next year. That is the joy of coaching right?

 

[default]

With only 5 players now, it sounds like you are going to have a really hard time finding 5-6 QUALITY players. I would go ahead with the tryouts but if you don't find the right players it would only be fair to the girls you do have committed to fold and help them find a team. It's a little late in the year and I wouldn't string them along for too long, they need to start working out with whatever team they do end up on. There are plenty of 10u teams still looking that they could hook up with and the sooner the better.

 

[default]

I guess my question to you would be why so late in having tryouts? Most tryouts were in August so any 10U eligible girl "that you would have confidence in" is probably on another 10U team.

Up until 2 weeks ago, we had no idea that there wasnt going to be a 10u team. But, I guess in reality, it is my fault for not asking her coach sooner. And instead of thinking all of our options out, volunteered to coach. So then I went out and asked a few girls that I know would be able to compete, who love the game, and can be taught (did not vulture any girls currently playing). And that there, is where Im at in a nut shell.

 

[default]

Another option for you is if there is another organization close by that has a 10U team that is struggling to find 10 or 11 girls you could always combine teams either with your current organization or with the other coach's organization that way all 5 of your girls have a team too. Just throwing it out there for you. There is definitely no easy answer but if I were you I would try and be patient and go through the process of tryouts and see what happens, you never know you might get 6 or 7 girls at your tryouts and if you take 3 or 4 then you have yourself a team. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

 

[default]

So what have you decided to do?

 

[default]

Yeah, curious as to what the outcome was on this one ...