Need some coaching advice...

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As a coach when do you decide to hang up your hat, tell the parents we gave it our best college try and encourage the team to attend tryouts? We have five girls on our team that are travel ball quality players. Ideally I would like to keep my five girls together but fear our tryouts will not generate enough interest. Also, at what point do I think of my daughters needs and possibly place her on a more competitive team?

 

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This is tough. I think many of us have been in your shoes, or have been on teams where this has been considered or done.

As you mentioned, you have to think about your daughters needs. Could you serve her better by being an assistant on another team or possibly just a parent helper? The answer is probably "yes".

I think you have already answered your question but if there are five girls on your team that are travel ball quality and the rest are not, then you are in for some frustrating seasons. Are those five growing as much as they can on your team? Probably not. Does that matter to them and their parents? Maybe or maybe not, depends on the kids and parents.

Having tryouts assumes you are going to tell the other girls they are not on the team anymore (potentially). Are you prepared to do that?

Here is what I suggest... Find another team that has a small core group of players and ask that coach if they would like to consolidate. If so then you have tryouts and you are assured of having enough there to make the team.

 

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I think that you need to think about what is best for your daughter first and foremost. Would she benefit from being on a better team? Would she benefit from someone not her Dad coaching her? What are her goals? Play in High School? Play in College? Just have fun? Each of these answer may point you in a different direction. Good luck with your decision.

Coach Murph

 

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Thanks Coach MikeH and Coach Murph - as coaches I know you understand what a difficult decision we have to make in the very near future.

We have our last tourney this weekend and will then have the tough choice to make. While I want to keep our team together if possible, ultimately I want what is best for my daughter. She is a pretty talented pitcher, played for her jr high team and wants to continue through high school and hopefully college.

 

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Find another team that has a small core group of players and ask that coach if they would like to consolidate.

luv are you anywhere near cleveland ?

 

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We are in SW Ohio