Poaching Players

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Damn, I wish my kids would of received some of these calls. No one ever bothered my kids, should of went to more tryouts or maybe because she played s o c c er.

Like the s o c c e r reference.

Lets look at it from this side. For you coaches and parents, have you ever had a head hunter call you for a position at another company? Do you see that as poaching and tell them stop calling? Just a thought. It all depends I guess which side of the fence you are on.

 

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I don't see why any of this is a big deal. Until the paper is signed and a deposit paid anything can happen. Kids and parents stick teams and coaches just as much as coaches poach players. It happens at all levels and in all walks of life. How many buisness owners offer jobs to good employees at another company?
I wonder how many parents or players accept a spot just to be safe the go looking to upgrade? The real problem is when coaches lie or make promises they can't keep! Or show up at another orgs try out to poach!

 

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Like the s o c c e r reference.

Lets look at it from this side. For you coaches and parents, have you ever had a head hunter call you for a position at another company? Do you see that as poaching and tell them stop calling? Just a thought. It all depends I guess which side of the fence you are on.

You beat me to the punch on the job reference!

 

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I see it happens a LOT more now than it did five and ten years ago. Out west it is the norm. It's a fight for players non-stop out there, including during the summer.

I still think it's awful and I would have a tough time being competitive as a travel coach nowadays because I wouldn't do it. If I'm a dad and I had a daughter, what team she played for would not be totally up to her. I would eliminate teams with coaches who poach.

Also, for the coaches who say it's ok and get over it, then they have to be fine with players coming and going at will, including in the middle of the season. It can't be a free-for-all and only be a one-way street.

 

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I see nothing wrong with it. You've only verballed, not signed on the dotted line. NCAA football recruiters do this all the time. Now, if you've signed on the dotted line and had started practicing with your new team, that's when I'd have a problem

That's a shame that somebody's word is no longer considered a contract of honor.

 

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That's a shame that somebody's word is no longer considered a contract of honor.

It is what it is...TB isn't the only place this occurs.

 

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That's a shame that somebody's word is no longer considered a contract of honor.

I agree. Besides, once you get that reputation it's gonna be hard to shake free from it.

 

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I would have to know the specific conversation to pass judgement, but as stated so far, I don't see this as poaching. As long as the second phone call was a simple polite "Hey we really like your DD, are you sure about your decision", then I see nothing wrong with it. If it turns into a pressured hard sell, where they are bad-mouthing the org you said yes to, then I would say that is crossing the line, but to let you know they are really interested after you went to tryouts is fine.

 

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I would have to know the specific conversation to pass judgement, but as stated so far, I don't see this as poaching. As long as the second phone call was a simple polite "Hey we really like your DD, are you sure about your decision", then I see nothing wrong with it. If it turns into a pressured hard sell, where they are bad-mouthing the org you said yes to, then I would say that is crossing the line, but to let you know they are really interested after you went to tryouts is fine.

I have always gone by the thought that if anyone trying to sell anything has to bad mouth others to sell their item, then what they are trying to sell is more than likely not worth buying.

 

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MacsDad ... then who would we vote for in all the political races this year?!?!

 

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How about just saying " She appreciates the compliment, but she is committed." Simple as that and a whole lot less drama.

 

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MacsDad ... then who would we vote for in all the political races this year?!?!

I don't like either one but then again I really don't like any Politician. They say one thing and do another. Now that's painting with a broad brush.

 

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It happens, often. What bothers me is the level some coaches will stoop to when trying to recruit. At 8U, 10U travel ball, it's distrurbing what I have seen this year.

 

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I see it happens a LOT more now than it did five and ten years ago. Out west it is the norm. It's a fight for players non-stop out there, including during the summer.

Most of the player movement happens during the Winter and HS season. Generally speaking, roster rules don't allow players to switch teams during the Summer unless their current team isn't going to the same sanction's national as the new team. In fact, we noticed very few teams posting for pick-up players last Summer compared to the pre-PGF days.

I still think it's awful and I would have a tough time being competitive as a travel coach nowadays because I wouldn't do it. If I'm a dad and I had a daughter, what team she played for would not be totally up to her. I would eliminate teams with coaches who poach.

Also, for the coaches who say it's ok and get over it, then they have to be fine with players coming and going at will, including in the middle of the season. It can't be a free-for-all and only be a one-way street.

I agree that the level of commitment between the team and players needs to be the same on both sides and we prefer it to be high.

 

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I see nothing wrong with it. You've only verballed, not signed on the dotted line. NCAA football recruiters do this all the time. Now, if you've signed on the dotted line and had started practicing with your new team, that's when I'd have a problem

Your only as good as your word. Say's a lot about the character if they commit and jump ship at first perceived better offer.

 

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Maybe some out there are right. This is a perfect time to name the team and or individual. It may help others. I myself am biting my tongue right now. But may blurt out a similar story regarding trying to poach players who have paid the fee and are 100% committed but that individual swears he had no contact with these players at all even though we have his PM printed out.......At least give us some initials. People kept quiet about Northern Ohio Softball and Shawn Reis and look what happened to alot of people, they got robbed!

 

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It happens, If the team/coach is doing what they need to do and the player/parent decides to leave it is a problem with the player/parents and shows they are not committed to a team but looking out for #1 so they will do the same thing year in and year out.

We did not have any leave but at a showcase tournament last year an individual from another organization removed several of our profiles and contacted our pitchers to see if they wanted to finish the year with them because they had some injuries to their two pitchers. Both players called me the same night to tell me the story and that they told them thanks but no thanks....

 

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It happens, If the team/coach is doing what they need to do and the player/parent decides to leave it is a problem with the player/parents and shows they are not committed to a team but looking out for #1 so they will do the same thing year in and year out....

This is true, but is an entirely separate issue from coaches poaching. Just because girls will leave teams does not excuse coaches who are poaching, just as the fact we will all eventually die does not excuse one from committing murder.

 

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This is true, but is an entirely separate issue from coaches poaching. Just because girls will leave teams does not excuse coaches who are poaching, just as the fact we will all eventually die does not excuse one from committing murder.

Player poaching "attempts" happens a lot more than most coaches or players know... the good thing is, most player/parents are of "good character" and it does not become an issue. If a team or organization is loosing a lot of players it may be because of other issues but like most I do not agree with coaches that try to Cherry pick or poach players.

 

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Maybe some out there are right. This is a perfect time to name the team and or individual. It may help others. I myself am biting my tongue right now. But may blurt out a similar story regarding trying to poach players who have paid the fee and are 100% committed but that individual swears he had no contact with these players at all even though we have his PM printed out.......At least give us some initials. People kept quiet about Northern Ohio Softball and Shawn Reis and look what happened to alot of people, they got robbed!

I too am biting my tongue!