Roster Conflicts

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All,

I'm sure this is a topic that has been discussed. I have a player that started the season (tryouts and fall ball) on one team and switched to my team at the first of the year. The coach from the team she came from told her parents he was going to make it difficult for her to play anywhere by not "releasing" her from his rosters. I discussed the switch with the coach and he told me he was very upset they left. I ran into conflict with my USSSA and NSA rosters. I can only assume that since she switched at the beginning of January, the coach added her to these rosters AFTER she switched teams. Maybe not, but it seems likely.

He has all of his players sign contracts. We do not. My feelings as a coach is that I have to meet, or exceed, the expectations of my players and their parents. If I don't and they aren't happy, that's my fault and I WANT them to go elsewhere where they will be happy. I know others look at this differently so I'm not looking to debate whether a player SHOULD switch teams or not. In this situation, that ship has already sailed.

I'm looking for advice on how to remedy this situation. I know the sanctioning bodies all have different rules. I've done enough research to know that I don't have to worry too much about ASA and most of our tourneys are ASA, but we will be playing USSSA and NSA too. They both require the online roster submittal and that's where the conflict is occurring.

I realize there are ALOT of egos in this sport at the coaching level, but if we think this is about anything other than the girls we coach, we are kidding ourselves. Those folks should really think about whether coaching is right for them.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and/or advice.

 

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Call the state commissioners for each sanctioning body and they will give you a release. You get 1 release for the fall/winter that you use or lose and 1 release for the remainder of the season. No coach can hold you hostage regardless of what they tell you. Call the commissioner and he will issue the player a release.

 

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Thanks. I found the USSSA director and talked with him. I'm not sure he will technically "release" her from the other roster, but he said not to worry. She can play for multiple teams until either teams qualify for a world series. At which point the roster of the qualifying team is frozen. Also, I will have a USSSA roster with her parent's signature on it. The other team will not unless they falsify it. I can't imagine anyone being that vindictive.

 

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USSSA - no issue unless you are playing USSSA WS, you can be rostered on a unlimited number of USSSA rosters with no issues

NSA - you can only be on one at a time, but you get one drop and add. My advice is to attack this one right now. You can get it sent to the National office if the old coach will not release and request a transfer and assuming this would be her 1 drop and add for this season I suspect you will not have an issue. BUT this takes time. Like 30-60 days. So if you want her to play in say NSA States you need to get all over this one.

ASA - I am assuming that she was not on his ASA roster? I have not had to deal with ASA roster issues. While we play a bunch of ASA stuff we have not had roster issues.

I have dealt with NSA on a roster transfer before and it is not easy if the other coach will not sign. Doable but not easy.

 

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Thanks. I sent Mike Craig and email. I'll see what he suggest. Worst case, we only play one NSA tourney this season.

I just don't get some people. Why make things hard for a 14 year old girl. *smh*

 

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USSSA has opened it's World Series to all.........no qualifying - just pay & you can play. So I'm sure there are no frozen rosters there. Just turn in one with the proper signatures. Contact Shorty about any ASA issues & you should be fine.

If a coach actually was trying to hold a player hostage who quit right after fall ball - IMO his name & team should be noted for all to be aware of......

 

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USSSA has opened it's World Series to all.........no qualifying - just pay & you can play. So I'm sure there are no frozen rosters there. Just turn in one with the proper signatures. Contact Shorty about any ASA issues & you should be fine. If a coach actually was trying to hold a player hostage who quit right after fall ball - IMO his name & team should be noted for all to be aware of......

Russ, you just like stirring the pot. Lol.....

 

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Two sides to every story, should find out all the facts behind the situation before you judge the other coach, just sayin!

 

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Nevermind...

 

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Not releasing a player in January is busch league no matter what the issue is. Its a coaches version of laying down stomping your feet on the ground and holding your breath.

 

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Oh boy! Conflict in the area! I'm better off just keeping my nose out of this one! Best of luck to all parties involved!

 

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Ok, maybe im wrong and just havent seen a situation in the past 10 years of coaching travel softball where it isnt complete bs to not release a player in January. Even if the original team was wronged, its sour grapes. So please explain. You can use hypathetical, generic situations, fake names..etc. if im wrong im not afraid to admit it.

 

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I'm not gonna post on here who it is. That's not productive.

I also understand there are 2 sides to every story, but I can't think of ANY scenario where I would not "release" a player to go somewhere else. Actually, I don't even believe that is my choice. The player and parents have all of the control in that (my opinion). Obviously, I would try to sit down and discuss the issues with them to see if they can be resolved, but they can go where they think is best for their daughter, and I would be fine with that. It might put the team in a bind, but we would make due. If your team hinges on one (or even two) players, then the coach needs to do a better job of diversifying the roster. Again...my opinion.

 

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Name them, NAME THEMMMMMMMMMM.

 

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Ultimately it's the players and parents choice...not the coaches. I've had it done to me when I was coaching and unfortunately, this year when I am not coaching, we felt it was in our DD's best interest to do it too. It ****s either way. It's not an easy decision for anybody. Especially after bonds have been made with teammates and parents along with the coaches. It also ****s if some fees have been paid and are non-refundable. ;& I think the coach can be disappointed, but needs to move on.

Good luck!

 

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Even if an unethical decision is made by player/parent, it is our responsibility to make the grown up decisions, cut ties and move on for the benefit of everyone involved.

 

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Please don't start with the "Back in my day...." tall tales. People have been quitting things since people started doing things. This is nothing new.

 

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It's been said before two sides to every story, enough said!

 

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A. For someone with no dog in this fight, you sure have a lot of details.

B. Even with those details, it makes no difference. The player left. Let them go. You can't be all butthurt because they decided it wasn't a good fit. In an ideal world, people would be happy and stay with the first team for the year. But who knows why they left. The coach could be incompetent. Maybe the team is packed full of bad attitudes. Maybe someone is inappropriate. Maybe the player/parents figured out they can't stand the coach or maybe he was dishonest. None of us know and it really doesn't matter.

Just release the player and try to fill the spot.

 

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I guess I still havent heard 1 good reason for refusing to release a player and I assume I never will. 2 sides to every storey, 1 is just busch league regardless.