Some advice please

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My DD went to a try out yesterday, and tonight they called back and offered her a spot on the team.

I didn't expect decisions to be made so quick, and I was planning on having her try out for 4 or 5 more teams. This will be her first year of travel (she is 11) and they want an answer by friday becuase they are going to be playing in a fall league.

i'm not sure what to do. Do I commit before trying out for other teams? I am going to have a couplke of private tryouts next week, but we were looking at 3 or 4 later this month as well.

I don't know much about the team except they are fairly new and not a big org. They will be playing in a fall league, indoor winter league, and tournaments next spring/summer.

I'm not sure if I should go ahead and commit now or wait and take chance on some other team. of course then you run the risk of not getting another offer.

this is so confusing.

 

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As this is her first year of travel, go to more tryouts. Explain to the Coach you are looking for the best fit for your dd. sometimes Coaches will wait, sometimes they won't. Do what you think is best.

 

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Do as you planned unless this is the team you have as your must be on... but at 11u there are opportunities with more than one team or organization...

 

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Both nac and coachdennis gave good advice. The fact that you're asking is a sign you think you know better. No, don't jump on the first ship unless it's the one team you really wanted to be with. Call their bluff. Do your thing as you planned and be honest.

 

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My DD went to a try out yesterday, and tonight they called back and offered her a spot on the team.

I didn't expect decisions to be made so quick, and I was planning on having her try out for 4 or 5 more teams. This will be her first year of travel (she is 11) and they want an answer by friday becuase they are going to be playing in a fall league.

i'm not sure what to do. Do I commit before trying out for other teams? I am going to have a couplke of private tryouts next week, but we were looking at 3 or 4 later this month as well.

I don't know much about the team except they are fairly new and not a big org. They will be playing in a fall league, indoor winter league, and tournaments next spring/summer.

I'm not sure if I should go ahead and commit now or wait and take chance on some other team. of course then you run the risk of not getting another offer.

this is so confusing.

I think you answered your own question... you should dig deeper for information about the team their goals ,training and position openings regarding your DD ....there is nothing wrong with going to other tryouts , in fact if you are new to this I would encourage you to look at other teams to see what they have to offer, as far as training, tourney schedule, practice facilty and time/day of practice cost, openings pertaining to your DD and flexibility to other sports/conflicts ect.. also BE careful of position guarentee this early , their are other players and parents in your same situation . as many teams that are out there good talent will get grabbed up quick until better talent shows up a week or 2 later and preferred positions and promises can change . ASK ALOT OF QUESTIONS ! Set your your sights on what is the best fit for your DD and your family! HoPe this helps!

 

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I should add that any tryouts at this point are really early. That's because most of the sanctioning bodies are having regional or national tournaments this week and next. That's a sign that the team or organization may not be aware of the greater overall softball world.

 

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Its a tactic used by small orgs to land talent before the big orgs tryouts. Listen to the others above me.

 

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I agree with fastjay and badmonkeys. If this isn't a larger well known org, which it sounds like it isn't do to the early tryout then stick with your schedule.

 

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Part of preparation before tryouts is creating a list of teams for your DD to try out for and prioritizing them in order of "desirability". If you have not yet done this, it's still not too late. Involve your daughter in this - SHE'S the ball player! Grab a pencil and paper, sit down with her and start brainstorming. Ask her what she wants in a team. Yes she's young, and your input will carry most of the weight, but this exercise should be done every year! It will get easier next year.

If you don't do this, you are literally playing "pin the tail on the donkey" picking a team, and that can lead to some very frustrating outcomes. By brainstorming, at least you are making a somewhat educated decision.

Now, this first team that made the offer - where does this team fall on your priority list? If it is very high, she has a better chance at a good fit. From this point forward, your list is your guide. This is a simplified version of how college coaches build a recruiting list. The more "top picks" they land, the better. You and your daughter need to land a "top pick"!

As far as giving an answer before you have attended other tryouts, honesty is always the best policy. Explain to the coach that you want the best opportunity for your daughter and your family, and you won't know what that is until she's been to other tryouts that interest her. Easy enough! Sure, coaches are eager to get their rosters set, but that should not come at your daughter's expense. If any coach is rude to you and gives you a hard time (threatens that she'll be passed up, etc.) that should be a red flag that this coach doesn't respect an honest opinion. And they most likely DON'T have your daughter's best interest at heart.

 

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Wait. You need to do what is best for your dd. Tryouts are a great experience. Enjoy it and don't jump on the first team that makes an offer in fear of her not getting a spot on a roster. I guarantee, there is a spot out there for her that you will be comfortable with. If you are second guessing this choice, it's not the right team.

 

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It will be easy enough to find out what Tournaments that Team attended and how they performed. Also find out how many Players are returning. If they are looking for more than 1 or 2 Players and they are demanding an answer now, I would be really skeptical as to why they have chosen to limit their talent pool. An Org that is confident in what they are doing, will recommend that you go to other tryouts. Demanding an answer before most tryouts have even taken place, is an issue for me.

 

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They need an answer soon because they need to have a roster completed before the fsll league starts in mid August.

It isn't that I dislike what I have seen about the team, it's just that it is hard to make a decision without having attended other teams try outs and seeing how they go.

 

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They need an answer soon because they need to have a roster completed before the fsll league starts in mid August.

It isn't that I dislike what I have seen about the team, it's just that it is hard to make a decision without having attended other teams try outs and seeing how they go.

They sound very desperate run.

 

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Great advice from other posters here ... can't imagine a fall league that would not allow a late changeout to the roster ...

 

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If this is a stand up coach/team and he is, as you say, just trying to get a roster together for fall league maybe you can commit for the fall only and keep your options open for the future. Offer to pay 1 kids % of the league fee and you both can give each other an extended try out

 

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Great advice above .... and if she got an offer that fast, there are probably more out there. My dd got an offer at 11u early from a very good team, but we had decided that we had a "process" (teaching moment) .... we asked the coach if he could be patient with us while we completed our process. He agreed and she went to 2 more of the planed 5 try outs ... after the next two, she (and we) realized that we had the best opportunity and situation already in hand, so we cut the process short and committed to that first team/offer (and it was a GREAT choice) .... I am glad we continued with the process though because we all came away more educated, and completely satisfied with the correct choice, with no regrets or 2nd thoughts.

Follow your instincts, and gut, in helping your daughter with "her" choice.

 

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If this is a stand up coach/team and he is, as you say, just trying to get a roster together for fall league maybe you can commit for the fall only and keep your options open for the future. Offer to pay 1 kids % of the league fee and you both can give each other an extended try out

I was thinking exact same thing..see if you can just committ to fall ball and keep your other commitments for tryouts and go from there.

 

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Agree with all above.....Don't accept before August 11/12 unless it is one of the teams you really want. Go to alot of tryouts and see what's out there.