teams breaking up

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Wow this hit some nerves. I guess we have been lucky for the most part. My dd was on a great team with 10 other girls. Our coach gave bench time out pretty evenly. We didn't win any tournaments but placed in the top 5 in almost all of them. He did make some bad choices regarding his dd. Things that hit nerves such as getting upset over other girls missing practice then she would miss games for other commitments but yet she would start. That wasn't fair especially when other teammates would show up 10 minutes late for warm ups and be moved out of her starting position. That was frustrating but overall we had a great experience. DD has made lots of friends, progressed tremendously, and most of all had a blast. Are the girls as upset over the so called "daddy ball" or is it just the parents getting upset, then kids noticing it? I have never voiced my disapproval of things done by any of my daughters coaches/teachers ect. in front of or within earshot of her because then she would become upset too.

 

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At the beginning of the season, we were given an amount to pay. That payment should have paid for seven tournaments throughout the season and they were listed specifically with the amounts. After we played in three tournaments, we were told we were out of money and would have to come up with more to play. As we started to question why we were already out of money because we had paid for all of the tournaments, the players were given releases as of the end of the month.

I'm not saying you don't have to pay for these tournaments up front. I'm saying that we had not even played in half of the tournaments and were told (about a month ago) that we needed to come up with more money to continue playing in what was already scheduled tournaments.

If you've not had to deal with anything like this, consider yourself lucky. We have learned alot by reading posts on this forum and will definitely do our homework next time before commiting and handing over money in good faith which was based on a budget that was provided by them.

 

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Pickledad, you make some valid points. But the thread was "teams breaking up" and a discussion ensued. I see from your previous posts that you are a Laser fan and therefore probably a laser parent so let me tell you that you're barking up the wrong tree. Geez, do all Lasers think that everyone's always talking about them??? "Cause I believe the talk at 12U is Slam****.

Parents (mature ones) are able to take issue with a coach and still allow their daughter to finish the season enjoying what's left. My kid will continue to work hard, respect the coach, and be a team player. Because she was left out of all discussions, all she knows is that the team wasn't right for her and she will be moving on next year. But it seems to me that you just indicted you coach on some wrong-doings... you might need to appologize to him...

 

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Cast dispersion all you would like, my daughter did not sit the bench, and our family is not new to travel ball. I apologize if my post hit close to home for some of you, but I fear that the travel softball circuit is being weakened by coaches egos. Yes, winning is the point of playing the game. But isn't the game for the girls?

 

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suprsoftbalmom,

This is an annual ritual. ?Some teams keep thier team together, some lose/pick-up a few, some totally revamp. ?You'll see the "new" teams at the fall tournaments and then you'll see those "new" teams with an even "newer" look in the spring.

The reasons for dropping, picking-up, releasing, or switching girls/teams are numerous, as you have read above.

Just sit back and wait until spring.

 

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Dixonlynn,

I get what you're saying now. The parents paid the fees, but the manager never paid for the tournaments?! I would like to know a few things:

1) What was on the budget sheet you were shown (tourneys, uniforms, insurance, etc..)?

2) How much were the fees?

3) Is the team still playing?

4) What is the team's name?

I feel that if there is a team or organization out there that is not on the up-N-up, it is only fair to warn others before they become victims. This also helps those of us who run good organizations by not souring anymore parents about travelball.

I know many of the moderators would not like names being posted, but how else are these folks to be held to their comittments. It may also prompt them to post their own story as to what happened. I like to think that in general most folks are honest, but many cannot manage worth a darn and that is where the problem lies. It could be that they are to embarrassed to admit they mismanaged the team budget/funds. Just my $.02

 

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(so much for me straying mute)

suprsoftbalmom,
you did notice the paradox within your post? While this game is for our girls, we placed them/or allowed them to play in a "select" travel league...sadly, it is about wins...coaches are thinking about pool play games and (where they can bat everyone, perhaps) and how it will stack up for bracket play...while the girls might not notice it, a coach may wonder if they played their 9 best and won 2 of 3, they wouldn't have to play at 8 am on sunday, or a 4th/5th game on saturday night..it makes a difference...
dont get me wrong, I probably sound like a dad whose daughter bats .500 and dives on every play. i wish...she sits too, which is why i'm saying it...

as for egos, well, in some little part of the coaches brain, a good winning percentage does look good on paper...what if a parent asks, "well, how'd your team do last year?" and you say some story like, "well, the team really didn't come together..." so what your saying is you are 12-55? look, while people might say the right thing here, winning does matter....it's TRAVEL, and yes, it's all relative...a coach for an ASA national team might think losing 10 games is way below expectations...to another team, losing 20 games is a great season...at this level there are no easy outs, meaning, a coach is snake bit if they win or lose...it is about developing girls too, which is another task, and i'm sure it's frustrating for anyone's dd to sit, but before the ofc poxts comes flying out of someplace, make really sure you've done all you can to improve your dd....a coach cant do it all..just think about all the dd's that hear it about their coach in the car after practice...everyone knows it happens..maybe not so much on your team or that team, but it happens, sometimes to the best of us....in essence,i'm not condoning boorish behavior, please dont take it as such, ...i'm as intense as the next one, wether it's taking stats, coaching, jibing with ringer or teaching

hey_hey,
left out of all discussions? most teams dont allow the team to make some decisions...thats what a coach is for, but maybe i read something into the posts, i apologize if i took that wrong....or maybe you meant that the coaches dd's share into the decision making....i'd hope not! (although, we did let the team in on taking in a few extra players early in the season...but for the most part, girls pretty much get along with one another...a girl would have to be a lepper to not want the association of other girls)

as for why teams disband, many of you have already said what is already known...it's a free market society...and good luck to those looking for greener pastures...do your research, people...dont take this as an attack on newbies...i was one too

(okay, now i feel better)

 

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Remember, While the grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, you still have to mow it !!!

 

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Statman, left out of discussions when we were privately talking about our issues with the coach or playing time. It wasn't out of respect for the coach, I must admit! It was to allow my kid to enjoy the sport that she loves. She works really hard and deserves it!

The topic asks for reasons why teams break up. I would have to guess that Daddy Ball would be one of the top reasons. Now, I admit that when I watch a game, my primary interest is my kid. That is human nature. So perhaps mild Daddy Ball is to be expected. But one would never anticipate that a coach would further his daughters interests at the expense of 10 others, with his goal SO CLEARLY only his daughter.

But like it was stated earlier, we're voting with our feet! Now the only question is what to do with all these car decals????

 

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hey hey hey,

I was responding in general. As someone pointed out above, the year end explosions are an annual ritual. Not sure "we" have been on a team where this does NOT happen every year to some extent. Differences among parents, and between parents & coaches always seem to get hot as the finish line approaches. The "dark" side of me loves reading this stuff, but then I love reading transcripts from plane crashes and reading about famous mob hits (go figure). After watching some of this here and there, I think it is quite good for people to part ways at times, just not at the expense of the kids. At some point, the kids will get to an age where they tell you to butt out (to put it nicely), they can make their own decisions about where to get on or off the train, and that is usually where this drama stuff ends (when the parents no longer make the calls) - hmm, ... lesson there maybe ?:.

BTW, funny on the Lasers reference, that was pretty good. And nice job of getting "Slammers" into yet another thread. ?:-? If you were trying to make me cry, it didn't work. As a fan I can appreciate their excellence & success, and as a competitor I want to smash them ?.

Hope you work your situation out, no hard feelings. Sorry if you felt I was directing anything at you (whoever you are). We use the team sports experience to teach our kids many lessons regarding how to handle life's situations. For a few, there may be a finacial pot o' gold down the road, but for the VAST MAJORITY all they will have left are the memories of traveling and playing ball with their mates. The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat.

BTW, I was an "angry" parent once (btw, not you are angry - sounds like you just have a beef), managed to make a complete arse of myself, and vowed to NEVER be the focus of attention in my dd's experience again, ... and I still do believe I had a valid "beef", just poor tactics & execution. But I would never allow myself to do things that I am sure Statman & Ringer would do, I do have "some" standards ?;D. So. I guess I have my own biases ... cheers.

 

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Truce, Pickledad. One beer in and this all seems a little absurd. But a few more and I may just fly off the rocker again and make an "arse" of myself for all to enjoy.

As for the Slammers insert, I thought that was a prerequisite for posting on this site. I am new, you know! No hard feelings?

 

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hey hey hey

Yes, it's all good! Looking back, I reacted too much and hopped on the soapbox "pontificating" too much. Sometimes, it's hard to make a point writing, and not sound too personal, which it was never meant to be. Hope you get your concern worked out, been there. Oh, and I really did think the Lasers/Slammers thing was pretty funny, hope my sarcasm didn't come off poorly . I really look forward to summer, both watching and playing ball, and spending time with the kids.

Cheers!

 

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Thankfully, now we'll all be able to sleep tonight!

 

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dont open your next Fed Ex package cucumb...er, pickledad...I'm sending all the jerseys from the meek and disenfranchised players that left their team for another.....Ringer already took the best jerseys to make an OFC commemorative quilt...he's selling it along with the Official Slammer/Laser Nation Recruitment guide, which has dibs on the next 5 year old phenom....
;D ;D ;D
*okay no more jokes, going back to my hole in the wall*

 

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Ooh statman help me, can you pull that Vlasic Dill out of my back? I just can't quite reach it. :'(

 

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I don't think many teams disband, but a lot of them change & evolve over time. So far as a whole organization breaking up, I really can only think of 1 over the last 2 years, so I'd say it's rare.

 

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My DD was on a team that disbanned when money issues were questioned. The President of the organization gave us a list of tourneys that we were going to play in and said the tourneys did not have to be paid for until the weekend of the tourney. I also thought entry fees had to be paid in advance. Come to find out that they have done it this way in the past and actually wrote BAD checks. Needless to say, they can't go back to this tourneys. When they disbanned the team, they paid some parents part of their fees back. Then put stop payments on the checks. I suggest when trying out for teams in a few weeks, find out if organizations mind being asked about their finances. Maybe that will prevent others from being burned like our 14U team was!!!!!!! >

 

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hey Ringer, sign these parents up quick, i see alot of potential 7-pitch, .600 slugging percentage studs to make a run at ASA Nationals!

statman cracks me up again. ;D are we doing the beer post again??? I am LMAO dude. I enjoy most of your post and we are going to have to get at the same tourny some time next year

 

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I see allot of good responces on here and a few I agree with. I know allot of teams could disband for a multitude of reasons now. On average how many teams do you think go away compared to the new teams coming in? Anyone care to take a stab at that question that has been around the sport for a while?

My take is there are allot of reasons that teams have turn over like, players seeking more exposure at higher age level, lack of playing/pitching time, mismanagemed teams, disgruntled parents, coaches leaving, pecieved daddy ball and i am sure i am missing some but do teams shut down for this reason often? I could see if a coach had some of these problems above and was a organizational head why this would be a problem but doesn't it all really just come down to money? Lets say a fictional coach name Mark Cuban wanted to start his own organization and build a team around his daughter. Even if a majority of parents and players did not return each year he could find more by lowering charter fees right? Lets say coach Cuban's team plays all the best tournaments each year and the team hardly ever wins but his daughter gets better, does this count as ego? What is better for an ego wins for coach or playing time for daughter? Sorry to get off task but I have to know.

Please someone address the percentage of teams ( not organizations) that fold compared to new. Thanks in advance

 

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This has been the best entertainment in the last 24hr's than I have had at work all week, and it would not be very nice of me if I didn't say thank you all very much. ? ? ?It's sad but I'm looking forward to the next DRAMA scene. ?Statman & Ringer you guy's are great. ? ;D

Bold 1: ?Smart move.