Total "newbie" tryout questions

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So, after all of the generous advice I received in spring regarding my coaching questions, I know have a bunch of tryout questions I was hoping to get answers to.

My (just turned) 10 yeard old daughter is considering trying out for a travel team(s). She played CYO ball in the spring and then travel ball for our city league in the summer. Neither league was competitive/serious enough for her and she is talented (but I don't think as talented as most of your daughters from what I read on this forum). I have not looked into travel teams at all yet because my mind was not there until now. I do not know anything about any teams (except a very little but about one only because she started taking pitching lessons at this place that has a team) but we are interested in trying out and just seeing where the experience takes us. Here are my questions:

1) Given our attitude and lack of knowledge are we even good candidates for a travel team? Everyone on this forum seems to know a lot about all of the teams and their dynamics and how the coaches are percieved, etc. Is this something that we should wait a year on and do our reserach and then try out next year when we know some people and some teams?

2) What exactly are the girls asked to do at a tryout? Are they asked to tell the team what position they want to play? If not, does the team tell you? DD has played many positions so she would be willing to play whatever they asked her to, but she definitely has her favorites.

3) Is the list of tryouts on this forum pretty comprehensive? if not, where else can you find out about team tryouts?

4) Does equipment matter? I am trying to find a really good bat for her but am just getting in to the investigation stage of finding the best bat. Now she just has a run of the mill bat from Dick's. Will she be judged as not a serious player because she does not have good equipment?

5) Any tips to give a 10 year old for her first tryout? Coaches- what do you want to see (obviously good skills, but is there anything else that can set a girl apart even if she is nervous and has a few flubs here or there)?

Thanks everyone!!

 

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So, after all of the generous advice I received in spring regarding my coaching questions, I know have a bunch of tryout questions I was hoping to get answers to.

My (just turned) 10 yeard old daughter is considering trying out for a travel team(s). She played CYO ball in the spring and then travel ball for our city league in the summer. Neither league was competitive/serious enough for her and she is talented (but I don't think as talented as most of your daughters from what I read on this forum). I have not looked into travel teams at all yet because my mind was not there until now. I do not know anything about any teams (except a very little but about one only because she started taking pitching lessons at this place that has a team) but we are interested in trying out and just seeing where the experience takes us. Here are my questions:

1) Given our attitude and lack of knowledge are we even good candidates for a travel team? Everyone on this forum seems to know a lot about all of the teams and their dynamics and how the coaches are percieved, etc. Is this something that we should wait a year on and do our reserach and then try out next year when we know some people and some teams?

2) What exactly are the girls asked to do at a tryout? Are they asked to tell the team what position they want to play? If not, does the team tell you? DD has played many positions so she would be willing to play whatever they asked her to, but she definitely has her favorites.

3) Is the list of tryouts on this forum pretty comprehensive? if not, where else can you find out about team tryouts?

4) Does equipment matter? I am trying to find a really good bat for her but am just getting in to the investigation stage of finding the best bat. Now she just has a run of the mill bat from Dick's. Will she be judged as not a serious player because she does not have good equipment?

5) Any tips to give a 10 year old for her first tryout? Coaches- what do you want to see (obviously good skills, but is there anything else that can set a girl apart even if she is nervous and has a few flubs here or there)?

Thanks everyone!!

First of all I would check out this thread. http://www.game-ex.com/vb3/showthread.php?t=37557 We have all been in your shoes at one time. I believe with all the questions that you asked in the spring, that you and your daughter are perfect candidates for travel ball.

1. We all don't know every coach and every team dynamic. The other thread really addresses this subject, especially with the questions to ask.

2. Most coaches will have them field grounders, fly balls and hit. They will probably have her run the bases and even some will time her. Unless she is a pitcher or catcher, they will really be looking at her athleticism at her age. If she has a favorite position by all means mention it, but always add that she will play where ever the team needs her. Coaches love that line.

3. I believe it is the most comprehensive list you will find, but looking in your community paper or local paper would not hurt.

4. I would never judge a ten year old on her bat or glove. If she has a really good swing or catches everything thrown to her, I think the coach will over look a lower end bat or glove, or at least I would.

5. Just tell her to do her best and if she has any flubs, tell her to not give up on that play. I know I like to watch what a kid does after a flub. Do they get down on themselves or quit the play. Tell her to hustle every where, even if it is to get a drink of water. Enjoy the ride.

 

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1-2) do what you can before hand... OFC info is subjective. Reptuations exist and are hard to find until you get into the "network". Don't wait, her training and development is key and she's at the age you shouldn't politic yourself into waiting. Attend many tryouts and ask lots of questions... that will help you a ton.

3) This site is about as good as it gets. You can view the "team web page" link to get to them all.

4) Equipment will be handled when you get to a team. Of course have the basics, helmet, bat, dress the part...

5) Smile, be very aggressive. Dive!!! Ask questions and have fun. Having fun and not all stressed out is definitely key. And, make sure they don't use their eyes and "check-in" with mom and dad after every situation, play, hit, etc. If she has skills, that will work itself out and if you need to attend another workout with the team ask or attend another public tryout.

 

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[QUOTE she is talented (but I don't think as talented as most of your daughters from what I read on this forum).


... don't you know? Everybody's daughter is the "best player on the team".



Welcome, newbie.

 

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she is talented (but I don't think as talented as most of your daughters from what I read on this forum).

... don't you know? Everybody's daughter is the "best player on the team".



Welcome, newbie.

I agree - right down to the "welcome"!!!

 

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Thanks Twinsdad- Thanks for the advice! I actually looked at that post first and it made me think that I had not given things enough thought, that the poster was far more along in her analysis than we were. That made me question our readiness. I will definitely remind her about hustle and not giving up, etc.! Thanks again!

Thanks also Lester -- I feel better about the bat issue now. I really want her to have a good bat, I just don't want to plop down $250 without knowing I got the best one for her!

Sheriff Bart and Sue99- thanks for the laugh ; ) and the welcome!

 

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I am new as well. My daughter is going into 14u so i have found that coaches love the players that are coachable because that is best for the team. The less players complain the more practice you get out of that day. It is all about having fun but when it is softball time it is softball time. Asking questions all the time is the way to learn about all the teams as well. We went to a few tournaments and watched the 12u and 14u teams to see how they play and how the coaches are. We learned a lot and my daughters game got better. It was wonderful to see such fun the girls were having because all the girls were working hard on and off the field. Good luck and Have fun.

 

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Irish, I spent 3 years in 10u with my 2 daughters. I can say that I never once looked at a kids gear. I was to focused on trying to find the best 11 athletes I could find. Once we would start practice if I was asked about equipment I would recomend some things but at that age it was more about building fundamentals. I think the saying is something like "a $300 bat cant fix a $3 swing".

The advice I would give you is to pick 3-4 teams and go to some tryouts. Keep it low key as the girls are nervous enough without taking on mom and dads stress. And let he know if she makes a mistake to just brush it off and move on. I have watched a player boot a ground ball and her mind was shot for the rest of the tryout so I never really got to see the "true" player.

5 years ago I took my oldest to her 1st tryout. It was on my birthday and I told her for my present I wanted to take her to a softball tryout so we could see what we needed to work on to improve her game for rec ball. Well she made the team and thousands of dollars later I have 2 playing and our family loves it. We have all made many good friends all over the state and I have been blessed to see my girls turn into some pretty decent softball players.

Good luck and have fun!

 

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So, after all of the generous advice I received in spring regarding my coaching questions, I know have a bunch of tryout questions I was hoping to get answers to.

My (just turned) 10 yeard old daughter is considering trying out for a travel team(s). She played CYO ball in the spring and then travel ball for our city league in the summer. Neither league was competitive/serious enough for her and she is talented (but I don't think as talented as most of your daughters from what I read on this forum). I have not looked into travel teams at all yet because my mind was not there until now. I do not know anything about any teams (except a very little but about one only because she started taking pitching lessons at this place that has a team) but we are interested in trying out and just seeing where the experience takes us. Here are my questions:

1) Given our attitude and lack of knowledge are we even good candidates for a travel team? Everyone on this forum seems to know a lot about all of the teams and their dynamics and how the coaches are percieved, etc. Is this something that we should wait a year on and do our reserach and then try out next year when we know some people and some teams?

2) What exactly are the girls asked to do at a tryout? Are they asked to tell the team what position they want to play? If not, does the team tell you? DD has played many positions so she would be willing to play whatever they asked her to, but she definitely has her favorites.

3) Is the list of tryouts on this forum pretty comprehensive? if not, where else can you find out about team tryouts?

4) Does equipment matter? I am trying to find a really good bat for her but am just getting in to the investigation stage of finding the best bat. Now she just has a run of the mill bat from Dick's. Will she be judged as not a serious player because she does not have good equipment?

5) Any tips to give a 10 year old for her first tryout? Coaches- what do you want to see (obviously good skills, but is there anything else that can set a girl apart even if she is nervous and has a few flubs here or there)?

Thanks everyone!!

I was in your shoes just two years ago. I had no idea what to expect. I found some great advice on this board and have found that a lot of coaches have a higher opinion of my daughter than I do. ;&. Everybody has pretty much nailed the advice. I would mention to your DD to make sure she's never caught walking between stations and is always hustling. Coaches love that.
Equipment won't matter for tryouts...coaches look for the mechanics of the swing....for an example, my DD didn't hit a single pitch in her first tryout with the Static 99 two years ago. I assumed she was done. They asked her to come back for a second tryout...she hit one ball in the second tryout. Thought that was that and we would have to go elsewhere...not so fast...she showed a great attitude, she had great hitting mechanics, coaches loved how they asked her to do something and she did without question...and wouldn't you know, she made the team? And she did it with a pink easton bat bought at Dicks and a 35 dollar glove I found at play it again sports.
You and your DD will be just fine and I can't wait to see which team she gets to play for this fall! :yahoo:

 

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Irish - terrific post.

I think you are ready for travel ball -- there are teams out there at all levels. Some families and girls join the lower skill level teams just to enjoy the team atmosphere and to travel around during the summer with a great group of friends.

By reading the tournament results, team polls and looking at team websites (W-L records you can get an idea of what level the teams perform. 10U teams are a little harder to gauge but some info is out there.

I always tell my kids to make an impact with the "non-skill controllables". They should run on and off the field, hustle all the time, congratulate other players on great plays and generally display a positive attitude at all times. Absolutely do not hang your head after a bad play and carry that mistake around for the next 20 minutes.

I honestly think coaches look at expensive equipment on a ten year old and wonder what the dad is trying to cover up.

 

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Good Advise that might help:

How to Control Your Nervousness from Coach Marc

"I was once talking to a softball player who I know very well. She absolutely loves softball and has also a great personality. Always smiling, polite, upbeat, and pleasant to be around.
She told me she was trying out for an elite 16U travel team in her area and that she was really nervous.

After talking to her for a while, I realized that she spent too much time focusing on others and not enough on her.

Comparing herself to the other players trying out made her even more nervous.

And you know what happens when you are too nervous?

Yes, you make more mistakes and don't perform as well.

Why add pressure and stress when you already have a lot of it?

You see, if you start comparing yourself to the other athletes that you are trying out with, it takes you away from your own game.

While it's not always easy to do, the only thing you want to focus on yourself and what you control.

You don't control what others do. Don't pay much attention to what the others do and just do your own thing.

That will definitely help you reduce your level of stress and nervousness.

Do you get nervous, anxious, stressed out, or even freaked out when undergoing an evaluation?

If so, it's normal. Most people do. It's actually a normal human reaction.

Some nervousness is good, too much is detrimental.

The key is to manage it well. Start by focusing on yourself and don't worry or pay attention to others during the tryouts.

Your stress level will thank you for it."

 

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Irish, I am just barely out of your shoes. 2 summers ago a travel team was ending their season as our local all star team was ending theirs. They were short a player and asked my oldest to join them. She loved it. We hit the try out curcuit and she made the team she wanted to play for. I was an assistant coach and learned so much from the manager. I have a younger daughter and so the org thought I'd be a good manager for the next 10U team. My daughter was 9 and there were so many good kids that came out, that we did a 10 YO team and a 9 YO team and I am the manager of the 9YO team. We got our teath kicked in a lot this summer, but we got much much better. I have stressed on field and off field behavior, fundamentals, hard work and ownership of our actions, both good and bad. There have been bumps in the road but I wouldn't trade this past year for anything. We should have a really nice group returning next year. some things that may help you:

Hustle, Hustle, Hustle. Speed never takes a day off

Be coachable. I'm not gonna put on a clinic at a tryout but I want to see if she can take coaching and is willing to be helped

Be sociable with the other girls. lets face it, they may be your new family.

Be positive and have fun. When we get down to the heart of this travel thing, the reason they play softball is because it is fun and it makes them happy to play. We can't take that away from them.

While researching teams, beware of the chest-pounders. They are out there. There are some really great coaches on here who self-promote and there's nothing wrong with that, but at the same token, there are some coaches who have a lot of team turn over because they are such.....well you know. Ask coaches questions. Team philosophy? Stress on winning? Practice? allowance of outside activities? It is not frowned upon to ask to speak to the managers. I love it. I know this is a parent who is thinking this through and not just coming to my team on a wym.

Best of luck to you and your daughter Irish.

 

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As a fellow "newbie" I appreciate your questions and am thankful for the information on this website. DD just turned 9 and will be going to her first tryout next week. Best of luck to all!

 

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Thank you everyone for your wonderful advice and messages!I am on my phone or I would thank you all by name! I am starting to get more comfortable with the process and what to expect and will just see what happens! Thanks again David too for your time, names/numbers/contacts, advice,etc.! It is very much appreciated!