Traveling and Competition

[InSider]

I had the pleasure of spending some time this weekend at a very large tournament that was piled with some very good teams. There were also quite a few "not quite as good" teams. I got to watch some very good ball and some cringe inducing ball over a few different age groups.

Let me ask you this....

As a coach, would you research the level of competition before committing to a tournament that is a significant distance away? Say 2.5+ hours away?

I ask this because I saw several teams that had traveled 3.5 - 5 hours to play in this tournament. I watched many of these "far away" teams play, and also watched their scores as they were submitted. Let me say that, as a parent, I would be seriously honked off if I traveled that far to get manhandled in most every game. I would be asking myself all sorts of questions. Questions like, "Oh my gosh, are we really that bad?" or "Are the teams in our area really that much weaker than these?" or "Maybe my kid should be on a better team?". Maybe these coaches overestimate their team. Maybe the parents do.

So coaches, do you realistically evaluate your talent against the talent of a tournament before committing your team's time and resources to playing in an expensive, far away location? Or do you subscribe to the "Any given Sunday" mindset?

 

[FastBat]

Just because a team/player loses in a huge tournament doesn't mean it was a waste. I love to see what's out there...sometimes I'm impressed with my team's talent level, sometimes I'm humbled by the opponents. I always think, "did my kid get better this weekend?" I never think, "darn, we didn't come home with a trophy, that was a waste."
Playing better competition makes a better player, not the opposite. JMHO!

 

[crystlemc]

I don't disagree entirely, but does that change if you are playing WAY above your team's ability? I think that would be incredibly frustrating.

 

[ValleyStorm]

Chasing the best is fun, provides great exposure, but the team better be suited to play that level or face the music. Great coaches can orchestrate a quality schedule providing solid competition, good college exposure, and in the big picture, a fun year for both players and parents.

 

[softball24_7]

I just had this discussion with DD's coaches the other day. Personally I'd rather lose 3-0, 10-5, whatever the score would be to a really good team then to RR mediocre teams every weekend.. I wont lie though, it does make the car ride home a lot longer when we play 3+ hrs from home and lose early.. It does take a toll on the morale though. But, in the long run, I know it makes her better, stronger, and faster.. She knows that she has to play at the top of her ability. Also, just being able to watch the top teams in the area play when were not on the field is an advantage.. Seeing how teams handle certain situations, being aggressive on the bases, hitting, its all contagious, lol. Isn't that one of the easiest ways to learn? Seeing it first hand? Just my .02