Tryout commitments?

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we had 3 tryout dates and 113 16u signed up in advance for them using an online profile that gives us their history and all the info we need. My wife (aka the coaches widow www.ohioclassics.com) could hook you up with the site. This eliminated all but 3% of the player needed to fill out papar work at tryout.

We worked them out in a practice type format for everything but hitting and timing home to 1st.

we didn't use name tags which forced them and us into converstations and a lot of girls saying their name before their turn.

after the tryout we told they would get one of three things. a yes, a no, or a maybe, by email. the maybe's are the most difficult. they understand that there is one or two more tryouts and the wait can be brutal. we keep an open line of communication with the ones who want to.

We didn't set a deadline for their commitment. So far it has worked well for the Classics organization.

 

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totally agree.

NO commitment until all tryouts are done.

one step further, we will not make a payment until three practices are done. when we can see what was presented here on ofc and in the tryout are real.

been burned one too many times when they say we are this this and this only to get three practices in and find out this this and this are not the case and 'coach joe' is an idiot.

please don't get me wrong, my dd isn't a stud muffin (well I think she is but there is lots of room to get better ), but it is the principle of being what you say you are and not leading kids astray to get good ones on your team.

 

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probably should have clarified a bit better: we did tryouts on saturday august 1st. and told them we'd offer by 4pm friday august 7th. we didn't want people waiting around weeks on end wondering, this way they could go to other local tryouts this week.

We gave a 72 hour guarantee, not to pressure, but to allow our coaches to offer others if people weren't sure. We are trying to head to the goal, that we only are looking for the top players, and if they tryout, they are pretty sure they want to play for us.

What we are more amazed by, is other organizations saying "sign now" at tryouts, giving them no time to think it through.

We tried out for the first time ever and they wanted an answer that night. Being new, taht seems a little scary to me. We don't know much and would like to make an informed decision, but feel a little pressured. Any thoughts?

 

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Think about buying a car ? Would you walk in and buy it that day, or would you think it over first and check out other dealerships?

 

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Think about buying a car ? Would you walk in and buy it that day, or would you think it over first and check out other dealerships?

I agree. I want it to be a good experience for all of us and make the right decision. She is not a super stud, so hopefully she'll get another shot to compare and make an educated decision.

 

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we had 3 tryout dates and 113 16u signed up in advance for them using an online profile that gives us their history and all the info we need. My wife (aka the coaches widow www.ohioclassics.com) could hook you up with the site. This eliminated all but 3% of the player needed to fill out papar work at tryout.

We worked them out in a practice type format for everything but hitting and timing home to 1st.

we didn't use name tags which forced them and us into converstations and a lot of girls saying their name before their turn.

after the tryout we told they would get one of three things. a yes, a no, or a maybe, by email. the maybe's are the most difficult. they understand that there is one or two more tryouts and the wait can be brutal. we keep an open line of communication with the ones who want to.

We didn't set a deadline for their commitment. So far it has worked well for the Classics organization.

You are to be commended- that is absolutely the right way to do it all the way around. I can see how having the profile information before the tryout can be invaluable besides freeing up the time normally spent on paperwork. I think you are right on by not giving a deadline- you are already starting with a feeling of mutual trust. It sounds like the Classics are very "Classy."

Good Luck

 

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The Pittsburgh Lady Roadrunners in our area use a similar method for picking their teams. They select girls they like from the first tryout and try to "sign" them immediately. The rest of the girls that show up and pay their fees for the following tryouts are mostly donating to the cause.

It seems to work pretty well for them - they typically have strong teams and win there fair share of tournaments.

 

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Real Estate, welcome to the world of travel fastpitch. Make sure your daughter is securely strapped in next to you...

 

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By 16U, coaches know a lot of the girls that are and have been playing in that age group. They also know of their parents. Most of these coaches know if these girls, and families, are going to be a good fit for their team and if the coach believes that they will be, an offer will be extended rather quickly.

At this age group and above, the player has a pretty good grasp on what her skill set is and she too has seen a lot of the coaches, teams, and girls that are playing at this age group. She usually doesn't show-up at try-outs unless she truely wants to be a part of this team.

So......acceptance of an offer is usually much quicker than a week. She also knows that if she holds out too long, then she will be passed over.

It is a 2-way street. Coaches have to fill slots and get the team ready for the fall schedule. Girls want to find the best fit.

 

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I agree with WV. It is the coaches responsiblity to put together the most talented group of girls that he/she can. With the onslot of so many travel ball teams, a lot of teams seem to have become diluted. If a coach waits in todays world, it will simply pass them by. If you hang on your fisrt choices waiting for weeks to let them decide, all of your second choices would have gone elsewhere. With the advent of this forum, it is easy for those to read up on the teams and coaches and be very informed when you go to tryouts. If you have no intention of ever wanting to play for a certain team, don't go to their tryouts. You only waste yours and their time. I understand if you have two offers on the table and want to think about it for a day or so, but to wait weeks, is not fair to the team or coach that is waiting for that call.

 

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Think about buying a car ? Would you walk in and buy it that day, or would you think it over first and check out other dealerships?

Well, I asked for a couple days to respond (tryout was Sunday), which I called back tonight (Tues) and spot was already given away without even a phone call. As one responder replied "put on your seatbelt". I guess so. Don't think that was a very classy thing to do to a kid without at least a call. Well' we'll see what happens next. I do know who not to recommend in the future though.

 

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I posted on another thread that IMHO you dodged a bullet. If they told you they would give you a couple days and didn't, you don't want your dd playing there.

 

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Ok I have another side here,, We had tryouts and accepted the offer. But now I hear there may not be enough girls to fill the roster unless we want to play rec ball. So can my dd technically go to other tryouts or is she committed to this team now. Then hope there is enough to play or she just misses out on a whole season of ball which is not an option for her.

 

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Real Estate , ballhog post should give you an idea of why you check things out first. I still feel you need to think it over . We wonder why so many players quit a team. Finding the right home is so important. This is not about the teams , it should be about the kids. If they are not going to have fun on the team , you and the kid are going to long summer, because every weekend you live with the team, kids and parents!, so to speak.

 

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sbfamily, the bad thing about this is that this was a team we were already on... signed the contract to stay and now we hear this that the coach may send his kid to tryouts if we don't have enough interest for our team. Bad thing about it is that tryouts will be over for 2010 season before we know if there will be enough girls. Frustrating!!!

 

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Hopefully, everyone finds a good team that they will be happy with and very proud to be a part of that team at the end of next summer.

 

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I'm right there with you, wvanalmsick!! I hope so too.