Tryout thoughts...

[certainteeed]

So I'm helping a buddy of mine with his organizations tryouts. We notice something, a lot of great players show up at the position his team doesn't need (maybe the other team in the org could use them, that I don't know) & it's tough to see such great athletes but you know you already have a returning player that is just as good as what you saw in the two hour tryouts. It's hard to say no to these kids because so many of them are busting their butts to put on a show- to these kids, please know you are good it's just a situation that you go with what you have.

Another observation- way too many big kids that show they can crush the ball but have no speed (I'm talking 3.6+ home to 1st) and indicate on their form that they only play 1st base. Trust me, I'm not knocking 1st baseman but versatility is a good thing and if a kid can only play one position, that's tough to find a home.

What at we don't see enough of- lefty slappers with speed.

just some random observations

 

[mike_dyer]

What is the difference between fielding a ball at say 3rd base and making a throw and fielding a ball anywhere else on the field and making a throw? Aside from different distances I don't see any difference at all. The differences between the spot they like to play in and the spot that you may need them to play in are going to minimal. The SS has to field the ball, then throw the ball. The right fielder has to field the ball, then throw the ball. You could say the girl playing 1st just catches it, that's not always true though, is it?

Also, the competition that develops between the player who thinks they are locked in somewhere and the new kid you picked up ast tryouts is only going to make them both better.

Unless they are exclusively a pitcher or a catcher and you are already 3 deep in both of those positions, if someone shows up and they are that good you may want to go on ahead and give them a call....

 

[Softball Dad]

Be honest with the players and parents!!!! A player may be trying out for a position that they play in school ball and want to play the same position in travel ball. Let them know up front that you plan to move them to a new position so they are not upset and an attitude latter. It's what's fair.

 

[Irish196]

As a parent with a daughter trying out, I would love for a team to be very honest with what they need
before tryouts if they are going to think as narrowly as you did. I would guess if the kid is a great athlete, they can play multiple infield positions- so if the team says "we are only looking for a 3rd baseman, if the kid really wants to be on the team, the kid says she wants to play 3rd and shows them what she has. If the team is only looking for an outfielder and won't replace someone, why even have the appearance that you are looking for infielders? The good athletes who want to be on the team will show what they have in the outfield.
I think kids might act differently if they knew exactly what the team needed/wanted. Since the usually don't, they usually just go with what they are comfortable with or used to. I don't think you can underestimate how much someone's desire to be on a specific team can mean. If the desire is there, they will play whatever the coach says they should play to help the team.

 

[mike_dyer]

I think playing on a team where the coach didn't play each player in the spot that fit them best would be the most unfair thing to everyone.

If my kid was to try out for a team and the coach told me that there was absolutely no doubt that she would be playing a certain position in 9 or 10 months I would decline the offer without even asking my daughter what she thought. No question.

I got something like this from her coach:

"She will be in the dirt, some. More than likely when my #1 is in the circle, but I don't know that for sure yet, and I have no idea where."

"Sold" said the proud dad.

 

[momdadmrg]

What is the difference between fielding a ball at say 3rd base and making a throw and fielding a ball anywhere else on the field and making a throw? Aside from different distances I don't see any difference at all. The differences between the spot they like to play in and the spot that you may need them to play in are going to minimal. The SS has to field the ball, then throw the ball. The right fielder has to field the ball, then throw the ball. You could say the girl playing 1st just catches it, that's not always true though, is it?

Also, the competition that develops between the player who thinks they are locked in somewhere and the new kid you picked up ast tryouts is only going to make them both better.

Unless they are exclusively a pitcher or a catcher and you are already 3 deep in both of those positions, if someone shows up and they are that good you may want to go on ahead and give them a call....

.

There's a BIG difference in players at 3rd and middle infield. There ability to move laterally and cover all the ground is huge. Generally, a 3rd baseman has bunts, the line and some lateral movement to the left.

It's also different in OF Positions. The jump one gets in the ball, their ability to dropstep and take the correct angle to cut off a ball is huge to be a successful OF.

 

[mike_dyer]

No matter where you play you have to be able to do 2 things. They are:

1. Field the ball

2. Throw throw the ball

If you are a pitcher there are 3 things. Step 1 would be pitch the ball, the others would become 2 and 3.

What else is there? I've watched a lot of softball in the last few years. I don't really know how much the average fan watches but I'd guess that it's above average. I've seen some real good games, I've seen a lot of blowouts, I've seen everything else in between. In all cases the players on the team that won every game I have ever watched in every age group and skill level weren't doing backflips or handsprings or cartwheels before they made plays. They fielded the ball, made good throws, and got off of the field more efficiently than the other team did. That's really all there is to it.

Also, if you have a kid who can't dropstep and you want her to be able to do anything aside from run bases you should probably make sure you start working on that. You need to be able to do it to field batted balls, you also need it a lot of the time to make plays at any of the the bases and home plate if there is no force out.

 

[CARDS]

Be honest with the players and parents!!!! A player may be trying out for a position that they play in school ball and want to play the same position in travel ball. Let them know up front that you plan to move them to a new position so they are not upset and an attitude latter. It's what's fair.

Most of the larger organizations do like we do by posting on our website coaches information and what the teams are looking for so interested players can check it out and do some homework before tryouts. We also have players that do state they want to try out for coach XYZ and it is noted on their form. If that coach does not have a need the other coaches will have an opportunity to talk to the player if they fit their needs.

We do not really build the teams as an A,B,C team. As an example; Last year three of the four 16U made it to ASA USA and the fourth finished 7th in ASA Eastern Nationals all were competitively balanced. Ladies from all teams have the opportunity and guidance for college exposure at the level they are seeking to play.
Team fees will vary from team to team as well as travel expenses. One team did do a lot of long distance travel in half their events.


As far as building a team around athletes and placeing them where the coach feels they fit best as some have stated. That is how it is done in most HS programs and a lot of college programs but would be hard to do with paying travel players/parents today.Very tempting for a lot of coaches, Its hard to pass on a gifted athlete, power hitter or a true slapper...

 

[coachjwb]

Mike ... you are right that the same basic skills apply in almost all positions not only in softball but in most sports, and you are also right that we should teach our players/daughters to be able to play most any position. The more positions a player can play, the more valuable they are going to be to any travel, high school or college team. And of course if a player can hit, a good coach is going to find a place for them to play.

What can't be denied though is that some players have more ability to play certain positions ... this can be due to their body type, their eye-hand coordination, their natural speed, their dominant arm, their overall athletic ability, etc. Travel teams at the highest level can probably recruit the 12 best athletes out there, and figure out later where to play them all, but I would argue at the next level down that it's a little different ... the ability of more "average" athletes to play multiple positions drops dramatically. The other thing that comes into play in travel ball is that many parents only think their DD should be play her "best"/favorite position and some will look for teams until they find one where the coaches commit, and then coaches are "stuck".

To the OP's point, I can't tell you how many teams I coached over the years where girls trying out could either only play one position, or would only consider one position. As a coach, I was glad to do my best to teach a player to play another position, but the last thing I needed on my team was players and parents who were unhappy because they weren't getting to play the position they thought they should play.

 

[mike_dyer]

Fair enough.

I think we need a list of teams and coaches that award playing time based upon performance and a list of teams that award playing time based upon what a kid or their parents wrote on a paper 8 or 10 months earlier at tryouts. One may be more appealing to you than the other.

The world don't move to the beat of just one drum. What might be right for you may not be right for some.

 

[Grammysoftball]

This post hit it straight on. Any girl or parent whose DD plays for a higher level team, but isn't happy playing where she is NEEDED at any given time, can be a real problem for team continuity. Girls at that level are usually asked to play because they bring something special to the team...athleticism. This being said, coaches relay on everyone to be "happy" to contribute to the TEAM effort and play where they are asked to. This doesn't mean the parent should then spend hours on end getting in the coaches ear about where the DD has been asked to play on any given day/game. I truly feel these types of situations cause more grief than the DD's talent brings to the team. (I don't think a college coach would be to happy with this situation for sure.) If they are only willing to play a certain position and at times are asked to play another, that makes them unhappy, maybe it is time for them to find a better fit somewhere. Just MHO.

 

[Hilliard]

I have to say there is a huge difference between infield positions. It's a lot more than just being able to catch and throw. Middle infielders need to have good range. Corners play much closer and range isn't a necessity but quick reflexes and a good backhand are.

Tryouts are an opportunity for your child to be seen and for u to ask questions. It's just as important for the team to be a good fit for the player as it is for the player to be a good fit for the team. Don't be afraid to ask the right questions. Personally I appreciate a parent that tells me what they are looking for in a team.

 

[Hilliarddad3]

Sorry mike it's not as easy as you list of field ball throw the ball...... At the higher levels of competition it is a game of speed and quickness in fielding as well. 1/10 of a second is a huge snapshot in time. Diving for a ball and getting up throwing a runner out or doubling one off are other aspects of the games at the higher levels. In the very good organizations, you'd better be able to play anywhere except pitcher or maybe catcher, but the catcher better know other spots as well. No way would I ever tell a parent where there kid will be playing in 9 months from now, you play where I would put you in the lineup to help the team at that moment regardless of what mom or dad say. I'm not there for them, I'm there for the girls when I coached....

 

[mike_dyer]

Diving for a ball and getting up throwing a runner out or doubling one off are other aspects of the games at the higher levels.

"Diving for a ball and getting up and throwing a runner out" sounds a lot like something else I read on this thread. It sort of sounds like:

1. Field the ball

2. Throw the ball

"Doubling one up" sounds familiar too. It's a bit more complicated, but it's very similar. It's actually:

1. Field the ball

2. Throw the ball

Then, in many cases but not always, another player has to

1. Field the ball

2. Throw the ball

Then another player has to

1. Field the ball

You seem to be disagreeing with me in the first part of your post, I'm not real sure why though.

 

[Hilliarddad3]

I've had five year olds do as you say Mike, they fielded the ball and threw the ball....at the highest levels it's not that simple as you make it sound. They also have to have a knowledge of the game and where the defensive plays are and many other things I won't even acknowledge ....

 

[mike_dyer]

I've had five year olds do as you say Mike, they fielded the ball and threw the ball....at the highest levels it's not that simple as you make it sound. They also have to have a knowledge of the game and where the defensive plays are and many other things I won't even acknowledge ....

Did the 5 year olds that you've coached go on to play at "the highest levels"? If so explain to me, specifically, what they did defensively aside from field the ball and then throw the ball. Also, if you don't mind would you please speculate as to when these things that you know about that no one else does are going to catch on in NCAA softball, the NPF, in world competition, etc.

Thanks in advance.

 

[flarays]

This week I had a parent email asking about what positions we needed on our older team. The email chain, condensed of course, went like this...

*What positions are you having tryouts for?
*A roster spot on the team.
*But what positions are open?
*Right now they are all open. Our kids play multiple positions - they play where they are needed.
*But my daughter is a SS.
*We don't isolate tryouts except for pitchers and catchers.
*But we want to go to a team that will play her at SS.
*I understand - we are not the team for your family.
*I really want her to play for your team.
*I get that - but your expectations don't mesh with our makeup.
*She has always been a great utility player. But ALL her personal instructors tell us she needs to focus on one position. So we want her to try out for your team as a SS.
*That doesn't work with us. But I will help you find a team around here that needs you and your SS.
*I still want her to tryout for your team. You will love her.
*Please do not waste a Saturday and Sunday coming to our tryout. This is not a situation either of us would enjoy.
*See you this weekend - can't wait for you to see my daughter.

I know parents are always looking for the best situation for their daughters - as they should. But as has been stated going to a team and earning time on the field should be the goal. Most coaches are not dumb. The best 9 will play where the entire team needs them. I would be very concerned if my DD was offered a specific position. If the next, greatest player comes around will they get the same promise?

 

[Westler33]

Wow! ^^^^^

 

[mike_dyer]

Wow! ^^^^^

I know it. I keep checking back in, anxiously waiting to hear about this new part of the game that is so top secret that no one has ever seen it before. All I get is spam though.

 

[wow]

can you say HIJACK!!