Tryouts!

[default]

I was wondering is it normal to have to try out for a team you played on the previous year? Do most teams do this, or do they offer girls they want to keep a spot for the next season. We are new to travel ball, and i wasn't sure how this works!

 

[default]

Our team always encourages the previous years players to come. I personally believe they should go, it keeps them on there toes. It also lets the coaches see how new player trying out interact with the team, and lets returning players see what compitition is out there. Just how I feel, don't know about our coach.

 

[default]

There are no rules, but generally speaking teams will offer returning roster spots to players they would like to keep. After an eight weeks of watching a girl play, a coach should be able to decide if that player warrants an offer.

I think there are three possible states a girl can be at after the season concludes:
Offered a roster spot on next year's team
Not invited back to next year's team
On the bubble - i.e., if we find someone better than you, you are cut. If not, welcome back.

Many teams don't use the third option - they make the hard choices and cut girls that are marginal.


It is also not uncommon to be told that the offer of a roster spot does not guarantee playing time or playing a certain position. Think of it as a progression - first make the team, then get into the starting lineup, then get to play the position you want.

 

[default]

It would vary by team like so anything else.

 

[default]

Sideliner has it right. I don't need to see my players at a two hour tryout to make a descision when I've watched them all summer. I do like them to come and participate in the tryouts so they can push the new girls who are trying out and also be pushed by the players that show up.

There is a big difference between saying "All roster spots open" and "All positions open"

 

[default]

My daughter will play shortstop and bat third (or fourth) and does not have to try out. Everything else is open and everyone else must try out. LOL.

 

[default]

I don't think it's that rare for players to be required to attend a tryout - it shows they want to return. I think it's a good idea, and gives potential players a chance to see the dynamics of probable returning players.

 

[default]

All good comments. It is the first step in picturing a new team together on the field, and seeing live real time comparisons of raw abilities, skill levels, personalities. Good for returnees and newbies to see what each brings. Also, no entitlements, it's a competitive sport!

 

[default]

We have all players tryout each year with no guarantee of a roster spot from year-to-year. This does not mean that last years players don't receive special consideration. Afterall, if a player has a bad tryout and you know they are better than that because you just got done coaching them for a year, the tryout was really meaningless.

I feel the no guarantee ensures that the players continue to push to improve and not rest on their laurels (sp). This also gives new coaches the ability to field a team that is of their making.

 

[default]

I don't think it's that rare for players to be required to attend a tryout - it shows they want to return. ?I think it's a good idea, and gives potential players a chance to see the dynamics of probable returning players.

Asking girls to show up and participate is a little different than requiring them to tryout again. Different team do different things. If the team didn't live up to expectation, they may require all the girls to tryout to show them that they're looking for the best twelve kids and you'd better bring your "A" game. Teams who were fairly happy may just have girls come to participate to push new recruits and themselves a little bit.

What is indisputable is this: The girls on the team should be there in either capacity, because you need [highlight]Critical Mass[/highlight] New players need to see a lot of kids at the tryout. If they don't, they will come to the conclusion that:
1. Why would I want to play on a team if their returning kids don't care enough to show up?
2. Why would I want to play for a team that only had a couple kids show up? If they only see a few kids (that are all trying out and not yet on the team) they have no idea what they may be joining. Is this team any good, can they compete etc.
3. How many of you parents look at a tryout with only a few kids and get excited? How many are mad that they wasted their time showing up to a tryout with no real interest, and immediately say to themselves I can't let my kid play for this team? They don't have anything here to build on.

Why do you think that the big organization stay big? Valley Extreme, Lady Lasers, Stingrays, Buckeye Heat and dozens of others have their whole organization tryout at the same time. [highlight]IT'S CRITICAL MASS!![/highlight]

Coaches of smaller organizations and one teamers: be smart and get as many kids to your tryout as possible.

 

[default]

We have always required our players to show up and try-out. The shortest path to complacency is a wink and a nod.

I have always felt that one of the best recruiting tools that a coach has is when their players from the previous season are lined up with new prespective players of the same age group and then the new players and their parents can decide for themselves if that is the direction that they want to go. The returning players that have tried out for us in the past have always brought their best to the tryout. This season will be no different.

The important thing is to let current players know is that they are wanted. Then remind them that they have the same oppertunity to make the team as everyone else does. When things are promised, expectations change. It becomes very hard to get the same work level out of a player after that. True competition is the surest way to get significantly better.

 

[default]

I'm not sure if this will be hyjacking or taking this question in a different direction but here goes:

If returning players are asked to try out again, would you be surprised or upset if they (even though they are not unhappy with your organization) tried out for other organizations as well?

I guess this is a question for coaches or organization leaders.

 

[default]

Just my mom opinion - I can see the coach wanting all the players at try outs - 1. for the number of girls trying out, and 2. getting all girls, returning and newbies, together to see how they mesh 3. to challenge all of the girls and see what talent is out there. etc.

But, as a parent, it would also be nice to know for sure if your dd has a spot on the team next year.

I would say if you know your dd has a spot on the team next year - there is no need to go to other tryouts. If you do not, then you need to attend other try outs to make sure that if your dd wants to play travel ball and is good enough to get on a team - there is a place for her somewhere.

 

[default]

My team has the prev. players who are playing for them again come one day so they can meet the pot. players

 

[default]

I personally have always recommeneded to players and families to be open minded. How do you know if you are in the right situation unless you are aware of what else is out there.

We ask alot of our players and the committment is more then some others. We want them to be sure that they have made the right choice for themselves and how they want their playing career to progress. We also make this clear at our tryouts.

 

[default]

I have to say, to have players trying out is good even if they are returning players. A sense of earning your way on a team carries merit. this summer I have some attitude players that need a wake up call and fall ball tryouts is required now. A team should show spirit and all be present for unity even the returning vets. This also allows the coach to run the team and build the roster, in other words a returning problem player now can be assessed and be weeded out by tryouts. This helps by not allowing a promised position player to continue to wreck havac on a good thing and trash moral.

I support that every player earns their spot on the team roster.

 

[default]

The coach should be trying to sell the team to the new recruits. My DD has declined offers from teams based on the other players lack of ability at tryouts.
It only helps the team to have all players present!

 

[default]

This is a little off topic, but didn't want to start another thread....

Today was basically the first day of tryouts. So how are things looking so far?? Who's tryouts were impressive and well organized?? Who's were not?? Lots of athletes showing up??

 

[default]

The Urbana LunaChix tryouts went very well today I thought. Had several very talented young ladies show up. Champaign Cty. fair just finished up yesterday and as I drove past the fair grounds to the University sight where the tryouts were being held, I was concerned that we would not have many there due to clean up at the fair. 2009 looks very promising for our Org.

 

[default]

I don't like leaving players from the current year on the bubble. Either keep them or cut them. But I do like having them show up at tryouts for all the reasons stated above, at least on up to about the first year of 16-U.

By the time a team is in its second year of 16-U, it should have enough of a reputation that girls know what they are trying out for, whether the current players are there or not. It's still good to have them there, though, so that current and prospective players can meet each other and get a feel for things. But again, by this time the girls more or less know each other even if they haven't been on the same team.

I think most 18-U and many good 16-U teams pick up 90% of new players by word of mouth or maybe a private tryout.