AnotherSoftballMom said:
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.