tryouts

[softballmomof1]

My daughter who playes 12u ball has had several tryouts. I dont know if its the people running the organization's or what. But im pretty upset. One team had tryouts in the rain and told me i could bring my daughter back for the next tryouts if i wanted to but they dont need her. Another team she did amazing at tryouts and they have two sppts left but are making me wait a week before they decide if they want her or not. Last team the head coach said parents would receive a email letting us know if an offer was made or not. That was a week ago. And still nothing. No body from that organization will return my emails asking for information. Im so frustrated because my daughter. Has tried out for 10 teams and received nothing yet. Whats a parent to do? Really not wanting to put her back in REC Ball.

 

[Heat#12]

Sad to hear. But there are those out there that have the idea that the girls are there for them; when it is actually the other way around.

 

[colts1996]

I feel your pain. My daughter left a good organization because we were looking for something new. She went to three tryouts for good teams. I emailed the coaches ahead of time to see what positions they were looking to fill. When we went she out fielded and out hit the current players on those teams. I was approached by many other parents that were watching telling me how great a player she is. One coach implied that she had a spot but said he had to wait until all the other tryouts were complete. Two of the teams just got back to me even though they said they would call with in a day. They both passed her up even though she is better than the girls that were already on the team. The last team has not contacted me even though I have called and emailed the coach. What I do not understand is why coaches offer girls that are currently on the team a spot without making them try out. I am tired of seeing the rejection in my daughter's eyes when she is passed over even though is gave 110% and out played the other girls but did not get a spot because she was not on the team this last season. Once you are on a team does that mean you never have to try out for that team again and you are just automatically given a spot? It is very frustrating that good players get over looked because their dads are not coaching or friends of the coach.

 

[Irish196]

My daughter who playes 12u ball has had several tryouts. I dont know if its the people running the organization's or what. But im pretty upset. One team had tryouts in the rain and told me i could bring my daughter back for the next tryouts if i wanted to but they dont need her. Another team she did amazing at tryouts and they have two sppts left but are making me wait a week before they decide if they want her or not. Last team the head coach said parents would receive a email letting us know if an offer was made or not. That was a week ago. And still nothing. No body from that organization will return my emails asking for information. Im so frustrated because my daughter. Has tried out for 10 teams and received nothing yet. Whats a parent to do? Really not wanting to put her back in REC Ball.

I'm totally not an expert on the topic and we have had two nerve-wracking tryout seasons ourselves, so take this as just one parent's thoughts.
Do you have any friends who are in a travel program? If you do, perhaps you can ask them to look at your daughter and see where they think she is in terms of ability and then suggest some teams to try out for that match her ability. You say you have tried out for 10 teams. Did you pick the teams based only on location or do you think her skills are on par with those teams? It might just be a case of not trying out for the teams that are the best fit for her.
We have tried out for several teams over the two years. We have met some very good coaches/people and some not so good coaches/ people. We had one coach last year who said we could come out to their tryout and give it a shot and even if she wasn't a good fit for their team he'd at least give her some feedback. Perhaps a Columbus area coach on this site could do something along those lines.
I have learned that you have to be very proactive on behalf of your daughter-almost all of this action should be done before tryouts. If you sit and wait days for an answer after the coach tells the girls at the tryout he/she will notify everyone, just move on. If you are still waiting for a response and you see a new posting in the tryout section looking for girls, move on. If you e mail several times and don't hear anything, move on. These just aren't good fits. I know it is disappointing and frustrating and your heart breaks for your daughter, but it will break just as badly if she makes a team that's not a good fit and pays to sit all summer.
I might suggest that you go to the section on here for players looking for teams and describe your daughter and her strengths and what you are looking for (as objectively as possible) and indicate that you are still looking for a team. I have to think there is some team out there for her and you just haven't found it yet.
Good luck! Tell her to keep her head up!!

 

[T6 Miner]

The 12U Ohio Dragons are having a final tryout tomorrow at 1:00 at Metzger Park in Westerville. We have a couple of positions left to fill so we would love to see you there. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like a private tryout. Thanks.

Tony. 614-599-3387

 

[baldguy]

This is our second year through the meat grinder AKA tryouts. My DD's gotten a lot more No's and blow offs than Yes's especially her first year up from rec ball. It is difficult to figure out why sometimes because many coaches don't give you honest feedback even when pressed for it. You're much more likely to get "She's just not what we're looking for" rather than something meaningful like "She has trouble tracking a fly ball", "Her arm isn't strong enough", "Her home to first time is slow", etc... Keep seeking out feedback even though it can be tough to get and even tougher to hear sometimes.

Keep in mind the coaches have a tough job too. Evaluating 10-20 girls at all skills in a couple hours and giving everyone a fair shake isn't easy. I honestly don't know how they do it. Mistakes and oversights are bound to be made IMHO. They also have to make judgement calls on whether to give an early offer or wait. If they wait they risk losing the player to another team. If they make an offer they may have to turn away better talent at a later tryout because the position was filled.

You can't always judge the carry over players performance's at tryouts. The coaches are focused on the girls trying out and the girls on the team just go through the motions sometimes. I've seen some teams that play solid ball look like the bad news bears at tryouts. It doesn't reflect well on them because parents are evaluating the team while coaches evaluate players but it does happen.

Don't look at a tryout as pass/fail. Best case it's an opportunity to join a team. Worst case it's a good workout and free practice. Your DD will improve just from going to tryouts and seeing different coaches and players.

There's life after tryouts as well. Players will walk away from teams and leave vacancies. New teams will sprout up.

If your DD is dominating rec ball you can find a home. Just keep plugging away and don't take it personal. Even the great Michael Jordan was cut from some 8th & 9th grade teams.

 

[FastBat]

Great points baldguy. You are 100% right on.

I know it's not easy softballmomof1 (and the rest of us), don't give up, you will find a great team!

 

[CoachTEA]

I feel your pain. My daughter left a good organization because we were looking for something new. She went to three tryouts for good teams. I emailed the coaches ahead of time to see what positions they were looking to fill. When we went she out fielded and out hit the current players on those teams. I was approached by many other parents that were watching telling me how great a player she is. One coach implied that she had a spot but said he had to wait until all the other tryouts were complete. Two of the teams just got back to me even though they said they would call with in a day. They both passed her up even though she is better than the girls that were already on the team. The last team has not contacted me even though I have called and emailed the coach. What I do not understand is why coaches offer girls that are currently on the team a spot without making them try out. I am tired of seeing the rejection in my daughter's eyes when she is passed over even though is gave 110% and out played the other girls but did not get a spot because she was not on the team this last season. Once you are on a team does that mean you never have to try out for that team again and you are just automatically given a spot? It is very frustrating that good players get over looked because their dads are not coaching or friends of the coach.

Colts1996 - I understand what you are saying and I agree daddy ball is unfortunately "alive and well", but there is another side to all of this. Being travel select means the coaches get to choose not only what girls they want on their team, but also what parents and families. I have personally turned away good players because of the parents and I know other coaches have done the same. Also a tryout is over a short period of time --- my tryouts, depending on the turnout, last between 2 and 3 hours and many good players have slipped through the cracks on me over the years. Decisions at tryouts are also based on timing and my perceived needs at that time. I agree organizations and coaches should provide feedback or their assessment of players when asked, but make sure you "can handle the truth" (A Few Good Men reference). Personally I have had years where I am only looking for 3 players; other years I am looking for as many as 8. Select softball can be a "year to year" thing. I leave it to the coaches in my organization to determine how (and if) to notify candidates that they didn't choose; admittedly this is something we need to improve and next year I hope to have an online registration system set-up to make this process easier. I know it is hard, but please don't let your DD give up --- there is a team out there for her and I wish you both success in your search.

 

[SMc4SMc]

I understand your concerns and have dealt with the issues on varying levels to consistently arrive at a familiar place. I continue to suspect the honesty of more coaches when it deals with the truth- cuts or rejections. When a player shows excellence they can't stop talking, but if a player is average and not what they're looking for then they're tight lipped. Isn't a coach a manager, mentor, motivator, teacher, communicator, volunteer, fallable human being, and leader (to name a few)? But consistently a number of coaches/organizations succeed with disingenuous practices and fail to honestly communicate or care about ALL the players (not just theirs or the studs) but ALL. Coaches and parents have a demanding responsibility, and one of those demands is timely yet honest dialogue. If a coach expects an answer to an offer in 1-3 days then parents should reasonably receive honest feedback within that time as well.

 

[lewam3]

Orrrrr... Wait till, let's say November, no, January. There will be the inevitable thread :
To keep looking for players? Or release them? How many do you need at what age group? 7? 8?
Then go to the teams looking for players section and you will find teams at every age groups with 7,8,9 "core girls" looking for "that final piece".
Your DD at 12u might not be dominant enough to stand out in a crowd of 20-30 girls, but come November , when some clubs have lost players or are just short a few and are in danger of folding, your DD will suddenly look a lot better to those coaches.
This may leave her on a team that's not her dream team, but those dream teams are made up of girls who stand out In groups of 20-30. At 12u, she has time to play, have fun, and get better so she will stand out

 

[Balldiddly]

Over our few years of tryouts, the one thing that seems to be continually discussed by both parents and the girls we have come into contact with is the fact that team "A" stated they would contact the girls in "x" number of days to let them know the outcome (either way)- but didn't. I have heard this at tryouts, at concession stands, and at fields once a team starts practicing. Imagine all the disappointment that could be avoided, if a team simply didn't state they would do this… I have also heard parents question whether team "A" runs their entire season not doing what they say they will. Our first year of tryouts, we were lucky enough to come into contact with a couple organizations/coaches who were very willing to help us navigate the tryout season. We weren't sure how to select appropriate teams for her ability and experience (because we didn't know the teams) and though they didn't have good news for our DD, they were more than helpful to give us suggestions that ultimately helped her find a team and grow exponentially. There are some experienced, kind coaches out there who give honest feedback. To those coaches….thank you!

 

[Westler33]

I went to our first tryout this year and they said that if we are interested we will call you if we are not we will not. All others we have been to they say they will call either way and that is way to time consuming and they never do or it takes so long that kids miss out on other opportunity's waiting on this team to contact them.

 

[backstop09]

...Im so frustrated because my daughter. Has tried out for 10 teams and received nothing yet. Whats a parent to do?...

Make sure you are realistic about her ability and tryout performance. What a mom or dad sees as an "amazing" performance at a tryout may not really be the case. If she really has tried out for 10 teams and not received any offers, then I'm guessing you might have the bar set just a little too high. Make sure you are taking her to tryouts where she has a realistic chance to compete and make a team. Otherwise, rejection after rejection is not going to do anything for her self confidence or love of the game.

 

[T6 Miner]

If you're still looking for a team, the Ohio Dragons 12U are looking for the final pieces. We are having a private tryout tonight and Thursday in Westerville. Would love to see you there if you're still looking.

Same time and location for both.
** Private tryout at Paul S. Metzger Park, 137 Granby Place, Westerville at 6:30P.

If you can, let me know if you'll be coming out. We already have girls coming out for each. Thanks.

 

[freddieball]

My best advice is don't give up. There is so many teams out there that needs players. One thing about a tryout is the parent's and family are part of the tryouts. Its a family joining a team. Sad to say but many great players have bad parents. Don't take me wrong I don't know anyone here. Many good players are passed on due to their parent's which is a tragedy for the players but reality. My daughter has been rejected too, and I have been to tryouts where a girl trying out is a very good player, but the entire time her dad was yelling stuff to her while she tried out. She wasn't picked and he was vulgar and very angry in front of the entire area. What my daugheter thinks when she is rejected is that is wasn't meant to be for a reason. And then something else will come along. She is usually right. Tell your daughter to go into tryouts like she is the best, and she is going to prove it to them, have her give it her best effort and if its was not what they need then it wasn't meant to be. If a coach wants her bad enough he will offer a spot on the spot or they will offer a contingent spot but at least you know, if you get we will let you know later, then keep looking. Good luck !

 

[SoftballMom1]

I feel your pain. My daughter just got a rejection today even though he had nothing but compliments on both her talent and attitude. No negatives at all, just "we just had to pick other girls who were a better fit for our team." I can't help but think this means they felt they had to go with girls who have a history in the organization. It's frustrating because we're new and it feels impossible to break into an organization. Rejection is hard at any age, but for a 13 yo girl it's extra hard. And it's really tough on us parents when we know it's not about her talent level but "other factors."

 

[Admin]

If you're still looking for a team, the Ohio Dragons 12U are looking for the final pieces. We are having a private tryout tonight and Thursday in Westerville. Would love to see you there if you're still looking.

Same time and location for both.
** Private tryout at Paul S. Metzger Park, 137 Granby Place, Westerville at 6:30P.

If you can, let me know if you'll be coming out. We already have girls coming out for each. Thanks.

This discussion is about tryout woes, not really the place to talk or post about your tryouts. I understand and thankful that your trying to help someone out.

But I would like to keep the topic on discussion.

Thanks for all you do !

 

[volleykmk]

As a newcomer coming into the travel scene - it is hard. We witnessed first hand an obvious "situation" this past weekend. It was a pretty large organization's 2nd round of tryouts. Girl is decked out in the organization's uni - either from last year or from older sister. Mom is decked out in the organization's gear and holding a clipboard. The girl was literally the least talented girl out on the field of all of them trying out.... yet she gets an offer and the other ones out there that out-fielded, outran, and out-hit that girl didn't get the offer. (No, she was also not a pitcher or catcher). You just never know what "backroom deals" are going on with these organizations. It is all about who you know in a lot of situations.

 

[Hilliarddad3]

A big word in the above threads is Parents! As you take the kids to the tryout, go off to the side somewhere, far enough and read a paper or something so you're not helicoptering over your kid. It doesn't matter what you think the other kids are doing, there may be something a spark, an attitude, work ethic, a piece of something to work with in a kid that the coach may also see and like about a kid even with a crummy tryout that day. Just give your child space that day as she doesn't need to be looking over to you after each play for your approval on that play......

Good luck in your efforts, it will work out even if it's November or Feb as some teams don't gel and kids leave...

 

[TClarkson]

I can tell you that it is pretty tough as a coach to see so many talented players where you want to take them all, but only have room for "x".