What constitutes travel teams? Part II

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Since my first thread was taken off of OFC, probably because I named the organization, I'll try to just discuss what all of you think without names. I really don't want to get banned!!

There is a local organization, who's one coach has convinced the board, that just because all of the girls have the same town as their address, this makes them a recreational club. There WILL be tryouts this Saturday and this is the first step that I think makes them a travel/select team, but please enlighten me if I'm wrong!

The fact that the club demands that each of the 5 teams (8U-18U) raises AT LEAST $5K is something that raises eyebrows too. I know of many clubs who can join a league and do 4 tournaments on far less than this!

Am I wrong in my understanding of travel teams? The fact that these girls are forced to tryout and cut if they aren't to standard. And then compete in ONLY recreational leagues and tournament bothers me because of the lack of competition the girls are seeing. The 14U lost five girls to the frustration of the season in the first week of the season. There is no challenge given and they will go into high school without the tools necessary to compete at a higher level.

This in combination with going to rec tournements where they really don't belong is problemactic for me. Is it for anyone else?

Again, am I wrong for thinking these teams need to be at a travel ball level or am I off-base? Aren't we here to instruct and push the God-given abilities of these girls to acheive something more than they would otherwise? Or, are we here to facilitate a band of trophy hunters just because we can?

 

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Sounds like you are dead on: TRAVEL TEAM

 

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Since my first thread was taken off of OFC, probably because I named the organization, ....

That would be my guess...;&

 

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Possibly the coaches are being cautious about jumping in head-first? IMO, an intermediate level has evolved in girl's softball. It used to be there was only local recreational leagues or Select tournament ball. Recent years has seen a tremendous rise in intermediate level "travel" teams, which IMO, are closer to "All Star Rec" than to Select. These teams are an ideal place to get started building towards a Select team. The weekend tournaments are generally more competitive than a Rec. setting, and the teams are generally well matched. Ocasionally a few Select teams will enter these intermediate tournaments and spoil the party, but that could be controlled by the TD.

$417 is a reasonable fee ($5000 / 12 players) for a team that does light travel to 4 - 5 tournaments. However, if you're just playing a combination of local league games and local tournaments, that's pretty high. I'd ask for an expense breakdown, which most coaches are happy to show team members.

 

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Sounds like an All-Star team to me by definition. However, what does the moniker "travel" mean anyway. There are some "travel" teams that play only in tournaments they know they can win or at least be in the championship game. What good is that other than chest thumping. Then there are "all-star" teams that want to challenge themselves and play in some top tournements. In the end the "adjective" you attach to your name means less than the schedule you play.

 

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Sounds like an All-Star team to me by definition. However, what does the moniker "travel" mean anyway. There are some "travel" teams that play only in tournaments they know they can win or at least be in the championship game. What good is that other than chest thumping. Then there are "all-star" teams that want to challenge themselves and play in some top tournements. In the end the "adjective" you attach to your name means less than the schedule you play.

Truer words were never spoken.

 

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Interesting posts so far. You guys always give your two cents!

These girls only play 4 (Four) RECREATIONAL tournaments-not select, usually independent league sponored and play in recreational league in a neighboring town(yes, not in our town because they are prohibited based on the fact they have tryouts), they say this is to be concidered a REC TEAM.
I find this all appalling in so many ways. They really haven't done well this year. They haven't won any of their 4 rec tournaments...that's sad. They should be sweeping up, instead, they have come down to the level the have been playing at...so sad. They have had dissention in the ranks...one of the coaches quit over coaching differences.
The money that the organization rakes in is something I would be concerned with as a parent or coach. Rec tournaments are usually around $350-375 tops to enter...where is all of that money going?

 

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I myself witnessed the team in question at their last tournament. They played in the "Rec" division. In my opinion they should be playing travel division without a doubt.
In my opinion if you have a tryout you are select.
True rec-allstar teams at least in our town are rec players who were chosen by their rec coaches (2 per team) to all get together and play on the all star team. ;&

 

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Are the girls in question, part of their community rec league? Better question is why isn't there rules, by the TD, that only allows girls from their local rec league, to play in these rec tournaments? If the girls in questioned, showed proof, that they were involved in a local league, wouldn't that be enough?

just interested........

Jim McDaniel

 

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Jim, I think someone thinks that if all the girls are from the same area they are Rec. Rec players do not have a tryout of any sorts.

 

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Agreed, but are they in a local rec league? I dont have any idea, and i have seen them play. They are a shark in a small pond, if you know what i mean.....lol

Jim McDaniel

 

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Not sure to be honest Jim. When you are blowing everyone out in every game it just seems logical to move up in my opinion. To keep playing rec means you are cheating all the players on the team out of the ability to become better players.

The players on that team will be in for a shock when school ball starts if they never see what real competition is like. :lmao: JMHO

 

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Sounds like an All-Star team to me by definition. However, what does the moniker "travel" mean anyway. There are some "travel" teams that play only in tournaments they know they can win or at least be in the championship game. What good is that other than chest thumping. Then there are "all-star" teams that want to challenge themselves and play in some top tournements. In the end the "adjective" you attach to your name means less than the schedule you play.

What I always smile at are the "travel teams" that never travel more then 50 or 60 miles from their home town. These teams tend to play the same 5 or 6 teams all year. Might as well just play in a local league. Oh yea thats right they also play the same 5 or 6 teams in the weeknite league too.

 

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The trouble with them is, now they have to go farther and farther away i.e. Indiana, so that they can find rec tournaments to play in. I contacted a couple of TD's about this situation and the repsonse i got from them was that they would be allowed to play because the coach and board president insists they are rec because they play in a rec league.

They have tryouts...they cut girls who "shouldn't be among the rest of the talented ones." And yes, that is a quote from the current 14U coach. I agrree that these girls are about to have a reality check coming into HS. The organization has not done them any favors. Outward, they tell everyone they are rec. Behind close doors, it's another story and these girls think they are big dogs...they are in a recreational climate!!

 

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What does this coach think the girls are benefiting by thumping the opponents. How are they going to get any better? You are only as good as your competition!Get them in travel ball and then see how good they are.

 

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I have nothing to do with this team now. They are the ones who came to me about a year ago and wanted me to condone this "rec ball" mentality. I walked and I can't believe that the parents and other coaches tow the montra of rec team. It just doesn't help the girls at all.
Like I've said, if we relly care about the progress of our girls...and I mean all of them, we would be making this organization play where they will grow, not trophy hunt.
BTW, my daughter does play but not with this bunch.