What to look for in a travel team

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My DD will be trying out for a 12U travel team next month. She already has her heart set on playing with the team that she subbed in a few tournaments this year, but want to really stand back and take a look at the big picture and make sure she's trying out for the right team.

What sort of things do you consider when you decide where to let your girls play?

Here are a few of the things we are keeping in mind... and not necessarily in this order.
1. Location - obviously this is big with gas prices and busy schedules
2. Coaches - need to get a good feeling from the coaches and feel they really have the girls best interest in mind - trust factor - temperment
3. History - established organization with a history or newer team
4. Fees - most teams are similar in cost, if one is much higher - why?

What other things?

 

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Does she want to play college ball? If so, what college exposure tournaments does the team historically attend? Does this team historically attract college caliber players? If your DD doesn't really have the desire to play college ball, I'd recommend staying close to home and focus on less travel. Apply the savings (a LOT) toward college tuition. Spending $12 to $15 grand on recreational softball qualifies as borderline insanity! But to each his own...

 

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1- Establishment of Organization- is it a new fly by night organization? or is it an established organization with a good reputation. These past 2 years we have seen alot of new organizations start-up then either fall apart or not compete.

2- Coaches- what are their strengths , weaknesses. What do they do at practices? Any Training or do they bring in some top instructors to work with your girls or are they just a glorified rec coaches? What training are they getting to make them better ?

3-Fees- ask up front what it pays for : uniforms, tournaments , batbags . Is there any kind of fundraising to help out families.

4-tournaments- all local ? are they going to a national?

5-practices- where do you practice in winter and spring ? do they try to schedule around your other daughters sports in the softball off-season?

6-Tryouts- go to 3 or 4 .Is there alot of girls ? Is there a lack of girls ? What does the competiton look like ? Remeber this is who you may be playing with so check out all the girls.What kind of drills are they doing are they basic hit the ball to s-stop? or are they more intense ?

7-Parents- this is tough to establish at 1 tryout , however how do they act? Are they at the fence screaming for little Jane! Talk to all the parents use your gut instinct ? Did any of them play for this team last year ?

8-Websites- check out other teams websites - see what they have as far as older and younger teams ? Again are they established teams or are they a disgruntled parent starting a new team? What experts do they have working with your daughter to make her better? If the coach tells you he doesnt need any experts cause he already knows it all, then stay away from him or her!

 

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The pp said it well. I'd like to add....

One thing that really attracted me to our organizations is that they do fund-raisers to allow the girls to pay for their own fees. ?It puts the responsibility to the girls.

I also like how the organization stresses that the girls have good grades. ?My DD is required to show her grade card to her coach in order to play.

 

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TnTs_Dad you ask some good questions. however I think that it mostly depends on what you and your daughter are looking for. it is a good idea to stand back and look at the whole picture. assuming that both you and your daughter are serious about fastpitch travelball and not in it solely for the social aspect then here is what I would suggest:


a) location is an issue but it really depends on the level of skill training you kid will recieve. once a week for a good (and I do mean good) 2 - 3 hour practice where skills are taught and reinforced then it should not be such a huge factor. this level of training is absolutely required if your kid is serious about this game. porper technique = winning softball.

b) coaches are definately a big factor. where possible look for non parent coaches who have a history of success. they are typically doing this for the right reasons and they will prepare the players to compete....for everything.

c) an established organization is a big plus. many newer teams pop up because some parent did not get to have their kid play a particular spot often enough. like it or not touraments are littered with these teams and most of them are long gone by early sunday morning at best. it may be a good situation for some but overall it will not often lead to a successful campaign for the team as a whole. again it depends on what you are looking for and I assume that you are looking for player development and growth.

d) you are correct in your thoughts that most teams have a similar cost structure. the fixed costs are fixed and they do not vary much between teams. some teams (or organizations) that have a higher cost structure more then likely may justify it by attending tournaments that are higher profile and have higher entry fees, or they may just play more tournaments in general. teams vary between 7 - 11 tournaments per summer (some play more - only a few play less). the big difference is what tournaments are they playing and what are they trying to accomplish.


So assuming that you are looking for a quality experience for your daughter where she is challenged, she is taught, and she is prepared for the next level then be sure to really check out what different teams or organizations are doing. Past results do matter because it shows a track record of actually doing something the right way. Ask them at tryouts how many years their coaches have been coaching high level travel ball. also ask them what these coaches are doing as far as continuing education in the sport. you may also want to ask them what tournament the team (or organization) has actually won. believe me when I tell you winning is an aquired trait, it does not often happen by chance...it is a result of preparing to win and expecting to win. The teams out there that do have success prepare all year long to make it. they do not expect anything to be handed to them. finally make sure that they are actually playing in tournaments that matter. if not every single week at least a couple times per year. otherwise you will never know where your kid stacks up and what she needs to do to get better. real players want to compete. the older they get the more they want to compete. make sure that the cupcakes remain in the kitchen. play the best events and learn how to be better.

if you can find this kind of team or organization then grab hold and convince them that you need to be there. they will know you when they see you. by the way they are not the ones who typically chase you down, they are the ones that are being chased. it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out who is who.

best of luck and happy hunting.

 

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great responses everyone - thank you


please keep them coming - i'm sure others can benefit from this as well.

 

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Alot of good points.

A couple of others.
How long has current team been together, are all spots available or just a few.
How many returning players, just coaches dds or most of team.
Age level, trying out for as an example a younger or older 14u team or a mix where half move up and half stay down.
Team fees, Some with higher fees may do no fund raising vs teams with lower fees may do alot of fundraising.
this in some instances balances each other out.
Definately check out parents, if you just sit back and listen at tryouts you can pick up alot.

 

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see if she looks good in purple!

but on a serious note, and i think you really can't gauge this until after the fact, but what kind of team will you be joining? a group of established girls where competition for playing time will be fierce, or an amalgamous group of girls that have splintered from other teams and are starting their own group....this really makes a difference! an older 12u team will have been there/done that...they are battle tested...a new group of girls coming from other teams, or even a new group of first-year 12's are alot different and the production is sometimes night and day

also, has your girl been around this group...girls normally invite others easy, but one who doesn't fit in with the "group" sits out like a sore thumb....

and if you can, get a bead on what kind of parents you'll be spending time with....We, or I guess myself, has been very lucky this year with our parent group. I love them all. We have fun together, gripe together, question one another, help out...it's really a fantastic group...that doesn't always happen

good luck, let us know how it works out!

 

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I agree that the parents are a factor. You will be spending a lot of time with them. If you don't like them you'll be spending a lot of time by yourself.
Check out the coaches. How do they handle the girls, (Attitude and coaching style)? Will your daughter fit the coach or the other way around. I think that try-outs are not only your daughter trying out for a team, but the coach trying out for your daughter. She can make the best team out there, but if she doesn't like the coach(es) she will be miserable for the season. Coaches and players are like gears the have to fit and mesh to work together.
Find out who the returning players (and parents) are and look at how the play and conduct themselves. Is there bickering about how the season went, etc.? I like to walk around without my daughter and listen to what other people are saying? A lot of the returning players and parents are wearing team shirts and or colors, so they stand out. So stand by listen. Hey, why not?

 

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I know most of these stay the same, but are there any additional things to look at when you're moving into 14U?

 

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all4softball the biggest thing is to make sure that your daughter is ready for 14u. The speed of the game is a lot faster. The throws are faster, the runners are faster, and pitchers are faster. The outfield position is huge starting in 14u. I would watch some 14u games at your next tournament, so you see the difference. My daughter and I have watched some 18u games just to see the difference in pitching, base running, etc. She is 13, so we have some time yet. The girls and their drama change, other than that, look out for the same old things.

 

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HOT MOMMYS!!!!!!!

 

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Reply for DADDY DICE

Dad
Mom ?>
Dad : :
Mom ?> >
Dad :-[ :-/

 

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Well at least daddy has been clipped enough not to use the slang term :-X

 

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What exactly does "Hot Mommy's" have to do with this? Was looking for a serious response to a serious question. Sorry, should have known better...lol

 

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;D

 

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Well at least daddy has been clipped enough not to use the slang term :-X

CLIPPED..........INTERESTING!!!!!!

 

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sounds painful.

 

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We probably don't even want to know what TheBear and johnnies did to him in OFC purgatory.

 

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I would have to add teaching and letting your DD play different positions on the field. Some teams have set positions and rearly mix it up. I think the player should be comfortable at playing 2 or 3 places on the field. After all if they play in college odds are they will be moved aroud to fit the needs of the team.