What were some of the good/bad tryouts you attended

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well i went to a tryout on friday for one of the "big name" teams in ohio and i was amazed! Sure there were alot of girls but wow! it was horrible! you got 4 hit and a bunt, the guy with the gun to get the speed of your throw was also the one cating the ball (he backed off of some of the throws, thus throwing off the speed, while there are about 6 people right next to him just as qualified to hold the gun) and the feilds were bad as well! huge rocks everywhere. and when we got outfeild abot half of the balls accually made it there. For a team with so much hype i really think it should have been better

If this was the one in Wellington, the 3 hour tryout could have been cut down to the 5 minutes it took to fill out paper work. The coaches spent more time talking to each other than evaluate the players. Fielding and hitting were a joke. You can't evaluate what you're not watching. The guy with the gun only took speeds. Didn't care about location, movement, anything. Catchers didn't do any drills to get looked at either. Two of the coaches bickered for a while, about a third coach. Last time we go there, or send anyone there. And the turn out wasn't that good, as far as numbers.

 

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Parents that that were unhappy with tryouts, why? What were you looking for? Give details instead of saying it was bad. What was done that left such a negative feeling. And the ones that were happy, why? What did that team do that impressed you so much. Maybe this should be another thread to help out both sides in the future.

Some random things:
1) I would say be prepared, whether it's 1 or 100.
2) Have a back up plan if you get overwhelmed.
3) Make sure every girl gets a fair evaluation.
4) If you are interested in someone don't walk out to talk to her parent(s), and forget about the other girls that you didn't see yet. You might miss someone possible better.
5) These girls show up for 2-3 hour tryouts, at lease give them a chance to prove what they can do, or not do in some cases. Give them your undivided attention.
6) Don't rush through because of your poor planning. But at this point, we may on longer be interested in your team.
7) I do like to see evaluators at every station taking notes and making sure they have the right players number. I even seen a few evaluators correct some mistakes girls were making, possibly to see if they were coach-able?
8) If you post a tryout and only need 1 or two players for particular positions, please say so. It will save everyone a lot of time.
9) Have a question and answer with the parents. This way 30 people aren't standing in line to ask the same questions 30 times.
10) I like to see coaches involved as much as possible. You are trying out to be my daughters coach, as much as she is trying out to be on your team. Coaches you are being watched also.

 

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I attended the Stingrays tryouts and I have to disagree with wabgz above. I attended the 13/14U and thought it went pretty smooth and organized! I thought it was handled very well especially with the huge turnout.

That might have been the case for the 13/14u, but the 12u station was quite different. I did look at the 18u from time to time and I will say that I was impressed with how it was being run. I was just very disappointed with how the 12u was run. The coaches did not seem to be "united" and I felt like they were not all on the same page. You would have one coach say "hold the ball" then in the next breath you would have another coach screaming "throw the ball, you need to listen...obviously he had not been listening to his partner who told the girl to hold the ball...then the pitching machine they used was absolutely nuts...I really felt bad for the girls...none of them got a fair chance at hitting. I could go on and on...but all around it was a bad experience for us.

 

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The age group I heard about for the Stingrays was the 16U. As I said previously, we did not attend, but someone else we knew did and they were not impressed.

 

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If this was the one in Wellington, the 3 hour tryout could have been cut down to the 5 minutes it took to fill out paper work. The coaches spent more time talking to each other than evaluate the players. Fielding and hitting were a joke. You can't evaluate what you're not watching. The guy with the gun only took speeds. Didn't care about location, movement, anything. Catchers didn't do any drills to get looked at either. Two of the coaches bickered for a while, about a third coach. Last time we go there, or send anyone there. And the turn out wasn't that good, as far as numbers.

Ditto. Was the big name tryout in Wellington that we will not venture to again. Those in charge seemed to need a day off-- the stations were the most minimal we've ever seen and the sense that the coaches were going through the motions was tangible. Not quite sure that they were even looking for players-- would've been nice to know beforehand.

 

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The age group I heard about for the Stingrays was the 16U. As I said previously, we did not attend, but someone else we knew did and they were not impressed.

I really did not want to jump in on this thread. If I have suggestions to organization, I will detail them in writing privately to the organization after tryouts as constructive feedback to review.

However, my dd was at the 16 Stingray tryout and I have to tell you that much of the tryout was as close to real game as I have seen. I believe in that type of tryout because it shows who are the complete players and gives (in my opinion) better answers as to who to select.

 

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can I add one thing for coaches --If you are going to use a pitching machine MAKE SURE IT THROWS STRIKES and is a functional machine. IF the ball doesn't slide well thru the chute (like it rattles thru) it messes up the girls load and timing . And if you use foam balls they can move like Cat Osterman on a good day. MD

 

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wmorrison... this is a good idea. OFC'rs... let the players and teams know. We (Static) are wanting to make sure we hit a homerun at tryouts and critiquing comes with it! As a staff we are super happy with our layout, timing, and efficiency. Ultimately our program is designed to push and pull the best/worst out of the DD's. Ultimatley it'sour goal to buld a succesful program and tryouts are a major backbone of that success! Can't wait to see the responses.

My DD was there on Saturday for the 12u. Static did a great job. Check in was quick and easy. The coaches got the girls warming up and then took a moment to meet with the parents. They introduced themselves and gave everyone a little information on Static and what their plans were for the coming season. After that they broke down into their age groups. Each age group had several assistants and the coaches were able to evaluate and speak with each player. They kept everything moving along nicely and the girls got a great workout. My DD and I both enjoyed meeting Kavin and Shannon. Good luck Static in 2010 !

 

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ManitouDan has a good point. It is amazing to me how many coaches do not know how to use a pitching machine correctly and try to feed it with the same hand that they are trying a pitching motion and then you get a delay. Have the ball in one hand ready to feed the shute and use the other hand to make the pitching motion as you come down feed the fall with the other hand with no delay! Plus if you decide to use pitching machine to throw balls to the outfield they cannot be wet it it is almost impossible to get them to stay in the glove being wet with that type of spin. The best tryouts I have attend have groups of 5 girls and then they have them go to a different fields as a group to bunt-slap, hit, outfield, infield, running-sliding, pitching, catching. Only one age group during that time frame. Of course you need a complex that has 6 or more fields, but you have 3 or 4 coaches watching at each field.

 

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My DD was there on Saturday for the 12u. Static did a great job. Check in was quick and easy. The coaches got the girls warming up and then took a moment to meet with the parents. They introduced themselves and gave everyone a little information on Static and what their plans were for the coming season. After that they broke down into their age groups. Each age group had several assistants and the coaches were able to evaluate and speak with each player. They kept everything moving along nicely and the girls got a great workout. My DD and I both enjoyed meeting Kavin and Shannon. Good luck Static in 2010 !

My dd and I attended an Ohio Blast tryout that did this as well. They talked about their organization, what was expected, cost, fundraising, and sponsorship. It was nice to hear ahead of time what would happen during the year.

 

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Hardwork... I would agree with you in regards to the 16u Stingrays tryout. The coach that ran the tryout for the true 16's did a great job, however my dd was there trying out for 15u. We came from another organization, (by the way in which we are happy with, just wanted to get some different experience) and realized almost immediately that there was no point in trying out for this team. You could tell right from the start who the girls were from the previous organization that the new coach came from and who the others were that he had asked to specifically come to the tryout. There are a few things that stood out to me.... The girls were fielding ground balls at ss and throwing back to home and in this situation they were all instructed to backhand the ball, well one of his previous players came up and asked " Do I have to backhand it", the coach replied "yes", she made a grunt sound, rolled her eyes and by the way didn't backhand it. This behavior was displayed in front of everyone. One of the best parts of the tryout were the situationals. When the true 16's were on the field it truly looked like a tryout and they were trying to find the best they could. When it came time for the 15's to do the same, the favortism began. The kids were told to go to their primary positions, well as soon as they started to get a spot, the head coach specifically called out names of individuals he knew and told them where to go. There were several instances where the same 6 or 7 players were allowed to stay on the field and others were not given a chance at all. My dd did have 2 chances to go to the outfield( where she plays) but sitting back and watching this I was dumbfounded. There were girls that never had the chance to even go out and tryout for a position. There was a situation where I personally heard someone say ( a player)"has everyone had a chance to play this position" and the coach called out (to this same player) " No" you are going there. There was another situation where one of his (previous)players was using foul language on 3rd base when she missed a couple balls. My daughter was personally told by one of his players from his previous team (while in the outfield catching fly balls) that he was bringing the girls from his previous team and a few others he knew to make the team. My dd was crushed. The ultimate favortism was when it came time to hit. The girls from his previous team did not even have to show they could hit. They were sitting on the bleachers or in the dug out and some of them were actually on the field behind the pitching machine hanging out with the coach. It was terrible to see the favortism that was being shown to some girls. My heart truly ached for the others because it was so obvious they didnt even have a chance.
Of course my dd would be the one that would want to stay for the second tryout thinking that if maybe if the others left she would be looked at. Well the head coach didnt even attend the afternoon tryout. Terrible!!!!! I have always heard great things about the Stingray organization however things sure did get proven wrong with this one.

We did attend the Laser's tryouts and WOW what a difference.

 

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Have to agree with MommyO on the HEART RUSH/BOMBERS tryout!!!

Was also at this tryout. It has to be the most disfunctional one I have ever seen. Surprised that the Heart organization would allow such chaos. I had to walk away from it. The other teams participating from the organization were holding normal tryouts. Don't understand especially at 14U. I am sure they ran a few players/parents off!
Also, why do some teams have returning players attend tryouts in full uniform? I think this is classless and intimidating to new girls trying out. Maybe I am just old school but don't think it is right.

 

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softball coach, normally there are returning players (maybe not in uniform) at tryouts..mainly to help the coach, sometimes to be an onfield "leader" of sorts. i think the girls who do tryout and see the girls with the org t-shirt on can use that as motivation, not necessarily a deterrent. plus, what about all the girls with their old team shorts on?

and then again, some orgs discourage their own returning players from going to tryouts so they can manage the amount of girls they need to see and evaluate. The classics 18's were in full force helping out at tryouts, with a few returning 16's sprinkled throughout....the laser girls we saw at 16 were helping evaluate but not on the field

 

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What do you guys think about coaches hitting balls to the outfield using bats? I understand that an outfielder will never know where or how a ball will come to them but what is the purpose of having a girls get to a spot and having a coaches hit the ball so far out of her reach it just make them look bad! I can see using this method in outfield practice but what are you looking for at a tryout! Most of the girls will not be playing outfield and I thought the intent was to just look at form! We were at a tryout and this happened for almost 45 minutes where a coach just through the ball up and hit it! Most of the time the balls were uncatchable! What does that prove!

 

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but when a girl takes the wrong angle, or she dives and misses, or when she takes extra steps or turns the wrong way making a cutoff throw, isnt that helpful to a coach as well? especially the hustle AFTER a miss. that has been telling to me over the last tryout we attended

 

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What do you guys think about coaches hitting balls to the outfield using bats? I understand that an outfielder will never know where or how a ball will come to them but what is the purpose of having a girls get to a spot and having a coaches hit the ball so far out of her reach it just make them look bad! I can see using this method in outfield practice but what are you looking for at a tryout! Most of the girls will not be playing outfield and I thought the intent was to just look at form! We were at a tryout and this happened for almost 45 minutes where a coach just through the ball up and hit it! Most of the time the balls were uncatchable! What does that prove!

I would understand a couple times just to see how the fielder broke on the ball, cut to the ball and how she relayed the ball. But to continue hitting the ball in the gap over and over, i don't understand. I did watch a R.F continue to get burned at a tryout, she kept playing to shallow and the coach continued hitting the ball over her head, she never made an adjustment.

 

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Tiger,
One side of the thought process is to hit a few over their heads purposely, to see if they are going to run 100% after it, or just lolly gag after it... You also want to see what range a kid has.

As for girls thinking they won't play any other positions, usually the better teams, most girls can try playing any position. Will they be great at them, no, but most won't be playing their original position in college anyway unless she is a STUD Pitcher, catcher or SS.

 

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Tiger,
One side of the thought process is to hit a few over their heads purposely, to see if they are going to run 100% after it, or just lolly gag after it... You also want to see what range a kid has.

As for girls thinking they won't play any other positions, usually the better teams, most girls can try playing any position. Will they be great at them, no, but most won't be playing their original position in college anyway unless she is a STUD Pitcher, catcher or SS.

I understand all of this. My point was, having a girl start at a cone and having the coach,(IMHO) never knowing where the ball is going! You can see form and range and hustle but why do this for 45min? Now this was on Sunday in 90+ temps.

 

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What do you guys think about coaches hitting balls to the outfield using bats? I understand that an outfielder will never know where or how a ball will come to them but what is the purpose of having a girls get to a spot and having a coaches hit the ball so far out of her reach it just make them look bad! I can see using this method in outfield practice but what are you looking for at a tryout! Most of the girls will not be playing outfield and I thought the intent was to just look at form! We were at a tryout and this happened for almost 45 minutes where a coach just through the ball up and hit it! Most of the time the balls were uncatchable! What does that prove!

We hit to the outfield as I am sure many do during their tryouts. The reasons for it vary and I cannot speak for others, but we do it as part of an overall evaluation. We hit infield too and every player is expected to take those balls too. I hit a selection though, some easy, some hard and some impossible to field. There are several things you can learn about a player by playing them out of what they consider "their position".

In my opinion there is no way to make a player look bad in the situation you are describing. The player can make themself look bad by not hustling, not giving 100%, not learning from what is going on around them, and by copping attitude.

If I hit a ball that I know is out of reach of a player, I better see maximum effort to get to the ball. If the player will not give maximum effort when they are trying to win their position, what do you think they will give once they have it.

 

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question --at 14u for a kid who never played more than 6--8 innings of infield and who is trying out for an OF position be expected to field grounders for 15-20 minutes ? just curious --I'm sure my kid could be made to look bad if expected to play any infield spot very smoothly . Would we expect a catcher to pitch ? A SS to catch ? Why expect OF's to play IF ? MD