When is enough enough?

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Here is the situation. A coach I know has his team set and has been practicing since October. A coach from a different organization has been actively recruiting his players. The parents have said they are committed to their current team and told the other coach this. How do we know this? Because they actively talk about this coach calling and pestering them to join their team, it isn?t a secret. Is this strictly a parents issue with the ?recruiting? coach or is it acceptable for the coach to finally say ?back off, they already said no.? I know there has been a lot talk about ?recruiting? during the season on here, but I don?t think guy will quit or leave them alone until someone drops the hammer and says, enough already.

 

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We all know what we would like to do....but, always take the high road. Have your organization's president/director talk to their organization's president/director. If this guy is the president/director, then you know that this will be futile. Be thankful that you have families that are committed to your program. Educating families that this attitude/practice is out there is the key, especially at the younger ages. If a family leaves, it probably isn't going to be a big surprise.

 

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if I were you and someone wanted to jump to this guy's team, I'd offer them gas money to help to facilitate the transition
you don't want people who are so lacking in integrity they move to where the grass appears to be greener after making a commitment -- good riddance
talk is cheap, let him talk. you'll find out who's true to their word on your team and who is not
it can be painful initially, but very satisfying in the end
those that leave, will leave the next place as well because they are never satisified for whatever reason
the reason usually is their dd is less than half as good as they think she is

 

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That is an interesting question and I bet this sort of thing happens often. I think it is first the parents responsibility to firmly say no. If they feel that is not getting them anywhere they should ask their current coach to step in and help relay the message. If this is a continued problem of one coach constantly trying to stel players from another team I think his tactics should be posted here in the forum maybe!!! Unfortunatley recruitment can be an ugly beast that rears it's head at the first sign of a good fastball. It's one thing to ask a player about joining your team and another to acvtively pursue soemone who you know is already playing for another team. Do your homework, Go out and find that player that no one knows about and take pride in recruiting. Develope these players and it will payoff for your oragnization/team.

Kyle Gross

 

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Unfortunately a beat down of the guy would'nt change a thing. > Calling families when they are already committed to a team is bush league. Especially if you are calling several of the girls on one particular team. And multiple calls ? Would'nt no mean no ? The ulgy side of travel ball. MD

 

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Yes MD it is the ugly side of travel ball. The coach I know wouldn't administer a beat down, I think he has more class than that. Now me? well It's probably best I'm not in his situation.

Crush1, I would like to call this coach and their org. out, but even I have more class than that. Plus, I don't want to get the big eyeballs.

 

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If there's a coach who's always recruiting from your team and the parents have told him no FIRMLY. Giving him a call may be the only way to shame him into stopping.

 

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This happens most often when a parent leaves one team and starts a new one for himself the next season. Often this is done to secure playing time for their own DD (especially if she is a pitcher) instead of trying to build something on his own he instead works at picking off players who he knows who decided to stay with the team.

This is something that will never stop unfortunately but my suggestion is make it clear to all of the parents what is going on. Then they can decide for themselves what the charactor of that coach in question really is. It will not take long to expose that individual for what he is and in the process set him back a little when it comes ro recuiting in the future.

Also, I agree with chicoflip. At this time a call may be required. Shame does not seem to be an issue there....just the pursiut of another team's players that have been practicing and playing together all Fall and Winter. I always like to let a rat know that we know what he is up to. At least then the lines are drawn.

 

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I agree with your thinking on that and beleive it to be a total last option if you have tried everything else. There is no perfect answer for it. The kids that have committment will stay with you and those that don't.. maybe it was for the best... Not always an easy way to look at it...
Kyle

 

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Crush1, it sounds like the kids and the parents have no interest in leaving the current team. The point is that the other coach simply will not stop pesturing them.

If this is a younger age group then we have to remember the parents are kind of new at this stuff. If that is the case then all the more reason to have a little team meeting and address the situation to all parents. This will show them the ugly side of this sport and expose the other coach for what he is. I think that if it is handled correctly it could also have a positive effect on the current team and show the parents how things should be done.

In any case I say expose the offender. This is the only way to attempt to shame the shameless.

 

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I tell my parents at the beginning of every year that this could happen to them and if it does to please let me know. I feel that if a coach from another organization is recruiting from my team then he is having problems with his players, parents or both. Lets say he recruits a pitcher, what is going to happen to the pitcher/pitchers he already has, are they going to sit the bench until they quit and then he recruits another pitcher, now what is going to happen to your DD, is she now going to sit the bench. I say to all coaches out there - if you know of a coach that is recruiting players from your team post their name and their organization on this forum. If everybody does this it will let parents and coaches know who not to play for. Especially if their name is on the forum more than once. Everybody wants to win but if you cannot do it honestly with the current players you have then what does winning mean. This does not mean when a team picks up a player or two to go to a tournament because they are short, it is for the worthless recruiters that do not care about the other teams and people they hurt along the way. POST THEIR NAMES AND ORGANIZATIONS AND SEE HOW THEY REACT TO THAT!!!!

Paul Moore
Ohio Heat Fury 14u

 

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I agree the true recruiters should be outed but the problem is the forum cannot certify honesty amongst its posters. So if we begin allowing people to post names and orgs it becomes a perpetual circle of he said she said game.

And for all the truth that may come out none of us want to have to defend our name or org. against dishonesty.

 

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I'm not a coach but, I personally like the beat down method....

 

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You are right bh2424gh, but the beat down method might be the only way to go. It just stinks that their are people out there that will do anything to win. Coaches help players become athletes through drills and teaching, managers are recruiters wanting the best athletes to play for them because they do not know how to teach or coach a kid to become an athlete. Believe me when I say it is not easy, especially when you do not have enough kids for a team, but I am a true believer in that if you stick together than the players will come. I played from December to April last year with 7 kids on my 12u team, not counting my 8 and 9yr. old DD to fill in for me, and it is very stressful. We then signed 3 more and had a terriffic year. I not once recruited other players in the mean time, had one play when her team was not, but never recruited. I do not care what anyone says - recruiting is wrong and they know it.

 

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Recruiting will always be around and will only get more intense in the future. ?I truly believe ending this falls in the lap of the parents whose dd is getting recruited. ?They have to be FIRM and say NO and even GET LOST, if thats what it takes. ?Its flattering when another organization is pursuing our young athletes, and its easy for parents to wonder....."hmmm, maybe moving our dd to this squeeky clean and flawless organization is the right move....". ?Maybe parents don't want to be rude and "burn any bridges" so they don't ever actually put it it terms that Mr. Recruiter can understand...like "LEAVE OUR DD THE #@!% ALONE!" ?But that's what has to happen. ?The coach or tournament director can make a call and request that the recruiting stop, but ultimately it'll be up the parents. ?As we all know, the grass is NOT always greener on the other side. ?If you're happy where you are, stick with it. ?Enjoy your team. let your dd build relationships and excel. ?Let "Mr. Recruiter" annoy some other family!

 

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I agree. I think it lands in the lap of the parents. What would you do if this guy was trying to sell you insurance? Tell him to bug off if you aren't interested.

It is probably good that the parents let the coach know this guy is bugging them if they are seeking that coach's help in stopping the solicitations. Playing devil's advocate here though, I have seen parents say that to coaches to make sure the coach knew SuzieQ was in demand and if she didn't get enough playing time, then well... <-- again, just playing devil's advocate

 

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we go thru this with the dd , it easy.. treat a recruiting coach like a drug dealer,,,, just say no......

 

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If a player wants to play for us they Know how to get in touch.
We have tryouts for a reason, and usually fill our teams pretty quick.

If a coach has to go out and recruit, that does not look good for his/her Organization or team.

Quality Organizations with good coaches don't need to go out and recruit.

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME.............

 

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When we decide to take a stand - thats when!

It's funny how everyone says it will never stop and that it will only get worse. It is also funny how everyone says it falls in the laps of the parents to take care of it. It could stop overnight if the governing bodies (ASA, NSA, etc...) had any backbone and tried to make things better, we do pay them you know....and for what.

I have been around softball and volleyball for years and volleyball doesn't have this problem. My kids play VB on regional teams and elite nationally ranked teams with four D1 college recruits and NOT ONCE have I ever heard of another coach recruiting from another team during season. And for those of you that wonder why, it is because the governing body strips them of their ability to coach. http://www.ovr.org/forms/Coaches_Code_of_Ethics.pdf

VB coaches also have to go through a background check before being certified to coach. Certainly this isn't true of softball......and that is a shame.

So why don't all of us work to change it instead of just complaining about it. Contact your local ASA, NSA reps to try and effect a change. It will only take one governing body to adopt this rule and live by it to put a stop to the madness.