Why so many openings, especially at 14u?

[default]

I cannot remember ever seeing this many teams looking for players this late into August. It seems that the 14u level is especially in need this year and I find that surprising. There has always been an abundance of players at 14u, so much so that many orgs would have multiple teams.

Now I ask, what is going on? Are there too many teams trying to hold out for that stud player or just too many teams at that age level? Is this just a natural cycle?

 

[default]

I was just thinking the same thing!

 

[default]

I think we may have finally reach the limit, you know what i mean (SUPPLY AND DEMAND). In the real world of buisness this is when some start to close up shop or go bankrupt (SUPPLY AND DEMAND) Limit has been reached....

 

[default]

I believe it is supply and demand as well

 

[default]

I remember it being pretty much the same last year. Several teams never reached their goal of "X" amount of roster spots.

 

[default]

It seems to me that it is like this every year, alot of new start up teams that really struggle to fill their rosters.

 

[default]

It seems to me that it is like this every year, alot of new start up teams that really struggle to fill their rosters.

That part I understand, but I am looking at every org/team in my area needing players at the 14u age level.

There also seems to be an abundance of 12u teams looking too.

 

[default]

Are there coaches of 10U or 12U teams that can say some girls are not playing anymore or is just too many teams out there now?

 

[default]

Even more teams will be looking after the fall tournaments are over due to defections.

Len

 

[default]

Personally, I believe you coaches and organizations out there hold you tryouts way too early after the season ends. Give the girls and the parents a break, it's a long hot summer. I also believe that there are Orgs and teams out there that will always be looking for the super star player, and are never happy with what they have.....Just look at some older posts, some of them ran from August to July..... Supply and demand maybe the majority, but certainly not all.

 

[default]

its probably a little of everything mentioned, but i also think some coaches don't want to coach anymore and they just want the STUD and there are still plenty of players that need some coaching.

 

[default]

Personally, I believe you coaches and organizations out there hold you tryouts way too early after the season ends. Give the girls and the parents a break, it's a long hot summer. I also believe that there are Orgs and teams out there that will always be looking for the super star player, and are never happy with what they have.....Just look at some older posts, some of them ran from August to July..... Supply and demand maybe the majority, but certainly not all.

Although I agree with you as a parent, I have to disagree with you as a coach. At all age levels, at least in our area, Fall Ball starts in September. Also, in other areas of the country, the season hasn't even ended yet. Those other areas may hold their tryouts during a later month; I don't know that. However, in NE Ohio, we need to fill our team roster, if at all possible, by the beginning of September. Yes we can play with subs, but like anyone else, we feel more secure by having a commitment from players for a full roster, preferably for the year. In our area, it's almost akin to college ball recruiting. We want to keep the players we have and get a jump on possibly getting the best players who are dissatisfied with the team they are currently on that we have a shot at.

If for some reason a parent feels that their DD needs a break, then by all means they should sit her out for the Fall. Also, at least on our team, we have multi-sport athletes so they can only make so many practices/games. Our organization/team does not hold that against them as some others do. You have to do what is right for your family as others have to do what is rght for theirs. As for holding out for the Stud player, there ARE organizations out there that are doing that. However, I can only speak for mine. All we want are athletic players that have experience at the positions they want to play. After all, if we as coaches can't teach them the proper footwork, fielding, throwing, batting, situational plays, etc. etc., then maybe we shouldn't be on the field either. JMHO

 

[default]

It would be interesting to know out of the 14U teams still looking how many are part of organizations with more than one 14U team. We are almost to the point where we will have single year teams. 14U 99's and 14U 98's. Plenty of organizations have age specific teams.

Regardless of the school of thought that players and teams make a one year commitment to each other, don't we all look for players or teams who we can spend more than one year with? If I'm a 99 and join a 98 team this year, they have to move up next year leaving me searching for a team again next year. If I'm a 98 and join a 99 team this year I have to move up next year leaving me searching for a team again next year.

In reality how many "new" teams are actually made? How many cases of Team A who were part of Org. A last year take a core group over to Org. B this year. Appears like Org. B added a "new" team. Same amount of teams.

 

[default]

It would be interesting to know out of the 14U teams still looking how many are part of organizations with more than one 14U team. We are almost to the point where we will have single year teams. 14U 99's and 14U 98's. Plenty of organizations have age specific teams.

Regardless of the school of thought that players and teams make a one year commitment to each other, don't we all look for players or teams who we can spend more than one year with? If I'm a 99 and join a 98 team this year, they have to move up next year leaving me searching for a team again next year. If I'm a 98 and join a 99 team this year I have to move up next year leaving me searching for a team again next year.

In reality how many "new" teams are actually made? How many cases of Team A who were part of Org. A last year take a core group over to Org. B this year. Appears like Org. B added a "new" team. Same amount of teams.

I don't know about others, but we are a start-up 14u team. Our organization has been around for years as a very successful TB baseball organization. Last year, they decided to put the same commitment that they used in building the boys side into building a girls fastpitch TB side. Last years 12u team was a split aged team with 1/2 moving up and 1/2 staying down. Thus, the 14u team. We are trying to make this team, our 12u team and the new 10u team as age specific as possible so that we can keep the girls together all the way through 18u if they wish to stay and play for us. i.e. 14u '99ers, 12u '00ers and 10u '02ers. Next year, we hope to expand further in these lower age groups.

 

[default]

Personally, I believe you coaches and organizations out there hold you tryouts way too early after the season ends. Give the girls and the parents a break, it's a long hot summer. I also believe that there are Orgs and teams out there that will always be looking for the super star player, and are never happy with what they have.....Just look at some older posts, some of them ran from August to July..... Supply and demand maybe the majority, but certainly not all.

Makes sense but I think all coaches want to see the girls while they are still at that high playing level. Give the girls time off for a few weeks and than their throwing, fielding and hitting are all off a bit. I know my DD took about 3 weeks off and her skills had dropped a bit at tryouts. Look at the players that take the fall off it takes around a month to get them back into playing form... Better to have tryouts early, make a team, then take a break.....

 

[default]

I think its a little of every thing but at the 14 u level I would guess that many of these teams are looking for the ready made stud. My dd never looks like the top player in the try outs but come game time she always gets the job done and then some. I would guess there are many more girls out there with the same situation that were passed over because of a bad day. I think that more of these coaches may see things differently if they would take the time to talk to the parents and player at these try outs. This year again my dd did not crush the ball in try outs but looked ok in all other drills. Played first 2 games last week end and she came out dominating her deffensive position, 0 strike outs, 1 ground out,1 single.,2 doubles, and 1 tripple. Two of the teams we tried out for did not see this coming in try outs and two teams liked her. Both of the teams that called her talked to us before and after the try outs and the coach that we picked approached me and said "you were not kidding about her game time performance compared to try outs". There are many more out there like her and these teams better grab them up.

 

[default]

I think its a little of every thing but at the 14 u level I would guess that many of these teams are looking for the ready made stud. My dd never looks like the top player in the try outs but come game time she always gets the job done and then some. I would guess there are many more girls out there with the same situation that were passed over because of a bad day. I think that more of these coaches may see things differently if they would take the time to talk to the parents and player at these try outs. This year again my dd did not crush the ball in try outs but looked ok in all other drills. Played first 2 games last week end and she came out dominating her deffensive position, 0 strike outs, 1 ground out,1 single.,2 doubles, and 1 tripple. Two of the teams we tried out for did not see this coming in try outs and two teams liked her. Both of the teams that called her talked to us before and after the try outs and the coach that we picked approached me and said "you were not kidding about her game time performance compared to try outs". There are many more out there like her and these teams better grab them up.

The one good thing is that at least your dd got a chance to tryout. As I wrote in another post my dd and many more did not even get a look at with one team. She was trying out for catcher and OF. Two positions that the team is to this day is still posting they need. I even sent my dd stats and still no look. I just don't get it this year.

Through 50 games, .495 ba, .595 obp, .722 slg, 1.317 ops 2-hr, 2-3b, and 8-2b with a rocket for an arm

​

 

[default]

S o c c e r

 

[default]

The one good thing is that at least your dd got a chance to tryout. As I wrote in another post my dd and many more did not even get a look at with one team. She was trying out for catcher and OF. Two positions that the team is to this day is still posting they need. I even sent my dd stats and still no look. I just don't get it this year.

Through 50 games, .495 ba, .595 obp, .722 slg, 1.317 ops 2-hr, 2-3b, and 8-2b with a rocket for an arm

​

Stats are only as good as the teams you played against; if your team played a mediocre schedule against "lesser" teams, then those stats don't really stand out to coaches. Now if you spent the season up against Stingrays, Lasers, Ice and others of that caliber then the stats definitely are impressive. It could be the coaches already knew the type of schedule once they saw the team she played for and that's the reason for no interest. Some of these teams are looking for a certain playing level and not all kids are there. I'd rather have a coach not waste my time then try my dd out knowing there was no chance he was going to take her.

 

[default]

Stats are only as good as the teams you played against; if your team played a mediocre schedule against "lesser" teams, then those stats don't really stand out to coaches. Now if you spent the season up against Stingrays, Lasers, Ice and others of that caliber then the stats definitely are impressive. It could be the coaches already knew the type of schedule once they saw the team she played for and that's the reason for no interest. Some of these teams are looking for a certain playing level and not all kids are there. I'd rather have a coach not waste my time then try my dd out knowing there was no chance he was going to take her.

I understand that stats are as good as the teams you play. We did play some of your " non lesser teams". What I am saying is take a look at what you have in front of you. Just imagine if Jerry Rice and many others with so so stats for those lesser teams never got a look at. Just like in life not all of the movers and shakers of the world come from the large elite schools. If you close your eyes you may miss a diamond in the ruff. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying my dd is a diamond or that she would even have made the team. When in reality she made the team she wanted on and not the one that was first on my list. The point is IMO, teams are passing on some very good players for that one standout that may not pan out.