HS Tryouts -Should I scope them out?
- Thread starter WARRIORMIKE
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I attend everything softball related, tryouts, indoor practices, winter conditioning, games etc... Why? Because I just like watching DD play. I already know I don't like things the coach will do because just like players, coaches are also known through the TB circuit. But I don't critique the coach ever, I don't ever talk to the coach about DD unless he brings her up. I only cheer on the team.
That being said If tryouts are outside I would pull up a chair in Centerfield and just watch, the coach might look out at you a few hundred times but that's a 200 foot walk there and 200 back. Most coaches don't want to make that walk lol.
That being said If tryouts are outside I would pull up a chair in Centerfield and just watch, the coach might look out at you a few hundred times but that's a 200 foot walk there and 200 back. Most coaches don't want to make that walk lol.
Don't be 'that' parent on day one. There are plenty of other days, and trying out 'by herself' is a bigger deal than they may let on. While we are just in 'workouts' at HS, my DD is even getting a ride home from one of the upperclassman so I haven't even been to the the HS field yet.
Especially if you know the coach and I assume you have a pretty solid idea of which players are at the school from TB.
And even if [MENTION=10413]riseball[/MENTION] is right and 'closed' tryouts are stupid and the justifications are limited, if they are closed do respect the coaches wishes.
Note: This is all very easy for me to say. DD has known the local HS coach since she was 7 years old and worked his camp for 2 weeks over summer. So I know all the girls and the coaching staff and it is not all new for her as it is for a lot of girls.
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Drop her off and then come back and pick her up. Give her the opportunity to do this on her own. No need to be the helicopter parent. It sucks not to go watch because we all like to watch them practice and play, but look at it as a test run for when they go off to college.
You will not be able to get to every practice and game when they are three states away at a college.
You will not be able to get to every practice and game when they are three states away at a college.
I agree closed "X" can be suspect of coaches. On the other hand I understand. DD trying out fresh year. She went after school we picked her up afterwards. On way home I mentioned all the parents in bag chairs CF and she proceed "OMG, susy's dad come down to the bleachers at home, he like nice swing , shoulder up, head down, nice rip. Coach asked him to go set with rest of parents, can you belive that he did that". So I know I don't want to coach over a parent and I can understand the closed tryout practice thing.
Our HS team plays or practices 3 hours a day, 6 days a week. They practice more in the 3 month HS season than we do in 8 months of TB season...
Basically, these "tough as nails" softball players can't do anything without Mommy and Daddy watching...
I say if you go, go all out. Yell suggestions to your daughter. Mutter (but loud enough for the coach to hear) "freaking unbelievable" whenever someone makes a mistake. When your dd hits a hard line drive during BP, look around for any other parents and tell them that the team has a new number 3 hitter. Make sure you talk to the coach during the tryout and be sure to use the phrase "do you know who I am?" at least once. 
Greenmonsters
Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Do the following if you really want to make an impression - Go to tryouts, stand behind the backstop, wear sunglasses, hang a stop watch around your neck, discreetly radar gun anything that moves, carry a clipboard, take copious notes, and say not a word to anyone.
Entertaining variations on this theme:
1. Do this at a HS your kid doesn't attend;
2. Do this wearing a hat from an opposite coast/far away college;
3. Do this and move as necessary so that no one ever gets closer than 25 ft to you;
4. Do this and change your ring tone to the biggest rival's fight song and have someone call you every 5 minutes but never answer
Guaranteed to be lots of fun and potentially exciting, too.
Entertaining variations on this theme:
1. Do this at a HS your kid doesn't attend;
2. Do this wearing a hat from an opposite coast/far away college;
3. Do this and move as necessary so that no one ever gets closer than 25 ft to you;
4. Do this and change your ring tone to the biggest rival's fight song and have someone call you every 5 minutes but never answer
Guaranteed to be lots of fun and potentially exciting, too.
