HS Tryouts -Should I scope them out?

chinamigarden said:

First of all I am talking HS age players here, I am not talking about TB tryouts where you don't know anyone and you don't have a clue about the fields...

I understand that I am sending them to an open field, attached to a school coach where the school performed a background check. I also am aware that the majority of sexual predator's in the world use technology to find, identify and "meet" their victims. People are so concerned about sending their kids outside where the risk is low, but have no problem letting their kids get on the internet in their bedrooms and chat and share with virtual friends who are literal strangers. This is more scary to me then sending my kid to a ball field that holds 30 other kids and 3 coaches, that is across the street from the parking lot that 200 students and 40 adults park their cars and come and go all day and evening. I am not afraid of that situation, and frankly I don't think 99% of the people who go to practice are afraid of their dds being sexually abused at a tryout. They are afraid that someone might tell them to squish a bug, or show the catcher their elbow. They are afraid that little Suzy's mom might sidle up to the coach and sweet talk her dd a spot on the team, they are afraid that no one knows that their dd is a poor practice player, but a real gamer... I have seen the aftermath of a lot of tryouts, no one ever has discussed the safety of the new coach, its always trying to determine the pecking order, is my dd the top dawg? Is she in the top 5, top 10, is she on the bubble... For 90% its not about player safety, because they know the kid is safe. Its about does my dd make the team and what do I have to do if she is at risk of not making it.

BTW I grew up 40 miles to my SW in Detroit, it was a very rough and tough area, the crime rates then were as high or higher then they are now. Our parents kicked us out of the house and wanted us to explore, play, fish by the river... We had no cell phones to check in with, we had rules and our parents and our friends parents taught us how to act in public and how to recognize danger, we used to call it street smart, now we call it common sense. You have to teach it, but its not all theory. At some time your kids have to go out and apply it.

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riseball said:

Unless the coach is insecure in their abilities or has something to hide there is absolutely no reason to close a practice. As long as the parent maintains proper decorum and boundaries are observed, the parents motive for observation is a moot point. It is the duty of the parent to ensure safety and determine the how, when, and what with regard to the teaching of life skills. Not administrators, teachers, coaches, and especially not other parents.

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chinamigarden said:

I agree. But parents also have to know when to kick the birdies out of the nest for their first flight.

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