First off let me start by saying we are going on year 2 with same team in 12u. Our dues are monthly and have been required every month. Recently our HC posted in another forum that he was looking for two players SS and Pitcher and that he would consider no dues for the fall. Now I am kind of upset with this because of obvious reasons. So yesterday we had a practice and guess what...a new player showed up and today they were added to the team. The player we added is no more talented than the rest of our team and we have several players IMO that can play SS, 2nd, etc. We also already had 12 girls so adding a 13th player just adds more possible benching for my child in the future. So my concern is that this new player isnt paying dues while the rest of us do and she will get special treatment to the tune of free softball and most likely playtime. Its a real shame because the coach is a likeable guy but we are not a winning ball club. I guess he wants to win at all costs but this is pushing me and my family out the door. What would I be teaching my daughter if we stayed knowing that some people arent paying and following the rules set by our HC at the beginning of every season. Now everything is in question, the books, whos paying, whos not, where is my money going, etc. To me its kind of messed up and I want other people to weigh in and give me their opinions.
Question about dues....
- Thread starter Himarix
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- Feb 7, 2013
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I would talk to the coach about the issue and your concerns and see what he says. If you don't like the answer than look for other opportunities for your DD. By the way a 13 player roster is not unusual at 12U and probably the perfect number for most teams but I don't like how he is going about adding players and having some not pay monthly dues. That only fosters resentment among players and families.
- Jun 21, 2015
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I like 12 on a roster better but my main concern would be why does the new kid get free softball?
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- Feb 15, 2016
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Talk to the coach. Maybe he has a plan. Could someone be leaving and hasn't made that known to everyone yet? How much longer does the fall season go for you in your area? We are almost to mid-October so I could see why coach might say that a kid who jumps on-board now could be free of charge through the fall and then start paying. The best advice I could give you about approaching the coach would be to be very cordial and not accusatory in any way. At 12U if any girl is sitting a lot she is on the wrong team. If you think your DD will sit a lot I would be a lot more concerned about that than if a pick-up player gets a freebie for October and November.
my thoughts exactly....
How did the coach say he was going to manage roster size and dues, and has he gone back on his word? We can debate roster size and giving a free ride, but it starts with communication and honesty, IMO.
LIBF makes a good point. Maybe he isn't charging because there isn't much softball to be played. It's like a pickup player. We'll try each other out. As long as I'm not out any money, I don't really care. But if it's a full season where we're talking hundreds of dollars, that's different.
Personally, I would never have 13 on a 12U team. I had a 10-player 12U team a few years back. Not advocating 10, but 13 is too many, IMO. Some coaches like 13 players, but I have never seen a 12U player who wanted 13 players. So if I say I'm doing it for the girls, then I should consider their point of view.
LIBF makes a good point. Maybe he isn't charging because there isn't much softball to be played. It's like a pickup player. We'll try each other out. As long as I'm not out any money, I don't really care. But if it's a full season where we're talking hundreds of dollars, that's different.
Personally, I would never have 13 on a 12U team. I had a 10-player 12U team a few years back. Not advocating 10, but 13 is too many, IMO. Some coaches like 13 players, but I have never seen a 12U player who wanted 13 players. So if I say I'm doing it for the girls, then I should consider their point of view.
- Jun 12, 2015
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I think 13 is too many too. I guess the main question that came to my mind is whether you're accurately assessing the new girl's talent. I found out the dues for a team recently and they are very high. I wondered if perhaps they charge so much so that when they have prospect they REALLY want, they can get her on "scholarship." Someone was telling me how unfair that was. Perhaps it is unfair, but I suppose it's also part of being high-end talent. I've even heard rumors of coaches covering travel expenses to get the player they want. And we play 10u! If she truly isn't any more talented than any other girls on the team, then it makes a lot less sense.
I have heard rumors of teams that don't make P and C pay, but have never played on one. 13 is too many, but this time of year you don't always get all the players. I know we played 18U this weekend and had all 14 show up and it was a nightmare trying to get playing time especially when there isn't much separation of players after the first 4 or 5. 2 weeks ago we looked like a MASH unit and wound up playing on Sunday with 9 so you never know
You didn't say in your post whether the new player had to pay dues or not. At this point it is merely speculation on your part based on a post from another forum. Until you have 100% verified that the new player isn't paying dues this seems to be much ado about nothing.
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