How to start a new 10U travel team?

What steps do I need to take to start a travel team? I'm looking for advice on time involved, on recruiting players, on cost... Anything will help at this point. Please consider sharing your experiences as a new travel team manager.

To properly answer your question I think you need to give some background on yourself. Why are you considering this? What other 10u options are in your area, what level do you plan to play? What is your coaching / team managing / softball experience?

How much do you currently drink? (I joke) ((just a little))

I watch new teams dissolve here, routinely, within 6 months. The number one problem is the lack of funds. There is no one to take on the initial outlay of funds, nor assure that operating funds are there.

New parents have to understand the commitment and the constant cost, plus private lessons and equipment.

It is best to go in with a 12U and 14U organization, that would add 10U.

What area are you in? Some are easier to start in than others.

Amy in AZ. said:

I watch new teams dissolve here, routinely, within 6 months. The number one problem is the lack of funds. There is no one to take on the initial outlay of funds, nor assure that operating funds are there.

New parents have to understand the commitment and the constant cost, plus private lessons and equipment.

It is best to go in with a 12U and 14U organization, that would add 10U.

What area are you in? Some are easier to start in than others.

Click to expand...

^this.

We were involved with different entities looking to start new 10u clubs early this year. One first pursued doing an independant option before the realization of the amount of time and funding it took to start a team from scratch quickly pushed her to check existing orgs. We do not have a lot of 10u clubs in our area. Two orgs that start at 12u were interested in a manager that could start a team (meaning - have strong players willing to follow or be recruited by her) and then manage the 10u team (meaning - procure funding with organizational skills to keep the team going, and a strong background coaching the game didn't hurt either...)

As an alternate to starting your own team, this plan is more economical...

1. Gather all of your money
2. Put the money in a basket.
3. Set the basket on fire.

Eric F said:

As an alternate to starting your own team, this plan is more economical...

1. Gather all of your money
2. Put the money in a basket.
3. Set the basket on fire.

Click to expand...

With this plan, less can go wrong.

Some of the most stable and successful teams I know are single independent teams run by dads. I'm talking about teams with almost no turnover, play at a high level, and win consistently.

Being part of an organization isn't always a good thing. Although it can help with recruiting (the name), it often generates extra costs (fees paid to support the org owner). Worse, you can find yourself having to take direction from the organization's leadership regarding player selection, practice, and tournaments. Some of the worst psycho coaches I know of coach for organizations. I'm talking about coaches who got thrown off their teams by parents mid-season because things were so bad.

Knowing what you're doing on a ball field is essential. That, and having a core of solid pitching and catching to build around. If you have that, you can build the rest. Unless you're in a really poor community, money isn't that big of a problem. On a per person basis, it really doesn't cost that much to practice and play local tournaments. Without experience or solid pitching / catching, volunteer to coach a local rec league, and learn. That will develop the base of experience and contacts needed to build a travel team. While you're doing that, stock up on booze and anti-depressants!

chinamigarden said:

To properly answer your question I think you need to give some background on yourself. Why are you considering this? What other 10u options are in your area, what level do you plan to play? What is your coaching / team managing / softball experience?

How much do you currently drink? (I joke) ((just a little))

Click to expand...

Less now than he will in the future.

The one question I would ask is how you plan to develop pitchers and catchers. You or one of your staff needs to have hand in their development. You cannot mail it in, since without competent pitching and catching you will struggle. Beyond that be sure to surround yourself with good people that are selfless.

Two orgs that start at 12u were interested in a manager that could start a team (meaning - have strong players willing to follow or be recruited by her) and then manage the 10u team (meaning - procure funding with organizational skills to keep the team going, and a strong background coaching the game didn't hurt either...)

Click to expand...

We get this question all time--"How do I start a travel team?" We usually discourage people from starting teams, but it seems to me you are adding a team to an already existing organization.

If so, you need to answer these questions:

1) How many tournaments will you play during the year (or season)?
2) Where are you going to practice? Do *NOT* assume that a field is open. Find out who manages the field and get confirmation that you can use the field.
3) Where are you going to play "friendly" midweek games?
4) How many kids will be on the team?
5) How are you going to find the kids?
6) Have you talked to other 10U parents? What do they want?
7) How are you going to raise money for equipment?
8) How much do umpires charge in your area?
9) How many games do you want to play per week?
10) How many practices per week?
11) Who is going to teach pitching?
12) Who is going to teach catching?


Some other points:

a) You need to be able to "let kids not play on the team". We've all had super athletes show up for a team, only to find out that the kid is in basketball, soccer, volleyball and tennis...and therefore can't only make one tournament every two months. *DON'T AGREE TO TAKE THE CHILD*...no matter if the kid looks Shirley Temple and hits like Pujols. It ain't worth it.
b) As to cost of starting the team, you need to talk to the 12U team and find out what equipment you need. Hopefully, the organization will front the money for the equipment.

I started a 10u team last year. It isn't easy. It is a full time job. Like someone said above most teams don't make it. My goal was to survive. We made it.

I was talked into doing this by the owner of a facility. I decided at the last minute I would do this. This was a mistake. I hade zero contacts headed into tryouts. Only 8 girls showed up to tryouts ages 6 to 10. I kept everyone. This was a mistake. I kept a couple kids I knew would be trouble. This was an issue all year and caused drama when I removed one later in the year. The owner of the facility told me he would help me find girls. I believed him. This was a mistake. Anyone decent he kept for his teams. He then went on to start up a 2nd 10u team. He was only interested in the cash. If you do this make sure you will have away to find players. Not just the 12 you need. I went through almost 20 girls. Due to my lack of numbers I was always borrowing girls from other teams. Early on I was always using someone else's pitcher. I had zero pitchers or catchers when I started. For equipment I added a new player fee of 50 bucks. This gave me 600 bucks to get balls, t's, bow net, buckets, score books, lineup cards, and as many goodies I could. Watch for deals. For example Amazon around Christmas had bow nets for 100. For fees I would suggest keeping it cheap and fundraise. We sold squares, candles, candy, beef jerky, and begged out side a local Walmart.

While the first year is tough if you can make it things will get easier. Going into this year I joined an organization that was looking for a 10u team. This organization is also home to the best pitching coach in the area. He has been a big help in finding players. Going into this year I have 3 good pitchers and 3 other girls in pitching lessons. I was also able to add 2 catchers and will start this year with 3 decent catchers.

Above I seen some good advice. For example you need a practice field. I cleaned up 2 different fields. Once cleaned up a local organization came in and reserved them. I cleaned up a 3rd but before I did I made sure they wouldn't bump me off it.

You need good help. This year I have 3 assistant coaches. Assign them task. For example I have one coach that only works with the catchers. I explained to him what I wanted taught. I gave him the info he needed to learn and he has done a great job. Learn their strengths and put them in a position to succeed as coaches.

While it is a lot of work I'm glad I'm coaching again. I just remind myself often what Colin Powell said, "things always look better after a night of sleep." Atleast it was something like that.

Finally I would make sure you have the support of your wife. Every free second is softball.