Red Flags from Prospective Pitcher's Parents

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Feb 18, 2014
348
28
#3 isn't a red flag, it's reality. You have to play to improve.

We left a team mid season when the coach would only use my DD to close out games when his DD and the other coaches DD got down 10-0 or worse, and she did a good job getting us out of bad innings. He would pitch his #1 and #2 pitchers against horrible winless teams and leave the other two on the bench. We came to the conclusion that we were a backup dancer and weren't getting the loyalty we were giving so we bailed. That is probably not the situation, but you never know what isn't being said.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
That's not realistic think about it if you were in the situation would you EVER do that...you better answer no.

Mistake was on the spot roster offer. The right play would have been, tell your coach you really want more circle time and I have been offered a chance to guest play on another team.

Plus the bigger question is what kind of fit was she for your team...if the answer was a good #3 pitcher then you should let her know she was not getting more than 20-25% of the circle time and would that be acceptable.

I think you have nailed the bigger point though...be willing to give anyone a chance but that chance is on YOUR terms. This is when we practice come a little early (could do a private if you have the time), see if it's a fit, you can guest one tournament, then maybe offer if things work out.

Unless I really know them, they have to do some workouts and at least 1 tournament as a guest before we talk about a full time spot. I think try before you buy is best for all concerned.
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
Moving from #4 pitcher to #3 is like living in a bad neighborhood and moving across the street because it's bigger.
 
Dec 31, 2015
5
0
That's a red flag for a parent. Coaches can talk all day about pitcher's parents being crazy and entitled but I'd think that of a coach to make demands before my dd was even on the team.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
That's a red flag for a parent. Coaches can talk all day about pitcher's parents being crazy and entitled but I'd think that of a coach to make demands before my dd was even on the team.

I agree.

With riseball too. Try before you buy as often as possible. When we were looking for a new team in the spring we decided we'd not even consider a team that wouldn't let us pick up for a tournament before deciding. You really don't know how someone coaches until you see them either losing big and/or winning big. Ideally I want to see both. I want my kiddo to learn graceful losing and humble winning. And I don't want her on a team with certain styles of coaching. You just can't find these things out reliably at practice. And some people are great salesmen, but masters of the bait & switch. That seems to happen a lot. I would at the very least want to observe a game or two but really, the ideal is pick up first, IMO.
 
Oct 22, 2009
1,532
0
PA
That's a red flag for a parent. Coaches can talk all day about pitcher's parents being crazy and entitled but I'd think that of a coach to make demands before my dd was even on the team.

Nope. They came to me, not the other way around. You let your coach know you are trying out for me and be transparent. Otherwise I am no longer interested unless you are a lights out pitcher.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
Nope. They came to me, not the other way around. You let your coach know you are trying out for me and be transparent. Otherwise I am no longer interested unless you are a lights out pitcher.

Sounds to me like you got caught with your coaching guard down. Nobody wants to interrogate a kid/family when they are looking for a new team. But sometimes it needs to be done. If you are like me you had the idea that something was amiss. Every time I ignore that inner voice it jumps up and bites me in the butt. :)
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
It's hard to stay completely sane while watching your daughter stand in the middle of the field with all eyes on her. I think I feel the pressure more than she does.
 

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