Disagree 100%. This is how the team I coach got started, kinda. The team I currently coach, and have coached now for 3 years began as a rec team. The parents got together, didn't want to see their girls thrown back into the rec league draft and scattered the following year and asked me if I would continue coaching. I was honored that they would ask me.
I had never coached travel ball. I had some high school experience and rec league, but travel ball is a whole different animal. I've done a ton of learning, and continue to learn every day how to be a better coach.
I feel like posts like this really stink of elitism. Are my girls A level players? Nope. On a good day they can compete with A and can beat many B teams in any given game, but they are a group of girls who likely wouldn't have joined a travel team and wouldn't have grown to where they are today. I get that there are coaches who suck, I've seen them, but I feel like those are the exception, not the rule. At least in my area.
Love this, Frost! My situation is identical to yours . . . same scenario where I got asked to start a travel team so we could keep all the girls together. I've been coaching now for about 8 seasons and initially got into it so I could spend more time with my daughter. I played baseball in high school but nothing beyond that. I keep trying to get a little better every day and am always watching how other coaches run their rec/travel/high school programs. I would say the majority of coaches I've run into are competent and everyone has their own unique style.
I'm so glad I ran into this forum after seeing someone mention it on a completely non-softball page I happened to be on. Thank you to all for posting/contributing. I've been lurking behind the scenes now for a few days reading all I can to help better myself as a coach.