Are tryouts really a tryout?

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Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
How does DFP view tryouts?

Should previous year's players have guaranteed spots? Or should they have to earn a roster spot?

What if a low caliber player doesn't even show up to tryouts and is still given a spot? Is this fair to the girls that showed up?
 
Dec 23, 2009
791
0
San Diego
Unfortunately "fair" has nothing to do with it. Do your homework on the organization and the individual coaches for the team your DD is trying out for. Leopards don't change their spots. A%^holes will always be a%^holes - regardless of whether they have a DD on the team or not.
 
Aug 26, 2011
1,285
0
Houston, Texas
Dunno...probably varies far and wide. I think for most part, they are really tryouts; however, I do think that coaches have favorites. I know of players who have been cut after being with org for 3-4 years. I know of players who have never been outside their org in 6-8 years. I know of players who have been in every big organization in Houston metro. On flip side, I know of coaches who keep their players season after season...and then one season, team folds because a couple of players sought greener pastures. I know of coaches who shop (scout) local tournaments for future players.

And I have not seen players not show up but then most orgs have more than one tryout date this year (years prior they usually stuck to one day...but this year?? holy moly - spread out over 3-4 days!). Take that back, I know of players who didn't show up but had legit excuse (injured, death in family, sick, or out of town on vacation)...but they were high caliber players.

But to answer one of your questions - I think it is only fair that the players earn their spots...especially since colleges take scholarships away if you're not performing or working hard to earn spot.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Guaranteed spot might be too strong of a word. I will take a player and parents over a new player. The player has to be significantly better to knock of the returning player.
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Just depends...went to a local tryout and was advertized as "open"; most girls trying out were in team T-shirts and the few that weren't seemed to know everyone like they were on the team. They go through the motions then say a couple girls are on vacation so there will be another tryout next week and to check the website...they will do call backs after second tryout. So I go check the website in a couple days and they advertize tryout for 16U - we have an opening for #1 pitcher, so we skip second tryout, I check website after second round of tryouts it says thanks to all the girls who came out we finalizing rosters now but will have individuals tryouts for a few open positions 16U - no openings. So basically what I got out of that was all along they were just hoping for a #1 pitcher or a "new" stud to come along.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
How does DFP view tryouts?

Tryouts are whatever a coach decides they are. My only expectation is honesty.

Should previous year's players have guaranteed spots? Or should they have to earn a roster spot?

Any player who is guaranteed a spot has earned it in the eyes of the coach, who gets to make the rules for his/her team.

What if a low caliber player doesn't even show up to tryouts and is still given a spot? Is this fair to the girls that showed up?

Yes, it's fair, provided that the coach was not dishonest about this possibility.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
I want to be on a team that makes everyone try out, personally. I don't think anyone should be guaranteed a spot (caveat: I'm talking travel ball; rec I don't feel the same way about since it's so much less competitive by definition at least where I live). That said, if a coach has been working with a girl for a year, he/she has a pretty solid idea of how that player performs. So I imagine going into tryouts, some girls are pretty much guaranteed a spot in the coach's mind. I'm ok with that, but I do think they should have to go to tryouts. I'm in favor of reducing big head syndrome (in both the girls and their parents). I don't think any girl (or her parents, ahem, parents parents parents) should feel above going to her team's tryouts, or complacent about her position on the team.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
We have some of each in our area. Some organizations will guarantee roster spots for returning players, provided the player or her family are not problems. Some organizations will have more "open" tryouts and may cut existing players to take a new player. Some organizations do this throughout the entire summer, either cutting or benching players in the middle of the summer when someone else comes along. The organization we have been with the last few years is open about their procedures at tryouts, and are open to any questions that incoming parents or players may have. There are enough teams around that any player/family can find the right fit if they have open minds and are honest about the players abilities and goals. Unfortunately, sometimes this is not the case.
 
Dec 12, 2012
1,668
0
On the bucket
How does DFP view tryouts?

Should previous year's players have guaranteed spots? Or should they have to earn a roster spot?

What if a low caliber player doesn't even show up to tryouts and is still given a spot? Is this fair to the girls that showed up?

Doesn't your organization require the girls to make one of the tryouts? If so, then the player could/should have forfeited their spot on the roster.
They could have changed the policy, but they did when we were with them. However, any valid reason for missing tryouts is between the coach and the player and who knows where that could go.
 
Jul 27, 2015
235
43
In May we were offered a spot on our same team for the fall. We had to accept and pay our money before the fall tryouts. That way, the coach knew who was coming back and what to look for in the tryouts. The coach knew none of his star players were going anywhere - unless they wanted to lose their deposit. It seems to me the players earned their spots for the fall by how they played the previous year. As stated before, most coaches will gladly take a known player over an unknown one if the skills are similar.

Teams that make everyone tryout really are gambling, IMO. I know if we had to try out for the fall, we would have tried out for various teams and very well might have picked another team.
 

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