Paid Coaches

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Dec 6, 2016
70
18
Here's the scenario:

My daughter wanted to tryout for a 1st year 14u team this year. She goes to tryouts and makes the team. The exact season costs were never brought up...just generalizations by the head coach saying it would "be in-line with every other team." So, we agree to be on the team. Weeks go by and then we receive a budget. In the budget, it states that all coaches will be paid (atleast the coaches will not have to pay dues for their kids on the team). That would be an extra $700 per player, except for the coaches kids. This is not a big name organization.

Does this sound right? Does this sound right even for a big name org? Should we get as far away as possible from this team? Just need a little advise to see if this is the norm once you get to 14U.
 
Oct 30, 2014
292
18
Seattle
Who are the coaches? If you are paying a coach they should be experienced and providing something a typical parent coach would not provide. That being said just because it is a parent coach doesn't mean they aren't qualified but I would always be a little extra suspicious since there is a daughter on the team.

The biggest issue seems to be that you didn't know what you were signing up for. Paid coaches are nothing new but if that is not "in-line with every other team" in your area then they were not honest with you.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
Here's the scenario:

My daughter wanted to tryout for a 1st year 14u team this year. She goes to tryouts and makes the team. The exact season costs were never brought up...just generalizations by the head coach saying it would "be in-line with every other team." So, we agree to be on the team. Weeks go by and then we receive a budget. In the budget, it states that all coaches will be paid (atleast the coaches will not have to pay dues for their kids on the team). That would be an extra $700 per player, except for the coaches kids. This is not a big name organization.

Does this sound right? Does this sound right even for a big name org? Should we get as far away as possible from this team? Just need a little advise to see if this is the norm once you get to 14U.

It is not normal for parent-coaches to be paid or to have their kids dues waived.... unless they are REALLY over qualified and bring something extra special to the table such as a long history of being a softball college cost or something.

It is of course normal for non-parent coaches to be paid.
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
I have never heard of a parent coach being paid in my area. Heck, my kid doesn't get paid and she drives an hour each way to coach her 14U team.
 
May 16, 2016
1,024
113
Illinois
I will just give you my personal opinion.

I would not have an issue if the head coach of the team had a daughter on the team and that head coach did not have pay dues for his daughter or only paid a portion of the dues. The amount of work that is required for a head coach to run a team takes a significant amount of time and planning. A head coach is most likely going to have to make batting orders and lineups for each game, he might do the stats, possibly make all arrangements for insurance, make all arrangements for indoor and outdoor practices, and have a plan of what he wants to work on during those practices. The amount of time that a head coach spends communicating with the rest of the parents via email is also considerable. All that time that the head coach gives up he could be spending with his own family or training with his own daughter. I am sure I am missing a bunch of stuff also.

I would also like to add that I am not a head coach so my opinion is not bias. Now if you have joined a team with where the head coach and multiple assistant coaches and all them are not paying that might ruffle some feathers.

From the way I am interpreting the O.P. the head coach is saving $700 bucks, split between 11 other players or so that is only $65 bucks per player. Well worth IMO.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
I will just give you my personal opinion.

I would not have an issue if the head coach of the team had a daughter on the team and that head coach did not have pay dues for his daughter or only paid a portion of the dues. The amount of work that is required for a head coach to run a team takes a significant amount of time and planning. A head coach is most likely going to have to make batting orders and lineups for each game, he might do the stats, possibly make all arrangements for insurance, make all arrangements for indoor and outdoor practices, and have a plan of what he wants to work on during those practices. The amount of time that a head coach spends communicating with the rest of the parents via email is also considerable. All that time that the head coach gives up he could be spending with his own family or training with his own daughter. I am sure I am missing a bunch of stuff also.

I would also like to add that I am not a head coach so my opinion is not bias. Now if you have joined a team with where the head coach and multiple assistant coaches and all them are not paying that might ruffle some feathers.

From the way I am interpreting the O.P. the head coach is saving $700 bucks, split between 11 other players or so that is only $65 bucks per player. Well worth IMO.

Good points all, but to neglect mentioning this until well after players have committed is quite problematic IMO. Personally been there done that, and always paid full price (and more!) without a second thought.
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
and always paid full price (and more!) without a second thought.

Emphasizing the "and more" from above.

If I were paying for a coach on my one of my kids teams that coach had better be bringing something above and beyond what a typical coach would bring. Travel softball is expensive enough...
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
I have never been compensated for coaching and to be honest, it probably cost me MORE to coach than it would have to just to be a parent. Our team was always on a tight budget and we had some families that were struggling, so the coaches ended up chipping in extra $ to help cover their costs because we did not want to go to the team for more money.

I would also caution that just because a coach is being paid does not guarantee they know what they are talking about or will be good instructors. There are a lot of crappy compensated instructors out there.
 
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May 27, 2013
2,353
113
I used to be a head coach and did all the behind the scenes stuff that parents never see but would still never think to not pay the same amount as the other girls for my daughter.

I also would be very wary about paying a coach who had a daughter on the team. The only paid coaches I've seen in my area are the ones who are employed by a training facility and have played the game themselves and have no daughters on the team.
 
Jan 4, 2012
3,852
38
OH-IO
I would run. Although at this level, I don't think a Coach should be paid. Because being a Coach is priceless, and it puts a figure on it, and anything less than SEC pay rate is an insult.

Even a not very good Coach.... If they can get the team playing 7+ tourneys a season, Win, loose, or draw thats a lot of work. Paying for your kid isn't Coaching, its parenting. All Parents should shoulder equal responsibility for the team. Taking what they can do, and giving their all. Sorry Coaches that's what you can do....Its takes a lot less time and money than having a kid on the team & getting Pictures & Video.... :cool:

I'm not a Team Coach... but I have had wealthy people want to invest in my dreams. Grandpa's from the other teams we have waxed....I want pole barns, Super Computers & Cameras.... I'll scrape up the measly fees... :cool:
 
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