My DD dropped out of softball after 12U travel. she was never one of the top players, but played well enough. I really feel she fell out of it because attention was mainly given to the top few girls on the team and the rest were ignored to a point where they just sort of idled without getting much better.
I have really picked up a passion for softball though, especially the younger levels. I am looking to start a travel organization (mostly in region) that plays tournaments, but will be a 10U and 12U team. There are plenty of 14U and over teams. I feel those tams that go to 18 are less likely to care about the average or below average girls when they are young and this leads to many of the average girls never developing and just leaving.
My goal would be to have a 10 and 12U team levels and concentrate on trying to develop all the girls. the elite level ones will have no problems moving on to older teams and we do not need to concentrate on them, . we want the elites to be themselves while working on the others girls just as much. i feel the teams would be fun, can still be competitive and end up with providing the desire for more girls to continue on to the older teams. in short, the team is really for all level of player. Coaches will also need to be honest with certain players and their parents periodically as they year goes on about individual growth.
How long in advance should you begin to seek out coaches (and how do you attract any)? I expect them to be volunterrs at the initial phase. Field permits for practices and tryouts? Insurance? etc. Note my DD will not be in the game anymore... this is a passion that i have to give something back to the community myself.
I have really picked up a passion for softball though, especially the younger levels. I am looking to start a travel organization (mostly in region) that plays tournaments, but will be a 10U and 12U team. There are plenty of 14U and over teams. I feel those tams that go to 18 are less likely to care about the average or below average girls when they are young and this leads to many of the average girls never developing and just leaving.
My goal would be to have a 10 and 12U team levels and concentrate on trying to develop all the girls. the elite level ones will have no problems moving on to older teams and we do not need to concentrate on them, . we want the elites to be themselves while working on the others girls just as much. i feel the teams would be fun, can still be competitive and end up with providing the desire for more girls to continue on to the older teams. in short, the team is really for all level of player. Coaches will also need to be honest with certain players and their parents periodically as they year goes on about individual growth.
How long in advance should you begin to seek out coaches (and how do you attract any)? I expect them to be volunterrs at the initial phase. Field permits for practices and tryouts? Insurance? etc. Note my DD will not be in the game anymore... this is a passion that i have to give something back to the community myself.