Trying out for multiple travel teams

As a manager, I understand it's the process that happens by us. Also, don't be mad at the manager when they give you an ultimatum. We need to fill our roster as well and don't want to keep people waiting forever if they are on the cut line now and could be on the team.

Well, we decided to take a small gamble and it didn't work out for us...or maybe it did. Tryout was Sunday. Sunday night coach called and offered DD spot. I told him I would talk to her and get back to him next day. He said sure no problem. Take your time. I called him the next day. He didn't answer so I left a message. No response. I called him following morning and again left a message. That evening he sent me a text and said that after he spoke to me and I said we would get back to him the next day, he called another pitcher who accepted so offer no longer open for DD. Not an issue as DD has two other offers and a lot of tryouts still going on. She will be accepting one this weekend (coach "wouldn't let her accept" until she meets all the coaches which she will meet them this weekend). This team is better than one DD had first tried to accept. Just wasn't looking to travel as much yet. So I guess with some coaches you better be ready to answer on the spot! I get coaches need to fill their rosters but travel ball is expensive so i think expecting an on the spot response is unreasonable but it is what it is. Moving on.

IMO, if the coach agreed to give you the time you requested, he/she should honor that. The fact that he/she did not honor that tells me that you are better off with another team. I am also impressed that the other team will not allow you to accept until she meets all of the coaches. I like that a lot! Teams and organizations have different ways of operating, but I much prefer how this second team does things. Good luck!!

DD recently made a TB team that is higher level (better) than she has previously played. First step was private try-out for HC with some of the other coaches looking on. Then he invited to come to a team practice to see how she fit in with the rest of the team/org. Once she showed she was a team player then she was asked to join. I liked how the process was handled, it gave me confidence that this coach knows what he is doing.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

It all worked out. She actually got another offer from a really good team but ended up accepting the team that wanted her to meet all the other coaches first. Tryouts were stressful this season as we ventured out from our small rural area to where the "big" orgs are and just really didn't know where she might fit. What her level was compared to other players on those top teams. It was nice to see she did just fine. What we discovered is moving up to 14u gets a bit more expensive since travel a little bit more than 12u. So I think it is important to be picky to find right org and a good fit. Was a little scary though! Thanks for the feedback.

mike s said:

DD recently made a TB team that is higher level (better) than she has previously played. First step was private try-out for HC with some of the other coaches looking on. Then he invited to come to a team practice to see how she fit in with the rest of the team/org. Once she showed she was a team player then she was asked to join. I liked how the process was handled, it gave me confidence that this coach knows what he is doing.

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This is exactly how it is done. You have a really good coach.

This coach is demonstrating loyalty, team work, honesty, and allowing the rest of the team "in" on the decision. He keeps his players.

Other good coaches will do the same, with additional step of having a player fill in during one day or two of a tourney. More to check the fit of parents and player. Though this is not always possible, especially with some of the heavy handed rules by competing travel teams,

Most group tryouts are fishing expeditions by both parties.