Brand new team, for us & them! Any way to feel secure?

In the process of trying to find a 14U team nearby for my daughter we came across a brand new team that branched off from another team. The HC didn't go into much details but that the "insert team name" founder wasn't going to have a 14U team so him & the other coach broke off & created "Team A", he has now broke off & formed his own team (Team B) as I have coached with him for 10 years & it was just time.

He gave my DD a private tryout & asked her on the spot to be on the team. The coach was very nice, we didn't get to view the team, only his daughter accompanied him to the tryout - the only downfall we saw was that he didn't have a lot of answers.

He stated: short summer season as many freshman, approx. 40-45 games including 5 tourneys & several double headers, possible fall tourney if he can fill the team with the remainder 2 girls he needs before then. Practices to start in October, gave directions to the field they practice on (its almost an hour drive for us), a website is soon to come, etc.

Unsure on: team colors (had the name), practice days/times, still setting up a place for winter practice.

He did give us the amount to play (but we have until April to pay), he also gave us tickets to sell for a team fundraiser, etc. But afraid to sell them - what if he can't get 2 more girls?

Our fear is its a NEW team (and we know nothing about him or the team), is there any way to reassure us that it isn't gonna fold? How to research & find anything out? I don't want to get selling tickets & be out the $$ we turn in, little lone the disappointment my DD would have. Am I missing anything that I should know, should ask - anything? Just trying to protect ourselves & our $$!

Thanks!
Inexperienced TB Mom trying to cover my @$$

Last year my DD was asked to join a first year team and I was asked to help coach. However, the team we joined had a large organization behind them. In today's TB climate, it is very tough to go it alone and start a new team/organization from scratch. As far as research goes, you can find out which organization he was with last year and talk to some parents from other TB teams in that org to find out more. You can also talk to other TB coaches in other Organizations. Softball, and TB especially is a small world and everyone knows just about everyone in their area and what is going on with other organizations and coaches.

Personally, like you, I would very leary of the situation. Before I committed myself or DD to anything, I would require to practice with the team at least once, if not twice, and I would need to know the last 2 positions they are trying to fill. By practicing with them, you get to see the talent level of the team, how committed to the team/game the girls are, the coach's style of coaching and you get to meet the parents of the other players to see if they will create drama throughout the season. By finding out which are the positions they are trying to fill, you will figure out whether the team itself will be competitive because in all reality, you can go through a season with 10 on the roster and reasonably be assured of finishing the season. Any of the following reasons, 1) if both positions are pitching positions, 2) a #1 pitcher and #1 catcher, 3) if you think a set of parents will be an issue throughout the season, 4) if the team won't be competitive or 5) if you don't like the coaching style/demeanor of the coaches then run very fast and far away and find another team. You will be miserable throughout the season if any of the aforementioned problems become an issue. Remember, you will spend an awful lot of time around these people over the next year so parent drama, bad coaching/bad coaching style for your DD or a team not being competitve will put an awful lot of stress on you and your DD and make for a miserable year.

I'm sure others will fill in what else I forgot

YOCOACH said:

Last year my DD was asked to join a first year team and I was asked to help coach. However, the team we joined had a large organization behind them. In today's TB climate, it is very tough to go it alone and start a new team/organization from scratch. Personally, like you, I would very leary of the situation. Before I committed myself or DD to anything, I would require to practice with the team at least once, if not twice, and I would need to know the last 2 positions they are trying to fill. By practicing with them, you get to see the talent level of the team, how committed to the team/game the girls are, the coach's style of coaching and you get to meet the parents of the other players to see if they will create drama throughout the season. By finding out which are the positions they are trying to fill, you will figure out whether the team itself will be competitive because in all reality, you can go through a season with 10 on the roster and reasonably be assured of finishing the season. Any of the following reasons, 1) if both positions are pitching positions, 2) a #1 pitcher and #1 catcher, 3) if you think a set of parents will be an issue throughout the season, 4) if the team won't be competitive or 5) if you don't like the coaching style/demeanor of the coaches then run very fast and far away and find another team. You will be miserable throughout the season if any of the aforementioned problems become an issue. Remember, you will spend an awful lot of time around these people over the next year so parent drama, bad coaching/bad coaching style for your DD or a team not being competitve will put an awful lot of stress on you and your DD and make for a miserable year.

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He did tell me that the SS & 3rd baseman moved up, he would also like to find a #2 catcher, but has 2 (he doesn't want his DD catching). He has 2 pitchers already.... Those are the only "facts" I truly know about the team thus far.

It may be too late, but one of the most important things you can do as a parent is to meet the other girls on the team and the other parents. A year is a long time to spend with a group of players and parents, and you and your DD need to be comfortable with them. I've been very fortunate to have great kids and great families, and it only takes one disgruntled player or parent to upset the chemistry of a team. For me, another red flag is the lack of a plan with specific details. The travel SB world is littered with the remains of teams started by dad coaches that formed their own team only to have it disintegrate within a short period of time.

I wish I knew what part of IL. you are from. It does make a difference, if he is trying to field a team in the suburbs or in Lincoln, IL. I would be leery too, of someone still needing 2 players. That means kids aren't showing up for a tryout.

I wouldn't make the commitment to join a team until I had seen all the other members of the team. The advice to at least attend a practice or two to make sure it is the right fit is absolutely the best advice.

SSmom

Always be leery of start-up teams. Even though the coach may be the best intentioned guy around often they have a VERY hard time attracting good talent. They don't have the support of a large organization. Without all of the pieces in place it can be very rough.

How many other teams in your area are looking for "Two more players to complete the roster." in their ads? If you look in the announcement section of Eteamz for Illinois there are at least a dozen 14U teams looking for players. Many of the teams are from established organizations. Right now there is a glut of new 14U daddy ball teams in our area. You may be experiencing the same thing.

As other posters have said. Go to a practice first before making any type of commitment. And don't do a thing with any money or fundraiser tickets until you're absolutely sure the team will happen.

SSmom83 said:

In the process of trying to find a 14U team nearby for my daughter we came across a brand new team that branched off from another team. The HC didn't go into much details but that the "insert team name" founder wasn't going to have a 14U team so him & the other coach broke off & created "Team A", he has now broke off & formed his own team (Team B) as I have coached with him for 10 years & it was just time.

He gave my DD a private tryout & asked her on the spot to be on the team. The coach was very nice, we didn't get to view the team, only his daughter accompanied him to the tryout - the only downfall we saw was that he didn't have a lot of answers.

He stated: short summer season as many freshman, approx. 40-45 games including 5 tourneys & several double headers, possible fall tourney if he can fill the team with the remainder 2 girls he needs before then. Practices to start in October, gave directions to the field they practice on (its almost an hour drive for us), a website is soon to come, etc.

Unsure on: team colors (had the name), practice days/times, still setting up a place for winter practice.

He did give us the amount to play (but we have until April to pay), he also gave us tickets to sell for a team fundraiser, etc. But afraid to sell them - what if he can't get 2 more girls?

Our fear is its a NEW team (and we know nothing about him or the team), is there any way to reassure us that it isn't gonna fold? How to research & find anything out? I don't want to get selling tickets & be out the $$ we turn in, little lone the disappointment my DD would have. Am I missing anything that I should know, should ask - anything? Just trying to protect ourselves & our $$!

Thanks!
Inexperienced TB Mom trying to cover my @$$

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This sounds like us last year. Only difference my dd played for the org that the team sprang from (an org she played for for 7 years) and we knew the coach. It was tough for us to recruit players from anywhere else because we were a brand new team, even though the coach was well known and has been a coach for several years, we had a tough time rounding out our roster and frankly we didn't have the pick of the crop. Also in his favor was the fact that his sister and his dd were asst coachs and not players, so no one had to have that daddy ball worry. But people are skeptical of new teams.

This is our second season and we had over 20 girls tryout and we ended up picking up a very good pitcher and a very good catcher, both of whom can hit. Add in 3 other girls who can play infield or outfield and our team has been vastly improved. Sometimes its worth taking a leap of faith, but go in with your eyes wide open.

(he doesn't want his DD catching).

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I'd walk away from the team for this reason alone. If he states there are spots his kid won't play you can bet there are spots that won't get taken from her.

So many red flags when one is enough:

SSmom83 said:

The coach was very nice, we didn't get to view the team, only his daughter accompanied him to the tryout - the only downfall we saw was that he didn't have a lot of answers.

He stated: short summer season as many freshman, approx. 40-45 games including 5 tourneys & several double headers, possible fall tourney if he can fill the team with the remainder 2 girls he needs before then. Practices to start in October, gave directions to the field they practice on (its almost an hour drive for us)

Unsure on: team colors (had the name), practice days/times, still setting up a place for winter practice.

He did give us the amount to play (but we have until April to pay), he also gave us tickets to sell for a team fundraiser, etc. But afraid to sell them - what if he can't get 2 more girls?

How can you be told how much you will pay when you don't know where you will practice during the winter AND you don't know how many tournaments you will enter?

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I know of a few good teams in Illinois that are still looking for players. Hit me up with a message (where are you located in Illinois) and I may be able to set you off in the right direction with a team that:
* knows where they are practicing in the winter
* will let you see their players/practices/coaching
* know how many tournaments (which is directly linked to how much it will cost to play)
* schedules fall tournaments