Starting New TB Team - What Circuits and What Age Level?

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May 31, 2018
227
43
Allen TX
We are starting a new TB team in Texas. I know that this is a huge undertaking and I would love any advice and or information on "how to".

We are primarily a 2007 team with 1-2 2008 girls. Here is the dilemma: We can play 10u in USA softball until Dec 31st, and then move to 12u Jan 1. We would have to start playing 12u in Utrip tourneys this fall. FASA would also require us to be 12u. USFA has a new 11u classification we could play in.

This would normally not be a huge deal, but since we would be encountering a bigger ball, longer pitching distance, and a few rule adjustments, I am confused on where to start. If we only play 10u in USA through the end of the year, we would take some lumps, and then have to repeat taking lumps in the spring with the move up. If we just move up now, we will get our heads knocked off (I assume) for the fall and maybe lose some confidence.

Please help.
 
Nov 26, 2010
4,784
113
Michigan
We are starting a new TB team in Texas. I know that this is a huge undertaking and I would love any advice and or information on "how to".

We are primarily a 2007 team with 1-2 2008 girls. Here is the dilemma: We can play 10u in USA softball until Dec 31st, and then move to 12u Jan 1. We would have to start playing 12u in Utrip tourneys this fall. FASA would also require us to be 12u. USFA has a new 11u classification we could play in.

This would normally not be a huge deal, but since we would be encountering a bigger ball, longer pitching distance, and a few rule adjustments, I am confused on where to start. If we only play 10u in USA through the end of the year, we would take some lumps, and then have to repeat taking lumps in the spring with the move up. If we just move up now, we will get our heads knocked off (I assume) for the fall and maybe lose some confidence.

Please help.

usually teams move up for fall ball, you won't be the only ones going through growing pains.

My dd pitched and switching to the bigger ball and the longer distance wasn't as tough a change as I thought it would be.
 

jjr

Jun 13, 2017
69
8
Says your from allen. You get more tournaments to choose from if you go UTrip and VTD. USA doesn't have very many weekends they have tournaments in fall. Spring is when they load up their schedule so you'd be moving up to 12u there anyways.

The 07 teams I know of are moving up to 12u come fall. You may be better off filling the spots of the 08 girls. Or you can bring them on and see how they fare.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Move up in the fall. It will suck sometimes - especially against older teams who decide to keep hunting trophies instead of moving up - but there will be other teams in the same boat as you. Fall gives your players a chance to adapt to the new ball and distance. Waiting until Jan 1 to move up means delaying that time of adapting. When all the older teams have to move up on Jan 1, your players will be ready to go.
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
It's a waste of time to stay at 10U for the fall. Make the leap. Don't worry about wins/losses but rather work to improve. You'll likely find some teams in the same boat as you anyway. The only thing I would do is get the pitchers used to the ball and distance. Assuming they are pretty good pitchers it will be fine. Talk the parents (but not the kids) about how difficult the fall might be. If you get beat badly a few times let them know the process, but if they don't know any better they just play looser.

You will still have a few parents complain, but it's nice to find out sooner or later which ones only care about winning.
 
Feb 15, 2017
391
43
usually teams move up for fall ball, you won't be the only ones going through growing pains.

My dd pitched and switching to the bigger ball and the longer distance wasn't as tough a change as I thought it would be.

Absolutely ^ 12u is so much better than 10u for a lot of reasons. It’s about player development so give them as much time to adapt. The key to the whole thing is you! Have to do a good job scheduling. Scout teams in person and online and line yourself up with teams that are just a little better than you as opposed to going in blind and getting shellacked.
 
May 1, 2018
659
63
We are a year behind you in Mckinney. check out VTD for sure, but I would move up and let the parents know that it's going to be an adjustment for a while.
 
Apr 5, 2013
2,130
83
Back on the dirt...
As has been said already, move up to 12u and dont look back, look at VTD and USSSA tourneys as you can find many different levels of play, and lastly, enjoy the ride!

I see some of our local teams that are not very good win some of the VTD and USSSA tourneys so I am sure that there is a tourney for everyone. (not knocking them. just pointing out)
 
May 31, 2018
227
43
Allen TX
We are a year behind you in Mckinney. check out VTD for sure, but I would move up and let the parents know that it's going to be an adjustment for a while.

Stupid question - What does VTD stand for? I have been to the site and checked it out. Just curious.
 

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