Tryout Season (aka Silly Season)

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Jun 19, 2013
753
28
To me this means, don't avoid our tryout because you know we already have a short stop and you're a short stop. Be better on the field, become the new short stop. Whether it's actually true when they say it is another story.

AND we may say you are going to be our new SS but since you are new and we don't really trust you enough to give you a serious chance there, we'd rather put you at 2B, and now our competition doesn't have you either. Can you tell I'm a jaded cynic after a few years haha ;)
 
Jul 16, 2008
1,520
48
Oregon
AND we may say you are going to be our new SS but since you are new and we don't really trust you enough to give you a serious chance there, we'd rather put you at 2B, and now our competition doesn't have you either. Can you tell I'm a jaded cynic after a few years haha ;)

^^^ This

I can't begin to tell how many big "name" organizations will carry 5 pitchers on their roster just so the next team won't get them.....
 
May 31, 2018
227
43
Allen TX
Seems like the system is a little broken. As a new TB Coach, we just finished our tryouts. We have most of our team in place now (fairly easy process). I let everyone know within 24 hours (usually shorter) if they get an offer, a "not this year", or a can we see you again. The few girls we wanted to see again were more because we liked them (attitude, coach-ability, etc), but they just weren't quite ready and I think we were hoping they would improve. The good news is we had enough girls in that boat that we created a second team that will play mostly Competitive League and develop this year. The biggest frustration is waiting on girls. Some parents never respond to offers, or say "we have one more tryout next week". We haven't taken a hardline on this yet, but a few are definitely stretching our patience. If we fill our team, we will notify those players that we have moved on. I think parents know if a team is a good fit, much like coaches mostly know if a player is a good fit right away. First time hosting tryouts has been a little stressful, but a lot of fun. And we do fully intend on asking our team back next year (so far, but who knows), and we would also request a financial commitment. Loyalty both ways.
 
Jul 16, 2018
120
18
I hate tryout season. My daughter is a 2021 B player but trying to move to A or a National team. Last year I would say if you put her on a National team she would be bottom half of the roster. Now she seems to have fixed a flaw in her game (her throw to second, she’s a catcher). Now she’s making the throw no problem. (Lots of extra work and practice.) I think part of it was a mental block as well. She wasn’t confident, therefore couldn’t make the throw. Now it seems she is getting more confident and it’s showing. Anyway last week she worked out with an 18u Gold team. I knew she probably wouldn’t make the team but it gave her the opportunity to get ready for tryouts. She did surprisingly well. Looked very much like she belonged on the field with them. Coaches liked her and referred her to their 16u team tryout. High level team. They don’t start until first week of August.

So last night she went to a tryout with a more local team, A and B level in 16u and 18u. As well as she did last week she didn’t look as impressive last night. She didn’t hit well and that’s her strong point. Catching she did ok but they had her paired with a weaker pitcher and I feel like they really weren’t paying attention when she made a good block or jumped high to get a ball. Everyone got invited back to the next tryout later this week. There were like 60 kids there trying out for 16 and 18u. 5 catchers. I’m actually hoping she gets an offer from this club and I hope she does better at the next tryout. I feel like though she was pushed by the 18u Gold and it forced her to keep up. She said it was a tough tryout with them but she didn’t appear to be struggling at all. She was calling out plays and kept up with their speed. I’ll just be glad when she lands somewhere.


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My daughter is younger but had the same thing happen. Went to a tryout last Friday. Not really a cattle call but they had 5-6 kids returning that were there to workout along with 6-7 girls trying out. We went to another tryout yesterday which was indeed a cattle call and left kind of a bad taste in my mouth especially after the main guy from the org finished his speech by saying "If you are called I would plan on accepting right away or you may lose your spot) anyways..

1st tryout was damn near flawless and then last night she just didnt have it. Granted shes still young (10) but it was a great teaching moment for me to get with her on. It took everything for me not get after her when she did her running. .1st attempt home to first was a 5 flat. One of the coaches said something to her so she got back up and ran a 3.7 and was still loafing it.
 
Aug 19, 2015
1,118
113
Atlanta, GA
Seems like the system is a little broken. As a new TB Coach, we just finished our tryouts. We have most of our team in place now (fairly easy process). I let everyone know within 24 hours (usually shorter) if they get an offer, a "not this year", or a can we see you again. The few girls we wanted to see again were more because we liked them (attitude, coach-ability, etc), but they just weren't quite ready and I think we were hoping they would improve. The good news is we had enough girls in that boat that we created a second team that will play mostly Competitive League and develop this year. The biggest frustration is waiting on girls. Some parents never respond to offers, or say "we have one more tryout next week". We haven't taken a hardline on this yet, but a few are definitely stretching our patience. If we fill our team, we will notify those players that we have moved on. I think parents know if a team is a good fit, much like coaches mostly know if a player is a good fit right away. First time hosting tryouts has been a little stressful, but a lot of fun. And we do fully intend on asking our team back next year (so far, but who knows), and we would also request a financial commitment. Loyalty both ways.

You are kinder than most in giving everyone an answer one way or another. That kind of communication in and of itself draws me to a coach. There's nothing worse than the limbo of waiting by the phone not knowing whether no call means "no thanks" or "we're not ready to offer but you're still under consideration." We've tried to be honest with coaches when we aren't ready to jump on an offer. We have an offer pending right now and coach didn't flinch when we asked to hold it a little longer. His org tryouts are 8/5 and 8/12 so I guess he's not in a hurry. The biggest frustration for parents, I think, is when a coach has given some signs of interest and keeps inviting you back, but no offer seems forthcoming. You know you're on the "B" list and he's waiting around just in case some stud slides in at the last minute. No one wants to be second (or third or fourth) choice.
 
Aug 19, 2015
1,118
113
Atlanta, GA
OK, went to an open workout for a good team today. We were excited to see only 6 girls trying out! :D . Yippee, those are pretty good odds!

Then, at the end, he talks to the parents and says they're having several more workouts over the next 3 weeks to see the 30-40 girls who've expressed interest in trying out. BUZZKILL. :(

Such is life in tryout-land!
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
OK, went to an open workout for a good team today. We were excited to see only 6 girls trying out! :D . Yippee, those are pretty good odds!

Then, at the end, he talks to the parents and says they're having several more workouts over the next 3 weeks to see the 30-40 girls who've expressed interest in trying out. BUZZKILL. :(

Such is life in tryout-land!

I think I'd feel the opposite. Like, why is nobody else interested in this team? lol

You know what's really crazy about tryout season? How often the sleazy lying used car sales guy coach gets the player. Some of these guys will say ANYTHING to get players. There will always be parents dumb enough to fall for it.
 
May 4, 2016
70
18
East Coast
Made the team, barely.

Last year we played on a young ('06) 12A team even though my daughter was an '05. She was one of the top two pitchers. Org said "We're bringing in a new coach and creating a brand new '05 team so you have a home next year." Fantastic news, a brand new 14A team! I hate buying new uniforms if I don't need to.

Open tryouts get put on the schedule. Three other pitchers not in the Org do private tryouts before the first cattle call we are attending. All three given offers. And the coach has a daughter that pitches. Uh oh, that's four pitchers offered spots. Second cattle call tryout occurs. Now, a small invite only tryout. 13 girls competing for the final 4ish roster spots. Ack. My daughter doesn't get one of the spots. What the hell? Welcome to travel ball.

But she's a trooper. She asks if she can pitch for him right then and there. You can tell he's not interested, but says go for it. Twenty minutes later he says "Wow. You're a lot better than I thought you were." Apparently one of the three pitchers offered a spot turned him down. My daughter gets the last roster spot.

Now it's up to her. Three kids, including the Coach's daughter, ahead of her on the depth chart in his head already. It'll either be fuel for the fire or something not as good. I'm proud of her regardless. She made the team she wanted to make and I love that she took the initiative to help make it happen.
 
Apr 28, 2014
2,316
113
The studs get offered right there, or later that day, or even before they even come to the workout because the coaches know who they are. I think the girls they have come back, they're waiting to see if a stronger players comes along or might be waiting on an answer from one of those studs who plays the same position. It sucks for the players. The coaches are just trying to put together the strongest team they can. The whole tryout season blows all the way around.

Very true... after 12U everyone knows the studs and the typical conversation is "Hi coach, Sally wants to talk about joining your team this season. Coach will say okay, lets meet for coffee." That's where the discussion about fees, if any are expected and where the parent can ask about what the team will look like. Tournaments for top level teams are set by the level of talent, PGF, IDT, Legacy, etc. For elite teams very few kids walk on unknown and secure a spot. It does happen but not often.
It's similar to being recruited for a job versus applying to blind ad.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
AND we may say you are going to be our new SS but since you are new and we don't really trust you enough to give you a serious chance there, we'd rather put you at 2B, and now our competition doesn't have you either. Can you tell I'm a jaded cynic after a few years haha ;)

Well yes, definitely some of that. But if said SS is going to a higher level team, she might not be too sad about playing 2B against better competition, with a stronger team. Most of our team last year ended up playing positions other than the ones they played going in, just based on the team configuration and where they were needed. Who knows where my DD will be this year. She's a pitcher and a true utility player. You can put her anywhere but catcher. We have a new head coach and half our team turned over. I'm kind of excited to get started & see how it goes.
 

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