Tryout Season (aka Silly Season)

FP26 · Aug 11, 2018

grcsftbll said:
When we weren't sure if our team was going to make it, we strongly considered this option. DD liked the idea of playing with several teams over the fall and choosing one for spring. I don't think she'd want to do it long term. She likes bonding with one team. But if your player is in demand why not do this? It seems like a great way to get some good exposure and experience. Also to learn which coaches you might consider playing for and which are no way.

We considered this one summer as well. DD has guested for several teams over the years and it seems like someone is always looking, so I am confident she would have had plenty of work. You just don't always know when or where. And like your DD, my DD also like to bond with her team. She has spent most of her travel ball career with two organizations and still has close friends from both. Even some she has not played with in 3 or 4 years.

bmakj · Aug 14, 2018

really been an interesting week. DD (2007, first year 12u) was told by 10u HC on previous team that she was welcome back to the 12u team, but third in line at her preferred position, and she could not guarantee as much playing time as last year at that position or at all (basically she would be 12th girl on the team, they finished last year with 11, of which she was 9th or 10th). HC said they would understand if she wanted to go elsewhere for more PT, and it might actually be better for her development.

We had done some other tryouts, but on teams with no where near the training she would get. scrambled to schedule a few more, and kind of lucked into one, really looking for a player at her preferred position (and actually got a good endorsement from current/previous HC, who was very helpful in our search believe it or not). respected org, and he offered and ended up coming to us to work her our privately, offered her on the spot. she/we are accepting, is it going to make us look like jerks to cancel the other workouts we arranged? again, one team seemed to really need someone at her position, so HC was eager to see her but we know this org is no where near the one we are going with.

Awesome Sauce Malone · Aug 14, 2018

bmakj said:
really been an interesting week. DD (2007, first year 12u) was told by 10u HC on previous team that she was welcome back to the 12u team, but third in line at her preferred position, and she could not guarantee as much playing time as last year at that position or at all (basically she would be 12th girl on the team, they finished last year with 11, of which she was 9th or 10th). HC said they would understand if she wanted to go elsewhere for more PT, and it might actually be better for her development.

We had done some other tryouts, but on teams with no where near the training she would get. scrambled to schedule a few more, and kind of lucked into one, really looking for a player at her preferred position (and actually got a good endorsement from current/previous HC, who was very helpful in our search believe it or not). respected org, and he offered and ended up coming to us to work her our privately, offered her on the spot. she/we are accepting, is it going to make us look like jerks to cancel the other workouts we arranged? again, one team seemed to really need someone at her position, so HC was eager to see her but we know this org is no where near the one we are going with.

The first part makes me furious lol but Ill digress.

If you feel like its the best spot then by all means go for it. If shes getting good coaching and PT then nothing wrong with that. I know thats kind of vague but without going through the whole checklist which is boring lol.

fuzzy2651 · Aug 14, 2018

I think you're better off canceling than wasting their time if you know you're not going to consider an offer if you get one. There's no shame in calling and saying you accepted an offer from another team. Coaches know this time of the year is crazy, so they get it.

CMMom1740 · Aug 14, 2018

Definitely cancel the others. Just let them know you've accepted another offer. You'll free up the space for someone else. They expect this to happen sometimes and understand and generally will wish you well.

FP26 · Aug 14, 2018

bmakj said:
really been an interesting week. DD (2007, first year 12u) was told by 10u HC on previous team that she was welcome back to the 12u team, but third in line at her preferred position, and she could not guarantee as much playing time as last year at that position or at all (basically she would be 12th girl on the team, they finished last year with 11, of which she was 9th or 10th). HC said they would understand if she wanted to go elsewhere for more PT, and it might actually be better for her development.

We had done some other tryouts, but on teams with no where near the training she would get. scrambled to schedule a few more, and kind of lucked into one, really looking for a player at her preferred position (and actually got a good endorsement from current/previous HC, who was very helpful in our search believe it or not). respected org, and he offered and ended up coming to us to work her our privately, offered her on the spot. she/we are accepting, is it going to make us look like jerks to cancel the other workouts we arranged? again, one team seemed to really need someone at her position, so HC was eager to see her but we know this org is no where near the one we are going with.

I agree with the others that you should cancel the tryouts you are not interested in. As a coach, the people I have always felt bad for are those kids that are waiting for that phone call. Hoping that someone is going to offer them a spot. I always tried to complete the process and fill my roster as quickly as I could so that I could communicate with everyone. If someone called me to cancel a tryout, I would appreciate it so that I could move on.

By the way, while I am not a fan of how this coach announced the reduction in playing time, I do appreciate the fact that he tried to help find another team. My goal as a coach has always been to grow the game itself. If we didn't have enough available openings for girls that showed up at our tryouts, I would reach out to friends that coached other teams to see if any would be a fit for them.

Rick M · Aug 14, 2018

bmakj said:
really been an interesting week. DD (2007, first year 12u) was told by 10u HC on previous team that she was welcome back to the 12u team, but third in line at her preferred position, and she could not guarantee as much playing time as last year at that position or at all (basically she would be 12th girl on the team, they finished last year with 11, of which she was 9th or 10th). HC said they would understand if she wanted to go elsewhere for more PT, and it might actually be better for her development.

We had done some other tryouts, but on teams with no where near the training she would get. scrambled to schedule a few more, and kind of lucked into one, really looking for a player at her preferred position (and actually got a good endorsement from current/previous HC, who was very helpful in our search believe it or not). respected org, and he offered and ended up coming to us to work her our privately, offered her on the spot. she/we are accepting, is it going to make us look like jerks to cancel the other workouts we arranged? again, one team seemed to really need someone at her position, so HC was eager to see her but we know this org is no where near the one we are going with.

I was taken to task earlier in this thread for attending open workouts with teams that we weren't really interested in. But if you have arranged for a private workout, and you've already made a commitment, then you should absolutely cancel. You're definitely not being a jerk by telling a coach that you've committed to another team and he or she doesn't need to set aside time just for you.

I'm curious about the negative reactions to the first part of your post. DD just left a team where she finished as the 11th player, after playing every inning the year before. If the coach had been frank with us and told us that he didn't see DD as a starter coming into this season, we might have saved ourselves a lot of heartache.

Elk Grove Hurricane · Aug 14, 2018

Cancelling makes sense and almost everyone will understand, and appreciate, why you are cancelling. I am going to take a totally different approach than almost everyone else on how your former coach told her about reduced playing time. I personally would appreciate hearing that, my biggest concern with every team (current included) is where DD fits in. If for any reason they are keeping her as a favor, but don't plan on playing her very often, I would rather know that going in than find out after she sits for most of a tournament. I might still say yes to the offer, if the training were that good. But sitting on the bench, wondering why you're there or when you'll get in, listening to the mantra of always be prepared, doesn't work as well at 12 as it does in college softball.

bmakj · Aug 14, 2018

Awesome Sauce Malone said:
The first part makes me furious lol but Ill digress. l.

furious at what aspect of it? we are fine with how HC handled this, and it was obviously tough for her as well, she really liked DD, and nothing but praise for her work, coachability, team spirit, etc. we r and glad she was up front with us about the situation.

Awesome Sauce Malone · Aug 14, 2018

bmakj said:
furious at what aspect of it? we are fine with how HC handled this, and it was obviously tough for her as well, she really liked DD, and nothing but praise for her work, coachability, team spirit, etc. we r and glad she was up front with us about the situation.

Apologies. I was making some assumptions in your post based on stuff Im reading from families locally. Thats my bad.

It is a good deal the coach was upfront and thats all we can ask. And it sounds like the coach helped land a good spot for her and that is very commendable

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Tryout Season (aka Silly Season)

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FP26

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