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May 6, 2015
2,397
113
DD2 joined a new 10u team. part of organization that has a couple of older teams (16u, 19u). Coach really impressed us, and we knew a couple of people who did clinics/lessons with her, and they highly reccomended her (12u players parents, said if she coached a 12u team, they would be there). She is also coaching the older teams in org. they actually formed two 10u teams, she is HC of one, I believe helping with the other. Big factor was coach saying they encouraged girls to play multiple sports, and would support it, and as team was coming together, asked for everyone's schedule through end of year, really seemed to by trying to accomodate as much as possible.

team has only had about 3 practices so far, DD has only made one because of other commitments, this one was really first with all the girls there, so a lot of it was getting the girls used to how she runs practices, expectations, etc. DD2 has gone to a couple of open hitting/pitching (she catches) clinics coach runs, she charges $10-$20 per head for the hour (catchers are free during pitching), depending on the venue and number of girls; many times she also has one of her older players there as well to help out with younger ones.

at a team party this saturday (team bonding), AC tells me looks like they are going to do one tournament in a couple of weeks, and then one each of the last two weekends in OCtober. All Local, so not a big deal travel wise (within 1hr approx drive time). now I have to check DD2s availability vs other commitments, but I knew going in in fall (when soccer is priority), she might miss a little, and coach did as well. communication received today confirms this schedule.

Is this unusual, getting into tournaments this soon after forming the team (some of the girls have played together previously, but not all, it looks as if they took an independent travel team from previous year, and expanded to two teams, an A and a B)? I will say, probably are no local (ie within say 2 hrs ) tournaments after Nov 1, and certainly not after thanksgiving, given climate (Northeast). they do not even have uniforms yet.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
We were 2nd year 10U last year and our first tournament was 9/24. We were a start up team, tryouts in Aug, started practicing in late Aug/early Sep. This year we're not playing til 10/15. Middle school ball is too time consuming and too many of our girls can't play before Oct. My DD doesn't play school ball so I wish we could play sooner! We'll at least try to put together a friendly or something before then. I know a decent number of travel teams around here are starting to play.
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
DD2 joined a new 10u team. part of organization that has a couple of older teams (16u, 19u). Coach really impressed us, and we knew a couple of people who did clinics/lessons with her, and they highly reccomended her (12u players parents, said if she coached a 12u team, they would be there). She is also coaching the older teams in org. they actually formed two 10u teams, she is HC of one, I believe helping with the other. Big factor was coach saying they encouraged girls to play multiple sports, and would support it, and as team was coming together, asked for everyone's schedule through end of year, really seemed to by trying to accomodate as much as possible.

team has only had about 3 practices so far, DD has only made one because of other commitments, this one was really first with all the girls there, so a lot of it was getting the girls used to how she runs practices, expectations, etc. DD2 has gone to a couple of open hitting/pitching (she catches) clinics coach runs, she charges $10-$20 per head for the hour (catchers are free during pitching), depending on the venue and number of girls; many times she also has one of her older players there as well to help out with younger ones.

at a team party this saturday (team bonding), AC tells me looks like they are going to do one tournament in a couple of weeks, and then one each of the last two weekends in OCtober. All Local, so not a big deal travel wise (within 1hr approx drive time). now I have to check DD2s availability vs other commitments, but I knew going in in fall (when soccer is priority), she might miss a little, and coach did as well. communication received today confirms this schedule.

Is this unusual, getting into tournaments this soon after forming the team (some of the girls have played together previously, but not all, it looks as if they took an independent travel team from previous year, and expanded to two teams, an A and a B)? I will say, probably are no local (ie within say 2 hrs ) tournaments after Nov 1, and certainly not after thanksgiving, given climate (Northeast). they do not even have uniforms yet.

I NE they might try at get a small tourney in here or there before whether turns and also do some fun dome tournaments once winter hits (one day, sometimes even midnight madness round robins) just to keep up interest and practice but as mentioned there just are not many opportunities come late Oct - end of March. Just make as many activities as you can usually with a games come before practice philosophy when it comes to competing activities. At least at young ages you don't have the school break and come April (weather permitting) you can start the season up.
 
Last edited:
May 20, 2016
433
63
Lots of coaches say they want kids playing other sports, that is until it affect the schedule they want to make.
 
May 6, 2015
2,397
113
Lots of coaches say they want kids playing other sports, that is until it affect the schedule they want to make.

so far this HC is backing it up. she even asked for everyone's practice schedule for other sports, etc.
 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
I dropped back from 18U to take a start-up first year 12U team this year. We started practice the third week of August and our first tournament is this weekend, Our next one is the last weekend of September and the final Fall tourney the weekend after. I already told the parents to keep the expectations low since these tourneys are more for fun, putting the fundamentals to proper use, gaining game experience, seeing the next level of pitching and really gelling as a team as opposed to our full Summer schedule where we'll take it a lot more seriously.
 
Feb 4, 2015
641
28
Massachusetts
We're also in NE area and from experience fall tourneys are pretty typical. Many teams will get in at least 2-3 tourneys before the weather turns cold.

It serves a couple purposes. First, it's great opportunity to create some team bonding and getting the girls to know each other better. And it also gives the coaches a look at the team and players in games to help focus on what to work on over the winter indoor practices. And for some of the girls who haven't played club yet, it gives them a peak at what their spring and summer will be like; many girls have never played 5-6 games in two days and it can be a real eye opener.

Get your toe and hand warmers at OSJL, don't leave the composite bat in the car overnight, and break out the winter gloves, hats, and hot chocolate!

At your DD's age up through 14U most coaches are accepting of fall and winter sports. Come spring, the coaches will want the girls focused on softball, otherwise why join a club team? Once they are in HS and showcase, the multi-sports becomes a tougher juggling act because all the coaches want the commitment.
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
Is this unusual, getting into tournaments this soon after forming the team (some of the girls have played together previously, but not all, it looks as if they took an independent travel team from previous year, and expanded to two teams, an A and a B)? I will say, probably are no local (ie within say 2 hrs ) tournaments after Nov 1, and certainly not after thanksgiving, given climate (Northeast). they do not even have uniforms yet.

My twin DDs' 14u team, made up of 5 players from the 12u team, all the rest came from other teams, was formed on August 20. On September 1 they played their first tournament game, and continued pool play on Saturday. They were run ruled all three games. It looked grim. After a one day rain out, bracket play began they looked like a different team. They won their first bracket game 7-1, and missed getting to the championship game when the lost the next game by one run.

Yes, your DD2's 10u team has a bigger hurdle to overcome as they do not have the experience a new, and young, 14u team has, but I am not terribly surprised they are in a few tournaments this fall. Being in the northeast as well, I am glad the team is taking fall ball so seriously. Along with three tournaments we have doubleheaders, one single 9 inning scrimmage (never heard of that before) a team bonding day, every weekend except one between now and the end of October.

Do you have any games in November? My DDs' team stops practice for November and December. They only have a hitting clinic and bootcamp during November and December, and that is optional. Luckily my DDs belong to a swim team that begins on November 1, so I get lucky with no conflict.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
If your pitching and catching is at least OK I do not know why not play in some local tournaments. Might not win but you should be competitive.

Since they are all relatively local hopefully the coach has an idea what you are signing up for.
 

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