Need ADVICE: Starting a 12u travel team

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Jun 23, 2017
5
0
Indiana
Hi guys. I'm looking to build my varsity program, as I'm the current head coach. One thing I want to do is start young with a 12u travel team. I'm located in Indiana. I know I need to do tryouts, sign up for tournaments, etc. I'm looking for advice on what needs to be done. I've never done anything like this before. Any advice you could give would be much appreciated!
 
Apr 20, 2015
961
93
Hi guys. I'm looking to build my varsity program, as I'm the current head coach. One thing I want to do is start young with a 12u travel team. I'm located in Indiana. I know I need to do tryouts, sign up for tournaments, etc. I'm looking for advice on what needs to be done. I've never done anything like this before. Any advice you could give would be much appreciated!
Travel ball in Indiana is out of control. You would be much better off figuring out what high end teams your kids are already playing for in your area and making relationships with those coaches and making your presence felt. Of course I'm from new Palestine where softball is like a cult and everyone plays travel.

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Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
You'll need to wait till next fall when the tryout season at the time of nationals. Right now a lot of teams are still looking for that "Special" player(s) to complete their roster. Not to mention pitching.

You'd be much better off looking for a team who needs a player and see if you can get your DD on a travel team. At least after a season you'll have some sort of idea what you're getting yourself into.

The other thing. Sticker shock when you see how much it actually cost to field a travel team.
 
Jun 23, 2017
5
0
Indiana
You'll need to wait till next fall when the tryout season at the time of nationals. Right now a lot of teams are still looking for that "Special" player(s) to complete their roster. Not to mention pitching.

You'd be much better off looking for a team who needs a player and see if you can get your DD on a travel team. At least after a season you'll have some sort of idea what you're getting yourself into.

The other thing. Sticker shock when you see how much it actually cost to field a travel team.

I know I'm late getting the ball rolling. I do not have any kids personally, so I'm not interested in this for my own child. I'm interested in getting more local girls to play tougher competition than what they typically see, and our town is NOT a softball town. I'm not too worried about those who are playing elsewhere.

I'm just looking for advice getting the ball rolling. How do you go about signing up for tournaments? Where do you get team insurance? Any advice to help me would be appreciated. I still have time.
 
Jul 16, 2018
120
18
Quick question for you - you said varsity program and you are the coach. So if Im reading right you are the local HS coach and you are looking to set up a program for the kids in your area to help prepare them for when they get to you?

it can definitely be done hell the town that my daughter lives in has one of the best football programs in the state and its precisely due to this reason - They run the same offensive/defensive schemes from youth football all the way up to HS some modification I assume but it pretty much a plug in and play situation for the HS kids.

As long as you have the facilities and the time you're good!
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
Hi guys. I'm looking to build my varsity program, as I'm the current head coach. One thing I want to do is start young with a 12u travel team. I'm located in Indiana. I know I need to do tryouts, sign up for tournaments, etc. I'm looking for advice on what needs to be done. I've never done anything like this before. Any advice you could give would be much appreciated!

If it were me I would focus on your local rec league and all-star league first. Get that house in order and then build the travel program. A lot of the rec league and all-star players will end up on your high school team.

I would then saddle up with an existing organization and start your 12u team through them. You will have access to players, private coaches, facilities, etc.

I have done this in Indiana and I can probably point you in the right direction. Starting it from scratch would be counterproductive in my opinion.
 
Feb 26, 2018
328
28
If it were me I would focus on your local rec league and all-star league first. Get that house in order and then build the travel program. A lot of the rec league and all-star players will end up on your high school team.

I would then saddle up with an existing organization and start your 12u team through them. You will have access to players, private coaches, facilities, etc.

I have done this in Indiana and I can probably point you in the right direction. Starting it from scratch would be counterproductive in my opinion.

This right here ^^^

Put together an All Star team from your rec league and play a couple tournaments with them. Try to get them interested and see who would want to continue playing softball at that level. Hold tryouts after the season in over, hopefully you have a core group a girls and just need to fill in the blanks. You need to register with the major sanctioning bodies, USSSA, NSA, USA/ASA, to sign up for tournaments.
 

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