Firecrackers Softball - Staggering Numbers

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Jan 31, 2014
292
28
North Carolina
I'll chip in this one, since DD joined a Firecracker team this fall in NC. I am an AC, so have some small insight into local organization, though still quite new. No team in any age group pays more than $900 for the fall season which includes tournament entries, uniforms, access to a field and an indoor practice facility, and of course the famous franchise fee ($25/month for 4 fall months). Our particular team, 14u, required $600 per player, which includes 2 unis, a helmet, bat (or catchers) bag, facilities, tournament fees and the franchise fee. I expect all fees to be a bit higher in the longer spring/summer seasons, but do not see evidence on the local level of any gouging. There is also a process available for those who struggle to cover fees. Generally, I sense a genuine interest in the well-being of the players on and off the field.

We didn't join for the name; it seemed the best fit for DD. We passed up some other opportunities in 14u and 16u that also seemed good, but this one felt more right. As she improves there are teams for her to grow into, and overall coaching seems solid enough throughout the organization as far as I can tell so far. All of us involved in coaching want to put out very high quality teams. I believe the organization is solid enough in this state to stick around a while and gain momentum.

Firecracker teams here should be competitive, at least in our own state and surrounds right now. Beyond our own region, I'm not really sure. There are some very good teams in NC, but I'm not convinced our state has the depth of quality that's found in more traditional softball strongholds.

Personally, I don't care so much about the franchise hoopla. I want DD to keep loving and growing in the sport, with opportunities to advance to the levels her passion and skill take her. For her, this seems like a good choice for now.
 
Mar 11, 2009
431
0
I believe in states that don't have several highly respected club organizations, it is beneficial to have the FC's come in and help get kids more exposure and teach them about recruiting and playing time at tournaments that they might not have access to before. I have seen it first hand in AZ.
Now there are two sides to the coin as well. Now in AZ there are at least 6 FC teams and the product has been watered down some, but the benefits are still out weighing the negatives at this point.

I will also add, whatever org you are considering for club ball, if you have intentions of playing college softball ask yourself the following questions:
Will this organization get into showcases that have a lot of college exposure?
Will this org teach my daughter to play the game the right way?
Does this org have a history of placing kids in college and have a reputation of having high integrity?
Will this org be around long enough to help my DD get recruited?
Can I afford to be on this team?

If the answers are yes then it doesn't matter what the name is on the front go play for them...
 
Last edited:
Dec 20, 2013
43
6
Parkersburg, WV
So this is just teams paying for a name? Are the coaches now the best, does the org require coaches to get a certain education to teach, do they go to class or something to learn the magic of getting recruited for their team. I know our org was invited to join an out of state org. Nothing was going to change except our name, same coaches, same players????? But I know the fee was twice as high, or 3x. Just didn't seem right to send our money out of state. A Name is a name and nothing more, I am sure the org home has all the best equipment, indoor facilities, etc. Will they take some of the money and build facilities in other states? or does the state org keep the money in state? and if you have 10 teams in the states does it get equal share or nothing. or does all the money stay in CA, lol
one team per state would work, more than that seems weird lol. I guess if their that good we will have fc vs fc every Sunday in all states at some point.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
That's what I was wondering. Do you just get the name and nothing else? Do they have standards for coaching? Practice plans? Anything? Like, if I were willing to pay $25/month could i start a team of C level players even though I've never coached or played softball in my life?
 
Jul 16, 2008
1,520
48
Oregon
While I'm not familiar on how the FC Organization does business but, we have a similar thing happening in the PNW with the BB Organization. I do know that the BB does make the coaches come to Cali several times. I do not know what that consists of tho (could just be beer drinking or actually getting training from the OC BB coaches).
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
Playing one of them this weekend in first game Saturday. To date we've played several and they've all been good teams.
 
Oct 12, 2015
120
0
All Over I Coach TB
I don't think you understand what the OP is saying. The "fee" the Rocketech1 is referencing is the monthly fee players pay solely for the Firecracker name. I don't know the breakdown (not my circus, not my monkeys), but multiple parents from those teams have said it's $25-50/month. To be clear, that buys you nothing apart from the name. That's your franchise fee. In some instances, that means stronger tryouts which can result in generally stronger teams, but that's by no means guaranteed.

OK, got it. WOW Then, that is a lot of Cash to the Organization. We have that built into our $125, but it is more like $5, and that almost all goes to upkeep and equipment for our indoor facility. We are going to add another $5 I think to cover Coaches expenses due to the fact that as of next year we will have no DD's on our Showcase teams as they are off to the NCAA.
 
Oct 12, 2015
120
0
All Over I Coach TB
I believe in states that don't have several highly respected club organizations, it is beneficial to have the FC's come in and help get kids more exposure and teach them about recruiting and playing time at tournaments that they might not have access to before. I have seen it first hand in AZ.
Now there are two sides to the coin as well. Now in AZ there are at least 6 FC teams and the product has been watered down some, but the benefits are still out weighing the negatives at this point.

I will also add, whatever org you are considering for club ball, if you have intentions of playing college softball ask yourself the following questions:
Will this organization get into showcases that have a lot of college exposure?
Will this org teach my daughter to play the game the right way?
Does this org have a history of placing kids in college and have a reputation of having high integrity?
Will this org be around long enough to help my DD get recruited?
Can I afford to be on this team?

If the answers are yes then it doesn't matter what the name is on the front go play for them...

That says it all! Check out how many kids in the particular organization have signed NLOI's. That is the real test for TB organizations. If the kids are getting offers then the coaches are coming to see them. Putting a good product on the field is a must or the coaches will not continue to watch your organizations.
 

ian

Jun 11, 2015
1,175
48
There is only one firecracker player in my community. She signed D1 before her freshman season.
 

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