OK, can we talk turkey? "Open Workouts," "All Positions are Open," and such

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Aug 19, 2015
1,118
113
Atlanta, GA
Here's a good example of ads I see:
===========================================

We are looking for skilled athletes who can play multiple positions at a high level. All positions are open for competition. Private workouts can be arranged by request. Our primary needs include:

Pitcher- capable of consistently throwing 60+ with control & command of multiple pitches
Catcher- sub 2.0 pop time with excellent blocking and framing technique
Lead off/ Slapper- exceptional speed & high on base percentage
=========================================================

OK, listen, I know this coach and this team. They pretty much stunk it up on the field last year. Like going 0-5 in tournaments. He was playing in A-level tournaments, but did not have the talent to back it up, I don't think. I understand he's reaching for the moon, but there just aren't dozens and dozens of girls out there who meet those criteria. And if they did, it's unlikely they'd join this team. They'd be on a proven winning team.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
Here's a good example of ads I see:
===========================================

We are looking for skilled athletes who can play multiple positions at a high level. All positions are open for competition. Private workouts can be arranged by request. Our primary needs include:

Pitcher- capable of consistently throwing 60+ with control & command of multiple pitches
Catcher- sub 2.0 pop time with excellent blocking and framing technique
Lead off/ Slapper- exceptional speed & high on base percentage
=========================================================

OK, listen, I know this coach and this team. They pretty much stunk it up on the field last year. Like going 0-5 in tournaments. He was playing in A-level tournaments, but did not have the talent to back it up, I don't think. I understand he's reaching for the moon, but there just aren't dozens and dozens of girls out there who meet those criteria. And if they did, it's unlikely they'd join this team. They'd be on a proven winning team.

My DD is 17 and doesn't qualify for anything this coach is looking for. And to be honest, even if she was, she would stay as far away from those tryouts as possible. I have some history with coaches that look for the same credentials. One locally, in fact, that we seem to play 2 or 3 times every summer (by the way.... we have never lost to them.) Typically what this particular coach looks for and what he actually attracts are dramatically different things.
 

rdbass

It wasn't me.
Jun 5, 2010
9,130
83
Not here.
Pitcher- capable of consistently throwing 60+ with control & command of multiple pitches
Catcher- sub 2.0 pop time with excellent blocking and framing technique
Lead off/ Slapper- exceptional speed & high on base percentage
If a coach had all these players on his/her team sure would make coaching a lot easier........
Sharing this story.
I was talking to a mom whose DD played for a community college softball team that didn't work out during the off season. I took it as they didn't have an area for indoor workouts. The mom said they the had no place for her DD to work out during the fall and winter. So, what the mom and DD would do was email tourny teams requesting private tryouts. They would go to 'private' work outs and practice with the teams. Mom said they would keep expanding their area. Travel distance didn't matter. DD wouldn't join the team. Just wanted the hitting, pitching & fielding practice. I told the mom I thought that was a great ideal.
 
Last edited:
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
Super strong elite gold team seeking pitcher, catcher, 3B and middle infielder to join their core group?

You're in my area but not my age group so I don't know much about the teams you'd be looking at. Have you noticed certain teams when you play them that you like? I know exactly which teams DD would go work out with if ours fell apart or something. I know our coaches are happy to have girls come to regular practices if they're interested but can't make a group tryout. I actually prefer that, because I can watch how they interact with the girls in a more normal scenario. Plus I think it's a lot easier to show them what she's got, since she's among mostly their regular players. The coaches will be paying her more attention.
 
Nov 18, 2013
2,258
113
Here's an excerpt from the USA Junior Womens National Team tryout announcement. So basically this idiot has the same qualifications for his 14U team.

Below are the minimum standards for athletes to register for the JWNT open tryouts:
Pitchers (consistent speed for any three of the following)
• Fastball - 63 mph minimum
• Riseball - 60 mph minimum
• Curveball - 60 mph minimum
• Dropball - 63 mph minimum

Catchers (must meet each of the following)
• Throw (home to second) - 2 second maximum
 

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