Call me crazy- but we're trying something different this year

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Jun 27, 2017
9
0
I've posted before.

dd#2 is a pitcher. from 10u-11u, she was on a 'hometown' team with her friends (I'll just call it C level/all star team) that played only a few local little league tournaments or so, and didn't practice much at all. Mid-way through 12u- she made the move to a B team with more and better/B level tournaments and practices in the winter. We stuck with them for 13u and were trying to decide what to do now for 14u, since something seemed off and we were wondering if she missed playing with her friends or what-- and the B team was nothing this year like last year (we felt duped) and...

Here's the thing... the C level team... my husband coached and we definitely had control and knew what we were getting. When we stuck with the B team after 12u we thought we knew exactly how the season would go... it was a great team- great coaches & they practiced year round religiously and they kept almost 100% of the girls from the previous season and...

it didn't turn out that way at all this season.

The team completely fell apart. Same girls. Same parents. Same coaches. But the coaches started 'phoning it in.' I think most of the girls too. They had ZERO in season practices this year. ZERO. One or two small position changes & everyone went crazy and started leaving.

It was insanity.

So when a 14uA team emailed her Monday morning after this weekend's tryout-- we signed up without knowing or asking any questions at all. If you've ever had a decision that "felt" right... this one just felt meant to be. {long story but puzzle pieces started falling into place all on the same day}.

The problem... we have no idea who else is on the team. We have no idea where they see our daughter playing- how they plan to use her. She couldn't make it during the time of the 14u tryout (she played in a tournament this weekend) and had to tryout with the 16u girls. We know the organization and the history and their record. We don't know the coach of her particular age group though. We have no idea what to expect at all!

Since she's a pitcher I guess we have some luxury to relax a little about how she'll be used (knowing a bit of history I'm sure she'll be p1 or p2)... but we know nothing else. It's complete craziness to me as I have to know and control everything all the time.

but we've had trouble being happy up until this point. and we've only ever known exactly what we were getting before we signed up. This time- we're taking the plunge pretty much without knowing anything. And oddly enough- we are very, very at peace and calm about this decision. It's creeping me out!


Ps- I know it bothers some when I say "we" but for us it DOES have to be a family decision. For whatever reason- she's there to show up and pitch. She's the performer and that's all she wants to be. She's tells us that all the time. She likes softball. She likes to play softball. She wants to play softball. If you ask her who she wants to play with or even if she wants to play in college- she says I don't care. Every time to every question. So- yes. The decisions in our house are by the parents. Every time. If no other 14 year olds are like her then ok. She is weird. For whatever reason. Lol.
 
Last edited:
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
Travel ball only works if your expectations equal the team expectations. If you aren't asking the right questions before you join a team...caveat emptor.
 
Jun 27, 2017
9
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I think I'm feeling so good because we have no expectations this season. I guess maybe just that she'll be p1 or p2. I Should've mentioned that we do know their past practice and tournament schedule too. So expecting that too I guess. Otherwise though- in the past- I expected things that didn't happen after all. I have given up expecting things I think. LOL. Maybe my expectations are so low now that anyone can meet them. Ha !
 
Apr 23, 2014
389
43
East Jabib
It's pretty risky to assume your DD will be a #1 or #2 pitcher on a team when you weren't able to make the tryout for the team she will be playing on. I know of several teams that have 4-6 pitchers on the roster. How many of those parents assume their DD is #1 or #2? You should be asking these questions of the coach before making any assumptions. That way the level is set before the season starts and you know whether he's been upfront and honest with you or not as the season goes along.
 
Mar 3, 2015
142
0
Michigan
You can ask all of the questions you want, and get the answers on paper if you like, and they are worth less than the paper they are printed on. Any coach can give you the answers you want to hear, and do something different come play time. Your options are the same either way. What do any of us know about someone from a 30 minute conversation?????
 
Apr 23, 2014
389
43
East Jabib
Very true TMoney, but if you hear it from the coach's mouth and it doesn't come to fruition there's a good case for exiting stage left at the end of the season rather than making assumptions and being frustrated if they aren't realized.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
You can ask all of the questions you want, and get the answers on paper if you like, and they are worth less than the paper they are printed on. Any coach can give you the answers you want to hear, and do something different come play time. Your options are the same either way. What do any of us know about someone from a 30 minute conversation?????
The coach may or may not be honest but the questions need to at least be asked.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
 
Nov 18, 2013
2,255
113
A parent believing their DD is the #1 or #2 pitcher without knowing anything about the coach or other players. What could possibly go wrong?
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
You can ask all of the questions you want, and get the answers on paper if you like, and they are worth less than the paper they are printed on. Any coach can give you the answers you want to hear, and do something different come play time. Your options are the same either way. What do any of us know about someone from a 30 minute conversation?????

So what's the alternative, don't ask any questions???

My advice to any parent/player looking to join a team is to learn as much possible about the organization, team, coaches, families, practice and tournaments schedule, goals of the program, skill development, etc. You need to do your homework and due diligence. Travel ball is a huge money and time commitment and you need to know what you are getting yourself into.

To the OP, I guess the good news is you can try this team during the fall and if it doesn't meet your expectations you can always look for another team in the spring. Lots of player movement after the year ends.
 

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