Are these parents wasting their money?

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Apr 23, 2014
389
43
East Jabib
I see several of the local standouts trying out for and being selected to the USA Softball All American teams, USSSA Elite Select team, Faster2First teams while in 7th grade. From a recruiting perspective, are these teams worthwhile? Seems like a lot of money to spend to tryout and travel for these teams. I think I'd rather spend my money on specific camps at colleges my DD (14u) would be interested in - starting with a few this year and more so next year when she's a freshman. Just don't want to be behind the 8 ball if these big money opportunities are worthwhile.
 
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Nov 18, 2013
2,255
113
The USA Softball All American teams appear to be legit. They have an actual qualifying process, costs are minimal, it’s played at HOF Stadium and few are chosen. Contrast that with the USSSA Elite Select Futures where 2300 girls tried out and 1244 participated. It only costs $150, but the games are in Disney with an $18 per person, per day gate fee. Plus tickets to Disney itself, which of course is the purpose of the whole thing.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
The USA Softball All American teams appear to be legit. They have an actual qualifying process, costs are minimal, it’s played at HOF Stadium and few are chosen. Contrast that with the USSSA Elite Select Futures where 2300 girls tried out and 1244 participated. It only costs $150, but the games are in Disney with an $18 per person, per day gate fee. Plus tickets to Disney itself, which of course is the purpose of the whole thing.

I had the opposite impression just as far as the tryout process goes (not related to recruiting - DD was 10U when we tried out). DD went out for both, USSSA last year and USA this year. Both times she was the youngest girl there, and we knew she wouldn't make it. Both times we'd decided even if she did we wouldn't play, it was really just for fun and to see how she looked next to the older girls. The USSSA one cost money, but it was pretty well put together and they had a big spreadsheet of numbers you got for your child afterwards. You could see how she did next to how the other girls did. There were USSSA Pride players there. She got to meet Lauren Chamberlain, among others (she was my favorite though). It was an experience and worth paying for.

USA was ridiculous. Very disorganized, no objective standards for the tryout that I could tell (some of the girls, they didn't even seem to watch), no feedback, no pro players, nothing. It was run by basically this one local org and though I haven't checked, I'm guessing girls in that org made the team at a higher rate than other girls. It took forever, tons of standing around, really awful. Would never do that again if it were run by the same people. At least as far as the tryout and selection process, I was much more impressed with USSSA.
 
Feb 11, 2015
9
1
I think it all depends on what you are looking for, we tried last year for USSSA when DD was 8 - they only had 10U as the youngest division at that time - she didn't make it. This year DD tried out as a 9 and made the 9 Team as a Direct Select - Atlantic Team they only had 8 teams in 9U - we had a great experience, we won the whole thing and my DD was named Defensive MVP of the tourney in her age group so that probably has me pretty biased. We do have some good friends that their daughter was a Direct Select of the 11U age group and they got to go to the Select 30 camp at LSU - my DD has been going to camps at LSU for the past 3 summers and they run some awesome stuff - DD is a Catcher and they have a Pitcher/Catcher specific camp. So I would say just for the experience to see how your DD stacks up I think it is worth it, and if you get to go the Select 30 camp then I think that is a great thing. But it isn't for everyone, from the things I am hearing the best way to be seen is to go to a camp where your DD wants to go to school. This is more of a how does she stack up thing, and of course we know not all of the best girls are going to tryout, but at least in 9u there were players from some of the best teams in the country supposedly there so that was nice to see if your local travel team doesn't travel that far yet.
 
Feb 12, 2014
648
43
From the perspective of a Dad whose daughter participated in the USA Softball All American Games - We tried out simply for DD to have the chance to play at the HOF complex in OKC and the opportunity to wear USA across her chest. The likelihood that either of those things happen again for my DD are minimal. We had ZERO expectations that doing this would help her college recruiting in any way beyond playing against some really good competition. For us, adding travel, hotel, meals, and missed work together, this became a really expensive trip right on the heels of a very expensive World Series trip. I'm not sure if I would do it again simply because of the cost, but I would highly recommend the experience to anyone who has a chance to do it once.

If you're doing this for college exposure then you are absolutely right, it's a big waste of money.
 
May 14, 2015
493
43
Bismarck ND
DD tried out and made the the usa softball all american games as well. The tryout process up here was very well organized and had both high school and college coaches doing the judging of the competition. That process alone was great for DD to experience! The games themselves were run fantastic, opening ceremonies were the best I have been to. Thats coming off both 12u and 16u nationals. I was able to drive to OKC which kept the costs down, but would do that event any time she makes it. She had an absolute blast and for that alone made it worth it!! didnt hurt she played great and went yard!!!!
 
Nov 18, 2013
2,255
113
I had the opposite impression just as far as the tryout process goes (not related to recruiting - DD was 10U when we tried out). DD went out for both, USSSA last year and USA this year. Both times she was the youngest girl there, and we knew she wouldn't make it. Both times we'd decided even if she did we wouldn't play, it was really just for fun and to see how she looked next to the older girls. The USSSA one cost money, but it was pretty well put together and they had a big spreadsheet of numbers you got for your child afterwards. You could see how she did next to how the other girls did. There were USSSA Pride players there. She got to meet Lauren Chamberlain, among others (she was my favorite though). It was an experience and worth paying for.

USA was ridiculous. Very disorganized, no objective standards for the tryout that I could tell (some of the girls, they didn't even seem to watch), no feedback, no pro players, nothing. It was run by basically this one local org and though I haven't checked, I'm guessing girls in that org made the team at a higher rate than other girls. It took forever, tons of standing around, really awful. Would never do that again if it were run by the same people. At least as far as the tryout and selection process, I was much more impressed with USSSA.

I was speaking more to the events themselves. I’m sure the quality and objectivity of all the tryouts vary by region. Working with NPF players would be a thrill for any young player. Or any player for that matter. At the Big 12 tourney even college players were scrambling to get selfies with Lauren Chamberlain. I’m sure any of the events would fun for the girls. My only beef are the ones that mislead parents with the dream of being an all-American. If families are just looking for a fun softball experience as part of their vacation I’m sure they’re all good.

In regards to the OP, I forgot to mention you’re correct that college camps are the best investment in terms of recruiting. What these events are good for is to see your kid alongside talented players from other regions. People tend to get tunnel vision when their kid is the best player one their team or in their local community. It can be eye opening that no matter how good she is there’s hundreds just like her or better.

I’d like to hear more from people who attended the USA event. All I really know about it is a limited number of kids were selected and it appeared legit as opposed to the others. In terms of expenses, sure it costs money traveling to OKC, but there’s no gate fees and you won’t be expected to pay for theme parks and hotels are far more affordable than Orlando. If DD were younger, I’d go to the USA event if given the chance. Many of the others she along with millions of other kids received the same invitations for being honored and selected to shell over thousands of dollars to line the organizers pockets.
 
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Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
The USA event sounded very cool for sure. When they were talking about it at the tryout I thought, well maybe we should try to go if she makes it. Seemed like it'd be a lot of fun. The team DD tried out for was 12U so I would think most of those parents would be doing it for the experience for their kids more than for recruiting purposes. Then again...
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
From a recruiting perspective, are these teams worthwhile?

From a pure recruiting perspective, these are not worthwhile.

Can be a cool experience - DD has filled in for the USSSA teams in Orlando as she is local and West Coast girls are for the most part not making the trip so they need players. She has a good time but there was very little cost for that being local.
 
Oct 31, 2014
43
6
I'm not a big believer in the "individualistic events" such as these. I coach a 16 Gold team out of the Midwest. I just believe that you play for the name on the front of the jersey, and not the back...Our team is not interested in having the "me" players on our team. I do not turn our girls names in for local All-Star play or for the Select 30. I do however nominate them for FloSoftball Hot 100 if I believe it is deserving. The difference is that Hot 100 is an award based on play with your team. Select 30 is a bunch of games to show off that you are an individual with a bunch of other individuals...I know, I know, it's a fine line.


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