Big organization is interested

I co-coach (I do on field and the other guy does all the other stuff and a little on field) a 10u TB team and we have some solid players. The infield especially is very good but we still haven't played many tourneys together, so we are still working out the kinks.
A big organization reached out to the other coach through a shared contact and asked if we would like to be under their umbrella, which is great and all but the expense associated with this organization is the reason we started our own team to begin with.
Obviously we want the best for our DD's and I know that both of our DD's would have no issues playing with this premier organization.
Thoughts? Advice?

Hawk_ said:

I co-coach (I do on field and the other guy does all the other stuff and a little on field) a 10u TB team and we have some solid players. The infield especially is very good but we still haven't played many tourneys together, so we are still working out the kinks.
A big organization reached out to the other coach through a shared contact and asked if we would like to be under their umbrella, which is great and all but the expense associated with this organization is the reason we started our own team to begin with.
Obviously we want the best for our DD's and I know that both of our DD's would have no issues playing with this premier organization.
Thoughts? Advice?

Click to expand...

It really depends...

First - most (not all) of these big orgs just want your cash. And that is mostly OK if you are getting value for that cash.
Second they are looking to add to their talent pool - i.e. when it is time they feel they will be able to have first shot at your talent when it wants to move to a stronger team. Also they can say to other teams "look how big our org is" and "so and so joined - so should you"

So what do you get out of this:

- #1 selling point is 'college recruiting profile'. As a 10U org that doesn't apply to you.
- Attracting or retaining talent. If you are looking to add talent - or have a group of families that are going to be attracted to the 'big org name' and will leave at some point for it, it can be beneficial to you to be under their umbrella. There are going to be parents who are attracted to the ego boost - that is just a reality.
- Various discounts that might be offered - while mostly average, our association with big org has given us some excellent prices on equipment. You can probably get them elsewhere, but hey, it is easy access

The negatives:
- What is the real cost?
- Do you have to play in certain tournaments
- Cost of new uniforms/other forced costs
- Name of team
- What level of control do they want?
- How long? Is it month-to-month or annual contract

You need to talk to lots of other teams to see what they are getting out of it. Don't just listen to those who are trying to sell you on something. A lot of it also depends on who locally is looking out for the organization.

We went down this path within our org a couple of years ago. I put in a lot of research on behalf of the board and we made an informed decision. The nature of who we joined allowed us to continue to run our org locally without oversight and any team that wanted to be part of the 'national org' could do that - in essence it is more of a marketing deal than anything else. We get a lot more out of it because we absolutely made sure we knew what we are getting (or can get) for our money.


What now happens is that our 14U teams and above mostly do this to help with their recruitng profile and also to keep talent. None of our younger teams have done this - but they are getting the benefit of the national org because players are coming to us because they know in 14U the team will transition over. Also the regional director for the org is outstanding and adds huge value to all the teams (his peers on some other areas are not as strong)

At 14U it was a great decision for us. But we did a lot of homework. For other local orgs that also went down this route with other national orgs it was a terrible decision - it was one big money suck and a massive disaster.

Hawk_ said:

I co-coach (I do on field and the other guy does all the other stuff and a little on field) a 10u TB team and we have some solid players. The infield especially is very good but we still haven't played many tourneys together, so we are still working out the kinks.
A big organization reached out to the other coach through a shared contact and asked if we would like to be under their umbrella, which is great and all but the expense associated with this organization is the reason we started our own team to begin with.
Obviously we want the best for our DD's and I know that both of our DD's would have no issues playing with this premier organization.
Thoughts? Advice?

Click to expand...

Other than name on the jersey, what are they bringing to the table for the extra cost?
Sounds like you already have a strong core and need to coach-up the outfield, or fill in some gaps with a couple new players after the season.
With good coaching, lower costs, a growing reputation, (and a little outreach), you should have little trouble attracting a good turn-out at tryouts. Especially if others can see you holding your own against the big names.
Now when your DD is 14U, and transitioning to showcase, that is the time you may want to join the big org. They will have the connections and get DD exposure. Typically by that age, the girls you have now have developed to different levels, have different interests and goals for the sport, and are ready to find their new best fits anyway.

There are reasons these big orgs want to successful ones to join them. Only you can read between the lines to know if it's the best for your org and your girls.

Marriard's summary is right on target.

DD's team is being courted by an org, and I really hope that doesn't happen. This org eats teams and money. They all but guarantee placement in a college program, but even if true, that can be accomplished simply by cutting players with less potential before they get to the 18U age group.

The way to retain and attract talent is to be successful on the field. People see your team play well, they see stability, and you gain a positive reputation regardless of what your uniform says. Some of the best older age group teams in my area are independent ones. The coaches and most of their rosters have together for years.

Our team is also making a move to a top organization. While I am excited about the opportunity to make this move it is a little scary. We will be 2nd year 12u. Our original talks were to take our 9 girls (one of our current player's parents are not interested) and add 4 more. Now our coach is already being sent 6 or 7 girls that the president of said org would like for us to "look at". Also we already know that our current coaching staff has next year and possibly one more before they will be replaced by a non-parent coach. To be honest my daughter is good but I am not sure she is that good. She is a pitcher but she is not a fireballer and I am pretty sure she will get overlooked and not used. She is a very good fielder especially 3rd base but rarely gets to play there now. I am an assistant coach this year but the head coach and the other assistant make all the decisions, I don't get asked my opinion very much. I am confident my daughter would make any team in our area and would probably develop better on one of those teams as opposed to the big name org, but the big name org is her dream team and there is no higher org to go to above them.