Holy Crazy HS Tryout

Top_Notch said:

He's weeding the kids out that think they want to play softball against the ones they know they want to play softball. Stick with it.

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That's what I was thinking, and it seems like not a bad idea though perhaps they were a little extreme about it. Still, if they have a lot to choose from and only a few spots, it's a good way to figure out who the gritty ones are.

Last night, we finished our tryouts for girl's golf. I have a limit placed upon me and my team for the number of players I can keep by the course. In doing so, and in softball as well, I sit down with everyone who tried out and let them know whether they made the team or not and why. I don't understand the need to "run some off." Simply have your tryouts and cuts and do it based upon the skills needed for your sport. As we were wrapping up, one of the players mentioned that, at another school she came from in a different sport, they had a 7 minute mile that they had to do and she hated that so much that she didn't go out. I told her that I know she could do that mile. She said that it wasn't the point and that the practices were that way instead of concentrating on the sport. Why would anyone do that?

grcsftbll said:

That's what I was thinking, and it seems like not a bad idea though perhaps they were a little extreme about it. Still, if they have a lot to choose from and only a few spots, it's a good way to figure out who the gritty ones are.

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I don't understand this at all?

Can they not see who can play by actually playing softball? Maybe going out to the local leagues and watch your potential players actually play? Holding clinics for the local rec leagues as they develop? Holding a softball camp in summer? Talking to their travel coaches? Etc, etc...

Our HS coach has his issues, but he knows every potential softball player coming to the school for at least 2-3 years at some level (with exceptions of ones moving into to the area of course). He has a pretty good idea of who they are and what they can do as they enter the program.

grcsftbll said:

That's what I was thinking, and it seems like not a bad idea though perhaps they were a little extreme about it. Still, if they have a lot to choose from and only a few spots, it's a good way to figure out who the gritty ones are.

Click to expand...

I don't understand this at all?

Can they not see who can play by actually playing softball? Maybe going out to the local leagues and watch your potential players actually play? Holding clinics for the local rec leagues as they develop? Holding a softball camp in summer? Talking to their travel coaches? Etc, etc...

Our HS coach has his issues, but he knows every potential softball player coming to the school for at least 2-3 years at some level (with exceptions of ones moving into to the area of course). He has a pretty good idea of who they are and what they can do as they enter the program. He has known my DD and at least 6 of her teammates since they were 8 years old.

Sounds like the coach is feeding off of his ego of having a top “program” and just keeps ramping up the intensity.

Kind of stinks because it sounds well intentioned in a crazy sports way but I would imagine a revolt is coming soon of good players not being interested and skipping HS ball.


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KPower said:

DD will be a Freshman this fall. She is trying out for SB at her HS.

Good grief - the tryout started at 4pm SHARP. Check in was a 3:45. Lots of infield work and running bases, etc. Always 2-3 balls flying around, no slacking off and no down time. 8 coaches there. Barely time to grab a drink (and it was warm out). They hit off live pitching and off the machine. About 45 min of outfield work. About 8:15 pm it looks like they are winding down (yes 4.25 hours later) and THEN they are told to go run a mile around the school property. It is dark by now. They were told their goal needs to be 7 minute miles. DD came in 2nd out of 35 girls. And was then told to go back and help the stragglers. She finally left the field at 9:20 last night and has to go back again tonight. Is this really how it is? I mean DD is used to efficient and productive practices but her TB teammates had 2 hour tryouts for their schools.

Not complaining per se...just surprised. DD is a hard worker and pushes herself but she came home in tears. She had a horrible headache and blurred vision - probably from not eating well earlier in the day and not drinking enough water...lesson learned. She was one of only 2 Freshman who were moved to the Varsity group. This school does have a very good softball program and they have been very successful. Wondering if the coach is trying to weed out the lightweights so she doesn't have to cut. In the past it has been a no cut program but this year they may not have enough for a 3rd team so they may have to cut.

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The tryout was too long, it's ridiculous. My DD is like yours, hard worker, pushes herself, 110% and don't cut corners. The problem is of course doesn't pace herself. My DD would of have been puking during that practice. He may be trying to weed out players based on how dedicated they are.. unfortunately the length of this tryout is extreme and he may lose players to just plain stupidity. This is HS, some of the kids and parents may assume practices will also be long... how much time does that leave for studying? It's just plain dumb and unnecessary.

However, congrats, it seems like your DD did very well!

Well welcome to HS softball - where rules are not rules and nothing is as it seems!

Lol! Wednesday - the day after tryouts were over, and the day all the girls were to find out their team placement - the HC realized she was not going to have enough players to field a C team...so she called 5 girls who had played in years past but were not planning on playing this year. They had not turned in paperwork and had not attended tryouts. She "pushed" their paperwork thru and promised them all spots on the Varsity team. Two of the girls are very good and were most definitely Varsity material. The others are questionable...they are decent but there were definitely some JV girls who could rival or pass them. BUT again - they did not attend "mandatory tryouts" and did not turn paperwork in on time. Annoying to girls who got shuffled at the last minute. I mean - I'm happy everyone who came out got a place on a team, but it just seems odd. DD still did good and we are happy with her placement - she is a freshman, a lefty and little and she still made JV swing Varsity. Currently there are 11 girls on Varsity. One is academically ineligible until October, 2 are injured and will not return until mid October (in time for Regionals and state) and 1 owes huge amounts of fines so she is not eligible to play until those fines are paid. So...will be interesting to see how this all shakes out. I am thrilled DD is on JV where I know she will PLAY. And I'm happy she will have some opportunities to swing up to Varsity on occasion. This team is very good and has won state on multiple occasions. I do really like the JV coaches though! I think they will be a great fit for DD's first year of HS ball!

The only tough part is...DD is arguably the best player on her TB team and all but one other girl on her TB team made Varsity at their schools - none attend school with DD. The schools they attend are terrible...but they can still say "I made Varsity". Stupid I know - but it still bugs DD.

It's funny and has nothing to do with the OP or his DD. But with the dawn of all of these start up travel teams where if a parent doesn't like the coach or the playing time they start their own team, one thing is missed and that is what happens when they get to HS? Parents can't go start their own HS team... Kids don't make the HS team even though their the best on their ""Travel Team"" so what do the parents say then? Oh!! Yes.. it's political. )

KPower said:

Well welcome to HS softball - where rules are not rules and nothing is as it seems!
Wednesday - the day after tryouts were over, and the day all the girls were to find out their team placement - the HC realized she was not going to have enough players to field a C team...so she called 5 girls who had played in years past but were not planning on playing this year. They had not turned in paperwork and had not attended tryouts. She "pushed" their paperwork thru and promised them all spots on the Varsity team. Two of the girls are very good and were most definitely Varsity material. The others are questionable...they are decent but there were definitely some JV girls who could rival or pass them. BUT again - they did not attend "mandatory tryouts" and did not turn paperwork in on time. Annoying to girls who got shuffled at the last minute. I mean - I'm happy everyone who came out got a place on a team, but it just seems odd. DD still did good and we are happy with her placement - she is a freshman, a lefty and little and she still made JV swing Varsity. Currently there are 11 girls on Varsity. One is academically ineligible until October, 2 are injured and will not return until mid October (in time for Regionals and state) and 1 owes huge amounts of fines so she is not eligible to play until those fines are paid. So...will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

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So let me see...

There are 11 girls on varsity but only 7 are actually eligible to actually play
Almost half of varsity spots were gifted to players the coach begged to join the team (that sounds more like some of the best performers from last year didn't want to play and the coach panicked versus really wanting a 'C' team)
There are probably several girls on JV at least as good or better than the players gifted varsity spots but the coach doesn't recognize this - I guess the tryouts didn't show anything.
Coach tried to kill a few players in tryouts and only a few who actually completed tryouts ended up on varsity
At least 3 varsity players aren't going to play until the season is almost at playoffs - at which point at least 3 girls covering their spots on varsity are going to be bumped or worse just will be moved to the bench

I am sure some of the varsity girls are in more then one category, but sheesh. What a mess. There must be some REAL talent on the team to win States with that sort of organization and BS.

I think I would rather have my DD on JV as well.

marriard said:

So let me see...

There are 11 girls on varsity but only 7 are actually eligible to actually play
Almost half of varsity spots were gifted to players the coach begged to join the team (that sounds more like some of the best performers from last year didn't want to play and the coach panicked versus really wanting a 'C' team)
There are probably several girls on JV at least as good or better than the players gifted varsity spots but the coach doesn't recognize this - I guess the tryouts didn't show anything.
Coach tried to kill a few players in tryouts and only a few who actually completed tryouts ended up on varsity
At least 3 varsity players aren't going to play until the season is almost at playoffs - at which point at least 3 girls covering their spots on varsity are going to be bumped or worse just will be moved to the bench

I am sure some of the varsity girls are in more then one category, but sheesh. What a mess. There must be some REAL talent on the team to win States with that sort of organization and BS.

I think I would rather have my DD on JV as well.

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Yep - that pretty much sums it up! LOL!
DD is very happy and as far as she is concerned doesn't care at all whether she swings up at all this year or not. It is going to be an interesting 8-10 weeks!