How do you choose?

[ChaosCoordinator16]

DD is moving up to 14U and is looking for a new team. She's been going to one team's open practice and really hopes to make that one. She is, however, going to tryout for about 3-4 team's just to keep her options open, and just incase she doesn't make the team she really wants to.

What should we look for for teams? What questions to ask? How do you graciously turn down an offer (assuming she would make more than one team)?

TIA! Her current team formed from an All Star League at the park and this is all new to us!

 

[CoachJD]

What are her goals as a player? You need to know what she wants first and foremost.

Do you have any limitations (amount/distance of travel, cost, etc.)? If you can't commit to a team's schedule, that will help you narrow things down.

What position does she play? Does she play multiple positions? Find out what the situation is. Nothing wrong with asking before you join. Better now than after you sign on only to realize she's the #3 catcher on the team and that's the only position she plays.

The ideal situation is one where she's not the best player on the team, but she also gets plenty of playing time. If she pitches, she needs to get circle time to improve, so ask how many pitchers they have and where they see her fitting in.

If you get more than one offer, just be honest (unless you just really didn't like the experience, then play nice). If one team is more affordable? Say so. If one team provides a better opportunity/more playing time, say so. If there's some other reason, like 3 of her friends are on one team, say so. Unless the coaches are brand new, they've heard it all before. Say something though. If you ghost a team that's offering you, you could burn the bridge.

 

[nightskiier]

What position does she play? Does she play multiple positions? Find out what the situation is. Nothing wrong with asking before you join. Better now than after you sign on only to realize she's the #3 catcher on the team and that's the only position she plays.

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An addendum to this - always find out if the head coach or asst coaches daughters play the same position as your kid. If so, that’s a team I’d usually pass on.


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[NJZoo]

Picking a new team is an exciting and stressful experience (my 12U daughter went through it last Summer). As another poster mentioned - what are you and your daughter's goals and expectations? Then ask what they organization/team's goals and expectations are. What level team is it, what is their tournament schedule like, what is their showcase schedule like, what is their process to expose players to college coaches (if that is their goal), how many girls on the team, etc.? The best you can hope for is to have all of the information BEFORE you make a decision. That way there are no surprises and you are not disappointed right off the bat. The other thing I would not discount is travel - how far the teams are from you. A 50 min each way commute to practice may sound doable over the Summer when she doesn't have homework and traffic is lighter, but will you be regretting that decision once school starts.

Ultimately, we made a list of pros and cons (team, organization, coach, distance, if she liked the players, etc) and then just tried to pick the place that she felt the most comfortable. You may need to compromise on a few things, but I tried to let her make the decision, because she is the one who we're doing this for. Good luck!

 

[radness]

DD is moving up to 14U and is looking for a new team. She's been going to one team's open practice and really hopes to make that one. She is, however, going to tryout for about 3-4 team's just to keep her options open, and just incase she doesn't make the team she really wants to.

What should we look for for teams? What questions to ask? How do you graciously turn down an offer (assuming she would make more than one team)?

TIA! Her current team formed from an All Star League at the park and this is all new to us!

Because people have different reasons for their involvement in softball, suggest asking yourself these questions. The answers will help direct your decision.

What is it your daughter and family are wanting to get out of softball at this time?
Is there a future goal?

What are the time commitments your daughter and family are willing to put into softball?
Are you willing to put in individual workout effort outside of Team functions?

What amount of playing time will be satisfactory for your daughter and family toward reason of playing softball and commitment time?

Are you okay with being on a team where everyone plays regardless of winning or losing?

Would you like to be on a team that's primary goal is to win and might have a starting nine over other players that may just be fill-ins?