Josh Greer
DFP Vendor
Auburn read a book this offseason that deals with almost all of these issues quite well. It's called Chop Wood Carry Water.
Sounds like a good read....I was needing to burn an Audible credit. Good call.
Auburn read a book this offseason that deals with almost all of these issues quite well. It's called Chop Wood Carry Water.
I have found the last few posts very interesting. I'm sure there is a lot of truth to what was written, but our experience has been different. From 12u to 23u, DD played for 3 travel organizations.
1) Played for the first one for one year, left for a year (long story...) and came back for 2 more. This was a wonderful organization. DD still has several friends from that team, as do DW and I. We stay in touch with a few of them. Ultimately DD left this team the 2nd time because most of the players were not interested in college softball. It was her goal and she wanted to join a team that participated in higher level events and had similar goals.
2) The 2nd organization was a huge mistake that I will save for another time. She played one year for this team. She developed two close friends from that group that she still stays in touch with. DW and I also stay in touch with those two families.
3) She has played for the 3rd organization for 3 years so far and has numerous close friends from this group. DW and I also have several close friends among the parents.
I can definitely see how this dynamic can be a challenge. And honestly, from what I have seen, our experience is probably not typical. We have been lucky, and count our blessings because of it.
We actually have been pretty lucky. Had just two bad team experiences between two daughters, and one of the bad experiences was a team that won a lot of games. It just was not much fun despite winning and the team fell apart at the end of the season after just one year. The other was a school district based team when we were just starting out, coached by a former player that just wasn’t ready to coach yet. She has grown into a good coach into the years since, but the beginning was pretty rocky.
Both dd’s are lucky to have played for at least one set of coaches that are the kind of people that make you better for the rest of your life. A situation so good that you wouldn’t consider leaving except coaches retirement or aging off the team. I wish everyone could experience and appreciate that just once.
We have made some true lifelong friends in softball that I stay in touch with weekly. A person would have to be a complete jerk for that to not happen. But like BT said above, it has to happen organically.
We actually have been pretty lucky. Had just two bad team experiences between two daughters, and one of the bad experiences was a team that won a lot of games. It just was not much fun despite winning and the team fell apart at the end of the season after just one year.
Some advice that I learned at work...
When someone asks you what you think about someone or something (ex: Don't you think coaches kid pitches too much?)
Just reply: You know, I haven't really thought all that much about that. Or let me think that over and get back to you.
If you share an opinion, no matter how innocent it will be twisted, and will become what "you" said.
Avoid comparisons, people will try to suck you into that trap. "Who you think it better, sally or sandy"
Same reply as above: You know, I haven't really thought all that much about that. Or let me think that over and get back to you.
Don't ever... hang out with the parents at night... Not even for one beer..
Don't offer to assist with coaching unless you are asked.
Don't invite kids from your team to parties. Keep business and fun completely separated.
Don't ask people to help if the team needs guest players. That will come back to bite you no matter what.
Don't talk about what schools maybe interested in your kid or what camps you plan to attend.
Don't recommend any types of fundraisers.
That's a short list but you get the point.
Funniest post I've read on this site.Some advice that I learned at work...
When someone asks you what you think about someone or something (ex: Don't you think coaches kid pitches too much?)
Just reply: You know, I haven't really thought all that much about that. Or let me think that over and get back to you.
If you share an opinion, no matter how innocent it will be twisted, and will become what "you" said.
Avoid comparisons, people will try to suck you into that trap. "Who you think it better, sally or sandy"
Same reply as above: You know, I haven't really thought all that much about that. Or let me think that over and get back to you.
Don't ever... hang out with the parents at night... Not even for one beer..
Don't offer to assist with coaching unless you are asked.
Don't invite kids from your team to parties. Keep business and fun completely separated.
Don't ask people to help if the team needs guest players. That will come back to bite you no matter what.
Don't talk about what schools maybe interested in your kid or what camps you plan to attend.
Don't recommend any types of fundraisers.
That's a short list but you get the point.
I pretty much lived my life the opposite of everything you say and completely enjoyed when my DDs were playing travel ball. You were on crappy teams.