Mass Tryouts

[uncdrew]

A teammate from the org we want to leave was there, I think I overheard them receive and offer. They were a hired gun that came to us in the spring after she had played baseball until then. I think they were waiting to see who around had the best talent in her age group to commit to (she hadn't officially joined the team for four months). The org we went to last night had been trying to get her since she showed up on the local softball radar. Yeah so I think it was a formality for a few players. I did talk to the HC for a few minutes and he said a lot of girls in the area come just to get offers for leverage with their current teams.

Leverage with their current teams? Like “If Sally doesn’t play 2B we’re leaving?”

 

[Filterbing]

Leverage with their current teams? Like “If Sally doesn’t play 2B we’re leaving?”

I think that's what he was getting at. They come out, get an offer and go back saying "they want me to start at 2nd. move me up or we walk".

 

[CoachKevin]

I felt same way about the only mass tryout DD attended two years ago. it really felt like they had 75-90% of team picked out, and were looking only for a few stud standouts. I could see no way they were evaluating enough girls to fill a single team, let alone two (they had 12s and 10s in same tryout, nevermind 10s should be using different ball.)

My youngest DD only did 1 open tryout and same thing. She was an outfielder, and they didn't even evaluate anyone for OF.... of course the tryout said all positions are open hmmmmm

 

[grcsftbll]

DD went to a mass tryout five years ago, and that was her last. We only did individual tryouts after that, and even those don't really tell either side that much. IMO, the best way to find a team is to pick up with them for a tournament. Even better, practice with the team and then pick up with them for a tournament! You'll find out most everything you need to know right then about how the team functions, how the kids get along, and how your kid fits.

DD already said if tryouts don't yield an offer from a team she loves, we'll pick up with teams til she finds one she likes. This often eliminates the really high level teams though, since they don't need pickups often. Still, it is great to actually get to play with/watch them play for a whole weekend before deciding.

I think that's what he was getting at. They come out, get an offer and go back saying "they want me to start at 2nd. move me up or we walk".

Bye Felicia.

 

[NBECoach]

I must be a different animal because I enjoy the tryouts. Now before you pile on me about this hear me out. The TB organization I coached for had the tryouts very well organized. 2 evaluators and 1 hands on coach ran each age group tryout. 2 "Tryout Chiefs" kept the sessions moving and addressed any delays immediately. Additionally the organization held 2 practice/instructional sessions a couple of days prior to the tryouts so that the parents/players could ask questions of the coaches should they make the team. So the tryouts have always been well attended. Plus you never know who will show up. We had some very good opposing players come and tryout, and yes we have had players turn us down for various reasons.

 

[Tide_will_Roll]

My youngest DD only did 1 open tryout and same thing. She was an outfielder, and they didn't even evaluate anyone for OF.... of course the tryout said all positions are open hmmmmm

Some coaches, at all levels, don't believe in recruiting outfielders. They consider it easy to teach an infielder how to play the outfield. However, the opposite is difficult work