Red Flags or warning signs

[SoftballZen]

My 11 DD in Texas is aging out of 10U into 12U this fall and she's considering playing travel ball at the C level. She's played rec ball since 6 and has been one of the best on her team, but really needs to play with better, more committed teammates. I've started looking at team websites, USSSA results, social media, etc. I'm not necessarily concerned about winning, but definitely heavy on player development and coaches that can build a healthy team culture. In our area there are teams from national organizations, regional organizations, and teams that are independent.

What are some signs of reliable, trustworthy organizations & head coaches (besides just being organized)?

What are some red flags or warning signs of toxic teams that I should be looking out for?

 

[earlg3]

Things that may be worth looking into (not necessarily things that indicate a toxic team, but things that may impact your journey):

1. How many kids leave from season to season?
2. Does the team do teambuilding events together outside of softball?
3. Does the team have more than 1 decent pitcher?
4. Where do they practice? Where do they practice if it rains?
5. Does the team have guest players a lot?
6. Do they bat everyone in pool and/or bracket play?
7. Does the coach's kid play the position your kid wants to play?

Hard to do, but going and watching their team play a tournament and seeing how their coaches and how the kids' parents act during their games is a really good indicator of the culture you're going to get.

 

[SoftballZen]

Things that may be worth looking into (not necessarily things that indicate a toxic team, but things that may impact your journey):

1. How many kids leave from season to season?
2. Does the team do teambuilding events together outside of softball?
3. Does the team have more than 1 decent pitcher?
4. Where do they practice? Where do they practice if it rains?
5. Does the team have guest players a lot?
6. Do they bat everyone in pool and/or bracket play?
7. Does the coach's kid play the position your kid wants to play?

Hard to do, but going and watching their team play a tournament and seeing how their coaches and how the kids' parents act during their games is a really good indicator of the culture you're going to get.

Thanks!

 

[Rolling Hard]

Do not be afraid to ask questions. Lots of questions. If the coach seem arrogant or standoffish, red flag. Watch the team play without the coach knowing you are there.
Avoid the coach that screams at or belittles players.
Does the team have 2 or 3 good pitchers that can throw strikes at will? They don't have to be great but you don't pay money to join a team that has walk a thons.

 

[4xACharm]

I like the idea of going to a tournament and observing what it may be like. In my short time of 1 year doing this, I have witnessed some train wrecks and also had my DD pick up on teams where the players were yelling at the coaches disrespectfully. To me, it shows no control from the top.

Join some local groups on Facebook and find teams having "open practice". The practices they put our girls through is one of my favorite parts about our organization. We started out on a local team and my kid got a ton of playing time, but didn't get as many games in because we weren't that good...at all. It was pretty annoying driving multiple hours on a Sunday morning to go lose one game and come home.

We have been on a national organization since the Fall and she has really had to work for her spots on the field. Your DD may not get as much playing time on a better team, but she will get more games in since they are going deeper in tourneys and she will be challenged by the standard of more skilled teammates. The improvements my DD has made in the past year are mind-blowing to me and she is more confident than ever.

What part of Texas are you in?

 

[FB Fool]

Lots of pick up players
and my favorite...Facebook post stating "looking to add a bracket pitcher"

 

[Strike2]

Don't feel like you MUST go with an organization. There are plenty of solid independents and also plenty of bad teams with a well-known name on the jersey.

Good teaching shows up at gametime. Beware of the coach with a consistent history of losing and/or inability to keep a team together. I'd rather go with a first-year head coach than someone who has proven they can't do it. Not that winning is the primary consideration, but being able to field a competitive team usually goes hand-in-hand with keeping at least a core group together.

Don't expect everything about your travel team to be perfect. There will probably be something about the HC, ACs, a parent, or how the team is run that you don't like. If there's good teaching, good team chemistry, and good playing time, be prepared to compromise a bit. Remember that even the best coach can occasionally lose their cool...especially when it's hot and things aren't going well. If it's not abusive nor common, be prepared to forgive.

While your kid is no doubt a good rec player, there is a world of difference. If she's one of the better players on your new travel team, you're probably in for a long season. She may be brought on as depth for a better travel team, and that can be frustrating. Either way, be prepared for LOTS of outside work to catch up.

Enjoy that ride. It took my DD a bit of time to find traction after that transition, but it was a lot of fun when she figured it out.

 

[steve1244]

I'd find 3-6 teams you're interested in and see if you can arrange a practice or 2 with each of them so you can get a feel for the coaches and players and team vibe.

Be wary of coaches that have a history of switching teams or orgs frequently. There's usually a reason for that.

Dad-coached teams are very common at the lower levels, i.e., 14u and below, so knowing what positions the coaches' daughters play is something to know.

Big orgs have benefits, but the prevalence of money grabs and politics is higher, in our experience. Also, big org does not equate to better coaching and/or teams or players. The bigger orgs often tend to be pyramid schemes where non-premier teams (i.e., the majority) pay the revenue that feeds the beast.

You're not signing a contract, so there's really no bad choice. Very few girls start and end travel ball with the same team. Once you're in travel for a while you see enough teams to know what coaches and teams you like and don't like and can make a more educated choice for your next team.

 

[SoftballZen]

but she will get more games in since they are going deeper in tourneys and she will be challenged by the standard of more skilled teammates. The improvements my DD has made in the past year are mind-blowing to me and she is more confident than ever.

What part of Texas are you in?

Definitely looking for a team like that.

We're in the suburbs of northeast DFW.

 

[Orange Socks]

Definitely looking for a team like that.

We're in the suburbs of northeast DFW.

Lots of good teams in your area. Plano, Allen, McKinney, etc. Nice field complexes too.