So DD us looking to start her second season in TB. We have been attending a few more tryouts this time around declining offers from teams I didn't feel all that confident about. Last weekend DD tried out for a popular TB organization in our area. By far the best overall fit for DD with 1 or 2 exceptuins. Let's just say right now they are the front runners with only 2 tryouts left for DD. So this team is apparently sponsored by Mizuno. In my conversation with HC when he tells me he wants DD on his team, he tells me that everything needs to be Mizuno. We go down the list.
Cleats: Check
Socks: (DD loves GLove socks) Coach says ok as long as the logo is hidden.
Pants: Check (DD loves mizuno pants. Only pair made for girls that have belt loops)
Jersey: Check (included in startup fee)
Helmet: Check (includeed un startup fee)
Fielding glove: Half a Check (DD's catchers glove is Mizuno, not her fielding glove, DD loves her Akedema AJB74 or something like that.)
Bat bag: Check (just happened to have a plane black mizuno bag)
Batting gloves: Check (again just happened to have a pair)
Game Bat: Crap! Just spent $300 on a Louisville Xeno a month ago. (Coach says he has a handful of mizuno bats the team uses and DD can use her bat for practices. Kinda defeats the purpose of dropping all that $$$ on a bat when it's only being used in practice)
Catchers Gear: Double Crap! We have been through gear like no other and finally have come to a setup DD loves to death. Wilson pro shock helmet, Wilson Promotion chest protector and Easton Mako legs. She absolutely hates the Mizuno Samurai gear.
I get it that some teams push gear but it's kind of a big pill to swallow when intrested in playing for that team. Anyway just wanted to vent as always and hopefully hear what you guys think about sponsored teams pushing gear. I'm sure there are a number of you guys who have had to make this decision considering this is one of the top 3-5 TB organizations in SoCal
Cleats: Check
Socks: (DD loves GLove socks) Coach says ok as long as the logo is hidden.
Pants: Check (DD loves mizuno pants. Only pair made for girls that have belt loops)
Jersey: Check (included in startup fee)
Helmet: Check (includeed un startup fee)
Fielding glove: Half a Check (DD's catchers glove is Mizuno, not her fielding glove, DD loves her Akedema AJB74 or something like that.)
Bat bag: Check (just happened to have a plane black mizuno bag)
Batting gloves: Check (again just happened to have a pair)
Game Bat: Crap! Just spent $300 on a Louisville Xeno a month ago. (Coach says he has a handful of mizuno bats the team uses and DD can use her bat for practices. Kinda defeats the purpose of dropping all that $$$ on a bat when it's only being used in practice)
Catchers Gear: Double Crap! We have been through gear like no other and finally have come to a setup DD loves to death. Wilson pro shock helmet, Wilson Promotion chest protector and Easton Mako legs. She absolutely hates the Mizuno Samurai gear.
I get it that some teams push gear but it's kind of a big pill to swallow when intrested in playing for that team. Anyway just wanted to vent as always and hopefully hear what you guys think about sponsored teams pushing gear. I'm sure there are a number of you guys who have had to make this decision considering this is one of the top 3-5 TB organizations in SoCal