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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| LittleDawg |
Posted - 07/01/2014 : 07:51:16
What's up with the trend of tryouts being held earlier and earlier this year? 2 of my kids are still playing and 1 won't wrap up until last wk of July
I understand a few teams want to get a leg up but the amount of teams holding tryouts in early July with very few spots is insane. Add to the fact, the want to charge $40, $50, $90 on top of it.
Silly Season indeed |
| 22 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| bestplayinbaseball |
Posted - 08/16/2014 : 18:02:47
Good post Allstar. My son is in the mix of working toward the next level of "the next level." Currently a Jr. at a big public HS. Made the JV team Frosh and Soph year, every game starter, practically every inning. He'll be a varsity starter as an 11th grader.
Rewind to the pudgy, contact hitter, who could throw strikes and loved the game. From his parents he got support, beat the other kid out of his spot, coaches kid or not and keep your eyes on the HS roster. Pitchin and hitting lessons, read, fundamentals, learn the game, Be one of the 1st nine, not #10. Getter better:) High percentage of the coaches sons all played the infield and were always on the allstar team. Most of those REC ball allstar studs did not make the HS team. Many are not even playing baseball. A few play, still play travel ball. I cannot quote a % but the kids that were pushed early by someone else seem to have fizzled out early too and are still falling by the wayside. There were other kids similar to mine.
For the most part, played on inexpensive,non-brand name,generic teams that focused on fundamentals, fun, mental part of the game, team work, everybody gets better, everybody plays, but not every single inning of evey single game in an 8 game weekend, and learn to play every position that you can or want to handle. Play the game and wins will come. The teams he played for lost and won, rarely got blown out.
Now, 6'4", 210lbs and it is an etirely new mission. Focus on a college roster, be one of the 1st nine, go where they love you, where you can play and contribute, quality education, quality baseball, continue to get better. Get to college showcases, camps and sending out your name to the schools that your family forsees as a possible all around good fit, cast a large net.
You cannot control the specific outcome. You can control grades, testing scores, being able to be eligible for acceptance, stay out of trouble QAB's, work ethic, image, community service and hustle.
It does not really get harder, it gets serious. It's not like a job, there is work. Work is not really bad if you are lucky enough to be doing what you love to earn a living.
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| T13 |
Posted - 08/16/2014 : 17:49:30
Allstar nailed it. Play where your kid is having fun and hopefully he makes his high school team...... And invest your tryout money so he can enjoy it in college :) |
| AllStar |
Posted - 08/16/2014 : 14:36:13
I know I have said it 1000 times before, but my son's goal was to play for his HS team. 90% of the kids that I'm aware of that DID make it to the next level hated it. Said it was too much like a job. Most of them quit after a year or two. The best two seniors on his HS team passed on offers from small colleges because they wanted to go to UGA. From 14 on he was only playing travel to stay sharp for HS and to have fun. He played for cheap, middle of the road teams and those were some of his favorite experiences. They still managed to play PG and TC for the kids that were still holding out hope, but it didn't cost an arm and a leg and he had a blast and when they would jump up and beat one of the teams that took themselves so seriously it was a little added bonus.
Just trying to manage expectations a little.
Good luck! |
| LittleDawg |
Posted - 08/15/2014 : 14:40:52
weptiger What age group?
We have very similar experience at a few locations but also had an really great experience at another which I am happy to pass on if you send me an email |
| weptiger |
Posted - 08/15/2014 : 13:38:42
Our experience with these tryouts is that they are simply a quick/easy money maker for the facility/team.
In most cases, you attend a tryout with 10, 20,30, etc. kids and the reality of it is that the team only has two (2) openings. Even when directly questioned, a lot of these facilities won't tell you what they are looking for at the tryout. Further, the quality of the "workout" varies with some facilities not even carrying around a clip board to record observations that would support an objective evaluation of the kids trying out. That tells you that there is either a "sniff test" relative to size of the player and fit or the team is essentially full.
We recently attended a tryout for a facility in the Alpharetta/Milton area that cost $40 and was run out of Old Milton High School. The coaches didn't provide any outward means of identifying/tracking the players, took notes for about the first half of the multi-day tryout and then struggled to remember any of the kids names. A total train wreck, but it doesn't stop them from asking you to pony up over $2,500 for the fall and summer seasons.
We did not feel comfortable with the way it was run and in watching the reactions of other parents there were many folks that didn't care for the facility. Unfortunately, the business aspect of these facilities (and PG) is driving a lot of thinking relative to what parents must do in order to gain exposure and the "holy grail" of a scholarship for their son. A lot of people are being taken for a ride by these facilities and are unrealistic about their sons potential to play the game at a higher level as those that make it to any appreciable level is somewhere in the range of 1% - 2% of all players.
I am not sure where we go from here, but joining up with one of these groups just doesn't feel right. It's that or a case of we have yet to find the right facility. |
| KeithB |
Posted - 07/30/2014 : 10:54:00
Our situation. Tryout Friday. Saturday morning we received an email saying thanks, but no thanks. I responded to the email asking where my son came up short. I had a tryout lined up for that day, if we got that email. In the middle of that tryout Saturday, I get a call telling me I got the wrong email, and that they wanted my son to play with them. The call would be followed up with an email. I let him finish out, making sure I got that email. So, I get an email from the Saturday tryout asking my son back for a second tryout. Still no email from the Friday t/o. I email to make sure that the verbal still stands. Got the email, and politely declined the second look. Crazy for us, but probably not that unusual for you seasoned folks. I didn't want to play games or hold coaches up from making their decisions. Had I received the correct email in the first place, my son would not have attended the Saturday t/o. Now the wait to see if we made the right choice. |
| baseballdandy |
Posted - 07/28/2014 : 10:40:13
Thanks, that's good stuff rippit and Allen17 |
| Allen17 |
Posted - 07/28/2014 : 00:57:01
The other thing to consider is that some county parks require the travel try outs be PRIOR to rec ball tryouts. That way, if a kids isn't travel ready, he can go play rec.
I would think some academy and independent teams might take their lead from that situation. |
| rippit |
Posted - 07/27/2014 : 13:23:47
Nobody has a spot on any team until they've paid for it. You'll see folks accept verbally (and some have discussed it here) and then hem, haw and delay paying the initial pmt. Honesty is the best policy always. May not seem like it now, but it is.
If a coach wants your son, he will offer fast. If it's been a week, you are down on the list and your son may not play a lot, the coach is getting desperate for money etc. It's his (your son's) choice as to if we wants to try and earn his way into and/or up the line up. There's the gamble.
May be ask for an early private tryout if you really can't wait. If they say no, they probably already know you, your son or have picked a team and the tryouts are just for appearances aka money.
Lot's of games being played out there other than baseball. |
| baseballdandy |
Posted - 07/27/2014 : 09:00:16
agent21, I would definitely like to know where we need to work and fell short.
in_the_know, thank you for your insight. I tried to find the topic in earlier posts but did not find the answers I was after. I had a couple people say it isn't normal for the Coach to expect an answer so quickly but I do understand wanting to get the team in place. It's a challenge weighing all this out. Turned down one offer because of the position they wanted him for. Now we have a spot with what seem to be awesome coaches vs. upcoming tryouts on a team with good families that we know, but limited positions (My son really wants on this team). Honestly, with it being our first year trying out, it has been a day by day experience and I didn't even think about how we would handle being in this situation. Just another lesson learned. Thanks again for the response. |
| in_the_know |
Posted - 07/26/2014 : 23:25:39
quote:
Originally posted by baseballdandy
What is the normal process for getting offered a spot and letting the coach know? We've been offered a spot and really are considering it but the coach asked for a reply within the day. We still have a couple of tryouts that we want to attend and have registered for but I don't want that to cost us a spot on the team. Just want to feel that we've made a good decision.
I've chimed in on this very topic in the past and still feel the same. If you're trying out for multiple teams, you need to prioritize which ones you prefer, and be prepared for exactly what you're facing. Typically, a coach needs to know within a day or two of offering if you are going to commit or not. He can't wait a week because he has a 2nd, 3rd, etc., choice behind you that he needs to move on to and risks losing if he waits.
You have to weigh the offer in hand against what other options and make a decision whether to roll the dice and possibly lose the spot, then hope for success at one of the other tryouts if you pass on the offer.
In a perfect world, tryouts would align in order with your most preferred, second, third, etc., teams, but that rarely happens. When they don't, you need to plan in advance on what you'll do if an offer comes from one of your lesser preferred teams ahead of the other tryouts.
You can always explain that you're trying out for other teams and what to see what your options are, but don't expect the coach to hold the spot for you and don't be bitter if he doesn't. Just like you're trying to find the best opportunity for your player, he's trying to find the best team he can.
Good Luck. |
| agent21 |
Posted - 07/26/2014 : 22:30:41
if you don't make a team would you rather not get a call at all and wait and wonder or would you rather get a call with some type of feedback (even if it is trite such as strong fielding skills but weak offensively). |
| baseballdandy |
Posted - 07/26/2014 : 19:30:56
What is the normal process for getting offered a spot and letting the coach know? We've been offered a spot and really are considering it but the coach asked for a reply within the day. We still have a couple of tryouts that we want to attend and have registered for but I don't want that to cost us a spot on the team. Just want to feel that we've made a good decision. |
| ecbcoachdrew |
Posted - 07/21/2014 : 20:16:17
Baseballdandy - what part of town are you looking for a team on??? |
| baseballdandy |
Posted - 07/21/2014 : 11:34:58
Buckner, thanks for the response. I went to a tryout this weekend that I think was just what I mentioned, the team was pretty much selected already. However, I'm still glad we went. It was a good experience for my son and I also learned a few things from attending. It wasn't a free lesson for me, but nonetheless, not a total loss. I think I'll take your advice in the future and give the coach a call if I'm feeling uncertain of some details.
AllStar, Thank you and yes, I have been to the 9U tryouts section. It can be overwhelming to sort through but I'm working to figure it all out. We are good with a Fall and Spring team since my son wants to play in the fall so that's not a problem. Hopefully, I won't have to experience a few let downs before learning all the right questions to ask and recognizing important team specifics before finding a good fit. Appreciate the guidance from you guys and gals. |
| AllStar |
Posted - 07/21/2014 : 10:27:20
quote:
Originally posted by baseballdandy
I'm a newbie and appreciate your advice. Questions......Is there another round of tryouts? Also, I just have the feeling (from a previous experience) that so many of the teams are pretty much filled (9U) through the good ol' boy network and I'm wasting my money on the ones with fees. Any truth to my suspicion?
Don't know about "tryouts" per se, but teams will be looking for players all the way through the Fall and even into January. Check you age group's section on this board. "9U Teams Looking for Players". |
| Buckner |
Posted - 07/19/2014 : 17:50:47
Yes it can be true. It can't hurt to call the coach and ask how many spots are open and what positions they are looking for. They might be totally honest with you or they might say something like all spots are open. But that's hardly ever true. |
| baseballdandy |
Posted - 07/19/2014 : 15:30:23
I'm a newbie and appreciate your advice. Questions......Is there another round of tryouts? Also, I just have the feeling (from a previous experience) that so many of the teams are pretty much filled (9U) through the good ol' boy network and I'm wasting my money on the ones with fees. Any truth to my suspicion? |
| Buckner |
Posted - 07/19/2014 : 12:46:45
Another thing I thought it would be good to mention about tryout season for people that haven't been doing this for a lot of years. Some teams are posting they have paid coaches, professional coaches, etc. But no names and no bios. I have seen some of these teams in past years promise a coach but then when the season starts - all dads.
Just wanted to give a little advice for people to ask a lot questions up front. And if you hear they are going to have a paid coach but no name, run for the hills. |
| LittleDawg |
Posted - 07/01/2014 : 21:31:09
The early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese :-) |
| turntwo |
Posted - 07/01/2014 : 15:09:19
quote:
Originally posted by BaseballMom6
The only way to stop the trend is for players not to come, and we all know that is not going to happen. Everyone wants to be the first one in the door.
Or.... Every team/coach wants to get the first 'commits', and firm up his team the quickest. |
| BaseballMom6 |
Posted - 07/01/2014 : 11:48:26
The only way to stop the trend is for players not to come, and we all know that is not going to happen. Everyone wants to be the first one in the door. |
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