| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| GreenDawg |
Posted - 06/15/2016 : 14:41:18
Can anyone give advice on how to navigate the travel tryouts when teams are having tryouts at different dates. How are you expected to accept offers when let's say your top choice team is having their try outs last? |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Crazyforbball |
Posted - 06/16/2016 : 10:35:36
Try not to feel pressured. Most teams, even the "best" will still have spots long after the teams are picked and the tryouts are over. However, as was said above, much depends on your players skill level. Beware totally unknown entities, and thoroughly investigate even known ones. Just because the jersey has a big name, doesn't mean the team will be competitive. Talk to the coaches. Also what will best serve your son? Would he be more challenged playing OF on a majors team, or infield on AAA? And I have found, most importantly, listen to your son, what does HE want, just because YOU love a team doesn't mean he does. Ultimately he is the player that has to suit up and play with/for these guys. |
| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 06/16/2016 : 07:27:35
Onezone gave great advice. Over the years I have done this a few times, lol....every year is different, and every team seems to do it a different way.
Some clubs have a pre-tryout of sorts, for example, most ECB teams have a pre-tryout prior to the actual ECB tryout date. I would estimate that 80% or more of the kids who show up to the "open" ECB tryout are already on a team. Whereas 643 has an official tryout, no pre-tryouts unless you can't make the official one and even then nothing is guaranteed. Some teams will ask you that day for a commitment, some teams want to see the kids back 2 or even three times.
My best advice is to keep an open mind. Last year my son was dead set on Team X, it was close, they practiced in a great location that my son wanted to practice at, the facility had a great reputation...BUT by the time he was done with the second call back he realized he didn't like the coach, and that will sometimes happen. In this case that coach was fired mid-year for many of the reasons my son gave for not liking him.
I say go to as many tryouts as you can, but stick with teams you actually are willing to let your son play for. If your son is AAA level don't go to AA tryouts for the experience...that's just rude. If you can, go watch one of the teams games. I was interested in a specific team for my son a few years ago and they happen to be playing on a field 2 fields over during one of my son's games so I went and watched them...coach threw a clip board when a kid got caught stealing, parents started grumbling in the stands "oh here he goes again"....I had seen enough to know he wouldn't be attending the tryout.
As oneZone said, think about what you want out of your kids season. If you are looking for a cheaper option try to find a dad coached team. If you are dead set on your kid attending multiple PG events then you have fewer options, since most teams go once, but only a few go often. How about driving distance....are you willing to drive 15 minutes or 60 minutes for the right team?
If you are dead set on Team X, and their tryout is last, check out your other options...if one of those teams offers your son a spot and you guys really like that team be upfront and honest with them. "I am considering one other team and their tryout is on XXXX, can I give you my decision after that tryout? If the team really likes your kid they will give you the time and appreciate the honesty. If they can't give you the time that says a lot too...many teams are still looking for kids in September and even February, they can give you a week in August to make up your mind. If you are getting pressure let your #1 choice know what is going on and you can ASK for an earlier tryout but frankly until they see the 60+ kids that want to be on their team it is unlikely they will offer your son a spot....it's a gamble, but PLEASE weigh all of your options. This is a year long commitment, do your homework and be comfortable with your choice. |
| oneZone |
Posted - 06/15/2016 : 17:33:04
It probably depends more than anything on how good your kid is. The better your kid is, the easier this is to deal with. Of course, "how good your kid is" depends on what level of team you're trying to play for.
It also depends on what is most important to you -- location, level of play, paid or unpaid coach, cost, etc. Those factors will narrow down your options for you. Which can be either a good thing or a bad thing -- again, depending on how good your kid is!
Go to as many tryouts as you can to observe and get a feel for where your kid fits alongside the others. Let the coach know upfront that you're learning and exploring what's out there so he knows your decision will come later.
If your top choice team has their tryouts last, contact the coach and ask for a private, earlier tryout. Or at least reach out to get a feel for your chances of making the team at all.
Don't commit to a team just because you're worried you'll run out of options. Wait for one you feel good about.
Most of all: Do your homework. Look through this forum, look at TC, USSSA websites, Facebook, etc. Talk to other parents at tryouts -- especially any returning from last year. Talk to the coach ahead of time (but don't ask him 25 questions about every little detail, or you'll cut your kid before he even shows up). It might seem silly at some point to put so much time and thought into baseball, but you and your kid will be spending a LOT of time with the team. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Good luck!
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