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bkball
173 Posts |
 Posted - 07/28/2009 : 08:20:42
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| In the future I think Parents will stop paying for tryouts that claim there are X amount of spots when if fact many are promised before the tryout even begins. |
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beanball
222 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2009 : 10:38:32
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| The only tryout we will go to is ECB for that exact reason. Why pay $100 to an organization if there's only one team @ a particular age and the team has mostly been preselected. |
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Dr. Old School
314 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2009 : 10:52:37
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True, they will stop attending in the future if the spots are not truly there. On the other hand, they could try to position themselves to get one of the "promised" positions ahead of time the next time.
Every tryout should be a learning experience. Some times it is how to navigate the politics. |
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coolbreeze
16 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2009 : 10:56:29
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| I agree it is a tryout. |
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Shut Out
512 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2009 : 11:46:23
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Beanball,
Don't kid yourself the positions at ECB are decided well before their tryout. They leave typically 1 or 2 opening just in case some stud that no one has heard of shows up like a pitcher or a giant bat. If that doesn't happen they make those final offers to kids who have either been on their team in the past or the ones that already had private tryouts prior to the official ECB tryout. |
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Topscout
59 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2009 : 13:44:50
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Frankly, teams that charge for tryouts when all spots are not available are essentially stealing or committing fraud.
There are two ways to prevent this:
1) Dont charge for the tryout or;
2) Make it clear the number of spots that are available and what specific positions you are looking to fill. |
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beanball
222 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2009 : 14:13:44
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SO,
YOu may be right about the younger ages but I think the older groups -- above 14U its run a little different. |
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Dr. Old School
314 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2009 : 14:20:27
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Shut Out,
You are making an incorrect blanket statement. I know several teams every year that are looking for many players, not just a few.
I will agree that the better teams are typically not looking for many players because they are not turning over as many players.
Do your homework so you can level set expectations before going. |
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gabulldogs
29 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2009 : 17:58:24
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| I agree with not charging for tryouts. We only ask for money when chosen for the team to insure they are committed to the team. Have been to the ECB tryouts before just to scout and it is funny to watch that half of the coaches walking around and talking and not paying attention to the kids hitting, fielding etc. The thing is , is that they still bring the kids in, in hopes they might per chance make an ECB team, but we all know it is just a fundraiser for the program. With all the kids that show out from so many areas. Why do they still post after the tryouts for one-on-one tryouts for teams? I think they should have no problem finding enough talent at that time to fill several teams. They also make the kids already selected for a team pay the $100.00 and go to this thing also. |
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aadad
8 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2009 : 18:32:07
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Is the ECB clinic/tryout worth the $100, or is it just a fundraiser? I'm relatively new, but it seems like most ECB teams are having their own private tryouts and have pretty much already decided who they will offer spots to. I was told that the ECB players must also pay for the clinic/tryout, but do they all actually participate?
I don't mind paying for a clinic, but if there is just a minimal chance of my son making an ECB team via this method, I'd rather attend some other tryouts. There are several quality teams holding them that same weekend. |
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billbclk
164 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2009 : 11:53:28
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Charging for tryouts is just fundraising. Every established team has a core group of players they don't want to replace and should state how many spots are open. Usually they have to give the appearance or state that all spots are open if they are a county park team. Other teams will say all spots are available because they don't want to scare away players and not get enough quality participants.
At any rate if you don't want to pay don't tryout. I never made families pay; but then again we were never a top tier team. If a team has made it to that "Elite" status they can do whatever they please. |
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OffSpeed
40 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2009 : 12:21:41
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Can I offer another point of view for ECB Tryouts/Registration coming up. What most do not understand (gabulldogs), is that for those that make a team (and those "already selected") the $100 becomes your Fall Park Registration Fee. All of the other local parks charge a registration fee. This is the same. The kicker is that if your son does not make a ECB team, you end up with what is left... a $100 2-day Clinic.
By charging a fee, you "weed-out" those parents making the big gamble with their view of their son's potential.
Is the Tryout Free for ECB to put on... Not sure, but I don't think so. They bring in some college players in which I am sure are raising money for their baseball program. Therefore, I believe that ECB has a measurable cost for putting this on. Also by having other qualified persons performing the tryout, the coaches are free to move from station to station and follow interested prespects.
It's NOT A BAD THING. Do they make a huge profit over those parks that use a more conventional method. I don't think so, but I don't know.
Any Team Coaches that are looking for more than 5 players at this point are behind.
ECB coaches that are looking for 3-4 players are typically paying attention at the tryouts.
ECB coaches that are looking for 1-2 players have identified prospects and are now farting around.
The only people that complain about the fee are those that need to do more research. By this tryout, you should have already contacted ECB coaches, non ECB Coaches, and your last year coach. Don't show up to this tryout blindly and then complain because you made a donation. Do your homework. Just because he is an ECB coach does not make him any better than any other coach. There are really good ones and some real stinkers, just like any park.
Find a coach that has your player's best interest in mind and that the team goals match your player's ability. There is too much baseball in the Cobb County and surround area not to find what you are looking for. That's your job as a parent. |
Edited by - OffSpeed on 07/29/2009 13:18:43 |
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gabulldogs
29 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2009 : 13:51:11
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| O.k (offspeed). I understand what you are saying. But as a coach and parent and know several coaches at ECB. I know what I am talking about because they have told me. I do know that the $100.00 dollars does go toward your dues for the team if you make the team or already on one, but the teams that are already full should not let on that they are looking when they are not. I only go to ECB tryouts to scout for players that I might be interested in if they do not make their squads. I feel that there should not be a fee to tryout. You should only ask a fee when you have been asked to join a team and except an offer to show your commitment. |
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Alter-Ego
802 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2009 : 14:30:07
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In looking at the rising 14U age group, last year, 90% or more made a team, or were at least offered a spot. That does not mean all chose to play for that team. Where people get into trouble is going with expectation they are only interested in one or two teams, and have not talked to both of them extensively ahead of time. If you are only looking at one or two teams and don't have a good feeling about your chances for making the team, I would suggest you do some serious evaluation of whether you are going to get you moneys worth out of the tryout or not.
Also, if your son is not a pitcher, catcher, or really good hitter, counsel them on working hard during the tryout to make their presence known. They have to rely on someone hitting them a ball to make a play and that is not something they can control. Find a way to add the "wow" factor in to get them a second look. |
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toprank
138 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2009 : 14:41:05
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| I still believe there is a $175.00 charge for registration for ECB Players, this is seperate from the $100.00 to tryout/clinic. So to begin with you have spent $275.00. |
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bigdog
231 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2009 : 16:24:44
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JMHO the coaches who still follow ECB wishes by not holding tryouts prior to the "clinic" are way behind. They will bounce from parent to parent next weekend only to find out that kid isnt available nor is that one or that one or that one........
They are about to find out shortly they got the short end of the stick. |
Edited by - bigdog on 07/29/2009 16:40:49 |
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bigfan
105 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2009 : 17:17:39
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| My son is a rising 12U in 2010 and I already see that this past years 11U ECB teams moving up to 12U have already named their team and have the rosters online. Will the kids already on a roster still need to attend evaluations or can they stay home and let some of the other kids get seen more? |
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highcheese
71 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2009 : 18:57:19
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Right off the form for the year :REGISTRATION FEE: $175 per calendar year or $50 if entering in fall season. This fee is applied to league and complex operating costs. Individual team expenses are not included in this fee. MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: ECB, Inc. Please fill in all blanks and forward to your team manager to be turned in with the team roster. Or mail to: East Cobb Baseball 111 North Lakeside Dr. NW Kennesaw, Ga. 30144
EAST COBB BASEBALL
TRY-OUT CLINICS for 2010 teams
Cost: $100 pre-registration $125 late registration
Yes you end up paying 275 to play at ecb. Some teams bake it into the price to play in the budget others make you pay it as a seperate charge. Either way it gets to ECB. It is a personal choice of where you want to play and if you think it is worth the money. I am wondering if we can get some stimulus money to pay for the $300 bats. Just kidding. hey, have a blast this week and take a kid to a ballgame. |
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dmb350
135 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2009 : 20:05:18
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My son is on a 2010 14U ECB team and our coach has already told us not to bother attending the try-outs unless we just want to get in some extra work. I suppose it depends on the coach but it's not mandatory for the returning ECB players.
FYI, it's $175 for spring registration and the team will get invoiced $100 for every player on the 2009-2010 roster that didn't pay/attend try-outs. Nobody said travel ball was cheap but $275 isn't much more than you would pay to play spring and fall rec ball. The $100 is also NOT part of your team fees. It all goes to ECB. Your cost for the team's season expenses are separate. |
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Alter-Ego
802 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2009 : 09:40:42
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dmb350,
Your coach had better be careful. The Astros get a look at all players first, so telling players to not show up may get them in hot water. Currently there are not supposed to be any tryouts going on for EC teams. I know this happens but coaches don't need to start complaining when their team gets pulled and they have to find somewhere else to coach. E-mails have already gone out about this.
No one says that a player HAS to play for the Astros if they don't want to, but many coaches are trying to hide players from being considered in fear of losing them. This has been fine at the younger age groups because there was not a defined #1 team over there but at 13U, that IS the Astros. |
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OffSpeed
40 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2009 : 16:09:02
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Thanks for the reply Gabulldogs. I still think I like the tryout/registration fee:
1. At ECB where you have a potential to be seen by 8-10 teams
2. Not at 643 or Hard Knock, where you are vying for one team/age group.
3. Imagine ECB WITHOUT a fee... I see 2000 kids trying out. Where 90% of them are
average rec ball players at best hoping for a good hit or fancy catch.
I believe you have to agree that there is a need for Travel and Rec baseball. There is a subset of kids that geared for Travel ball and a subset of kids that are geared for Rec ball. They can and will coexist for years to come. Those that exceed in Rec ball typically gravitate toward moving to Travel ball. I believe that most Travel coaches still keep in contact with the rec programs and eye their star players.
The baseball "System" will dictate the number of Travel Teams based on talent. Too many teams will DILUTE the teams. Tryout/Registration fees kind of help keep this in check.
Thinking that it is a nessecary evil! |
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dmb350
135 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2009 : 17:55:48
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Alter-Ego,
Our coach simply leaves it up to the players because there is no rule stating a player MUST attend. It's $100 either way but if you're already committed to a team then what's the point?
As far as the Astros go, I'm pretty sure the 13U squad and coaches are out of town for the Elite 32 at Disney on the 8th and 9th so the coaches won't be seeing anyone at tryouts.
The 13U and up Astros program is kept pretty quiet as far as how they do things but I would imagine they already have a good idea of who they want. Besides, not everyone can afford the Astros if asked to join. |
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Rocky
290 Posts |
Posted - 07/31/2009 : 07:22:13
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| I think if ECB offered a free tryout you would have alot of kids trying out that wouldn't get picked up for a team, but you would also have some kids whos parents might not want to spend $100 to tryout get picked up and fall in love with the sport of baseball. Its a tough call, but I think if you had 500 kids tryout you could easily in 4 hours tell who can play and who cant. Coaches could invite back kids the second day that they are interested in. All the tryouts I have gone to in the last 2 weeks, I can pick out the good players in about 20 minutes. It doesnt take 5 hours. Clinic/Camp call it what you want, most kids take nothing away from these things. I asked my son the other day what he learned at a tryout that was $85.00 and he said, nothing same things you have been working with me on. |
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Paying for a tryout
