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CaCO3Girl
1989 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2017 : 10:14:02
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Sometimes it is best to stay where you are, but sometimes you feel you have to make a move.
How about a thread to give advice on how to pick a new team?
-Don't just go by their team record. -Talk to someone who was on the team last year, you can post here under the age groups for someone to message you if they had any experience with that team/coach/organization. -Look at the better business bureau report, if they have one read the complaint and the resolution. -Google the coach, you can even compare rosters from PG last year to PG this year...how many kids did they keep? -Websites LIE and some coaches/owners can schmooze like a used car salesmen, don't trust THEM
Good luck all! |
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Punishers
688 Posts |
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CaCO3Girl
1989 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2017 : 15:32:30
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quote: Originally posted by Punishers
Let's replay this:
http://www.nwgabaseball.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=64102
That is what questions to ask a coach...I'm saying how do you even narrow down your choices first. There are hundreds of teams to choose from and it seems lately there are more scammers than usual. There are some really big red flag statements. Like:
-"We kept everyone we wanted to keep from last year"...only the coaches kids stayed
-"We are rebuilding"....everyone left because we are horrible.
-"We will play XX amount of tourneys, but only play in these types."...well there were only 4 of those and you promised way more than that....so either we aren't playing just those, or I'm paying a lot to play very little.
-"We are working on finding a location to practice out of"...we want to see if we can get enough kids to even make a team before we commit to an actual field. |
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Bravemom
204 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2017 : 18:17:17
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Great topic. I like to go watch them play, especially when they are losing. I like to observe the coach (is he cussing, having a meltdown, or calm and collected?) what about the kids in the dugout? Are they supportive of each other or are they negative and disrespectful? What about the parents? Some team parents are so annoying I won't consider the team.
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Edited by - Bravemom on 06/14/2017 19:53:22 |
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Punishers
688 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2017 : 19:43:59
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-We have 3 dads coaching who played slow pitch softball.
-This is a business.
-Last coach took players with him
-We played AA last year, but are looking to play Major this year.
-We charge for everything.
Pretty much believe nothing they say.
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tbaillie2
120 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2017 : 20:34:29
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Dude... you are hung up beyond belief on a dad who may also coach.
Get over it.
quote: Originally posted by
Punishers
-We have 3 dads coaching who played slow pitch softball.
-This is a business.
-Last coach took players with him
-We played AA last year, but are looking to play Major this year.
-We charge for everything.
Pretty much believe nothing they say.
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catmando
107 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2017 : 21:06:48
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It is obvious some on this site have been on multiple teams over the past few years and have not had good experiences. Sometimes it is not team or program that is the issue if you keep moving and complaining.
If you have issues with a certain team or program call them out do not just keep throwing random read between the lines stuff out |
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Punishers
688 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2017 : 00:15:15
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quote: Originally posted by tbaillie2
Dude... you are hung up beyond belief on a dad who may also coach.
Get over it.
quote: Originally posted by
Punishers
-We have 3 dads coaching who played slow pitch softball.
-This is a business.
-Last coach took players with him
-We played AA last year, but are looking to play Major this year.
-We charge for everything.
Pretty much believe nothing they say.
It's simple. Be a dad and not a coach. Hurt feelings I see. You want to coach. Then coach a team that your kid is not on then you may actually learn something about the game rather than trying to make your kid the star of the team. That's what real coaches do. Unless the kid can't make another team. Can't teach what you don't know. I call it like I see it. And I have seen it a lot here. I'm not alone either.
Offended??? = Quilty
Let's just stay on topic if your ADD allows you to do that. |
Edited by - Punishers on 06/15/2017 10:47:36 |
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Bravemom
204 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2017 : 06:35:47
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I remember another one! Last year I spoke to a coach of a new team. I got bad vibes when he said he could see my son and tell if he was athletic. He also wanted big kids. I got bad vibes and never tried out. Good thing! It turns out they lied to the parents about the tourneys they were going to play (only PG and TC) . They played USSSA and then fired all their coaches because parents complained about all the money they payed, and the coaches weren't providing any instruction.
One team was decent and the other team, that was going to be Major turned out to be low AA. My understanding is the higher level team imploded and the good players started leaving. In other words, a disasters.
Always listen to your instincts!
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CaCO3Girl
1989 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2017 : 07:12:03
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quote: Originally posted by catmando
It is obvious some on this site have been on multiple teams over the past few years and have not had good experiences. Sometimes it is not team or program that is the issue if you keep moving and complaining.
If you have issues with a certain team or program call them out do not just keep throwing random read between the lines stuff out
I tried that once, had a very bad lied to/used car salesman experience...it didn't get past Stan the Moderator/Owner. But hey if anyone wants to message me I'd be happy to share! |
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bbsis
42 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2017 : 08:53:42
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our academy/organization team for the past 2 years has endured a coaching merry-go round. very disruptive and unsettling. i guess it is a low paying job but when you select a team based in large part on who will be coaching and have paid all of your team fees so you are stuck with whatever coach comes on board for the next stint, it does not make for a very good experience or playing environment. |
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Punishers
688 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2017 : 11:01:07
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quote: Originally posted by Bravemom
I remember another one! Last year I spoke to a coach of a new team. I got bad vibes when he said he could see my son and tell if he was athletic. He also wanted big kids. I got bad vibes and never tried out. Good thing! It turns out they lied to the parents about the tourneys they were going to play (only PG and TC) . They played USSSA and then fired all their coaches because parents complained about all the money they payed, and the coaches weren't providing any instruction.
One team was decent and the other team, that was going to be Major turned out to be low AA. My understanding is the higher level team imploded and the good players started leaving. In other words, a disasters.
Always listen to your instincts!
Wow. Never surprised. Anytime you get the first sign or that sketchy feeling, it's usually right on. |
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tbaillie2
120 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2017 : 12:14:35
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Not offendwd at all....don't flatter yourself.
There are excellent coaches who have kids on the team amd treat their kids appropriately. Most in fact often go the other direction. There are terrible dad coaches, and terrible "paid" coaches.
At 13 or 14 I would agree for the maturity factor alone a kid should play for others.
quote: Originally posted by Punishers
quote: Originally posted by tbaillie2
Dude... you are hung up beyond belief on a dad who may also coach.
Get over it.
quote: Originally posted by
Punishers
-We have 3 dads coaching who played slow pitch softball.
-This is a business.
-Last coach took players with him
-We played AA last year, but are looking to play Major this year.
-We charge for everything.
Pretty much believe nothing they say.
It's simple. Be a dad and not a coach. Hurt feelings I see. You want to coach. Then coach a team that your kid is not on then you may actually learn something about the game rather than trying to make your kid the star of the team. That's what real coaches do. Unless the kid can't make another team. Can't teach what you don't know. I call it like I see it. And I have seen it a lot here. I'm not alone either.
Offended??? = Quilty
Let's just stay on topic if your ADD allows you to do that.
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CaCO3Girl
1989 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2017 : 13:11:42
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Punisher and I are often on the same page, but I can't stand with you on the dad coach thing. There are non-dad coaches out there that barely charge anything, they are doing it for the love of the game and to share their knowledge....I think there are about 4 of those, lol, seriously, it's RARE.
90%+ of the teams 12u and under are coached by dad's, and this can be a VERY good thing or a VERY bad thing. For the rest of us grunts who don't have the option of dad coaching I think we can all agree that the dad coaches aren't usually known for their overwhelming knowledge, but if they bring in extra support then you get the knowledge and the massive discount of not having to pay for a coach or two.
I can only think of a few dad coaches who really truly know their stuff. The majority are more students of the game who are coaching to spend time with their kid and because they enjoy the game. Below 13u it is okay to have a fun coach that you trust but may not be the most knowledgeable, it is 100% okay! Do NOT run away from a team because there is a dad coaching. Ask questions! I've seen it both ways, coaches kid plays the prime positions and he sucks at them...and coaches kid isn't great and sits the bench and bats last. ASK THE QUESTIONS! |
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Punishers
688 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2017 : 22:31:57
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quote: Originally posted by CaCO3Girl
Punisher and I are often on the same page, but I can't stand with you on the dad coach thing. There are non-dad coaches out there that barely charge anything, they are doing it for the love of the game and to share their knowledge....I think there are about 4 of those, lol, seriously, it's RARE.
90%+ of the teams 12u and under are coached by dad's, and this can be a VERY good thing or a VERY bad thing. For the rest of us grunts who don't have the option of dad coaching I think we can all agree that the dad coaches aren't usually known for their overwhelming knowledge, but if they bring in extra support then you get the knowledge and the massive discount of not having to pay for a coach or two.
I can only think of a few dad coaches who really truly know their stuff. The majority are more students of the game who are coaching to spend time with their kid and because they enjoy the game. Below 13u it is okay to have a fun coach that you trust but may not be the most knowledgeable, it is 100% okay! Do NOT run away from a team because there is a dad coaching. Ask questions! I've seen it both ways, coaches kid plays the prime positions and he sucks at them...and coaches kid isn't great and sits the bench and bats last. ASK THE QUESTIONS!
It's ok to disagree not everyone will think the same. When you start to get into things like game time adjustment, plate approach, reading the box, pitch methods, rake of swing, green lighting, etc. It's a foreign language to 95% of dad coaches and this is where they fail in knowledge and being able to apply when it really matters. We've all seen very questionable coaching decisions with the coaches taking their dislike for the parent out on the kids in the game.
About 90% of teams with the most drama and highest turnover are dad coached. The other 10% are mostly crooks and con-men with ulterior motives.
Teams looking for great parents are usually the type of teams that are more social club type. Not focused on performance or development of the players. Just take what we dish out and write the check. Doesn't matter if we really don't know what we are doing cause we're coaching our kids. Everyone thinks they are great parents.
You think the high school or older age coaches care if the parents get along? Think about that if your kid has any desire to progress in their baseball career. Helps if they get in an environment early on that simulates that. |
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KeithB
282 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2017 : 11:24:51
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Priorities/Development/opportunity/cost/travel Dad or pro, if the priorities are right, success can follow for the player and the team. I'm torn because I've had good and bad experiences with both, so... |
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SuperStar
257 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2017 : 13:03:57
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Here is the reality of it..., There is no such thing as being in the perfect setup with the perfect team. It just does not exist.
With that being said, you have to "man-up" as a parent and ask those question and learn how to be assertive. You can't go into the situation shrugging shoulders, going with the flow, and expect everything to turn out right.
Do as much homework as you can about all teams and in the end make a decision. If you did your homework correctly, then most of the time there will not be many surprises.
The season will becoming to an end before you know it, so now is the time to start asking questions. Good Luck! |
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Crazyforbball
391 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2017 : 10:05:24
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Stressful, political, and confusing every year. Hard not to jump the gun out of fear that all the "good" teams will be full if you wait. I am starting to think the way to go is wait till all the picking is over, shakeups have occurred, then look at which teams you would consider that are still looking to fill those "one or two" slots in the fall. Happens every year .. though they were "full" they now have one or two spots. If your son is a decent/versatile player, now he can get a better grip on what the team actually looks like. Of course there are exceptions, but even in the spring a lot of great teams are "still looking." I think at the least, it is best not to rush into something. There is ALWAYS a spot somewhere unless you are only a one trick pony, or refuse to play a "lesser" position on a decent team. |
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