I need your help. I have a question.

[Safebyahare]

I am asking, because I do not understand, comprehend, or can conceive why a team would not release a player.
This can be for PGF or ASA it doesn't really matter, the question is why.
I don't care if it is a worthless piece of paper and that the parents will have to jump through the hoops.
What business is it of yours if a kid left your team that you should hold them hostage or dictate the way or manner in which they play ball.
I thought this was for and about the players. (kids)
Why???

[jtat32]

I am asking, because I do not understand, comprehend, or can conceive why a team would not release a player.
This can be for PGF or ASA it doesn't really matter, the question is why.

Because nationals would become all-star tournaments and everything else (qualifiers, etc.) would just become an extended tryout.

You may be frustrated being locked into a roster you don't want to be on, but I'm sure it beats the feeling of paying season dues, going to every practice, paying to go to nats, and then watching pick-ups play while your DD sits on the bench.

[BAM2]

From what i have heard, seen and experienced. It's because when teams that are qualifing, have a player leave, that player can't come back and elimnate that team from qualifying. It's also unfair at the time for the other girls that stayed and relied on that player to help them qualify. I also helps in preventing team hoping to get the all desired National Championship. One player could hop from team to team everytime the player or parent saw a better team for their chances.
But on the other hand. After all the qualifiers are complete, i believe a player may join another team without a release. You just have to sit the quailfiers out.
Anyone help me on that ruling......

[AlwaysImprove]

I am asking, because I do not understand, comprehend, or can conceive why a team would not release a player.
This can be for PGF or ASA it doesn't really matter, the question is why.
I don't care if it is a worthless piece of paper and that the parents will have to jump through the hoops.
What business is it of yours if a kid left your team that you should hold them hostage or dictate the way or manner in which they play ball.
I thought this was for and about the players. (kids)
Why???

Open and free to move does not seem like a correct answer either. Everyone will just hope to the best teams. Super high end teams can use that time to recruit players for next year. Also, the coach has to be seen as somewhat fighting for the kids that remain on his team to accomplish their goals.

If there is a clear legitimate beef then they should probably release. The problem is that the devil will definitely be in the details on this one. What is a "clear legitimate beef" to one person will be someone that is "sore she was not in every inning of every game" to another.

[PDad]

PGF requires they review releases from teams with a berth before they become effective. I presume this is to stop teams from using ringers to qualify and then releasing them back to their regular team.

[jonriv]

I have always hated when teams have tried to load up with ringers for tournaments and sit players that got them there. IMO it should only be allowed when there is a player that can't make the trip and tehre is a roster vacancy- jmo

[Sam]

It's a simple agreement which "commits" the kid to playing on a single team during the qualifying/championship season. The softball organizations that require these "commitments" regularly overturn them. I always released my kids to play in ASA Nationals if we weren't going to continue in ASA Championship play. Every kid that I know of who tried to move teams without their manager's approval was able to do so because of the spineless worms at SoCal ASA. I have no experience with PGF, so I don't know what they do in order to assure a level playing field.

The organizations could fix the issue easily. Require submittal of rosters in January and freeze them immediately. You can't accept another player. Problem solved.

These vagabond morons that want to move from team to team during Championship season are the first ones to complain when their kid moves and doesn't play. Yes, coaches will recruit players from other teams just so they won't have to play against them. Happens mostly to pitchers.

[Safebyahare]

My question was intended to be more of an ethical question.
So let me ask it this way.
YOU are the mgr/coach of a org./team and a player no longer wishes to play for you.
They have returned everything, are current on their dues ect, they are done with you.
Why not sign release papers for that player and let them be on their way?
Let them deal with the governing bodies and their rules and regulations of play.
Why as a Mgr./coach would you not release them?

[jonriv]

Why??????

Because maybe I am a resntful and spiteful SOB- That's why!

[AlwaysImprove]

My question was intended to be more of an ethical question.
So let me ask it this way.
YOU are the mgr/coach of a org./team and a player no longer wishes to play for you.
They have returned everything, are current on their dues ect, they are done with you.
Why not sign release papers for that player and let them be on their way?
Let them deal with the governing bodies and their rules and regulations of play.
Why as a Mgr./coach would you not release them?

Coaches primary job is to achieve the goals set out for the team at the start of the season. When your child is no longer on the team, are they still progressing towards those initial goals.

The other families want still want to accomplish their goals for the season. Your leaving puts them in a bind. Now they have to recruit/replace that void.

Often when this happens, the coach is immediately put into a very tough position. Super top tier coaches may just continue on. Most other coaches are now faced with a big decision. Continue on and try to draw talent to fill out, or roll it up and look to get as many kids on other great rides to nationals as possible.

I suspect you already know the position the remaining team members and coach are in with your departure. But remain pretty focused on your situation and what you are going to do. They are merely doing the same.

If you are a coach with a kid on the team, this process can become a huge trap. Everyone else can go bouncing around team to team looking for the best deal for them. Coach does that, and it is guaranteed to kill the team. So he is stuck hunkered down until everyone else decides his fate.

I am not saying he should not release you. But also don't be surprised that your freedom to bounce around is not so easy for them, and they still have goals and want to create opportunities for their kids and the other kids that remain on the team.