DBAT"S POST ON VTD (I CALL BS)

[Black Mamba]

I don't understand why anybody feels the need to bash an organization or question someone on how they run their organization. Hey just do what best for your kid and don't worry about what someone else is doing the important thing is the future of the kids and nothing else should matter.

[pbj2000]

This is all pre-season hype...D'Bat, Dallas Tigers, Glory, Fusion, Mizuno (whoever else I missed)...etc...I think everybody is just ready to get this season started. While all of this makes for good forum conversations, I for one am tired of all the hooplah about how great these teams are going to be, how great their coaches are, PROMISES and how their top program is guaranteeing them the most college looks...let's get it started and let the rest take care of itself.

March can't get here soon enough in Texas

[Fusion Gold]

These young kids committing is insane if you ask me. I can't come up with any other logical explanation other than egos. And I mean the parents and in many cases the organization. I have been coaching for over 15 years, and I have not met many, if any kids that are in 8th grade, Freshman even Sophomores or Jr's in some cases that have any idea as to what degree plan they want or what they really want to do with their life. I'm not being disrespectful to Dan by saying this either, he and I have had this very conversation many times. He is guiding the kids in the direction of the schools that they like, and from there these things can take on a life of their own. The schools have nothing to risk, everything to gain. If a kid becomes what they expect then its all great, if not then the actual deal will not equate to the early verbal commitment from a financial standpoint.

For us, we really try and have the kids wait until their Jr year, unless there are some crazy circumstances. We have had only one player commit as a sophomore to LSU, however she went on many unofficials and camps and felt that this was THE place to go. If kids have been to 7 to 10 campuses and have done enough homework they are prepared enough if everything feels right. Her and her parents did extensive homework, found a place that they fell in love with and are very happy with their decision. I really think this is a unique situation for our players, we would prefer they wait if possible.

And I realize each case is unique in its own way, but I think most of the time when kids are committing as Sophomores or Freshmen (I still can't believe this is happening, are they even driving yet?), its almost completely the parents decision. But the decision of where a player wants to go to school, what degree plan they want, etc, should be up to the player to me. They won't play softball forever, they have to go to school to get an education and to become independent young adults. They are the future, these decisions will impact the rest of their lives and their kids and so on. As parents and coaches, we should guide them and mentor them in the right direction, but they need to be mature enough to understand how difficult being a collegiate STUDENT/athlete is going to be, and to realize school comes before softball. These young kids haven't even finished one year of HS, how in the heck can they be truly ready to make these kinds of
decisions?

I hope this stuff slows down, I see it getting out of control and when these schools commit to these young kids, and then over the next few years if the young kids don't grow and develop like everyone expects them to, both in the classroom and on the field, then I promise you the offer you get won't be the same when signing day comes a few years from now. Then who is left hanging? The player because no other schools have any money left and quit scouting this kid because they have been waiving the flag of the school that they committed to every since they where a freshman or sophomore in HS. More kids get burned than people think, as parents you need to educate yourself on how this all works as much as possible. This can be a very cut throat business and early commitments and the ego's involved are a direct result of just that.

Our philosophy is simple, its not about how many D1 players we can get signed or what conference they can play in. We want to put the right kids in the right schools. Think beyond the next 4 or 5 years, softball at any level only lasts for a few years. Then what?

[pbj2000]

Our philosophy is simple, its not about how many D1 players we can get signed or what conference they can play in. We want to put the right kids in the right schools. Think beyond the next 4 or 5 years, softball at any level only lasts for a few years. Then what?

EXCELLENT POINT

[americanfreedom]

Amen!

[rodehardputawaywet]

Thank you Slade for your input.

I do appreciate you, Dan and a few others that actually put your time providing valuable information to all of the softball families.

It is difficult wading through all of the worthless negative crap on this website to get to the few nuggets of value, but this info makes it worthwhile.

RHPAW

[gamewatcher]

Sorry Black Mamba, but I dont think you are the one to start casting any stones. I have read some of your posts on this forum.

As for Slade, I think you are on point with some of your comments. I agree that it is totally crazy for kids that probley cant find her cleats on the way to the ballfields every weekend to be choosing where she wants to go to college.

The rest of you coaches that feel a need to come on this forum to brag about how you have 2013's and 2014's with verbels its pretty pathetic. If the kid has talent and is good enough then she will get that verbel and/or signing without you, stop trying to act like you did something.

[Blind Squirrel]

Slade (Fusion Gold),
I am in SoCal and know zero about you or your org. My default attitude in such cases is to assume that you have and will continue to, help countless kids. That deserves respect and regard in my book.

All that said, your comments about Freshman/Sophmore verbals reflects profound ignorance of the actual experience. I strongly suggest that you locate and chat with multiple folks who have been through the experience. From my own experience as well as what other folks in the same boat have said to me, your views are way off. I'm confident that your advise to kids who are in the position to early verbal will be of much greater value if/when you have a greater awareness of the situation. I have a feeling that you are interested in helping kids to the very best of your ability which is why I'm taking the time to post this. That and as a message to others in your position.

Best Regards,
John

[Joe]

These young kids committing is insane if you ask me. I can't come up with any other logical explanation other than egos. And I mean the parents and in many cases the organization.

All well and good, but I think you missed the point of the anus that started this thread.

Dbat's post from VTD: "Our current group features players that are already beginning the recruiting process, who have received interest from some top D1 programs in the country."

The only decision at this point is do you want to play for our team? In this case, Dbat. I've seen the same crapola coming from your posts, Dan's, Shelton's and all the others. Maybe I'm reading too much into Mark's advertisement, but I don't see where he's saying he has 14U kids making college decisions. I do see an effort on his part to recruit...which BTW I would prefer over some of the tactics used by Glory (both), Fusion, BB and others...Tactics like trolling through the park and starting conversations with parents whose kids are playing for another team, calling the same when you know they're on another roster, recruiting pickup players, and any other cut throat scheme utilized by DFW's best.

I don't give a sh#t about Mark or any 'em, but please spare us the 'ethics' speech.

[pbj2000]

WHAT??? Other coaches try to recruit players who are on other teams? We witnessed this firsthand...picking up for another team then being asked to join...