Tryouts that really are not tryouts ?

[milpitas99]

It, apparently, pays to get into a decent organization at the 14U level and stay there. The key word is "decent". Actually, it needs to be much better than "decent". If you happen to be moving to a new area or are looking for an alternative to your 18G current team, good luck. Last week there was a SJ team with tryouts (for 2 18G teams) and 36 current organization players showing up. Read: the teams were full before the tryouts started and the coaches knew it. A northeast bay team had the same situation. The key message is that your 14U team choice is more important than you initially think. As it is, tryouts appear to be nothing more than assuring that existing players continue to commit to the team. One could believe that a team is fishing for the one super stud pitcher but that super stud doesn't even need to go to the tryout as they are well known. Bottom line; pick your 14U team very carefully.

[Iluvblue]

That isnt exactly true.

If coaches are familiar with a player because they have the other coach from 14u telling the 18u coach that the kid is really good, that helps.

If you have 35 kids show up for one team, and you know 10 of those kids already, it is easy to know if you want those 8 or 10 already. Now that leaves a coach a few hours to look at 25 players and make a decision. It is not all that easy, and no sure things. Most good players are already known by coaches, and those kids dont really tryout. They just need to tell the coach if they want to come or not.

Bottom line is not that it is so important who your 14u team is, but that your kid is REALLY GOOD. if she is middle of the pack, then it is harder to get on one of the better 18 teams. trust me, if the kid is a stud player, it wont matter if she played for mom and pops ice delivery in 14u... she will still be chosen.

[milpitas99]

If you have 35 kids show up for one team, and you know 10 of those kids already, it is easy to know if you want those 8 or 10 already. Now that leaves a coach a few hours to look at 25 players and make a decision.

My apologies for not explaining a situation more clearly. For those 35/36 or so kids... they are already with the organization. The chances of them being cut and replaced by a newbie from outside the organization are minimal. Carrying 22 per team is insane. If you have 18 per team there is no real need for a tryout other than to collect the first installment on fall fees. The coach has all the "organization" players he needs with 16U's filling in for departing 18G's. The bottom line is that it isn't really a tryout for 99% of the players except the possible, out-of-the-blue super stud who just move into town after playing on the National team. Again, as noted... it REALLY helps to carefully choose your 14U team, minimizing or eliminating or lessening the need to move later on (16U/18G)

jmho

[artomatic]

Here are your options as I see it:

1 - continue to bash this organization because you don't like their tryout system.
2 - find another team.
3 - start your own team to assure things are done the right way.

[ssarge]

My apologies for not explaining a situation more clearly. For those 35/36 or so kids... they are already with the organization.

The chances of all 35 staying with the same team are minimal, too. Coaches are in a tough situation. If you wait until some of your players leave - and inevitably they will, no matter what they tell you - it is too late to attract other players.

Regards,

Scott

[Iluvblue]

Carrying 22 per team is insane. If you have 18 per team there is no real need for a tryout other than to collect the first installment on fall fees.



Couldnt agree with you more. That is why the OBS Monarchs that I just started will have between 13-14 MAX. So come see us and lets see what your kid looks like:)
Our pitching is done and solid....... we need a few more to finalize things.