Tryouts over....

[rbi]

To me 10U is pure developmental and nothing else. They will learn what a win and loss feels like real quick, I wish they did not even have Nationals for 10's its just nuts now that I look back. If you are deciding on a 10U team and you go watch a coach to see what he does, and he is off the hook during the game, find someone else, as he/she is doing it for the wrong reasons. Its not about "W's" in damn 10U folks, its about learning the game from someone that can teach/show it to the little ones. Some people have that "knack" that kids react to in a positive way, if you can find that guy/girl who has that "knack" AND the ability to teach, thats where I would send my little one, forget everything else...

Nothing that bothers me more than seeing a 8/9yr old cry after getting chewed out by a coach or parent for what was supposedly "poor performance", are you kidding me.

[Iluvblue]

Some people have that "knack" that kids react to in a positive way, if you can find that guy/girl who has that "knack" AND the ability to teach, thats where I would send my little one, forget everything else...


People have that knack or they dont.... it is called communication skills. People need to be able to communicate with all sorts of different players.They are not all the same. The single biggest problem with coaches, in my opinion, is lack of ability to connect with their players. You can not DRILL them all the time.

Now, finding all of those quality in a 12u coach that stays in 12u ....... good luck to you.

Kind of like a manager/leader. Some people are managers/leaders, some people are not..

[ICMTM]

I just don't see the opportunity for a kid that is gifted that did not start comp ball in 10U to catch up.

I really appreciate your post and I'm glad that your DD rediscovered softball, but I disagree with this statement.

Many of those talented players might be behind coming right out of 10u rec all-stars and going into 12u TB that fall, but by the following summer, many are going to be up to speed. A few TB coaches have told me that a girl needs to be in comp ball by 10u like you said, but most of the coaches I've talked to don't agree. They would rather get a girl after a couple more years of development. When I'm watching 12u/14u, I'm often seeing the newer players performing just as well as the players who left rec when they were 8 or 9.

Besides, if every good player leaves rec when they're 9 leading to a lot more 10u TB teams, then the quality of play isn't going to be THAT much better than in rec, which offers competitive play in the summer and fall.

Thanks for the shout out to my daughter.

We actually do agree when we're talking about good coaches. However when we are talking about certain coaches there is a tendency to look at kids, or pick kids who have already been developed for that age. Coaches will pick kids who are the part right now and feed reps versus taking a kid who need development but in 6 months will outshine other kids. Too many coaches have that tryout to tryout mentality. If a kid is lacking a skill teach them. Don't tell them to learn it and come back.

[Iluvblue]

Thats funny. Lets be real, a coach will take the kid who is more advanced at the tryout over the kid who is less advanced EVERYTIME.

but it is then up to the coach to still made the kid they took better.

What is the point of a tryout for coaches? To get the happiest looking, best natured kid? or get the kid that looks like they can kick ares n the field?

But it doesnt matter how good a kid is, and im talking the very best of the best... they still have much to learn.

[ICMTM]

Thats funny. Lets be real, a coach will take the kid who is more advanced at the tryout over the kid who is less advanced EVERYTIME.

Only when athletic ability is equal.

In the younger age groups this has been my experience. I saw the kids I knew who have been the faster stronger kids passed over for more fundamentally sound kids. As they are getting older though and the more athletic kids learn fundamentals they are finding places on very good teams while others are going the opposite direction.

[ontheblack]

rbi doesnt post often, but when he does, its always sage advice.

Its too bad that Rec has become such a negative. There is so much that kids can learn playing 10U rec. Just because you move your kid to 10U TB team doesnt mean they will learn more and get better, or the experience will be any better.

Its also too bad that parents miss the very real fact that how good a player is at 10 has very little correlation to how good that same kid will be at 2nd year 12U or 1st year 14u. Some kids bloom early and are head and shoulders above the rest, but so often the others have caught up by 12s.

Im hesitant to blame daddy ball, because at some point we were all coaching our kids, but unfortunately we do have to many of those dads who feel rec is beneath their kid after DD's 9th birthday so off they go to start their own team. If you are good enough to coach TB, then stay at Rec through 10s and teach them how to play. There will always be time to start another mediocre 12u TB team.

[Iluvblue]

I never saw RBI's daughter when she played 12u, but I have been told she wasnt in the upper echelon of players on her 12u team.

Now look at her and see if she isnt in the upper echelon of players anywhere. Perfect example of a kid that developed and got much, much better.

[softballermama]

After a few years of making all-stars in rec, my DD decided at 9 years old that she wanted to play TB. I told her that it was way too early and too expensive. I told her we would wait until she was 12. This was when I knew nothing about TB, but in retrospect I am so glad that we decided to let her tryout. Yes, there are way too many TB teams in our area(especially 12's), but she would not be on one of the best ones around here at 11 years old if I had not let her "try it out". We would have missed the bus and she would be playing on a team that didn't have the facilties and/or experienced TB coaches. I just feel bad for those who didn't fall into that knowledge by chance, like we did.

[SoftballSoccerDad]

Its too bad that Rec has become such a negative. There is so much that kids can learn playing 10U rec. Just because you move your kid to 10U TB team doesnt mean they will learn more and get better, or the experience will be any better.

I just laugh when people from outside my family tell me I have to get our 9yo DD out of rec ASAP. She wanted to try out for a team, but then changed her mind. She's having a terrific time playing and competing with her friends. Her teams are winning some and losing some and she's learning a lot about the game and herself in the process. She loved all-stars and hopes to make the team again this coming year.

I don't see any need to rush. She's fine.

[softballermama]

I don't see any need to rush. She's fine.

What a great observation you made. That is just a sign that you are a great parent. If your dd is pefectly happy and is open to express that to you, then good for you and for her as well. Too many kids do what they think their parents want. I was thinking the same thing about rec ball until my dd expressed to us that she wanted more. If she would have never asked, we would not have made the jump so early or even at all for that matter. As long as she loves what she is doing and progressing, that is all we can do as parents.