14U 99 teams, what are your needs?

[ICMTM]

The real purpose of this thread is so parents can have an easier road map on where to take their kids. Coaches are not going to have a heart to heart with parents, and they are not going to put all their needs and wants on Heybucket. They don't have to for starters, and to basically ask coaches to depth chart kids isn't fair to the kids they have. Even though all coaches have a depth chart why are we asking them to rate their 13 year old kids and post about it on a website? That's for the parent to figure out. If you want a better idea of where your kid stands contact each coach directly.

Make an honest assessment of your kid and find kids of her ability to play with. The rest takes care of itself.

You said it much better than I:)

I'm a parent and don't have any interest in the 14U landscape. I am at liberty to spell it out.

We all would love for our kids to be the elite kid on an elite team. Unfortunately most parents of kids just leaving 12U haven't seen elite unless this is their second kid in the game, mom played in college, or you have had exposure to fastpitch at a higher level previous to your kid getting there. Even baseball guys have a learning curve and you still have to see an elite female athlete to fully get it.

The best thing you can do as parents is learn the atmosphere of fastpitch softball and how your kid fits into it. Your kid doesn't have to play on a listed team on these boards to be a good player, and if you're constantly playing against these good teams it means you're getting the same work.

[onlooker]

contrary to the belief that this would not work, I assure you it already has. There seems to be a lot less shyness now about what the true needs are from the teams that are on the list. For that alone I would say it worked.

From updates in Ads after this post:
Team California (Garcia) - We are looking for 1 or 2 more dedicated ball players to complement our existing group. Looking for well rounded softball players that can play multiple positions and enjoy competing.

(I will spell that out, dont look for a starting position when you walk in, however it is there for the right person. They need a couple bodies to create DEPTH on this well known and talented team.)

All American Mizuno (Stone) - have posted new ads since this post and now state they want a Shortstop (SS is one word).

(I will spell that out, they now state they need a shortstop.)

All American Sports Academy (Norwood) - have posted new ads since this post, nothing specific as of this time.

(I will spell that out, no specific spots mentioned)

RR Gold (Miller) - no ads before post or after
KG Hitters (Garcia) - no ads after post
Breeze (Jaquez) - no ads after post

anyone need specific help still? feel free to fill in the blanks . Good luck to the girls and families in search of your next stop on this trail.

[Iluvblue]

Onlooker,

once again, you were told nothing:0 We are looking for a couple of dedicated players? What the heck does this mean? The dedicated ones as opposed to the ones that miss practice and skip tourneys?

It is good you paraphrased, but that is coming from you, not them.

I guess one team did put that they needed a SS.
No big deal, but I would hardly say anything was accomplished, except the standard generalities of we are looking for great attitudes(as opposed to shitty ones) looking for speed (as opposed to snails) looking for big bat (as opposed to the kid that Ks all the time) and looking for the dedicated player that will grow in our great softball family....... at least until the next tryout comes around and we look for the kid with the better attitude, better bat, better speed, and more dedication:)

[onlooker]

I think what you are clearly missing is you dont understand (still) the landscape of these top teams.

Yes, Team California clearly states what they are looking for. DEPTH.

Team Mizuno also states clearly what they want (as did smash and grapettes).

Just let the post do its thing, again, your opinion (on whether it will work or not) is meaningless! It did and HAS worked.

I suggest you view some other 14U ads in the area.
Here is a snippit form Davis:
The 14U Davis Lady Demons coaching staff is looking for 1 or 2 more dedicated players to round out our competitive squad.

and Cordova:
We are looking for experienced players with positive attitudes to fill our roster. We are looking for infielders, outfielders, and a #1 pitcher. All positions are available and will be earned based on performance and attitude.

The point I am trying to make to you (or anyone using "it wont work because" as an argument) is that when Team Cali says they need 1-2 more it is WAYYYYYY different then when Davis says pretty much the same thing. Cordova needs a team is how their ad is read. Again, the parents that are looking at these top teams ads dont need this spelled out, only the uneducated (to the landscape) need it spelled out. Thanks

Quite frankly - Norwood's ad is the same as Davis and Cordova, you have no clue what they are looking for. that is the WHOLE point of my post.

[Iluvblue]

onlooker... when you say I have no clue what the "Top" teams are or how they operate.... you must have me confused with someone else.

It wasnt that long ago when I was in 14u exclusively for a 4 year stretch(by choice)... and you can trust me that my team was easily one of top teams in that age every year.

IM really not trying to get into a pissing match with you...... at all, but I think I have been around this block a few times, and Im pretty sure I know how things work, far more than you may realize.


My last 14u team had 12 players. They are all either signed, playing in college, or 1 that is waiting to sign. Im pretty sure I know how the TOP teams operate at 14u. I know some people may think I just talk out of my ass.... but, Ive been around more than a season or 2.

[onlooker]

Iluvblue - you have no knowledge of the rosters of these top teams, nor the openings, you are making that perfectly clear. If my DD is a P, and as much as I want her to be the starting P on Team Cali, you think im gonna waste my time going to that tryout? NO!

I am saying NOTHING more than that. This has nothing to do with running a 501c3, nothing to do with creating a practice plan, nothing to do with credentials, nothing to do with past victories, nothing to do with a 98 team or any older. I know exactly who you are, and honestly cant believe someone who has been around for so long is fighting what possibly "could" be a good change for NorCal....that's your decision which you shot down before giving it a chance with arguments I thought about BEFORE i posted it!

Im sticking with my decision which is to help create a better group of teams and get rid of the riff raff (ps, I would NOT include Monarchs in Riff Raff).

edited to add: For those who want to shoot down my comment "waste my time going to that tryout"...quite frankly anyone's DD might learn more at that tryout than others on the list, HOWEVER, if tryouts are at same time and place there is NO reason to take a P there. Again, solely what this post is about....getting kids to openings!

[ICMTM]

I don't know what the confusion is????

If you're a rec ball player this makes sense but you're probably not going to go from rec girls softball to the top tier 12U team. If you're already in travel ball there is more than enough information out there to figure it out on your own. Your cheat sheet is funny to me onlooker. I'm not blasting you or telling you not to do it. I just think it's funny that you're making a guide to tryouts.

What is so wrong with saying hey coach this is what I'm doing...what do you think? Most coaches will be more candid with you versus an ad for tryouts.

[onlooker]

I'm not looking for approval from anyone, looking simply to improve the teams here. The cheatsheet has worked for more than one team and more than one family.

[ICMTM]

You're doing a great service for the heybucket community...All you're really achieving is stirring the pot. You're reposting Ads. You're coming off worse than Bob Costas.

[Iluvblue]

Well if it has worked, then great. Im am giving you information based upon MY experiences. And in MY EXPERIENCES the TOP TEAMS dont get kids randomly based upon tryouts. If you are a top team, a mediocre pitcher doesnt show up based upon a tryout ad. That parent has already contacted the coach or vice versa and that kid is almost always added to the team LONG before any tryout.

That stud SS was contacted by that coach, by some parent, by someone, but it is RARE for a team to add players just randomly out of the blue.

Sorry to annoy, this is my last post on this topic:)