Open Tryouts

[softballmafia]

Just curious on your thoughts about this. I went to a tryout this week, saw girls from this
team who did not try out but were there just screwing around and not partcipating in the tryout. I for one think the tryout should be partcipated by everyone, not just the newbies

[Sftbll4ever]

I agree mafia!!! My dd is injured and can not participate in her teams tryout, but will be there dressed and doing the running portions of the tryout.

[Sam]

Just curious on your thoughts about this. I went to a tryout this week, saw girls from this
team who did not try out but were there just screwing around and not partcipating in the tryout. I for one think the tryout should be partcipated by everyone, not just the newbies

Only one opinion matters...the manager's...and if the manager knows the abilities of the returners and wants to focus on the players trying out....without wasting time with the returners....it is certainly a valid position. I wouldn't bring your opinion up to the manager if you want your kid on that team....

[Sftbll4ever]

Good point Sam!!!

Wouldn't you think the manager would want his girls helping out with the drills and not running around. Maybe give some of the parents of the girls the coach may want a bad impression.

[Sam]

Good point Sam!!!

Wouldn't you think the manager would want his girls helping out with the drills and not running around. Maybe give some of the parents of the girls the coach may want a bad impression.

The manager may want to leave the impression that the girls will actually have some fun on his/her team....the poster said they were screwing around...which could mean 1,000 things, depending on one's perception of screwing around. I can tell you that my returners would be laughing and having a good time....because I encourage that....I encourage an atmosphere that reminds all of these kids that this is a game....a tryout shouldn't be stressfull...its not a do or die situation....which a lot of parents impart on their kids.

[softballmafia]

Sam

I think by participating or helping out shows team effort. When I see these kids screwing around while parents are watching leaves a bad impression in alot of parents minds including mine. I thought in tryouts all positions are usually open?

[Sam]

Sam

I think by participating or helping out shows team effort. When I see these kids screwing around while parents are watching leaves a bad impression in alot of parents minds including mine. I thought in tryouts all positions are usually open?

Nope. Returning teams have returners...the ones they want to keep. New teams have had to recruit a nucleus of players in order to even have a tryout.

Before you go to a tryout, find out where the manager thinks he/she has needs. If your DD doesn't fill a need, you are wasting your time.

[hotwheels]

I think that Sam has hit this one right on the head...We have held tryouts the last 2 weeks and I had all 11 of my returning players attend the tryouts. Most came for both tryouts and 2 came for 1 and one was out of town for both. We had an additional 13 girls there plus my returners so it was busy.

I instructed all my returners to have fun and make it a relaxing time for all the new girls. My returners did all the drills but when I was low on time, I would skip my returners at bat or defensive play. I don't plan on bringing all 11 of my girls back but it was important for all to see the talent level of my team as well. You want the girls and their parents who are trying to see what kind of team if they don't know your team. We're not all big name organizations so we have to sell ourselves and our team in general.
If it's all serious and absolutely no fun, that may rub some people the wrong way....Save the seriousness for practices and games, tryouts should be relaxing...It's tough on the girls!

[Sudden Impact 94]

Concur with Sam & HW. I don't need to re-evaluate a player I've had for 3+ years or any returning player. If they're returning than they're good enough, trust my coaching staff and our judgement. Consider it a good use of your time that I want to spend as much time as possible evaluating a new player in my 4 hour tryout rather than displaying something you can gather from tournament results or my website. My philosophy is to reward those that are loyal to me and the team, the reward is no pressure of being cut or being lied to.

[softballmafia]

Guys

I have been to some big name 18gold tryouts just to see how they conduct their workouts and have seen all 3 tryouts with all their returners working out with the newbies...are they wrong? I don't think so. All I am saying is as a parent coming out to a tryout and evaluating the team, seeing a few returning team mates screwing around and making comments is counter productive. I wasn't the only parent commenting on this issue.