What Happened to FREE???

[Sftball Junkie]

Just heard from a buddy who's DD made Team FREE California that they needed to buy a New Bat, New Helmet and New Bag "Demarini off course" That will only cost $450+ (Funny my kids Fall team is only $400)

Lessons thru the coaches manditory kiss your old instructors good buy. They were good enough to get you there but not good enough any more.

Ummm??? 14 on our roster what happened to 11 or 12???

My thoughts are wait till the travel schedule comes out. How much is that gonna cost???

Is this true???

[AdmittedBias]

There a'int no such thing as a free lunch.

[anonlooker]

When a team says "Sponsored by..." you hear "free" but quickly learn that what they really mean is "Sponsored, buy..." which isn't the same thing at all.

But hey, at least it's Demarini!

[as the world turns]

The obumba mentality comes to softball...........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P36x8rTb3jI

[joaquinjunior]

free, never was. good one bro.

[Sftball Junkie]

"silverstreak" My understanding is that 12U is free, but 14s are not. I would contact the coaches or the sponsors about that if you have questions. Also, I think the teams will be doing volunteer work for special olympics (or another charity), but there is no bingo or fundraising, it's sponsor money.

I guess she did say My understanding is.... Good Politicians

All we have heard about since Metros in Sac is how your DD can come play for a FREE team!!!

Been telling everyone for months no such thing as FREE... Stay away from the Kool-Aid.

[watchtonsofsoftball]

I went out to the 16u tryout to see what kind of talent they drew by this free or nearly free claim. I did see some pretty good talent but not a dominating type team. Saw kids that seemingly had already been offered a spot prior to tryouts by their actions on the field, which would not have worked for me had I had a dd still playing TB and we were interested. Heard 4 fall tourneys which is not enough IMO especially if you have to buy all that gear. Seemed like typical to good to be true, parent grumblings/bit*hing, politics and false advertisement. Yep, just another TB team. On the plus side buying a Demarini bat isn't the worst thing in the world. My dd hates she cant swing her Demarini for her college team. Well that and her Phenix is banned

[AdmittedBias]

The truth of it is that it is an amazing opportunity for a select few in the region. If they don't want to pay for the equipment, then they should move on. I am sure they won't have a hard time finding other homes.

[ICMTM]

You had to know the Demarini gear change was coming. You also had to know paid training was coming. Do they have to wear Wilson gloves as well (Demarini is owned by Wilson for those unaware)?

I'm surprised Mizuno AA girls don't all use Mizuno gear?

In any event it's nice to have fees paid for through means other than parental support (whether out of pocket or fundraising). The allure of Team Cali is the coaching staff has decorated experience. If you feel it's worth it to play there then great! I'm sure some kids and parents would see this still as a bargain as there is a fee subsidy in play.

What was the motivation for this coaching staff to form an organization though?

[A&&hole Coach]

IMO the best players don't necessarily make the best coaches. Those Olympic players have no idea what 99% of the world of softball feels, what it's like to not be the best as soon as you get out of the car. Most players have to work amazingly hard to me good, these ladies showed up as the best on the field from a young age. Not that they didn't work very hard, we know they did but there can't help but be a disconnect for the majority of players being coached by Olympic and ASA hall of fame players. As for the lessons - there a'int no money in the cure. If they are such awesome coaches, how come I had 3 players taking lessons from one of these ladies for over a year and their average dropped significantly in that time frame? What did the parents drop $2,000+ on? I wish I made $80 an hour to fix nothing or very little... food for thought parents! A broom stick and a pile of gravel is just as good and way cheaper.