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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Punishers |
Posted - 01/19/2017 : 23:34:36
Has anyone ever heard of dad coaches paying themselves? Heard this from a parent and had to double-take to it. No dad coach should be paying themselves as they are not professional coaches in any way. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Diamond_dad |
Posted - 03/07/2017 : 18:09:23
My kids played for a coach/dad, all 3 of his kids were drafted and my 2 along with all of his players received scholarships. |
| tbaillie2 |
Posted - 02/12/2017 : 22:10:01
quote:
Originally posted by Punishers
quote:
Originally posted by Crazyforbball
I think part of it is that rec ball offers so FEW games...10 or 12 games and a little tournament..we play that in 2 weeks in travel. Also lack of great instruction..most of the better young pros won't volunteer as they don't have kids. Finally, it's so frustrating if your kid is a talented player to play "down"...not only do they develop bad habits but it also is no challenge. That said, there are some great athletes in rec (and the level playing rec really does vary greatly from park to park..case in point Slammers) and they just may not be able to do travel, due to family or financial constraints..hopefully they make high school...but most of the competitve high schools don't have a single player not on travel, so the deck is definitely stacked. And then there's that "in the loop" thing..much harder to break in older unless your kid is a true rock star. Not saying playing 9U Astros gives you a spot at 16, or even 10 for that matter as CaCo3 says. BUT they know what you've got and making the teams doesn't depend on one tryout, which could be an off day..we all know who has "it" in our geo region and we see that same group of kids cycle around those same top teams. We all know those teams are largely picked long before tryouts too, maybe have 1 or 2 spots only..so having had exposure does help (and it's this way with many sports, not just baseball!)
I know for a fact it is like that with basketball. If you think a rec level kids can compete with kids who have been playing highly competitive AAU basketball you are sadly mistaken. The high school coaches know all the kids at their school that are playing AAU and on what team. Coaches even recruit players at AAU tournaments.
You mean like a group of rec/middle school players from Gwinnett who went and won the 14u mlk tournament with the championship played at Phillips a few weeks ago (w/ "AAU" tournament teams)?
You talk like it's cut and dry. AAU has as many BS teams (and 'coaches') as travel ball does.
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| Punishers |
Posted - 02/03/2017 : 13:36:34
quote:
Originally posted by Crazyforbball
I think part of it is that rec ball offers so FEW games...10 or 12 games and a little tournament..we play that in 2 weeks in travel. Also lack of great instruction..most of the better young pros won't volunteer as they don't have kids. Finally, it's so frustrating if your kid is a talented player to play "down"...not only do they develop bad habits but it also is no challenge. That said, there are some great athletes in rec (and the level playing rec really does vary greatly from park to park..case in point Slammers) and they just may not be able to do travel, due to family or financial constraints..hopefully they make high school...but most of the competitve high schools don't have a single player not on travel, so the deck is definitely stacked. And then there's that "in the loop" thing..much harder to break in older unless your kid is a true rock star. Not saying playing 9U Astros gives you a spot at 16, or even 10 for that matter as CaCo3 says. BUT they know what you've got and making the teams doesn't depend on one tryout, which could be an off day..we all know who has "it" in our geo region and we see that same group of kids cycle around those same top teams. We all know those teams are largely picked long before tryouts too, maybe have 1 or 2 spots only..so having had exposure does help (and it's this way with many sports, not just baseball!)
I know for a fact it is like that with basketball. If you think a rec level kids can compete with kids who have been playing highly competitive AAU basketball you are sadly mistaken. The high school coaches know all the kids at their school that are playing AAU and on what team. Coaches even recruit players at AAU tournaments. |
| Crazyforbball |
Posted - 02/03/2017 : 09:34:52
I think part of it is that rec ball offers so FEW games...10 or 12 games and a little tournament..we play that in 2 weeks in travel. Also lack of great instruction..most of the better young pros won't volunteer as they don't have kids. Finally, it's so frustrating if your kid is a talented player to play "down"...not only do they develop bad habits but it also is no challenge. That said, there are some great athletes in rec (and the level playing rec really does vary greatly from park to park..case in point Slammers) and they just may not be able to do travel, due to family or financial constraints..hopefully they make high school...but most of the competitve high schools don't have a single player not on travel, so the deck is definitely stacked. And then there's that "in the loop" thing..much harder to break in older unless your kid is a true rock star. Not saying playing 9U Astros gives you a spot at 16, or even 10 for that matter as CaCo3 says. BUT they know what you've got and making the teams doesn't depend on one tryout, which could be an off day..we all know who has "it" in our geo region and we see that same group of kids cycle around those same top teams. We all know those teams are largely picked long before tryouts too, maybe have 1 or 2 spots only..so having had exposure does help (and it's this way with many sports, not just baseball!) |
| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 02/02/2017 : 08:07:26
quote:
Originally posted by Renegade44
Only 5? I heard it takes 6 counting the one pacing behind the dugout.
Did you miss him? Sometimes he blends in as just a parent when he counsels a kid on technique outside the dugout.
Anyway. I like this setup. Head Coach, Asst Coach, I want a coach in dugout for hitters and relief pitcher warmup. That dugout coach is also there for in game instruction/discussion on finer points of game. So we are at 3. Depending on age group he may be able to multitask and keep scorebook. If not a 4th coach is needed nearby to keep the book so Head coach can ask questions to manage game. 3.5?
(And if the head coach doesn't have any knowledgable helpers. The solution is 2 High School players needing community service credits to graduate.)
How many times have you seen the academy paid coach flying solo? I see it often. No 1st base coach. No dugout supervision. Just 1 coach.
Or we could discuss girls softball? That takes 10 coaches minimum I believe based on observations this season. If you want to see the best drama and complete nuts, attend a softball tournament. Travel baseball is tame compared to that circus. Never Ever EVER EVER mess with or say something not so nice about Daddy's little girl.
Biggest brawl I have ever seen was at girls softball. It even topped the time I saw a parent with a bat go after a coach in the dugout at 11U.
Renegade44, I have actually seen a softball tourney. You are 100% correct, Travel ball at any level has NOTHING on the craziness that is a Softball tourney! |
| Renegade44 |
Posted - 02/01/2017 : 21:54:17
Only 5? I heard it takes 6 counting the one pacing behind the dugout.
Did you miss him? Sometimes he blends in as just a parent when he counsels a kid on technique outside the dugout.
Anyway. I like this setup. Head Coach, Asst Coach, I want a coach in dugout for hitters and relief pitcher warmup. That dugout coach is also there for in game instruction/discussion on finer points of game. So we are at 3. Depending on age group he may be able to multitask and keep scorebook. If not a 4th coach is needed nearby to keep the book so Head coach can ask questions to manage game. 3.5?
(And if the head coach doesn't have any knowledgable helpers. The solution is 2 High School players needing community service credits to graduate.)
How many times have you seen the academy paid coach flying solo? I see it often. No 1st base coach. No dugout supervision. Just 1 coach.
Or we could discuss girls softball? That takes 10 coaches minimum I believe based on observations this season. If you want to see the best drama and complete nuts, attend a softball tournament. Travel baseball is tame compared to that circus. Never Ever EVER EVER mess with or say something not so nice about Daddy's little girl.
Biggest brawl I have ever seen was at girls softball. It even topped the time I saw a parent with a bat go after a coach in the dugout at 11U.
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| Bombernation |
Posted - 02/01/2017 : 20:32:19
quote:
Originally posted by Renegade44
"saying that having a "Paid Academy Professional" without a kid on the team, who is more concerned about putting the right chess pieces in the right places with an immense talent pool to draw from makes it vastly more beneficIal for every kid on that roster"
Have you heard the one about 'he who pays for extra lessons plays the most'? Or the one about 'your check cleared, now watch this'? Or the one about 'sitting on a bucket, checking the time on your phone, managing the game to a preplanned rotation sheet'?
@Renegade- Yes, definitely have heard that one. In fact, I see it happen firsthand every time the academy has indoor hitting as the first portion of practice. I see more kids from other teams getting instruction from our "Paid Professionals" in free cages than our own Academy Players. The reason for a higher season cost is because that type of coaching comes with the overall cost. There are situations where parents get duped, and it isn't the coaching that was advertised.
There are programs that offer more than the higher cost associated with it.
I answered your question, I ask you this: Ever see that team with 5 Dads roaming around? One is keeping stats on a tablet. One guy attends every third practice. One guy has sway with a county. Another guy, who could be a great coach, should be having fun down in AA with his kid? And the fifth one doesn't know how to hit the ball for fungoes? Yet, all of them wind up in the dugout come the weekend, supposedly coaching?
That's not an academy.
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| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 02/01/2017 : 14:57:14
quote:
Originally posted by BrettC
I agree with CaCO... I do the same for other sports for my son. Who cares what other people do with their money to create experiences and opportunities for their children. It goes on in every walk of life.
For basketball, my son stated he wanted to try out for the 8th grade team in a couple of years. He is on an "AAU" team this year. Not so he can say he plays AAU basketball but because he gets 4 hours of quality instruction each week compared to the 8 hours total of practice he got all of last year in rec from me (which was terrible instruction). Is he good enough by the standards we hold baseball players to on this board, heck no...but the only chance he has to achieve his goal is to be in this atmosphere and not rec. So i pay for practice time and coaching.
Others may pay for experience, or a pipe dream or whatever, but why should we care what they do. Everyone is a grown up and can make decisions on their own money
I feel bad for the parents that don't understand the Youth Travel Ball circus.
-Some truly believe that if their child makes the 9u Astros then they are a lock for the 16u Astros, there is no correlation.
-Some believe that if their 9u child isn't in hitting/pitching/fielding lessons every week they will be "fall behind" their peers, they won't.
-Some believe it is worth it to pay for their 9u kid to have $75 per half hour pitching lessons from Ex MLB Star XXXXX...it isn't.
The truth is not all kids have what it takes to go far in sports, any sport. Many will loose interest, many will get burnt out with all the training their parents think they MUST have, and some just can't phsycially keep up with their peers.
If they truly love the sport they will find a way to keep it close, maybe by being a sports trainer, or an agent, or even the groundskeeper at a huge stadium. The sooner parents realize they can't MAKE their kid into a sports stud, no matter how much money they have or what they do, the better off many kids will be. The truth is NOT everyone is special, and that is okay! |
| Renegade44 |
Posted - 02/01/2017 : 13:51:02
"saying that having a "Paid Academy Professional" without a kid on the team, who is more concerned about putting the right chess pieces in the right places with an immense talent pool to draw from makes it vastly more beneficIal for every kid on that roster"
Have you heard the one about 'he who pays for extra lessons plays the most'? Or the one about 'your check cleared, now watch this'? Or the one about 'sitting on a bucket, checking the time on your phone, managing the game to a preplanned rotation sheet'? |
| BrettC |
Posted - 02/01/2017 : 10:18:37
I agree with CaCO... I do the same for other sports for my son. Who cares what other people do with their money to create experiences and opportunities for their children. It goes on in every walk of life.
For basketball, my son stated he wanted to try out for the 8th grade team in a couple of years. He is on an "AAU" team this year. Not so he can say he plays AAU basketball but because he gets 4 hours of quality instruction each week compared to the 8 hours total of practice he got all of last year in rec from me (which was terrible instruction). Is he good enough by the standards we hold baseball players to on this board, heck no...but the only chance he has to achieve his goal is to be in this atmosphere and not rec. So i pay for practice time and coaching.
Others may pay for experience, or a pipe dream or whatever, but why should we care what they do. Everyone is a grown up and can make decisions on their own money |
| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 02/01/2017 : 08:06:45
I actually like that there is AA and AAA ball. Some kids LOVE baseball but their bodies can't do what their brain wants them to yet. AA and AAA baseball allows them the chance to practice, get better, and play more than the rec season allows.
There is also the additional considerations that high elite Major level youth baseball is very expensive, and they hold more kids than an average team. The AA/AAA team can cost as little as 25% of the elite team, that fits some parents budgets much better. I get the cost difference; better coaching, better fields, better level tourneys. Yes, those all cost more and it is worth it to many parents and players.
Then you have the roster size. The average roster size for a 12u elite team can be 15+, for the AA/AAA team it’s more like 11. The goal of the AA/AAA team is to have fun, allow kids to have playing time, teach some basics, and hopefully they win a few along the way. I have seen Major level players play on these teams, maybe it was the cost, or maybe they enjoy being the stud on the lower level team *shrug*.
There are kids in Travel Ball to BE the best and play the best and then there are kids in travel ball because they just want to play more baseball. It's nice that there are multiple levels so the kids can get out of it what they want.
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| Punishers |
Posted - 02/01/2017 : 00:03:04
This conflict is not seen as much in the older ages. The game has exceeded the Dad capabilities. I'm hard enough on my kid when we train and I'm sure the last thing he wants is me be that hard on him if I was a coach. My dad always said it's a life lesson, " I'm not going to take your tests or do your work, nor do your job". You have to learn to do that on your own. I will not always be around.
To me it's a performance thing, my kid has to show me he can perform at a higher level before I fork out any $$$ for a travel team. For other parents it's the opposite. Baseball is expensive as is, but to play just to say your kid plays travel and his performance isn't there would mean it's time to rethink this travel thing before cutting a check. |
| Bombernation |
Posted - 01/31/2017 : 20:09:18
quote:
Originally posted by Nor-BD
What a great discussion. Ironically I believe that everyone is right. However I also think that everyone's definitions of "travel" and what constitutes being named a "travel player" is a little bit different. I've seen exceptional players at Lakepoimt on (Name your favorite Majors level team here) and I have seen AAA and AA players who could barely throw or swing a bat. But with parents could write a check. At the same time some Rec leagues are depleted and awful and yet others are healthy and have great blend of talent. The biggest change I've the last 20 years or so is this gray area of AA, AAA.
It's clear what caused it: A blend of Politics, Mediocre Players, Pride, and of course money. The kids playing elite Majors are the same now as they always have been. Back in the day. The American Legion teams in The Atlanta area had the whose who of D1 and pro prospects. It's just called something else now and is more expensive.
As for the original topic, a good coach who happens to have a kid is every bit as qualified as an ex pro to coach a team and be compensated. Being a great technician does not make you a great communicator or instructor. When one has both that is something special and it's recognized. Then again having your offspring on your team does not make you a good coach either. Thus the terms moneyball and daddyball
I completely agree with you as well. My kid has been the victim of Daddy Ball at the younger ages. At 13U now it makes me feel very comfortable in saying that having a "Paid Academy Professional" without a kid on the team, who is more concerned about putting the right chess pieces in the right places with an immense talent pool to draw from makes it vastly more beneficIal for every kid on that roster than the Dad who has a very clear conflict every weekend if he doesn't employ the same game plan as the Paid Academy Professional. |
| Nor-BD |
Posted - 01/31/2017 : 14:23:56
What a great discussion. Ironically I believe that everyone is right. However I also think that everyone's definitions of "travel" and what constitutes being named a "travel player" is a little bit different. I've seen exceptional players at Lakepoimt on (Name your favorite Majors level team here) and I have seen AAA and AA players who could barely throw or swing a bat. But with parents could write a check. At the same time some Rec leagues are depleted and awful and yet others are healthy and have great blend of talent. The biggest change I've the last 20 years or so is this gray area of AA, AAA.
It's clear what caused it: A blend of Politics, Mediocre Players, Pride, and of course money. The kids playing elite Majors are the same now as they always have been. Back in the day. The American Legion teams in The Atlanta area had the whose who of D1 and pro prospects. It's just called something else now and is more expensive.
As for the original topic, a good coach who happens to have a kid is every bit as qualified as an ex pro to coach a team and be compensated. Being a great technician does not make you a great communicator or instructor. When one has both that is something special and it's recognized. Then again having your offspring on your team does not make you a good coach either. Thus the terms moneyball and daddyball |
| CoachCross |
Posted - 01/31/2017 : 12:53:24
@Bomber, with all my kids, I run from park to park, so I don't often have the time simply to sit and watch a game that doesn't include my child. I've seen some major-level play, and it can be really awesome. I definitely understand the allure for the top players and their families.
That said, we know a lot changes as a kid matures. I don't think anyone should stress about whether their kid is on X team or Y team. The important part is to be in an environment where the kids are learning the game, improving skills, and learning how to overcome challenges so that momentary defeats are not lifetime defeats.
FYI - My kids have not played at a Little League park, so I'm not trying to promote LL for any personal reason. I like some of what LL does; there are other things I don't prefer.
quote:
Originally posted by Bombernation
quote:
Originally posted by CaCO3Girl
quote:
Originally posted by CoachCross
By the time a kid is a teenager, unless s/he is really talented and has played a while, there aren't many opportunities to participate in softball and baseball, and that's a shame. Because this sport stuff is really supposed to be for kids. They should be the driving force, and a few of us simply get to go along for the right.
At 14u there are still a few parents who are forcing their reluctant teen to play, and there are still a few players that are playing travel ball that could take it or leave it. Those two groups of kids should have stayed in rec or given up the sport. However, there are also a good number of kids who LOVE baseball, can't wait for the next game or practice and want more of it. It is those kids that don't get enough out of rec ball and are best suited for the move to travel ball.
I moved my son to Travel Ball at 9u because he wanted more baseball and because of the quality of the rec ball coaches. An 8 week season with 1 game a week was like getting a few drops of water when you are thirsty, just not enough, and if our kids are lucky enough to find something they are passionate about (in these days of apathy and couch surfing), shouldn't we as parents encourage that?
The last year he did rec ball he had a coach who meant well but didn't understand the game. He didn't understand that while it was ok for the catcher to throw the ball to third after a strike out so the ball could go round robin around the infield it is NOT appropriate to do that while there are runners on base! While it is appropriate for the MIF's to keep the runner on 2B honest it does NOT have to be done by having your SS do loops around the base runner while hitting his glove loudly...my kid felt like an idiot.
@Coachcross- I coached about half of what you did in rec before my kid went to travel. You have endured more than most will ever know, I'm sure!
I'm curious, have you ever watched a true Majors Championship game or maybe bracket play at a place like ECB or PG in the 11U to 14U age range? The similarities between LL and the Majors level of play is the difference between night and day. I say this in order to further expand on why talent keeps leaving rec parks. As long as there are programs out there like Titans / 6-4-3 / Astros that only take the cream of the crop, talent will continue to leave and more travel teams will form underneath them to strive for strong Academy-type success.
|
| Bombernation |
Posted - 01/31/2017 : 10:59:13
quote:
Originally posted by Gapper
So Bomber, I guess you didn't notice in the Fall when the 11u Smyrna Slammers (a Little League All-Star Team) beat the ECB Astros in a tournament game? Adjusting to leading off/not leading off ins't that big of a deal. The advantage the Little League kids have is that they are used to dealing with faster pitching because they play against 12 year olds from the time they are 9 or 10 years old, and they see that pitching from a shorter distance. So when an 11u travel ball ace gets out there throwing slower than they have seen in rec play and from 4 feet more, it is an advantage to the batter that has seen harder pitches from a shorter distance. The Little Leagues seem to retain talent better than other rec programs because of the chance to make it to the Little League World Series at 12u. What some of the Little League programs do right is that they play their games on weeknights so that the players can still play travel tournaments on the weekend. Virtually impossible to do with other organizations.
Yes, they won in the Fall. There is a reason for that. I'm sure the Slammers are a great team, but they did not see the top talent from an Astros team in the Fall.
If you are talking pitching, I would say that it would be a rare sight to see many batters jumping out of the box on called strike curveballs with velo in many LL games. But that isn't the point I was intending to make. I am simply saying that as long as there are programs that get the best talent (based on Spring games) there will always be a pull away from LL / Pony / Babe Ruth / etc...
Was not my intention to offend anyone, just an observation. And full disclosure: I am that crazy person that occasionally stops and watches an inning or two at the local rec park for sentimental reasons. |
| Gapper |
Posted - 01/31/2017 : 10:30:26
So Bomber, I guess you didn't notice in the Fall when the 11u Smyrna Slammers (a Little League All-Star Team) beat the ECB Astros in a tournament game? Adjusting to leading off/not leading off ins't that big of a deal. The advantage the Little League kids have is that they are used to dealing with faster pitching because they play against 12 year olds from the time they are 9 or 10 years old, and they see that pitching from a shorter distance. So when an 11u travel ball ace gets out there throwing slower than they have seen in rec play and from 4 feet more, it is an advantage to the batter that has seen harder pitches from a shorter distance. The Little Leagues seem to retain talent better than other rec programs because of the chance to make it to the Little League World Series at 12u. What some of the Little League programs do right is that they play their games on weeknights so that the players can still play travel tournaments on the weekend. Virtually impossible to do with other organizations. |
| Bombernation |
Posted - 01/31/2017 : 09:41:50
quote:
Originally posted by CaCO3Girl
quote:
Originally posted by CoachCross
By the time a kid is a teenager, unless s/he is really talented and has played a while, there aren't many opportunities to participate in softball and baseball, and that's a shame. Because this sport stuff is really supposed to be for kids. They should be the driving force, and a few of us simply get to go along for the right.
At 14u there are still a few parents who are forcing their reluctant teen to play, and there are still a few players that are playing travel ball that could take it or leave it. Those two groups of kids should have stayed in rec or given up the sport. However, there are also a good number of kids who LOVE baseball, can't wait for the next game or practice and want more of it. It is those kids that don't get enough out of rec ball and are best suited for the move to travel ball.
I moved my son to Travel Ball at 9u because he wanted more baseball and because of the quality of the rec ball coaches. An 8 week season with 1 game a week was like getting a few drops of water when you are thirsty, just not enough, and if our kids are lucky enough to find something they are passionate about (in these days of apathy and couch surfing), shouldn't we as parents encourage that?
The last year he did rec ball he had a coach who meant well but didn't understand the game. He didn't understand that while it was ok for the catcher to throw the ball to third after a strike out so the ball could go round robin around the infield it is NOT appropriate to do that while there are runners on base! While it is appropriate for the MIF's to keep the runner on 2B honest it does NOT have to be done by having your SS do loops around the base runner while hitting his glove loudly...my kid felt like an idiot.
@Coachcross- I coached about half of what you did in rec before my kid went to travel. You have endured more than most will ever know, I'm sure!
I'm curious, have you ever watched a true Majors Championship game or maybe bracket play at a place like ECB or PG in the 11U to 14U age range? The similarities between LL and the Majors level of play is the difference between night and day. I say this in order to further expand on why talent keeps leaving rec parks. As long as there are programs out there like Titans / 6-4-3 / Astros that only take the cream of the crop, talent will continue to leave and more travel teams will form underneath them to strive for strong Academy-type success. |
| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 01/31/2017 : 07:56:53
quote:
Originally posted by CoachCross
By the time a kid is a teenager, unless s/he is really talented and has played a while, there aren't many opportunities to participate in softball and baseball, and that's a shame. Because this sport stuff is really supposed to be for kids. They should be the driving force, and a few of us simply get to go along for the right.
At 14u there are still a few parents who are forcing their reluctant teen to play, and there are still a few players that are playing travel ball that could take it or leave it. Those two groups of kids should have stayed in rec or given up the sport. However, there are also a good number of kids who LOVE baseball, can't wait for the next game or practice and want more of it. It is those kids that don't get enough out of rec ball and are best suited for the move to travel ball.
I moved my son to Travel Ball at 9u because he wanted more baseball and because of the quality of the rec ball coaches. An 8 week season with 1 game a week was like getting a few drops of water when you are thirsty, just not enough, and if our kids are lucky enough to find something they are passionate about (in these days of apathy and couch surfing), shouldn't we as parents encourage that?
The last year he did rec ball he had a coach who meant well but didn't understand the game. He didn't understand that while it was ok for the catcher to throw the ball to third after a strike out so the ball could go round robin around the infield it is NOT appropriate to do that while there are runners on base! While it is appropriate for the MIF's to keep the runner on 2B honest it does NOT have to be done by having your SS do loops around the base runner while hitting his glove loudly...my kid felt like an idiot. |
| CoachCross |
Posted - 01/30/2017 : 15:15:36
I've four kids. Two play (or have played) softball. Two play baseball. Three of the four have played All-Stars. One is on a travel team. Two hope to make a travel team. I've coached 35+ baseball and softball teams (mostly rec), have served as the lead manager of All-Star and travel baseball teams six times, and have had a chance to help with All-Star baseball and softball teams.
Right now, Little League has the most things I like in terms of rec ball. All the players participate, even those on the "tournament teams." The quality of play is better at rec, and the tournament teams do well. I don't like the lack of leadoffs and the park dimensions, but LL does a good job.
Many rec leagues in our area are trying to incorporate more "Sunday Select" stuff into the spring season, and I think this is a nice addition. It's most successful in the 8u and younger ages. It's marginally successful (in terms of participation and retaining kids at the park) at 10u-12u. It could be better. I think it is HELPFUL for the Sunday Select kids to be known by their peers during the rec season. It's good to have a stalking horse.
I think the most challenging REALISTIC thing for some parents (other than any personal vanity issues) is this - there are some talented kids playing Sunday Select who EASILY could play travel ball, and parents want to make sure those kids are getting good instruction along the way. As more kids leave parks to join a travel team, scores of solid youth coaches leave as well. The change in play quality from 8u to 12u can be tremendous.
The only good way for a park to slow this slide is to have some sort of program or affiliation with an academy to (1) provide instruction to kids and (2) train more parents to be qualified youth coaches.
By the time a kid is a teenager, unless s/he is really talented and has played a while, there aren't many opportunities to participate in softball and baseball, and that's a shame. Because this sport stuff is really supposed to be for kids. They should be the driving force, and a few of us simply get to go along for the right.
|
| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 01/30/2017 : 08:10:57
quote:
Originally posted by Punishers
That's that "Park Control" I spoke about before. It's rec. Meaning everyone gets to play. Even the kids of the "drama parents". Not a fan of holding back players who are clearly better than others their age.
And thus Travel Ball was born! |
| Punishers |
Posted - 01/26/2017 : 21:21:28
That's that "Park Control" I spoke about before. It's rec. Meaning everyone gets to play. Even the kids of the "drama parents". Not a fan of holding back players who are clearly better than others their age. |
| 743 |
Posted - 01/26/2017 : 15:41:27
The competition level at the rec league is so different, it is hard to improve because you have some really good kids and some that can't even catch. We tried to do an Elite or Advanced league combining 2 age groups with 4 teams taking the best players that wanted to be in it, and the park would not go for it. So they probably lost 20 kids that year to travel baseball. |
| oneZone |
Posted - 01/26/2017 : 11:57:04
quote:
Originally posted by catmando
not sure anyone is forcing people to pay at any level..stay in rec and make rec great again. its parents on ego trips funding this crap
I coached rec baseball for many years and am a big proponent. But I eventually switched to travel ball because the level of competition and talent had sunk so low that I couldn't keep my kid there.
It was not just because of the growth in travel ball, either. The rec league operated as if "competition" was a four-letter word, and they refused to adjust to the demand for a higher level of play.
Maybe it was inevitable, and driven by the parents on ego trips, as you say, but they sure didn't do much to stay relevant. It's too bad.
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| Punishers |
Posted - 01/25/2017 : 18:07:15
quote:
Originally posted by Renegade44
I got it!
Baseball needs to do like Tennis does for teaching professionals. Have a certification program that identifies you have met the minimum standards of the USPTA.
I have to agree with you on that one. |
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