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bmoser
1633 Posts |
 Posted - 05/25/2009 : 21:32:03
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Posting "teams looking for players", then seeing who calls is only 1 recruiting strategy. Lot's of parents don't even know these sites exist. Or if they do, they only read them occasionally.
At some point, you have to approach folks. When, where, how?
What is the proper etiquette? Have you had any success posting at batting cages? Some owners are reluctant I've found.
Now is the time to recruit and try out players for 2010. Leagues are winding down, their skills are sharp, and football hasn't begun.
Chime in & I promise not to use your own best practices against you!
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BaseballMomof2
57 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 09:26:46
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Maybe make up a business card with your contact information on it and give it to the parents of players you are interested in away from the game and other people, maybe in the parking lot. Must be done discreetly. If they are interested, they'll call you. Tell them that you are looking at players for the fall and next spring seasons.
I am not a coach but I have been approached this way regarding my son and I didn't see anything wrong with it as long as it was discreet. |
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AllStar
762 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 10:39:03
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quote:
Originally posted by bmoser
Posting "teams looking for players", then seeing who calls is only 1 recruiting strategy. Lot's of parents don't even know these sites exist. Or if they do, they only read them occasionally.
At some point, you have to approach folks. When, where, how?
What is the proper etiquette? Have you had any success posting at batting cages? Some owners are reluctant I've found.
Now is the time to recruit and try out players for 2010. Leagues are winding down, their skills are sharp, and football hasn't begun.
Chime in & I promise not to use your own best practices against you!
I've never had anybody talk to me before July 4th. My son's team still has 20-25 games left. Is your son's team done already? |
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Dr. Old School
314 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 12:19:39
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It's around this time that coaches start seeing a need to make good plans for the following year or they end up with the same shortcomings they currently have. Usually around the first of June, the discussions will start.
First internally between the coaches (what do we need to go out and get? Who can fill that need? etc.)
Next is the initial contact. It comes with the "Hey, what are you guys looking to do next year?" statement.
As coaches start to get a couple of new, stronger, players committed for next year, it helps their momentum in getting other players. By mid-July, coaches should have a good idea who they have coming back/new the following year, or know what they still need to look for.
As parents go, it works much the same way.
First the discussion is internal (Do we want to stay with our existing team, or look for a better opportunity? Are we going to be asked back? [Don't assume you will be asked back.])
Next it is to identify teams desirable to play for.
(June is a great time to start watching teams to see how they play, how the coach manages the team, and how the players interact together. This should be what parents focus on more than just the team records.)
Then the contact with the coach has to be made (Hey, we are looking at other team options next year and wondered if you would have some openings. Are you going to have tryout? Are you planning to have any pre-tryout workouts we could attend?) [The more times your son can go practice with a coach, the better look you can have at how they manage practices, and how well your son interacts with the staff.]
The hard part comes in deciding which option to take if you get multiple offers or are chosing between leaving or staying. Not to mention handling a coach that is squeezing you for an answer because they know other teams have tryouts coming up soon. The closer the East Cobb tryouts get, the more the coaches try to get parents to commit before they are persuaded to play somewhere else.
Good luck to all. |
Edited by - Dr. Old School on 05/26/2009 14:21:12 |
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goyard
217 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 12:37:00
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| Allstar I would agree as we still have Three months left of baseball and our coaches minds are in the season full swing right now. Teams that would seem desirable are likely in this same mode. Too Early IMHO....Later in the season, good 'ole word of mouth and friend to friend networking, and/or simply calling a team or coach of interest seems like the thing to do. |
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bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 12:46:17
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ALLSTAR
Our league play is over and our league's end-of-season tourney begins this week. We have Sub-State, State, and World Series and that's it. We're set for this season, I'm looking ahead to 2010. We need 1 more pitcher (who doesnt?).
I was thinking about approaching some folks at our league tourney. It's our last chance to scout the leagues pitchers at one venue this season. Our Coaches carry a pretty big load with all they do. Just trying to help.
BASEBALLMOMOF2
I like the way you were approached too. I'll do the same. Thanks!
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Reggie
70 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 13:07:44
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| Not talked to before July 4th then you probably arent a blue chip player. |
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Marinersfan
57 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 13:10:04
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| Seems like the chatter starts earlier and earlier every year. I have already heard the "so what are you doing next year" greeting around the ball park. I think parents are just concerned about trying to get their kids on a good team in a good situation and are afraid they are going to miss the boat if they don't start the process sooner rather than later. In my view, everyone should wait til the season is over. Human nature, however, appears to have dictated otherwise. |
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bstand
56 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 15:35:02
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| I don't think it is ever too early to begin making your future plans. Those who wait until some prescribed acceptable timeline, may be relegated to settle for an opportunity rather than proactively find the best opportunity for their player. At the end of the day, you have to consider what the needs of your player are and then mate that with the right team that has the most to offer them. For example, if you get on a team where your player has to constantly play over his head in order to keep up with the rest of the team, he will learn a lot, but might see limited playing time. On the flip side, if he is the stud on a mediocre team, he won't get challenged enough and will likely not play to his potential, but will get loads of experience. Just be careful of opting for the team with the best record, thinking that has to be what's best for your player. Everyone is different and has different needs. |
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highcheese
71 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 16:04:27
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I love when all this talk starts. It usually is the disgruntled that start it early. start the name calling, start the lies about other players and coaches, and start the pimping of their child. It is memorial day for cripes sakes! Please do yourself and the other coaches a favor and keep the talk directly to the teams to a minimum. Let the people still wanting to play and learn, do so. Respect the game and the other people. Common courtesy is a lost art.
As old school said - do your home work. Make a list of the teams, coaches, parks etc. you think you want to be associated with. All of this is available online somewhere. Watch, listen, watch, listen, watch, listen! Be the Baseball 007. Knowledge will trump the rumors and junk that flys around. Every travel team has almost 24 different opinions, not counting the coaches on how things should be run. Do not ask yourself if this is a good team for me. Ask yourself if this is a good team for my son. Can he learn, can he develop, can he fuel his passion for the game, can he communicate with the coaching staff, can he hack the schedule this team plays (you will be suprised at how many kids can't). Your child comes first, and you as an old parent can adapt.
Be honest with yourself on your childs talent level. I say again, be honest with yourself on your childs talent level. You will never do anyone anygood trying to sell a caddy that is really and truly a chevy. Your child will thank you for putting him into an arena he can compete in, do well, grow and love the game. If your son is truly "the man" every coach who recruits the studs will know who he is, trust me here. There is a place for every child in america that wants to play baseball.
Almost every coach has an email. Be respectful of their time and ask them their process. When you know the rules of engagement it is usually a much easier process. Please do not approach a coach who is knee deep in a tournament and expect to be heard. Most coaches who care will respond to your email, set up a time to chat that is convenient. Now the hard part begins - interview the coach, get his mission and outlook while keeping in mind here that your child will spend the next 10 or so months with him. The name of the team does not always mean it is good for your son. Match up your conversation with what you have seen and heard while doing your 007 stint. Now you got some facts to work with to make a decision. Do not pimp without the facts.
Do me a favor, when you have narrowed it down some, ask your son if likes any of the teams you have on your list. Descretely or not, your choice. You will be amazed at what comes out of his mouth, good and bad. Kids know more than you think.
Step into the coaches shoes for a moment assuming it is time to get some new players. What is he looking for? Studs, work ethic, hard nosed, athletes, speed, power, finess, long hair or short, good parents, pedigree, arms, whatever it is. Can Johnny fit the bill for this team????
Instead of the pimping process maybe we can focus on the little guys and get them what they need and not what the parent needs. Keep it real and take a kid to the park this week and have a blast!
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AllStar
762 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 18:12:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Reggie
Not talked to before July 4th then you probably arent a blue chip player.
Well, I'm not a player at all my son is. He'll be devastated to know he's not a blue chip player by those criteria. Oh, wait, he's still playing the game for fun. He won't care. |
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gasbag
281 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 21:45:51
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The best approach I've heard is " hey kid, I'll buy your parents a house, pay for your transportation, lodging and food ". No need to approach us for another 3 years as we're only in year 2 of our commitment !!!! ( LOL )
All kidding aside, networking is your best bet. Decide who your core is and then build off it. Tell the core what your looking for and then brainstorm "who knows who" ? Usually, your core chemistry is outstanding and friends of friends bring the same chemistry ( I said USUALLY !!! ) along with the prescribed talent.
Another thing you have to always remember is that you are always recruiting ! From that first game of the season, your reaction to bad calls, how your team handles controversy etc....parents on the opposing team and the players are watching your every move. You may not speak to them and ask the million dollar question but recruiting is a two way street. Folks are watching you to see if they would EVER consider if their kid would / could play for you. That's your single biggest factor in recruiting...will you teach and mentor my kid to make him the best he can be ? Asking the million dollar question is just the tip of the iceberg if you ask me ! |
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coachdan06
433 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 03:11:50
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quote:
Originally posted by highcheese
I love when all this talk starts. It usually is the disgruntled that start it early. start the name calling, start the lies about other players and coaches, and start the pimping of their child. It is memorial day for cripes sakes! Please do yourself and the other coaches a favor and keep the talk directly to the teams to a minimum. Let the people still wanting to play and learn, do so. Respect the game and the other people. Common courtesy is a lost art.
As old school said - do your home work. Make a list of the teams, coaches, parks etc. you think you want to be associated with. All of this is available online somewhere. Watch, listen, watch, listen, watch, listen! Be the Baseball 007. Knowledge will trump the rumors and junk that flys around. Every travel team has almost 24 different opinions, not counting the coaches on how things should be run. Do not ask yourself if this is a good team for me. Ask yourself if this is a good team for my son. Can he learn, can he develop, can he fuel his passion for the game, can he communicate with the coaching staff, can he hack the schedule this team plays (you will be suprised at how many kids can't). Your child comes first, and you as an old parent can adapt.
Be honest with yourself on your childs talent level. I say again, be honest with yourself on your childs talent level. You will never do anyone anygood trying to sell a caddy that is really and truly a chevy. Your child will thank you for putting him into an arena he can compete in, do well, grow and love the game. If your son is truly "the man" every coach who recruits the studs will know who he is, trust me here. There is a place for every child in america that wants to play baseball.
Almost every coach has an email. Be respectful of their time and ask them their process. When you know the rules of engagement it is usually a much easier process. Please do not approach a coach who is knee deep in a tournament and expect to be heard. Most coaches who care will respond to your email, set up a time to chat that is convenient. Now the hard part begins - interview the coach, get his mission and outlook while keeping in mind here that your child will spend the next 10 or so months with him. The name of the team does not always mean it is good for your son. Match up your conversation with what you have seen and heard while doing your 007 stint. Now you got some facts to work with to make a decision. Do not pimp without the facts.
Do me a favor, when you have narrowed it down some, ask your son if likes any of the teams you have on your list. Descretely or not, your choice. You will be amazed at what comes out of his mouth, good and bad. Kids know more than you think.
Step into the coaches shoes for a moment assuming it is time to get some new players. What is he looking for? Studs, work ethic, hard nosed, athletes, speed, power, finess, long hair or short, good parents, pedigree, arms, whatever it is. Can Johnny fit the bill for this team????
Instead of the pimping process maybe we can focus on the little guys and get them what they need and not what the parent needs. Keep it real and take a kid to the park this week and have a blast!
great summary
another suggestion : dont go in expecting them to wave some sort of magic wand over your child so that he or she is big league material at the end of season : because you paid money to the team and he is the coach .
if a coach doesnt answer your email cross him and his team off the list right away , that is an early warning signal : Cheese said it best that common courtesy is a lost art ,so it wont be limited to your ignored emails
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tater77bug
133 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 09:31:29
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| I go along with gasbag.....build your team with character and people will know who you are....be professional and courtious when approaching famalies...put the cards on the table and you should have no problem finding quailty players and parents.... |
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BREAMKING
323 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 10:31:17
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| I think it is sad that travel ball has come to this. Parents jocking for there kids to be on a certain team. If you are a real travel ball player they will find you. If nobody is contacting you then your kid is probably not a travel ball player. There are too many teams at the 9-10 age level anyway imo... |
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bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 10:39:31
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I've gotten some great feedback, and appreciate it all. There are two points of view on this topic, how teams find new talent, and how talent finds new teams.
Both need to be done with the proper etiquette keeping all parties feelings in mind. We're all on the same team in this regard.
I will start a new topic for Coaches to give parents ideas on proper etiquette on finding a new team for your son.
Thanks for your input! |
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ecguy24
26 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 18:38:47
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what i'v found effective is approaching a player or his parents toward the end of the season when most people have their mind made up about if they are going to stay with their team or not. you also need to find out who on your team is staying or not. it is akward but they will usually tell the truth. that way you will know what positions to fill.
and dont wait around to see if a kid makes his high school team just fill his spot. |
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Hurricane
351 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2009 : 08:47:25
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| There seem to be too many teams that split the good talent up instead of it going to one team. I see alot of teams that have 5 travel ball players and a bunch of rec allstar type kids. |
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AllStar
762 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2009 : 09:50:07
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quote:
Originally posted by BREAMKING
I think it is sad that travel ball has come to this. Parents jocking for there kids to be on a certain team. If you are a real travel ball player they will find you. If nobody is contacting you then your kid is probably not a travel ball player. There are too many teams at the 9-10 age level anyway imo...
and 11 and 12 and 13 |
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Peanutsr
171 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2009 : 13:59:51
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quote:
Originally posted by BREAMKING
I think it is sad that travel ball has come to this. Parents jocking for there kids to be on a certain team. If you are a real travel ball player they will find you. If nobody is contacting you then your kid is probably not a travel ball player. There are too many teams at the 9-10 age level anyway imo...
Wow. My kid got tired of rec ball because he always ended up on teams with three or four kids who wanted to play baseball, a few who could care less, and three or four whose daddy made them play.( excepting allstars ) He is very competative and got frustrated with the kids who wouldn't try. This is his first year of travel and he is having a lot of fun. He likes being on a team with ten other kids who want to be there. He also enjoys playing at different parks. And of course, he likes getting the T-Shirts.
I never really stopped to evaluate whether or not he was "travel ball"
material.
If you polled every kid that plays travel ball, don't you think that almost if not all of them would say that they were having fun? If they are all having fun, then would you say we have too many teams?
Do we need a travel ball commision to judge the kids as to whether they have the necessary skills and abilities to play "travel ball"?
How about a travel ball nazi to tell underperforming kids," No travel ball for you!" Maybe someone should start an elitest travel ball league so their superstar sons don't have to play with all the substandard kids.
Gosh, I would hate to think that my son's decision to play travel ball has taken away from some superstar kid's enjoyment of the game.
Give me a break. We pay for and spend the time it takes to play travel because our kids are having fun. When they stop having fun it is time to quit.
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bb baseball
73 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2009 : 13:37:39
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| Retirement is grand this time of year. |
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2009 : 14:18:42
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| I thought this was your favorite part of coaching bb. I know you loved it last year. |
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Proper Recruiting Etiquette
