What are best ways for getting kids to come to your tryouts?
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That is a tough question. Back in the late 80's, we were the only team in town. Kids who wanted to play travel baseball knew the only opportunity was to play for us. As we got to the mid-90's, and more teams started popping up, we really didn't experience a drop in numbers with respect to tryouts. I believe the reason was because of how well we did and the reputation we cultivated as a baseball program during the first 5-6 years of existance.
Down off my soapbox. What do you have to offer the players who tryout for your team? Is your goal to help youngsters develop as baseball players, or is your goal to win a national title? What kind of facility do you have?
Parents are fickle these days. They want it all. They want junior to learn how to play baseball, they want junior to start, they want the team to win, they want the field they play on to be nice, they want their son to get "exposure", etc...
Down off soapbox #2. Run ads in the local paper. Ask the local rec leagues for a snail-mail or email list. Call players you know about or have heard of.
And if you want to get them to come out to the 2nd tryout, make sure the 1st one is run smoothly.
Down off my soapbox. What do you have to offer the players who tryout for your team? Is your goal to help youngsters develop as baseball players, or is your goal to win a national title? What kind of facility do you have?
Parents are fickle these days. They want it all. They want junior to learn how to play baseball, they want junior to start, they want the team to win, they want the field they play on to be nice, they want their son to get "exposure", etc...
Down off soapbox #2. Run ads in the local paper. Ask the local rec leagues for a snail-mail or email list. Call players you know about or have heard of.
And if you want to get them to come out to the 2nd tryout, make sure the 1st one is run smoothly.
Most newspapers have free postings available in the Sports page for team tryouts. Don't spend money on an ad if you don't have to.
I think a critical component to a successful travel team is the coaching staff.. if it is being coached by a bunch of dads, you can expect difficulties. Find an ex-pro or college guy who can give proper instruction and will undoubtedly have a good idea how to recruit.
And P.S., whatever you do, stick to your guns about money. Tell them it'll be "X" dollars, with 1/2 due DATE and 1/2 due DATE. Don't budge, or you'll be forking it out yourself. (Based on true experience!)
I think a critical component to a successful travel team is the coaching staff.. if it is being coached by a bunch of dads, you can expect difficulties. Find an ex-pro or college guy who can give proper instruction and will undoubtedly have a good idea how to recruit.
And P.S., whatever you do, stick to your guns about money. Tell them it'll be "X" dollars, with 1/2 due DATE and 1/2 due DATE. Don't budge, or you'll be forking it out yourself. (Based on true experience!)
Those are all good. Thanks.
Sorry, I forgot to mention that this is for 15/16 year-olds.
Have the best team in your area.JUST WIN BABY.lol 
.Have the best coaching & you will get the best players....then you will just win baby! 
.Have the best coaching & you will get the best players....then you will just win baby!
If you want good players for that age there must be a schedule with some "showcase" type tourneys with good exposure.
We were planning on going to some "showcase" tournaments.
Thanks for all of your input.
Thanks for all of your input.
