Why So early?

It's all about positioning, and getting the best players commited.

Over the years summer try-outs have gotten earlier and earlier. It should be like Houston does it, after the HS season is complete. But, most parents believe it is a way for organizations to get money now. I can see both sides of it...but just wish summer try-outs weren't so early.

quote:

...but just wish summer try-outs weren't so early.

I agree.

I guess from some people's perspective it is early, but over the years my son has always committed to a spring/summer team before the beginning of the year. Now -- his first year in high school -- it is only natural to pick a team for the Summer this time of year. It is only 2 months difference. I do not know how it used to be done, but I guess it is more parent driven given the increase in select ball over the years. The team we committed to has virtually no spots left, so if you wait then your options are limited (for both kid and team). I only know a few top-level kids that we have played with in the past that have yet to make a decision on what team they will be playing for in the Summer.

Aleebaba
I know in youth ball tryouts are held now beacuse they play a spring season and start working out with the new team early in the next year. Just haven't seen it here for 15U-18U teams.

I suppose the answer may be found in this question: If you commit to a team now you write a check now?

quote:

If you commit to a team now you write a check now?

I know we will definately sign contracts. The assumption is there is some form of payment schedule involved but not entirely sure since this is our first go-around at 15U.

As a newbie to the high school scene we don't know any better, so we just do what we have always done. Personally I think it is comforting not having to deal with it during the high school season. In addition, if you are considering leaving another team it gives the old coach time to find a replacement, (but I found it does not decrease the potential hostile reaction when you tell him you are changing teams).

We do ours now because fall just ended, most players are fairly sharp and I can't bring myself to have tryouts during the HS season. What if someone got hurt? Odds aren't high, but if it did happen, how are you going to explain that to the HS coach? "sorry Coach, I am going miss four weeks of our district season because I rolled my ankle at summer ball tryouts" That's going to go over awesome with the HS coaches. I coached in the public school, I wouldn't want an important part of my team lost due to tryouts for summer ball. Not to mention, I wanted my kids focused on our season at hand. They can worry about summer ball when we are done!

The summer season begins right after HS ball is over, there isn't enough time to fill a roster adequately in that small window. Tryouts in January and February are a crapshoot with the weather. Now is just logical.

it is my understanding that eventhough the HS players sign with a select team now, payment is not due until May, so i don't think it has anything to do with an organization getting the money earlier. at least that is the way it is in the organization that my son plays for.

Who does your son play for? Most organizations around here, make you put down a deposit now, usually around $500.00 and the rest has to be paid by March or April. That's just the way we have always had to do it, and from what I hear it is that way with other organizations. Great to hear about your team not having to pay until May!

Frozen Ropes nailed it. I'd rather try out a kid when he is sharp after playing with his fall team (select and/or HS team) and allow him to get back to whatever program the HS coach has him on (may be some needed rest for the arm, and just some good conditioning right now).

There will be some players who are out there looking for teams later on in the spring, but I'd rather be proactive if they are looking now.

As for asking for $$... what???? League/tourney dues are not required yet, and unless they are trying to subsidize their coaching staff during the "off-season", I find it unfortunate that you'd have to pay now. But everyone is different, and I respect that. I don't have a facility where I have to pay overhead to keep the lights on.

www.allenwranglersbaseball.com

I've taken on this subject with a HS/Summer coach and his response was that he prefers to see the kid straight out of summer ball. Generally, kids play the position in which they are best suited during the summer and not just what position the HS coach needs them to fill. This amounts to the kid being better honed at his position and therefore means a better look for the coach. Makes sense to me.

quote:

Originally posted by Allen Wranglers:
Frozen Ropes nailed it. I'd rather try out a kid when he is sharp after playing with his fall team (select and/or HS team) and allow him to get back to whatever program the HS coach has him on (may be some needed rest for the arm, and just some good conditioning right now).

There will be some players who are out there looking for teams later on in the spring, but I'd rather be proactive if they are looking now.

As for asking for $$... what???? League/tourney dues are not required yet, and unless they are trying to subsidize their coaching staff during the "off-season", I find it unfortunate that you'd have to pay now. But everyone is different, and I respect that. I don't have a facility where I have to pay overhead to keep the lights on.

www.allenwranglersbaseball.com

We have found that most paerents would rather or only can pay $200 - $250 per month from Dec. to June instead of...lets say $1500 in one check in June. Also in some programs, it give the kids a chance to raise some of the money from donors/friends/family

Must be nice to have all parents that can afford to write one big check!

quote:

Originally posted by "just a thrower":
Over the years summer try-outs have gotten earlier and earlier. It should be like Houston does it, after the HS season is complete. But, most parents believe it is a way for organizations to get money now. I can see both sides of it...but just wish summer try-outs weren't so early.

Although try-outs are made in the fall, most do not require any money until spring, some will ask for contract commitments and others wait until after the first of the year depending on the organization.

quote:

Originally posted by aba:

We have found that most paerents would rather or only can pay $200 - $250 per month from Dec. to June instead of...lets say $1500 in one check in June. Also in some programs, it give the kids a chance to raise some of the money from donors/friends/family

Must be nice to have all parents that can afford to write one big check![/QUOTE]

Please read my post... I said, I respect those that do it a different way, even though that is not how we do it.

FYI, we pay it out too (just not during the Christmas season). I never said people write a big check, or are expected to. When we pay league dues (typically in April), we will have collected $$ by then to cover it. We don't charge families for tourneys until they are played.

I am completely on-board with having the young men work for/solicit funds to help pay for their passion to play ball. I think that is great!

I know one of the big organizations wants all money up front before any games are played. This includes money for tournaments in the future that could possibly be canceled. Doesn't seem right but that is the way they do it.

I think 50% up front is fine. That should cover league fees, balls and coaching fees to start. Monthly after that should cover the remaining tournaments, coaching fees, expenses, etc.

I think there needs to be some amount of upfront financial contribution otherwise parents/players would tell a coach "yes, we are in" then continue to shop for a better fit for their player. I know they shouldn't but it happens all the time, I think the coaches need some upfront financial commitment to ensure that the player is going to keep his commitment to the organization/team and not jump to a better deal that comes along.