Freedom From Little League - Repost for Knowledge Base

Great Post......And you see I do agree...I can tell from your written thoughts that you are not the guy that I am realy trying to get after....

Their are about 50 teams in our District for minors and about 60 for Majors LL.

Our area may be the exception....As the Daddyball I abhore is practiced in rampant fashion......

I am trapped....For If I agree that a Dad's son has to put up with "Longer" practices.....And loss of attention because his Dad is the coach.....And for this reason he deserves special favors......Then I have caved to the fundamental problem of Dad Managers....

And that is the reason....That preference and direction of League should be toward NON-DAD coaches.....

Rather than there being non available as is so often suggested on the Board...I suggest they are...The problem is the Leagues are not actively recruiting the Management Talent available.....Just as important in promoting kids participation is the promotion of Managers participation....This is done through word of mouth...Ads...Encouragement of potential non-dad coaches....

Now you wanted to coach your son to "make sure he had a good baseball experience". Good move....I did same thing....Coached T through Coach pitch.

Then it happened....everything you noticed in spades....So what I did was step away from management (became assister)....Allowing another Male figure to start the process at Player Pitch.....
Now before I did this.....I made sure at that level that I wouldn't have the same crap that initially occurred with sons older sibling.....Even had a conversation with him about concerns...It was postitive conversation...albeit direct...And you know what it paid off.....

Wonderful transision for both my son and me......His first real coach (who did not have a son) is to this day...idolized by my son.....And the relationship is still active and strong 3 years later....that relationship was the beginning of many other wonderful relations with Managers as my son moves forward.....
Rather than me losing a son in the transision....I gained numerous managers...
I announce Youth FB---BB and keep stats for numerous teams in my area.....Thus my perspective is not just my own sometimes....
I respect you for your thoughts and hope you understand that mine are not meant to disparage so many well intentioned folks, such as yourself....

They are however designed to root out the evil of Daddyball....cause that hurts the game and the participation.

Next.....What I mean by HS credentials is not an absolute....Problem is that when the door is opened too far....The weasels enter....Liken to the reality that a HS diploma (College Diploma) is the "Minimum" credential for many many jobs....Is it fair...or 100%...No....but it tends to serve the purpose of seperating most of the junk from the good stuff......Now what I think would be the coolest yet would be for all youth Rec to have Managers pass a "Credentials" board sponsored by the national leagues...(AAU/LL/Pony/CalRipken/USAAA) for a start....Agree on a minimum...and establish "Best Practices" manuals to follow....It would be a great start...

Next.....Managers son's are not necessarily the best...Particularly as the Grade and Age of play improves....

Next....Tryouts I am referring to are Player tryouts....The following chapter for tryouts is in relationship to Travel Ball....Will be interested in your comments for adjustments necessary to Rec/LL.....Who knows....Kinda long may not post.....but here goes...

Select A Travelball Tryouts

Tryouts……Best Practices

Tryouts are absolutely imperative and necessary to the health and well-being of Travelball Teams. Subjective Selection must be minimized, with an eye toward playing winning ball. And while subjectivity cannot be totally eliminated, the after effects of making foolish decisions from “Eye-balling” talent can and must be squashed.

Experience has taught me that those managers and coaches who prefer to avoid real try-outs do so to avoid exposure for poor player position selections they have made. During the past 7 years, I have seen pretty much it all, from marginal left-handed SS’s to Catchers incapable of throw-downs to second. I have heard and seen the results of justifying the slowest kid on the team batting first, to the clear homerun hitter batting 9th. Therefore, we are once again attempting to avoid “Daddyball” position selection for players.

To conduct a proper Tryout for a Select A Ball team, you will obviously need kids to tryout.
Therefore it will be necessary for you to do significant recruitment of potential players from the very start. You should allow a minimum of 30 days prior to your tryout for the recruitment process to be truly effective. There are Three primary ways to recruit players.
Here they will be discussed in order of their effectivness.

The Best and Most Effective method of recruiting is of course word of mouth. Before you take on the handle of Select A Travel Ball Manager, your credentials should include the minimum credentials already outlined in a previous chapter. As a result of your already existing standing as a coach you should personally be able to field at least 6 travel ball level players with a simple phone call to them. This is what is known as a Core Group. The Core Group (Also outline earlier) is where you get the initial energy, parental talent, and necessary volunteers for your initial Tryouts! The Core Group are the parents willing and interested in helping your spread the word about the up-coming Tryouts to potential players and recreational leagues in your area. These leagues must be visited, the potential players identified through observation and contact with their rec. team managers and parents alike.
You will need a Flier as a handout that briefly explains what The A select Team is all about, when and where the tryouts will be held. It is critically important that you follow up with the potential tryouts a few days prior to insure they will be there. You can expect 10 to 20% not to show in spite of their seeming interest/commitment. This is normal. Under no circumstances should you beg or plead for a player. Such an action will set a wrong precedent and is sure to back-fire.
Our experience is that visiting other recreational leagues works best, when you approach the given league on more than one or two visits. There is a certain continuity that will grow your credibility with multiple visits. This is your best and quite frankly the bell weather as to your continuing with the effort. If on the efforts of your core group using this approach, you cannot get more than 13 kids to show up for tryouts, our recommendation is that you abandon your efforts.
The rest of the techniques are merely to augment what has already been said about Recruitment……That one on one works best!
You may choose to supplement the one on one approach with newspaper adds, fliers at parks, contacts with personal baseball trainers etc. Your goal should be to have 15 to 20 show, so try to get 10 to 20% more on your commit list.

DO NOT HAVE TRYOUTS WITH LESS THAN 13 KIDS…..WAIT UNTIL YOU DO!
A situation with 10 or 11 showing up is best solved by having a workout while you regroup to hold the tryouts another day and time.

The following techniques are designed around a tryout group of 9 to 20 players. The same techniques can and should be used for any size group, with some variation to deal with time restraints.

However, before we engage in the nuts and bolts of tryout techniques, we need to discuss some tryout theory and methodology. This is because many who manage at the Travelball level have not experience the Big Shock of true competition which will be found at this level.
Remember (And print on your forehead), Travelball is about winning, and is about playing your best nine on Game Day. If a manager does not play his best nine at the best positions, he will guarantee himself failure over time. This is because, the level of player now being sought knows when and if he is being dealt with fairly and correctly. Furthermore his parents know, and if they don’t know on day one, they will soon learn through their exposure to Tournament Ball. If a player is not placed in a position commensurate with his talent and ability, it is merely a matter of time before he moves on to a team where his talent will be appreciated and nurtured.

Daddyball and improper player position selection will leave in its path huge portions of bad blood and ire, as well as insure the offending Daddyball Manager/Coach will extricate himself from the higher levels of the game. On the positive side, the Manager/Coach who refuses to participate in Daddyball, will have a huge advantage over 90+ of the teams where Daddyball is accepted.

In a nutshell, I am telling the reader to leave “Daddyball” to the recreation leagues. LL, recreation ball is the place for such behavior, not A Travel Select Ball! And remember this, my expectation for you is that you succeed in your Winning Mission, and that you accept without question the Truism there is no place for Daddyball in Select Travel Ball.

For your tryouts you will need certain equipment. You will need an accurate Stop Watch, a measuring tape (longer the better to 200’), a field, properly distanced bases, and a fence to separate you from the Parents. You will also need 3 or 4 assistant s to help you record necessary information.

WarmUps: For Travelball I suggest a minimum of 2 laps to start. Record who is at the front of the pack, and who is at the back. Obviously all others are in the middle of the pack.
When they get back, having strung themselves out for as much as 60 to 75 yards. Explain that you Now want them to do it the Team way. You want them all to start and end TOGETHER. Allow them to do this until they get it correct. Sometimes takes awhile, but if you are clear, and have a savvy group, they will get it on the next Try! When they get back, spend some time explaining that this Team is about working as a Team……We win as a Team, We lose as a Team……Not as individuals.
Next Go through your Calisthenics including Jumping Jacks, Pushups, Roll-overs, Leg-Stretches. The kids should be organized in rows of two or three. Now upon completion, your ready and your kids are positioned for the next phase….
WindSprints: Back up 60 feet from your kids. Now in groups of 3 have them Sprint to you.
Go through one rotation, to give your kids a feel for what they are doing, then record the next Three rotations. Probably kids and parents alike will believe you are recording the fastest runner of each set. What you are recording however, is the kid in each set that is showing you the most intense effort. You will see it in their face and in their exhibited energy. You are looking for heart, and you will find it! Now break you players into 2-man warm-up teams for loosening up their arms. Start them 15’ apart, after 20 or so throws, move them to 30’, then 60’, then 90’. At distances 30’-90’ record Throwing Form as (AOutfielder Skills: Place a bat on the ground at about True Right field. Have each of your player, in rotation, Catch a Hand Thrown Pop from you (or assistant), and record the Pop to Pop time from the players glove to the Assistant on Third bases glove. Depending on age, you may want to recommend the kids throw a “Line Drive….Low”, but this decision is strictly up to you. In this excersise you are determining who has the long Arms, discovering how they address their longer throws, how strong their arm is (POP to POP), and discovering how accurate their Arm is (ANow move to center and do the very same exercise, but this time make the throw to home.
Record your results!!!!! You are now ready to determine the outfield quickness and speed of your tryouts!

Leave your tryouts in center field. Move to home plate and have an assistant “Time” Pops and flys to center for you. You will find that the time it takes from striking your bat to landing on the ground will average 3.5 seconds on a youth field. You already know this, but demonstrating it will mesmerize your parents and those coaches who do not! Returning to your tryouts in center, explain to them that you want to get a feel for how much ground they can cover. You want to know who can get to those shots in the Gap! Now placing a ball in dead center field, measure (with a tape) 60’ towards left, and 60’ toward right. Make sure you mark your starting spot with a bat/or glove. Now in rotation, have your tryouts straddle the spot with their back turned (glove in hand). On your command they are to turn, pick up the ball, and move as quickly as they can to the left and to the right. Give each three turns and record your results. I find it advantageous to explain to the tryouts how much more real estate just one more foot makes in coverage by going through the math. Example: Lets say a kid is able to cover 30’ in 3.5 seconds. Then the amount of real estate that is covered is Pi R Squared, which in this first scenario would mean that 2814 square feet of the outfield is covered. Now if the outfielder is able to get to lets say 32’, the new number of square feet covered would be 3,202 square feet……..Quite a difference Eh! Such activity will challenge your tryouts as well as build focus in an Outfield skill that you will find essential as you meet better and better teams. It will also separate those tryouts of potential and talent from those that are perhaps development players for outfield. You are now ready for the final Outfield Tryout which is catching routine flyballs and hits. I suggest in rotation, three each with score recorded for catching and missing, Now that is three flys and three hits each. Record your results…………After a short Water Break, you are now ready to turn your attention to

Pitching TryOuts: It is important that ALL tryouts be assessed for pitching talent. This is because there just might be (probably is) a diamond in the rough. A kid who has never pitched, who maybe never gave it a second thought or was simply overlooked until you and your team came along. Now for this portion of the tryout you will what is known as a “slow Radar” measuring device. They cost about $50 (mine is yellow), they secure to the catchers glove (an assistant). This device is critical to the accuracy of your tryout. Do not fall for the trap that so many managers do, believing that you “Can Tell” from the sound of the pop, etc. what the speed of the pitch is. It simply isn’t true! Further, using the correct “Slow Radar” glove insures fairness and accuracy for all. Once again, your parents will be mesmerized. Now your assistant should have the glove over the plate. In rotation of 3 pitches each have each tryout Bring it to the glove. Record your results over 4 sets so that each tryout gets 12 total pitches. If the kid makes an errant throw (perhaps it hits the backstop), that particular tryout will have fewer recorded pitches….Do not sit there and have pitch after pitch from the same player in the dirt or just simply wild. This does not help him or you……..Now during this Pitcher Tryout, you should also record the number of “Strikes” each tryout pitches…….Now for Travelball, you should be looking closer at those tryouts who bring the ball at the following speeds and accuracy (46’):

9 Under: >52MPH with 70% strikes
10 Under: >55MPH with 70% strikes
11 Under: >62MPH with 75% strikes
12 Under: >68MPH with 75% strikes

As Manager, you need to keep in mind that you will need about 6 A level pitchers to compete on in National Tournaments. Yes you can stretch your pitching staff, but 6 is the ideal number you are looking to develop for your team. Also understand that the theory is that you can teach a kid that has the speed and accuracy skills outlined above to throw changes and junk (which will be absolutely necessary to successfully compete), but the minimum bar is set so that unnecessary amounts of time and energy are not wasted. You now should have a good and accurate picture of the Pitching Talent available for your team. If it is simply not their, your job as manager is to recruit until it is there!!! At least now you know where your team stands! Next comes Catchers Tryout, which happen to be my favorite!

Catcher Tryouts: Way too often the catchers are decided by “Who will spring for the Equipment”. Or who is short and stubby, and can catch. This is really dumb and perhaps one of the best ways to guarantee disaster on an A Select Travel Ball Team! Having two or hopefully three Top Catchers is essential to winning! For that matter, even being competitive. That is how important this position is! Don’t blow the opportunity! However, unlike Pitching, you may want to start with asking “Who wants to tryout for catcher?”. If you get 4 to 6 willing, but really want to look at some kid who hasn’t stepped up yet, you may need to do some “Encouraging”. But make sure you tryout at least 6 of your tryouts for the Catcher position! Catcher Tryout consists of Four Parts:
1. Pop to Pop to Second Base: Assistant throws strikes to fully geared catcher. Catcher throws ball to second as quickly as possible with or without helmet (catcher preference). Another assistant mans the stop watch for the time from Pop of catchers glove to Pop of assistant’s glove at second base. Record your Results in 4 sets of three throw downs per tryout. Top Catchers should be able to make Pop to Pop in under 2.4 second for any age level for a 60’ baseline. To add some realism to the tryout, have an assistant act as batter, swinging and missing at every pitch. Also have two other assistants hitting ground balls to third and first independent of but going on at the same time as the throwdowns.
2. Pop to Pop to First Base: Once again record your Results in 4 sets of three throw downs per tryout.
3. Hand Thrown Pop-Ups behind the plate. 2 sets of 3 each. Record your results Catch or No Catch. Be fair with your Pops……They should all be catcheable.
4. Passball/Wild Pitch to Pitcher covering Plate (Assistant for tryout). Place balls at same place for each tryout behind and to the right left and directly behind plate about 15’. Record the time from “Go” that each catcher tryout takes to slide beside ball and throw to assistants glove on the plate. Give each tryout 2 rotations at each of the three positioned balls behind the plate. Record your results. And guess what, your Catchers have magically appeared. Which now brings us to the final segment of our tryouts which is putting together a Top Notch Infield. Because this is Select A Travel Ball “Everybody” typically views themselves as the SS, now lets find out!

Infield Tryouts: Nothing causes more aggravation and dissention on many Travel Ball teams than the decisions regarding “Who is going to play Infield”. Daddyball and Coachball have really got to be watched here. To avoid such tripe, and field the best that you can, these skill set tryouts will get you the manager very close to an accurate infield determination. We caution you to understand that until your best efforts utilizing this system are “Tested under Fire” in a real games (2 or 3), to be willing to make adjustments based upon the all important “Gamer” factor.
The Gamer Factor is a name coined to represent the intangibles connected with playing any position, particularly infield under pressure situations. Some kid have a God Given Talent for knowing just what to do at the Right Time. Others don’t. The purpose of these tryouts is to get you close. However we do leave room for an adjustment or two in the event that during real game situations the kid you had pictured at a given position, just is not a Gamer!
Keep in mind however, that these infield tryouts techniques and methods will keep you from ever being labeled a Daddyball Manager or of playing Coachball. They are the best methods to determine what Should be so. Your job as manager is to explain this to the kids.
That they are trying out for initial positions in the first few games. Only Performance in the first few games will solidify the position as theirs! Make sure the kids and the parents understand this. My experience is that when properly communicated, there simply won’t be a problem when adjustments have to be made.

Prior to infield tryouts take a short break. Use this time to refer to your notes, with regard to the Outfield tryout stats. This will give you a good “Start” at determining which players have some of the stronger arms. Which players deal with hits in an effective manner and which players should be comfortable with Pop Ups.
Your first step is to assemble all tryout players at shortstop. Hit all players lazy grounders with a throw to first base. At this point you are truly “Eyeballing” to break your entire group into two. One Group will stay at Short Stop, the other “weaker” group will assemble at second base. You might also want to ask if anyone Prefers the Outfield. Surprisingly several will opt to move to a third Centerfield Group that will be hit fly balls by an assitant while the infield tryouts continue. Now if a potential top infielder chooses Outfield, you once again may have to do some “Encouraging”, to insure that player is tried out in the infield.
After your group is broken into two infield groups (recorded and noted), take another break to ready the field and assistants for the skill set tryouts. First on the agenda is the search for the best Infielder that you have, who will play Short Stop. To find this key player is going to take some involved work on your part, as well as all assistants. The Short Stop must be your Stongest, and Best Fielder. He also needs to be very quick minded with reference to “knowing” what to do with the ball, from anywhere on the field, under any number of complex circumstances. He must have the strongest infielding skills, including Glove Work, footwork, lateral movement, and a very strong arm. The truth is that you are actually going to fill ShortStop, Third, and Second most likely from the Group you have assembled at ShortStop (Stronger Group). However, there may be some Second String (development) infielders in the weaker group assembled at second base. You certainly hope so! For now the weaker group is asked to watch the stronger groups tryouts. They may even sit down to watch!

The ShortStop Tryout consists of 5 parts. It will take several assistants to accomplish, as well as a person to run the stop watch, and another to record the results.

ShortStop Tryout Part 1: The Stronger Group is lined up on the grass in left field. They are told that the tryout for infield will be very tough, that you are looking for certain skills that will involve a great deal of concentration on their part. Ask the group to try as hard as they can but to not be nervous. Of course they will be, that is part of your intent, because you want to create a situation as close to a game situation as possible! Now draw a line in the dirt at regular SS position. Have an assistant demonstrate what you now want each of your tryout infielders to do. The skill that is going to be tested is as follows: One assistant is on first base to receive throws from your tryouts. One assistant is to roll a ball to the players glove who are then to throw the ball to firstbase assistants glove. Pop to Pop is recorded, as well as an accurate throw, or not (An accurate throw for purposes of this test is any throw that can be touched by the first base assistant……If the glove can touch it, it should be caught!…….But make a mental note if a player is having recurring problems with accurate throws, because it could be a final deciding factor. Give each tryout three attempts at this skill.
Now draw a line in the dirt at Deep Short (toward third)…..The Tryout is to face the Assistant who rolls the ball. The tryout’s back is to first when the skill begins, while the assistant rolling the ball is facing the tryout and first base. The object of the exercise is have the tryout field the rolled ball, step over the line, turn and fire to first base assistants glove. Once again Pop to Pop and accuracy are recorded.
Now draw a line about 5 feet directly behind second. The Tryout is facing Right Field , with the assistant rolling the ball facing left field. The object of the exercise is now to have the tryout field the rolled ball, step over the line, turn to his right and fire to the first base assistants glove. Once again Pop to Pop and accuracy are recorded.
The next exercise is to start the tryout at regular SS position. At the “Go” signal, they are to charge toward a ball 8’ on the grass toward the mound (mark the same spot for all to use), pick up a ball and fire to the first base assistant. Three attempts. “Go” signal to Pop is recorded.
The final exercise involves a Non-Dad assistant, hitting each tryout 5 grounders at regular short stop position. If you have practice runners, this is all the better. Here we are simply recording the grounder as fielded or not, the accurate throw to first base assistant or not.
Also during this exercise take note of each grounder as being “Charged” as (A>B>C).
Now add to the record the scores on Fly Balls from your earlier Outfield tryouts.
Gentlemen, you have now found both your first and second string SS. You have also found your third baseman and second baseman.
Now because you are looking for All potential, as well as development talent capabilities, you now need to repeat this process with your weaker group. There very well may be a sleeper, or someone you have overlooked. Keep the record for later use!!!! If there is a virtual “Tie” explain that to the Two Tryouts, and that each will be given time at SS to prove their worth in games. One playing SS, the other playing second ( Your middle Infield is now complete!).
So what about First and Third?…..Well,
First base will be reserved for that Big Boy Slugger, who hits the ball a ton and regularly, has soft hands, can dig them out, and refuses to let anything get by him. His only real problem is that he lacks wheels!!!
Third base is reserved for several things. The kid with a big bat, who does well in an instant reaction time to hot shots to third, but maybe has a little more trouble when forced to think too much about a given play. Sense you are going to need at least two catchers, the one not playing catcher in a given game, will typically do nicely at third base. Just make sure that your third baseman has an accurate cannon for an arm, darn little fear, and on any given day, just might make a good infielder “Anywhere”. This completes the Defensive Skills Tryouts. You are now prepared to move on to the Offensive Skills Tryouts.

Batting: It is important that you understand the purpose of a Batting Tryout, as opposed to instructional Batting. Way too often, over zealous coaches, and Daddyball coaches as well attempt to “Tinker” with the batting method and style of the player during Tryouts! Once again burn into your forehead, that Tryouts is not the time or the place for such instruction. During Tryouts, the focus needs to be on the level of performance that the player brings to the tryout, and nothing else! Of course it is prudent and acceptable to make notes regarding techniques which you feel will improve the batter….After tryouts, and when you have selected the player for your team.
Step 1. Have all Batters grab their bat. Spread the players out all over the infield (much distance between them for saftey), and give them 5 or 10 minutes to warm up swinging their bats. When warmup is completed, explain to the group once again, that you will be pitching to them the level of speed they will be facing for their age group. So that you are sure you know, have an assistant check your speed of pitch. You are to deliver nothing but fastballs for the purposes of the tryout. Utilizing a pitching machine (properly calibrated is acceptable for this exercise). Each batter will receive 10 pitches. The Results of the swings will be recorded as (F for Fly-ball to outfield, P for PopUp, K for swing and miss, H for hit, and C for all non-fair ball contact…..FBy the way, the batter who hit is responsible for picking up his balls after the session. This is good because it reinforces to both parent and batter alike, exactly what kind of performance was rendered during the tryout!
Step 2, Have all batters lay down 5 bunts on 5 pitches, and record the results as F for Fairball, or NF for strike or non fair ball. Also make notes by player for potential improvement, if the player is selected only! You have now completed the Batting tryouts and are ready for the final exercise which is Running. Obviously you must have lots of speed if you want to be competitive. There is an old saying that speed Kills, and it is absolutely accurate in youth ball.
Stop and think about how many plays are decided by a ½ step in a given tournament if you doubt what we are saying. A player being called safe on 20% of those close calls will affect a win in 50% of the games you play. That is how significant speed and running skills are!

Running: Once again, do not tinker with running skills during tryouts. The time and place for that is once you have selected your players. To do otherwise during “Tryouts” is unfair, inappropriate and way too time consuming! Your purpose here is to measure raw talent. You will need an assistant for the stop watch, and to record the results.
Step 1. Line up all players at home plate. Demonstrate how you want each of your players to “Toe” the plate in preparation for their timed run to first. Tell them they will get two opportunities to run. When completed and results recorded, you are ready for the second and final running step.
Now do the same exercise for the run around all bases, record the results for each of two opportunities. You have now completed the Running Tryout. In fact, Congratulations, you have now completed all evaluation exercises connected with the Tryout. And you have done it in 4 hours. Not Bad my man, but you still have important work to do!

Give your tryouts and water break, and place all in a dugout. Assemble all parents in the Stand, behind the fence for a conversation with you! This is a critically important phase of the Tryout. Failure to do this, will certainly harm your efforts!
Your conversation with the Parents sets the Tone for the Team. For the Tone and Direction of the team, you are responsible. Not the coaches, not the administrators of the league. No sir, this is your responsibility! Your leadership skills, your people skills, and your coaching skills are on the line. Once again, burn this into your forehead!

Your conversation with the Parents should go something close to this:

First I want to thank each of you for coming out today. We have had a very long and tough Tryout for the kids. Lots of important information regarding their performance and talent has been documented. In fact, the information right now is a little overwhelming. However it is all important and necessary for making good selections for players and postions. I hope each of your agree.
The (name of team) are an organization who prides themselves in doing it right. We do not play coachball or daddyball here. Nor is this Little League, where every player plays in every game, with the emphasis on recreation and development. The (name of team) are a Select A Travel Ball team which has as its focus, competitive tournament ball. By its very nature Tournament Ball is centered on winning and playing at a much higher level than Recreational Ball. For those of you familiar with “Allstars”, it is somewhat (but not entirely similar) because one or two losses/and or one or two runs can eliminate the Travel ball team from the tournament. (Name of Team) is not in dispute with recreational ball, at any level…In fact we encourage participation in recreational ball by many of our players. The distinction is that we are very selective in our players, much more so than in Little League or Recreational Ball. Travel Ball is also Distinct in that (name of team) has a No Cut, No Guaranteed Play time Policy. It is important that each of you understand this policy, and accept it if your child is selected for our team.
No Cut, No Guaranteed Play time means this: The parents of each child who participated in todays tryouts, and who is selected for the team will receive a call over the next couple of days from me. The parents will receive a very comprehensive and detailed evaluation of their play, as well as the areas in which the child will participate and help the (name of team).
Play time for the individual child, as well as positions will be discussed so that each child selected for the (name of team) will know exactly where they stand, and what to expect.
Now it is the responsibility of the parents of the players selected to see to it their son/daughter follows through with all practices, and suggested improvement drills. In practice and practice games all players will play co-equally within the realm of their assigned positions. No child selected will be cut for performance, although they may be cut for flagrant violations of behavior. Also, on non-practice or tournament games, the (name of team) will play the best nine as I see it! There is no guaranteed play time on game day unless that is spelled out by me during the evaluation of your childs tryout. Please keep in mind that my objective on game day is to WIN. My W/L record is on the line, so I am obviously going to make my decisions accordingly. To do less would be a disservice to (name of team) and to Travel Ball in general. If as parents, you decide that your child will participate on this team, my expectations for you are clear.
1. That you support me and this team in our Efforts and at all times.
2. That you meet or exceed the “volunteer” commitments (2 to 4 hours per month)
3. That you conduct yourself in a professional manner as spectators.

Next it is critical that you discuss with the group, the financial obligations and expectations for the team. This includes all up-front costs, monthly fees, Tournament Schedules including overnights, and Parent Volunteer expectations/obligations. It is strongly recommended that these issues be in the form of a printed hand-out! Your final Point is of course.

Are their any questions that I might answer at this time?

OK……You have now set the proper expectations. Now go home get quiet and make the selections you feel will best serve your team. When completed, it is time to make the calls to the players parents. There are two primary scenarios, with lots of middle ground.

Scenario 1: The player shows potential in one or two positions that would be helpful to your team at some point, but is not a “Starter”. Your call to that parent, should start with a listing of the ranking of the player with regard to Running/Throwing/ Batting/and Glove skills both infield and outfield. You then must be honest and tell the parents that although there is a spot for the player on the team, the player at this time is not in the starting 9. Because of this you cannot guarantee more than an occasional inning in Tournament games,
But the player will see more playtime (perhaps on average 3 innings) in scrimmage and practice games. The amount of playtime is and should be consistent with the players value to the team and to you, as you see it! Your hope for this player is that they so improve over the season, that by next year they will be one of your “Starters”. At this point you further explain to the parents that their child is definitely travel ball material and could very well be a starter on another team, or even this team!. Being in the position of a non-starter provides the parents child with the opportunity to play, improve, and if they choose to look for another team that can make their child a starter. This is what you and everyone involved wants for their son! By choosing to play for the (team name) as a non-starter, you will assist the player and parents anyway you can in helping their son/daughter be a starter ….Somewhere! You then should make some recommendations for the individual player (home drills) that you feel will improve the level of play. You must get feedback and commitment from the parent at this point, as well as an understanding of what is expected for their child, and of the parents! Accomplishing the mission herein described is critical to proper communications between you, player and parent. Failure to be up front, will wreck your team and your reputation!

Scenario 2: The player is a starter, but at only one position on this team. After congratulating both player and parent, and reviewing your evaluation with parent, you explain that their child has excellent skills needed by the (name of team). However, you feel significant improvement in (name areas) must be accomplished before additional positions can be effectively handled by the player. Next you explain, that as a one position starter, their child can expect to see “Some” time on the bench (give a rough %….say 25%) so that the expectation is set that the particular position will be shared with other players. This keeps balance and honestly allows you to do your job, without the angst that comes when the situation calls for you to place their son on the bench for an inning or two. Then follow with the areas that need improvement and any home drills you feel will assist the players development. One final thing. As a starter, you are expecting from the parents one additional commitment, not asked of non-starting team players. That commitment is that the parent see to that the player COMPLETE the season, without request for waiver to another team!

Scenario 3: The player is a Starter, at multiple positions. This scenario represents that kid who is definitely one of your STUDS. Yes, Top Players do deserve (because they have earned it) special consideration. But only in certain areas. Not all!
First and foremost, no player on your team is exempt from proper conduct and behavior (including attitude which is a benchable offense). Second, Top Players have special obligations to conduct themselves with humility and sportsmanship deserving of the respect they earn with their play.
In its finest example, (team name) likes to see the top players demonstrating exemplary leadership skills with acts of kindness and support to all players, particularly non-starters. The special consideration they get in position and play time is balanced with the special obligations for demonstrating sportsmanship. This truth is discussed with both player and parents alike. Nothing can hurt a team anymore than to have arrogant attitude Top Players, hurting the efforts and feelings of other team members. Because of their top player status, they also have Top Attitude expectations, and need to work vigilantly on developing sportsmanship at a very high level.
Having covered these preliminaries with Parent and Player, your art of Managing will now come into sharp focus. Keep in mind that you should have a very clear picture of what you want the Top Player to do for your Team. It is imperative that the parent and player understand your reasoning.
The reason is complex, but generally speaking your idea of the best position for the player for your team, may not exactly coincide with the expectations of the player, parent, or both!
Those player/parent expectations need to be drawn out by you and considered in conjunction with your plan for the team. To not consider the Top Player/Parents expectation is just as bad as not setting the expectations with a non-starting player. Your obligation is to “Air” any and all lurking concerns with the Top Player/Parent. Once aired the expectations need to be set, and adhered to!
Under no circumstances should a Select A Ball Manager change course with a Top Player without significant discussion with both player and parent! There will be no Whim decisions regarding play time or position!
Top Players are to be on the field at the agreed upon position(s) in every tournament game!
Top Players should also agree and understand up front there will be an occasional inning or two where they are rested for whatever reason the manager sees fit! Good to get this commitment and understanding up front. Bad to assume it as a given!
And you know what, this is exactly the correct position to take, and is in keeping with everything you and your team believe. Namely to play Winning Ball!

Of course these three scenarios do not constitute ALL issues and concerns. But as a basic method and approach they are the way we do it! Variations and individual management style can allow for some alteration. However, abandonment of the clear intent expressed here will not be tolerated.

Just some of the tactics that will not be tolerated are:

1. Using a Top Player in a position for the sole purpose of highlighting another player at a position.
2. Playing Daddyball or Coachball.
3. Abusing or misleading a Parent or Player regarding evaluation or talent.
4. Selecting a child on the team for strictly Revenue purposes.
5. Harming the play of a Top Player or Non-Starter with over critical remarks or constantly forcing changes in playing style/techniques during tournament games. Correction is for the Practice field, not the Tournament Game field.
6. Changing Top Player Position/Play-time without significant warning and discussion.
7. Not allowing non-starters to play some innings in non-tournament/practice/scrimmage games.

A parent who feels truly violated by any of these issues is to first contact the manager by phone (and away from the field) expressing their concern. If no resolution, the parent may request 10 minutes of time at a regularly scheduled Parent Meeting to discuss the specifics of their issue/ concern. It is hoped that in a spirit of cooperation, such conflict will seldom reach such levels. It is also understood that until such time as the manager is removed from his position (which requires a vote of 2/3 of team parents for removal) he will continue to have final say on all play-time and position decisions.

Attached are the forms you will need for recording your tryout evaluations.
1. Running
2. Outfield
3. Pitching
4. Infield
5. Batting
6. Catching