Interesting & Unbelievable Article on AAU.

Interesting Article, I just read and thought I would share w/ AAU season coming up. Even though its pertains to basketball, some say it happens in baseball, not to this extent but curious. I have heard of teams getting serious backers and offer some nice luxuries, but this seems over the top.
I believe the article was from Aug 2006.

Billionaire back AAU BBall team and treated like pro athletes. good or bad.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/081306dnspotitans.2137e55.html

 

Phone Number

You couldn't get Mr. troutt's phone number for me could you?

Seems to me that this is obviously WAY over the top. How much more could his money be put to use helping some folks who really need it? Sort of a shame.

Just my .02

 

not surprised

would not be surprised to see this one day soon in youth softball or baseball. some people have no limits.

 

To a much lesser extent it is already happening. And to tell the truth If I was to hit the lottery or come into big money I would do all I could for the kids. My dream would be to have our own top notch practice facility, both indoor and out a team bus and all expences paid for thr familys.

 

It has been going on in AAU basketball for some time...not as obvious in baseball or softball.

The knock has been it creates a player that always expects everything to be handed to them.

I'm with Dawgfan that if I had the money I would try and provide the best enviroment for the players and keep the cost down for the parents.

I think most coaches would love to have more "sponsor money" than you know what to do with.....

 

Who Doesn't Dream?

Careful Dawgfan you might be getting into NCAA rule breaking with the families expences being paid! However when I WIN the lottery there will be an incredible nice dome building with a roof that can be open or closed! Yes all the players and coaches will have state of the art facilities to use and the parents/fans will be quite comfortable as well and you won't have to donate an organ to afford the food and water, there either!! Oh am I still on typing about my dream, sorry slipped off into HOPEville there for a second! Why is it that it is always okay as long as it affects your child? Life is just funny (not) that way!!! What the heck, throw caution to the wind, and be happy for the kids that are getting the great ride!!
Peace, Love and Happiness

 

No worry about NCAA.......... Id just pay for all their tuition also........
This is whats great about dreams.......NO BOUNDRIES

 

Touche Dawgfan

I forgot this isn't real life...LOL!!! Oh yes of course I would pay the tuition for my chosen prema donna's as well!!! Oh well I'll get back to dreaming and I'll check back later!! Peace, Love and Happiness!

 

check-in daily softball4ever1987.....we love hearing your insight.

hows school?

 

I would like to applaud Mr. Troutt and his efforts to help the kids and parents apart of his teams. These kids are getting an opportunity to compete and play at a level they may otherwise not be able too without him. It could easily be the difference between some of these kids playing in the NBA one day or most playing low-level basketball the rest of their life. We don’t see this type of situation in softball in NC or anywhere to my knowledge in the US. As you spread out across the country, you do find fastpitch organizations with full time coaches/instructors, indoor facilities, compete in the best showcases (older age groups), compete in the best tournaments (all age groups), and everything is taken care of for the player and sometimes 1 parent. Don’t know of any that are cost free if you make the team. You have to pay some type of fee whether it is in the hundred dollar range for a season or up to $10,000 for a year (18u). These similar situations to some degree are happening in NC. They are a little more prevalent in JO volleyball, basketball, and especially soccer. The bottom line though is that everything comes down to money. In business, you have to spend money to make money. The same principle can easily be applied to softball. You spend the money to take lessons from the best instructors, spend money to go to the top clinics/camps, spend money to play on the top level teams, then you stand a far greater chance of getting a higher level offer in the end. I read on message boards and from time to time hear it at the ball fields about NC players getting overlooked. NC Fastpitch is improving and growing. Last year was a very good year to push us forward in the right direction. With the Lady Blues winning the Independence Day tournament in Boulder, CO, and the Carolina Cardinals winning the 18u ASA A Nationals. We also had 4 teams to attend ASA Nationals last year. Those are great steps in the right direction, but we still have a ways to go. I’ve been involved with fastpitch softball for 10 years in NC. I’ve spent 6 almost 7 of those head coaching, assisting, or being an instructor. Ranging from middle/high school, 10u to 18u JO ball, clinics at DII/DIII schools, and coaching Division I. All that time there was always one major issue and still is today. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY! Whether it was pertaining to player fees, uniform/equipment cost, travel expenses, scholarships, etc…I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the player fee is to much, there’s to many travel expenses, I don’t have time to do fundraising, and sometimes just flat out I won’t do fundraising. So I definitely applaud Mr. Troutt and what he does with his money. There are plenty of businesses/corporations in NC that have hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars in profit each year that they do nothing, but pay the tax on it or shovel into peoples pockets that don’t need it. I can think of at least 5 off the top of my head. If tomorrow I could start advertising: “Fastpitch Organization, 7 teams, full-time coaches/instructors, adequate indoor facilities, compete in the best tournaments at all age groups, all expenses covered or only pay a small fee”….I guarantee there would be plenty of people that would come out of the wood work for that opportunity. If they don’t, then that would tell you a lot about the softball mentality in NC. So if you know anybody like Mr. Troutt that wants to put money into helping kids achieve their goals/dreams and making it easier on me, the parents, and the kids, please let me know who they are. I have an initial business plan for a 7-team organization, with full time professional coaches/instructors, adequate indoor/outdoor facilities, and a way to generate revenue as well. Just need a financial backer(s). Until that time though, I’ll continue to try and get players that will pay and/or do the fundraising to play in Batbuster Showcases, Colorado July 4th tournaments, Rising Stars tournaments, and other showcases. If that applies to you, feel free to contact me about playing.

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