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Showcase Ball

Discussion in 'Softball Forum' started by Abbey fan, Jul 10, 2008.

  1. Abbey fan

    Abbey fan Full Access Member

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    This is a topic discussed many times on the board and I have defended and sold this type of ball as a way for young ladies to acheive their goals.
    Just want to see if other coaches are experiencing or observing situations of parents and players freaking out over playing time, getting in the game because a particular school is seen walking throught the gate. Has it gone away from a team sport? Is it all about "Suzy" now? Is it "if I do not get seen now, it will ruin my chances"? Has the expenses of playing these tournaments and travels made it more difficult so parents want to get as much exposure in one tournament or one game to hopefully get that school committment? I understand the cost factor and always have but is that a major factor on this situation?
    The last two years have really brought this to the forefront and affected wonderful kids and parents so I guess I am trying to find a solution to assist and take pressure off all parties.
    Our team fees are probably one of the lowest, if not the lowest for the tournaments we attend but travel expenses are tough.
    Looking for college coaches, travel coaches, parents, mentors, to assist with answers to hopefully relieve that stress for players/parents. Do college coaches make a decision on one look? Do they read the e-mails sent by kids? Don't they watch warm-ups and other actions by players around the field?
    I want to give my players the best I can provide and welcome input to provide same. Thanks, I look forward to many ideas.:smash:
     
  2. JavelinCatcher

    JavelinCatcher Full Access Member

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    No matter what, someone will always complain about playing time and this goes up 10 fold in showcase tournaments as the parents think the college coaches just need to see Suzy ONE time and she will get signed. If she is not getting any bites from colleges, it must be because her coach is not playing her at the showcase tournaments. Those parents need to read some of the other threads on this board on how to get recruited.

    Having said that, IMO, if you are at a showcase tournement and some of your players are already signed and others are not, you should give the bulk of the paying time to the ones that are not. I know, I know, you may not win the game if your studs are not on the field but this is about the girls and helping them get as much exposure as possible right???
     
  3. CougarCoach

    CougarCoach Full Access Member

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    Communication is the key...

    When college coaches are present and they are asking to see Suzy play a certain position Suzy should be playing...no brainer. Otherwise, Suzy and mom and dad should understand that the team is made up of girls just like her that are just one of the best and she should share playing time just like everyone else.

    Having said that....it is also the responsibility of the travel coach to get "ALL" of his girls seen and to give them equal playing. If they are talented enough to play on your team, they should be talented enough to get them in the game equally.

    I have seen too many times kids stay on the field for every out and every at bat just because their family donated lots of money or dad is the score keeper or one of the bench coaches....even when the kid is not performing. That is when Suzy's mom and dad have a right to complain.

    It is more important for Suzy to be a team player and do the little things off the field that gets her noticed by the college coaches and then when she gets an opportunity to play she needs to perform to the best of her ability. If she is fortunate enough to make a college roster, she will indeed be just "one of the best" on the team and will be expected to perform...she needs to learn from the pressure of travel ball and use it to her advantage in college.

    This is a hard lesson to learn for Suzy and mom and dad and unfortunately they probably won't see the benefit until travel ball is over. My advice to Suzy and mom and dad...pray for the right coach to see Suzy play and appreciate what she can bring to their team, relax and enjoy the new friends that you all have made through travel ball, take the time to bond with your child and have a good time as a family when you are traveling. This is a special time in your life and you don't need to waste a single minute wrapped up in drama or stress...enjoy the ride.
     
  4. LDFRDGUY

    LDFRDGUY Banned From TBR

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    I agree, If a player is already signed the bulk of the playing time needs to go to the unsigned girls, if it is truely for the girls. You may not win as many games but you may get more girls noticed and more could get signed.
     
  5. cheeze105

    cheeze105 Moderator Staff Member

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    great topic, keep going
     
  6. softballphreak

    softballphreak Full Access Member

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    Maybe we could have a clear distinction as to the team being either a showcase team or a competition team. Likewise with the tournament description. May already be this way. I don't believe I will ever be comfortable with pure showcase. Seems too commercial to me. Like Christmas!
     
  7. Braves

    Braves Watauga Pioneers #6

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    In baseball, there is a difference between travel ball and showcase teams. There are very few showcase teams in NC, while there are many travel ball teams.

    Considering there is a small % of DD's that will have the opportunity to play at the next level, it would seem that the number of teams that field those type players would be small as well.

    I've witnessed many families spend themselves silly traveling all over the state and region trying to get their DD's seen by the right coaches; only to be left heartbroken and dispirited. There are many hucksters in the showcase-travel ball business who have their hands out looking for those families.

    I'll never forget discussing with a family their situation. Their son was clearly not a D1 player, yet his parents spent $1,000's to have their son play in multiple elite showcase tournaments scouted by D1 schools. They were frustrated that they wasted their money because they had absolutely no contact from any of those coaches. I informed them of two tournaments that I recommended for their son to participate. After attending those tournaments, he received 3 different offers from D2 schools. He was happy and they were happy....and it saved them a ton of money.

    I suggest for families to find out if your DD has the talent to play at the next level..and if she does, at what level. If she does not have the talent (this is the majority that play), allow her to continue to enjoy the love she has for the game and the many memories she will have for the rest of her life without the feeling of failure.
     
  8. JavelinCatcher

    JavelinCatcher Full Access Member

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    I actually like the 'idea' of showcases. The game times for the entire weeekend are already set and the game times are longer so everyone (mostly the college coaches) know where the teams/girls they want to see will be and when. Don't think the college coaches want to keep looking at the brackets to find out where they need to go and have one of the teams/girls they want to see get bounced early...

    Also think you can be a competition team but still need to play in the showcase tournaments for the benefit of the girls that are not signed yet. Just don't go into a showcase tournament wanting to win at all costs. Those are about getting the girls exposure.
     
  9. CatchersDad

    CatchersDad Senior Member

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    Multi-Dimensional

    Here is my understanding so far:
    1. True Showcase ie., no bracket play, everyone should get as equal time as possible, College coaches could care less who wins or looses.

    2. Other tournaments like Qualifiers, State, Colorado and Nationals, have pool games which allow for somewhat equal playing time, however, seeding is sometimes based on W/L in pool play. Once the bracket games start, all coaches will place what they feel is their best nine, at the time, on the field. The goal at these types of tournaments are multi-dimensional: Showcase, Win, and like Colorado, get invited back. Playing at invited tournaments also gives your organization some status, with this status, generally you will face good teams which in turn draws more coaches and the competition helps to makes you a better team.

    3. If you feel your DD is not getting equal or fair playing time, communicate with your DD and ask some realistic questions:
    A. Am I the best I can be.
    B. What areas do I need to improve on.
    C. How and when will I work on the improvements.
    Parents allow your DD to answer these questions and to be self disciplined enough to follow thru to completion.

    4. Parents should communicate with the head coach like an adult in a calm but concerned manor, if satisfaction is not reached by their DD first. Every player should respect their team and coach regardless of decisions made by the coach. You don't have to like the decisions made by a coach, however, you do have to accept them, that is what being part of a team is. How you handle yourself is much more important than the situation you may find yourself in.

    5. Never approach a coach immediately following a win or loss about playing time. Rejoice or loose gracefully, bask in either one, and speak to the coach at the next convenient time. Coaches are willing to discuss about anything at an appropriate time, heck most of us have been doing this a long time and are somewhat successful at it.

    6. Our organization will always send a parent or a coach up to any college coach in attendance, greet them pleasantly, hand them a team brochure and ask if they need to see anyone who is not on the field at the present time. Additionally, if the college coaches time is short we have and will continue to make an immediate switch of players, but only at the college's request.

    I will take offense at the post that includes bench coach/scorekeeper. I'm a bench coach/scorekeeper with a DD on one of the major 18U teams, my DD and I believe in TEAM. We share playing time and are glad to do it, at this level we should all be about TEAM. Everyone knows there is no I in TEAM, sometimes I think we forget that.

    Dad
     
  10. JavelinCatcher

    JavelinCatcher Full Access Member

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    Agree 100%

    Great post! I agree 100% especially with 3, 4, and 1000% with 5!
     

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