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Commitment: Team & Player

Discussion in 'Softball Forum' started by fastpitchdad1994, Jan 29, 2010.

  1. fastpitchdad1994

    fastpitchdad1994 Where is the GURU???

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    As everyone knows, there are commitment issues that arise from time to time with teams, coaches & players. Now before I get started, I'm not blasting/bashing any coach or organization nor am I blasting/bashing players as well. As a parent, and having to bear all the finical burden for my dd to play on the TB circuit, I fill that I have a certain amount of say with whom or what organization she is playing with. Some teams fill the need to have a "written contract/commitment" from their players. This is a good idea if written the correct way so it is beneficial for all parties involved. Most of the contract/commitment agreements that I have read seem to be gear toward the team and there sole benefit. I understand that if a player commits to a coach/team/organization she should live up to that expectation and nothing less. The coach should also be held to the same standard. This doesn't always happen. Far to often a coach will bring in different players and play them over their rostered girls. This is where I take issue with a coach. If you are bringing in an additional player for a tournament this should be discuss with the team so they will understand what role they will be playing for that tournament as well. If a parent questions a coach about playing time, far to often the common answer is "if you don't like what I'm doing fill free to find another team". Now it seems to me that goes completely against the contract/commitment agreement that the player & parent have been ask to sign. If you do leave the team/organization the monies that have been paid have become the property of the team. Now how is this just justified. With all the expense that goes into TB for a dd it has become more like a business venture for the parent. I know a kid must perform on the field in order to earn playing time and just because you pay doesn't guarantee a kid playing time but at the same time, if your kid isn't playing but the organization is taking your money then who is really benefitting?

    Again, not bashing any coach/team/organization. Just a prospective from a parent who deals with the finical impact of helping a dd get what she wants.

    I haven't read this on TBR before so maybe I'm the first to say it. Travel Ball is a business. As soon as you start exchanging monies it became a business deal. As with any other business, it must profitable or you don't continue to do it. I truely love the game and love watching my dd play but it seems to have just become a business.
     
  2. softballphreak

    softballphreak Full Access Member

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    You're absolutely right, it is a business.

    A contract is a great idea. It shouldn't be one-sided. At the very least it should include what money is to be refunded in the event the contract is broken. All the money shouldn't be returned but all of it shouldn't be kept, either.

    Some may balk at the idea of a contract but if it is done fairly a contract can resolve a lot of issues up front. Everything seems all rosy when joining a team but there are many things that can happen to change that picture. Some of those things might not be anyone's fault but they can happen. A lot of promises might be made if you're drawing close to the season and your best player's family had to move out of state for a job or whatever and you're needing a replacement.

    "Hiring" and "firing" players should be handled as professionally as you would in the workplace. At the TB age level this may be even more critical because you're dealing sometimes with very tender emotions that could leave significant scars.

    A good and fair contract would make those involved have to think and should, therefore, make for a better understanding of what is expected; from all sides.
     
  3. Gator_Dad

    Gator_Dad Advanced Member

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    You shouldnt play for a coach that brings in pick up players if thats how you feel and i totally agree with you. we are commited to our current team for the summer schedule only. If i she decides to play elsewhere during the fall then that is her decision. if she decides not to play in the fall then thats her decision.

    I agree with the commitment form being signed by player and parent. It basically just lets you know that if you leave then any monies you have paid do not go with you. Other than that then I wouldnt sign anything for anyone concerning a game that is supposed to be fun.

    It doesnt really matter because once you play a qualifier in ASA you are locked to that roster until after nationals are over....thats as good as a contract.

    we have 1 or 2 girls that play with us rarely and only if we are not going to have enough to play due sickness, injury or vacation.
     
  4. cheeze105

    cheeze105 Moderator Staff Member

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    i'm curious......are the contracts signed by the players or parents or both????

    and i agree, tb is a business. for some its a non-profit business and others......it's not.
     
  5. #7's Dad

    #7's Dad Member

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    My 2 cents

    If players are being picked up to have enough to make a tournament, then I think that's okay. Playing the guest player in their normal position would probably be the best thing to do for everyone and be less confusing.

    If a team consistently brings in guest players and has a roster of 10 or more girls, that's not okay. This situation is more about winning games versus developing talent. Someone on this board, and now a very good friend, told me to find a team where the coaches love the game and the kids that play for them. I figured it would be easy, but found out it was more difficult than I originally thought.

    What I did took a boat load of time, but we're extremely happy with where we are. I observed the teams that we were going to try out for at 3 separate tournaments and gave each a grade based on the kids, coaches, and parents. 75% of the assessment weighed heavily on coach/parent, kid/parent, and kid/kid interaction. The remaining 25% was about style of play and skill. No one knew who I was or what I was doing and in the end we were fortunate enough to make the team that scored the highest on the assessment. You'll be amazed how many teams get scratched off the list once you observe some of their behaviors from afar.
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2010
  6. fastpitchdad1994

    fastpitchdad1994 Where is the GURU???

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    All COACHES do this. I completly disagree with your statment "if you leave then any monies you have paid do not go with you". Why would anyone not expect to be refunded for the balance for games not played? Better question. Why would an organization expect to keep the money?

    The commitment form should not only be signed by dd & parent but the coach as well. Remember, the coach is the leader and the best way to lead is by example. What type of example and message does it send when the coach is not willing to put the same thing in writing as he is asking your dd to do?????
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2010
  7. scal

    scal Full Access Member

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    Last time we signed anything I THINK it was parent-player, and that would make sense because minors who sign anything, it's not binding.

    To comment on what SoftballPhreak said , "...A contract is a great idea. It shouldn't be one-sided...A good and fair contract would make those involved have to think and should, therefore, make for a better understanding of what is expected; from all sides..."

    I know of one orgainzation whose coaches have had a reputation with historically getting nasty with parents, and kept their monies, and a lot of good people we've met in softball know of them. So the ideal situtation I would have no problem with a contract, but it's hard sometimes to get other(s) to hold up there end of the deal, and then they've got your money and it's too late. Best to do some homework before you sign anything and be sure.

    One good thing about the times we live in today is that the game will evolve, and hopefully weed some of the bad out, and allow the sport as a whole to come back even stronger than before.
     
  8. fastpitchdad1994

    fastpitchdad1994 Where is the GURU???

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    Both player & parent. I believe that coaches should be signing these as well.
     
  9. BlazeCoach

    BlazeCoach Full Access Member

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    How many teams have coaches that have dd's on the team that do sign the form??? I would have to say more than half the teams.If the team spilts up then all monies should be returned if you quit no money returned if you leave the team on good terms than half of your money should be returned.Reason for this is because the coach may have entered tournaments down the road when that player was on the roster.I make our parents pay monthly which it does away with the big payments twice a year.If they leave or quit then they don't have any more than 100 dollars in there particular account.
     
  10. fastpitchdad1994

    fastpitchdad1994 Where is the GURU???

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    How many teams have coaches that have dd's on the team that do sign the form??? My guess...... not many if any at all!!!!!!!!!!

    if you quit no money returned if you leave the team on good terms than half of your money should be returned Quitting is quitting regardless of how you leave. Based on what you are saying, if you leave nice and quite you can get part of your money back. Not sure I understand your meaning behind your statement.
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2010

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