Here we go

In most cases its the player that makes contact first or they send word out that they want to talk. I posted looking players 2 times and got 12 calls or emails. But when the coach gets wind that the player and another coach are talking they put it on the new coach. Then that's when all the bashing comes in to play. Like it has today with 56 and their crowd the last 3 days. Some of the conversations that I had, has come from the 56 camp. Not bashing the 56 camp and what they do for their kids....but why are we getting phone calls and emails wanting to know about tryouts?

 

Subject: Players moving from one team to another !

PHP:

I have been sitting back reading the last couple days! WOW

The way I see it is STOP playing in his tournaments and Rick would have to raise money like the rest of us or fine sponsors or have the parents pay.Which, I will say that’s hard these days. It's like that news flash about the snake that someone cut the head off and it bit itself, at the end of the day it was dead. I don't blame the parents because it does cost a lot of money to travel but, he isn't the only one that gets young ladies at the next level, it's a lot of us out there. Playing in his tournaments you should just give your money to his team, Heck, when they WON the ASA Nationals you should have gave congrats to the young ladies as well as padding yourself on the back. Heck I know I did because I've played in some of his tournaments. The only time I've seen a lot (8) of college coaches there is during the far season. The early tournaments are funding his teams travel. College coaches don't show up for those. Don't get me wrong Rick isn’t the only team that is putting on tournaments for their own team. This didn't take me long to come to this decision,this is the reason we play a lot more in Florida (TONS OF COLLEGE COACHES EVERYTIME WE GO) heck we see some from NC there as well.

I will say Rick's got it made, who wouldn't want to be in that spot. (To all of you out there I'm not kissing up to Rick or anyone else like I saw right after Rick made his post)One he is the ASA JO Com. and his counterpart is the Western NC. is a director. His team always has the best game times. I ask him to put me in his bracket; I said I have girls that need to be seen just as you do. Don't get me wrong I have a lot of college Coaches watching us play! I'm talking about the shitty games times. I don't think his team as ever had an 8am game! This is the real reason I took my team and started traveling years ago.

We all like to WIN; sometimes it takes money to WIN. I will say I do think we all as coaches are out to help our young ladies get to the next level. I don't think there’s one coach isn't in it for no other reason. It does take a good schedule to get your young ladies signed. Coaches want to see teams play different teams not the same ones over and over. Teams in NC and SC that has done their share of traveling (maybe 10 Teams max). The point I'm making is that it does take traveling BUT, you don’t have to go across the country to get your girls seen.Fl, Ga, has tons of talent to play against. I know that because, my team in the past as played in Cal, Co,Tenn,VA, Fl,Ga,SC,NC and we have kick a lot of butt, and the teams that play that play on the east coast still have girls get signed and the coaches and players are doing a great Job.

We all should do the right thing and respect each other’s team. If a young lady wants to play with someone else’s team than I think the other coach should at least give a call to coach and let him/her know what’s going on. I've had players taken more the last couple years than ever. The one problem I see is that they are too many teams out there. NC is pretty much water down with one or two very good players playing on a Avg. team. College coaches want to see girls be part of a winning team not one that is getting their butts beat each time they are watching a girl play.

As for 56 I'm with you and I don't even know who you are. People can say he isn't taking players because he is but, it's others out there too. In the past I've had girls from LV,Tenn,SC,NC,Ga play with me because of all the watering down of teams. I think teams should start to combine together and go kick some butt.



Michael Holcomb
Carolina Gators 18U

 

Nice post Mike

You are right, I host tournaments. I fund my team with the proceeds as well as award scholarships to other teams kids too.
I have a very good group of girls who play their hearts out.
And, I love them kids. Not just mine but all the kids in NC too.
That's all I got to say to that.
Good luck to the Carolina Gators and his players!
It is a free country and we are all entitled to our opinions.
Thanks Mike for all you do!
Rick

 

Teams like Cards and Blues don't have to go out and steal players. they get plenty of good players contacting them wanting to play there. I don't blame them at all for giving a girl a shot if she comes looking even if she hs played for another team. But there are some organizations out there that can't get the really good players but will try and steal some of the small organizations or local teams best players sometimes causing these smaller teams to have to fold ( if they steal their only good pitcher for example). Not afraid to name names at all here, CV Storm is one of the worst around for this. Seen them do it many times over sevsral years. FACT

 

I am not sure I understand what is so unethical about trying to improve a team you coach by calling parents / players from other teams and telling them how an organization can improve a girl's chances of going to college. Are they telling the parents lies or telling facts? If they are telling facts or opinions they truly believe, I do not see anything unethical.

Do coaches care about their players or about winning games? Do they only care about the players as long as they play on their team? No coach owns their players and if they care for the players, they should welcome the opportunity to improve their situation, even if it means joining another organization. If there are organizations that truly improve the chances of going to college (and there are - that cannot be questioned), why would we not welcome that transition for the player?

By the way, let's not pretend that as coaches, we make lifetime contracts with every player. Roster deletions happen as do roster additions. Prior to complaining about losing players, I question whether teams guarantee every player a spot for their entire career, or simply get mad when they lose one of the better players. Most situations are year - to year commitments on the part of both the team and players.

By nature, we are a group that loves competition but we seem to be complaining about having competition for our own players. Why is that?
Every team has a niche - every coach should know their niche and build the team with players that hold the same values. Spend time recruiting the girls on the roster EVERY SEASON, so when someone calls to recruit them, they know and understand the benefits of playing with the organization.

If a coach has developed the players to the point they can join an elite organization and improve the girl's chances of going to college, they have done a great job. Pat yourself on the back and find another player that needs the development.

 

Cardinals are Family

Hey guys, I am one of Ricks players who joined the Cardinals when I was 13 years old and I can tell you that putting on that Cardinal uniform is an honor. I was on the team that won the National Championship this year and Rick credits us for that win more than you would ever know. You may have a problem with Rick doing the things he does but Rick would do anything for any player on any team, not just his Cardinals. He gets as many if not probably more players to college than any other NC team. Rick helps kids that wouldn't normally get the opportunity to play in the big name tournaments to get the exposure they need and he could spend the money he makes at those tournaments he runs on himself but I can tell you that he doesn't. It all goes towards us... take it from a player who knows because without Rick McHone and the whole Cardinal organization there is no way I and many other Cardinals would be getting the opportunity to go to the college of our dreams. All of you can bash him all you want but he does what he does for us, not himself and we sure do love our Coach. The Cardinal family really appreciates you Rick Love you Rick!!!
And about the stealing players part... I know that in many instances Rick would not even contact players that were looking for a team because he says they need to contact him first so if you think he's stealing players then you're highly mistaken. Players and their parents make the decisions of where the girl plays and if they choose to move teams then that's their business...

 

A couple of facts (sometimes followed by my opinions) about the Cardinal organization:

1. It was founded by Ray Chandler, who did more to help girls in this state in the sport of softball than anyone. That last part is an opinion I formed over the last few years even though I only met him once but I doubt many would argue with that opinion. How quickly many forget his legacy, part of which is the tournaments the Cardinals hold. Without his efforts, North Carolina would most likely be lagging well behind many other states at this point in softball.

2. Ray's wife Sharyn runs the organization now along with Rick McHone. I have had the pleasure of getting to know both of them very well over the past couple of years. Mrs Chandler is as sweet a woman as you will ever meet. Not just in softball but anywhere. Rick is one of several great coaches that my daughter had the pleasure of playing for and a great friend. I'm sure that in the process of fielding teams over the years both of them have encountered a few individuals that would disagree with me but still I think that number would be few.

3. While my daughter played with the Cardinals Rick told me that he would not call another player but would listen if they called him. This occurred when I asked him about the possibility of picking up a specific player. Yes, new players have been added to his team but I don't think he recruited them personally.

4. Just about every team that plays 18-U Showcase tournaments has players that used to play for someone else. My guess is that there is a former coach or teammate out there for every one of these players who feels like they were stolen. The fact is that the player was motivated to change teams for a variety of reasons. Too often though, people jump to their own conclusions and by the time a rumor gets circulated for a couple of days it becomes "fact".

5. The Cardinals do hold tournaments and that money does help fund their team. However, before you judge Rick on this, you should follow him around one of these tournaments. He is constantly dealing with problems, putting out fires, and generally working his tail off to make sure every one gets the best experience possible. Personally, I wouldn't do it but he does it because he knows what it will result in...girls getting an opportunity to do some things they could never do on their own.

My belief is that instead of knocking what someone else is doing, know the history, get all the facts and don't lose sight of the results. When you make accusations like some of those that are going on here a lot of people get hurt (regardless of the intent) because you are attacking the whole organization. I wish people would get to the point that they would be glad to see girls be successful regardless of who they play for. That is what it should be about.