Number of travel teams

Food for thought

I have read many time on this board that dd's need to play against better competition in order to improve their skill set as they move through the tiers of TB. If a dd isn't getting any playing time on her current team and "dad" thinks he can do a better job in advancing his dd then by all means put a team together.

Look, at some point in time all or most of the current & past coaches were coaching their dd for one reason or another. Some have stayed with it and others just stopped because dd has moved on. There is a place for everyone in the sport weather you like or dislike their coaching style. My dd has played for people that I didn't agree with the coaching style. After the season we moved on to other opportunities.

Now before I start getting blasted, I don't coach my dd. I'm the parents who sits behind the OF fence and only talks with my dd after the game. Maybe some of the so called "Daddy Ballers" just need some grooming so they step can step into the shoe when the well established coaches leave the game. They should be given a chance/opportunity before they are condemned. It's hard to fix a problem if you don't think one exist. Sometimes it's hard for people to see themselves the same as others do.

Just my

 

The only example oI can think of for "daddy ball" in a bad light is simple.

When a new team is formed because a parent doesnt think his/her child is getting all the credit she deserves and they pick up players from around the area to do this it becomes "parent ball"

There can be good examples of parents coaching their kids like Ty and a few other people in the area. Team North Florida is coached by a dad whos kid plays for florida i think and i think his younger daughter is committed to florida state?? These teams play a very determined schedule that allows their kid and all the others on their team to be noticed. They dont run around the states of north and south carolina playing in every jack leg nsa or aau tournament for the sake of winning a cheap trophy. They go out and play major showcase events and major ASA tournaments.

Before signing on with a team you should see the schedule that they plan on playing. If you are unsure of the situation then dont pay any money. A good idea to keep your ear open for is the importance they put on playing in ASA Nationals if they qualify and what their goal for qualifying is. If that isnt there main goal then its probably not the team for you if that is your kids goal.

If your kids goal is just to play for the fun of playing and doesnt mind cluttering up your home with cheap dime store trophies (assuming they win any) then by all means go play with just any team that pops up from the next town over.

 

Do all dads take "daddy ball" personal?

I have been very outspoken on this subject in the past and I know many dads that coach or coached a team in the past have a big problem with the "daddy ball" term even when it isn't aimed at them. I have to live with the pain in the __ pitching parents comments. I don't take it personal because most of the time its true just like the daddy ball problems. Not picking on you Ty. Some guys can pull this off but many can't. What you have done and continue to do is a fine example of others to follow. We have an organization where we would rather not have parents coaching their daughters but to give players opportunities we have to. Their aren't enough Ty's, Rodney's etc in this world willing to give so much time to the sport. Dads are necessary for some teams to function. One piece of advice is the moment you see a problem get away from it. Another piece of advice if the coaches daughter is a top line player normally daddy ball doesn't exist or is easier to tolerate.

 

It's ALL good! Well, almost all; the put-downs suck!