Tips for Parents

After reading some posts on AL.COM I thought maybe I would offer some tips myself as the tryout season jumps into full swing. Below are things I have 1st hand knowledge of and not anything I am directing towards any team or organization.

Beware of those who make promises or guarantees which are followed by a dollar amount statement or request.

Find out what positions the coaches kid play before making a decision about joining a team where your child position is the same as theirs.

Ask where all the players are from. See if any are coming from out of town. Sounds like a stupid question but if 3 or 4 are coming from out of town then this means you will never have a full team at practice. At first is not that bad but then “playing time” Vs. “practice participation” will be an issue, especially if you are the one who comes to every practice then lose playing time to those who are not penalized for missing practice.

Ask the person making you an offer to guarantee you are being offered a starting spot and not just an opportunity to play or be on the team.

If you child pitches find out if she is being considered for a “Pitcher Only” spot or is being guaranteed a fielding spot when not pitching.

Typically teams have a roster of 11-14 players. If you have a calculator handy do some math on the dollar numbers being asked of you. A common practice among teams is to back load the number of players to the roster to financially support the top 9 players.

Ask if there are any players who are receiving any kind of financial scholarship or free ride to play. Teams will often make a side and private deal to what they feel are the top kids trying out. Then the cost is passed on to YOU!

Another common move is the coaches of the team offsetting their portion of the cost by spreading it out over the other NONE coaches kids amount being paid. Thus if your kid is not one of the 1-9 players then you are paying for others to play while yours sits and watches.
Find out if you have to make a contribution to the building or facility fund which is not refundable.

If they say they are full funded team or you have no cost out of your pocket BUT then say you have to do fundraising, in the end you probably will have paid out of your pocket in supporting the fundraising more than what it really costs to play anyway be careful. Sometimes FREE does cost you in the end!

Find out if you quit or are asked to leave the team if you get your money back.

Find out if your money is being used to support the teams play or being used to purchase training equipment which becomes the property of the coaches/team.

Ask what their policy is on picking up players during the season which can affect your child’s playing time and the financial commitment you have made verses what the pick- up player has not made.

Check Back for there is MORE TO COME!!!!