Travel sports parents are some cold-blooded a--holes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This must differ by sport. In baseball, everyone knows there are teams you try to get into for D1 others for D3 and then many teams where you are just playing but almost nobody gets a college commitment.

Maybe there is this drama up until like 13, but nobody expects teams to stick together at 14+. Also, everyone is fine being open because they know a D1 caliber is going to try to play for Richmond Braves platinum or Canes National or some equivalent while others aren’t.

Actually… no, not “everyone” knows that. There are lots of us *normal* parents out here who aren’t hyper-competitive, and we’re not all constantly researching and jostling for the biggest leg up for our kids. Some of us put our kid on a travel team when they’re young because we like the vibe, and then we keep them on that travel team because the kids are all friends now. Even if our kid is really talented.

That’s complete BS. Sorry, but especially with changes to baseball roster sizes and the relationships your travel coach needs to have with D1 coaches…you aren’t leaving your kid on the Primetime B team or the MVP C team just because you are all friends.

Your kid may not want the drama and pressure of D1 baseball…that’s absolutely true…but a different animal.

Heck, many D1 programs will take a rising JR HS commit and tell them they now have to play for the TBT Phillies or the Five Star National because those are the teams where they want their committed kids playing together.

It’s not BS, you just misunderstood my point. A lot of us literally *do not know* what the “premiere” teams are nor have we researched (or thought to research) because we’re happy where we are.

So there’s two reasons I would leave my kid on his current team, even though he would love to play D1 and is possibly D1 material. But I come from a small town so I don’t have this jostling/competitive nature in my blood, so hopefully my kid will get a look at some point.

But it’s foolish to assume that *everybody* knows that you need all sorts of close personal relationships with “the right people” these days. That’s not how it worked where I’m from in my day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And then they get to college and discover an athletic scholarship means $1,000 in books.

My DS got $40k/yr. I'm ok with that.

Translation:

"My son attends an obscure, SLAC that has an obscene sticker price of $60k but offers $35K in 'consideration' to some athletes that couldn't get real deals with D1 schools. They, also, offer this deal to literally anyone that takes the acceptance offer.

And, then, they graduate in 5 years with a Sports Management or Business degree and wonder why they can't get a job."

But they could hit a ball with a bat, huh?

You are so weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Are you talking about a field hockey club? If so, even people not at the club know the issues.

Which one? My DD is thinking about moving from rec to club field hockey so don’t want to choose poorly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This must differ by sport. In baseball, everyone knows there are teams you try to get into for D1 others for D3 and then many teams where you are just playing but almost nobody gets a college commitment.

Maybe there is this drama up until like 13, but nobody expects teams to stick together at 14+. Also, everyone is fine being open because they know a D1 caliber is going to try to play for Richmond Braves platinum or Canes National or some equivalent while others aren’t.

Actually… no, not “everyone” knows that. There are lots of us *normal* parents out here who aren’t hyper-competitive, and we’re not all constantly researching and jostling for the biggest leg up for our kids. Some of us put our kid on a travel team when they’re young because we like the vibe, and then we keep them on that travel team because the kids are all friends now. Even if our kid is really talented.

That’s complete BS. Sorry, but especially with changes to baseball roster sizes and the relationships your travel coach needs to have with D1 coaches…you aren’t leaving your kid on the Primetime B team or the MVP C team just because you are all friends.

Your kid may not want the drama and pressure of D1 baseball…that’s absolutely true…but a different animal.

Heck, many D1 programs will take a rising JR HS commit and tell them they now have to play for the TBT Phillies or the Five Star National because those are the teams where they want their committed kids playing together.

It’s not BS, you just misunderstood my point. A lot of us literally *do not know* what the “premiere” teams are nor have we researched (or thought to research) because we’re happy where we are.

So there’s two reasons I would leave my kid on his current team, even though he would love to play D1 and is possibly D1 material. But I come from a small town so I don’t have this jostling/competitive nature in my blood, so hopefully my kid will get a look at some point.

But it’s foolish to assume that *everybody* knows that you need all sorts of close personal relationships with “the right people” these days. That’s not how it worked where I’m from in my day.

Why would you think of your own ancient experience as representative of how things work today?

I’m sorry…but if you aren’t playing at tournaments where D1 coaches are looking or don’t have someone that knows some coaches, you can’t expect to get a D1 look.

Now…if your kid can throw consistently in the 90s (ideally as a lefty), you can get some looks. It’s the one area of baseball that’s easy to prove and will get notice if all you do is post Twitter video and DM coaches.

BTW, this isn’t about getting on the most competitive travel team, but rather getting into a team that has connected coaches that attracts D1 caliber athletes. Sure, they are strong teams, but my kid left a more local travel team where parents were under the delusion that kids would be recruited (and were hyper-competitive) to a team where 50% are already committed by Fall of junior year, that had a much more collaborative vibe because the parents with already committted players are actually very open with how their kid got committed and give some really good tips.

The most competitive teams will often have kids that will be drafted into the MLB in the first or second round, direct from HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This must differ by sport. In baseball, everyone knows there are teams you try to get into for D1 others for D3 and then many teams where you are just playing but almost nobody gets a college commitment.

Maybe there is this drama up until like 13, but nobody expects teams to stick together at 14+. Also, everyone is fine being open because they know a D1 caliber is going to try to play for Richmond Braves platinum or Canes National or some equivalent while others aren’t.

Actually… no, not “everyone” knows that. There are lots of us *normal* parents out here who aren’t hyper-competitive, and we’re not all constantly researching and jostling for the biggest leg up for our kids. Some of us put our kid on a travel team when they’re young because we like the vibe, and then we keep them on that travel team because the kids are all friends now. Even if our kid is really talented.

That’s complete BS. Sorry, but especially with changes to baseball roster sizes and the relationships your travel coach needs to have with D1 coaches…you aren’t leaving your kid on the Primetime B team or the MVP C team just because you are all friends.

Your kid may not want the drama and pressure of D1 baseball…that’s absolutely true…but a different animal.

Heck, many D1 programs will take a rising JR HS commit and tell them they now have to play for the TBT Phillies or the Five Star National because those are the teams where they want their committed kids playing together.

It’s not BS, you just misunderstood my point. A lot of us literally *do not know* what the “premiere” teams are nor have we researched (or thought to research) because we’re happy where we are.

So there’s two reasons I would leave my kid on his current team, even though he would love to play D1 and is possibly D1 material. But I come from a small town so I don’t have this jostling/competitive nature in my blood, so hopefully my kid will get a look at some point.

But it’s foolish to assume that *everybody* knows that you need all sorts of close personal relationships with “the right people” these days. That’s not how it worked where I’m from in my day.

Why would you think of your own ancient experience as representative of how things work today?

I’m sorry…but if you aren’t playing at tournaments where D1 coaches are looking or don’t have someone that knows some coaches, you can’t expect to get a D1 look.

Now…if your kid can throw consistently in the 90s (ideally as a lefty), you can get some looks. It’s the one area of baseball that’s easy to prove and will get notice if all you do is post Twitter video and DM coaches.

BTW, this isn’t about getting on the most competitive travel team, but rather getting into a team that has connected coaches that attracts D1 caliber athletes. Sure, they are strong teams, but my kid left a more local travel team where parents were under the delusion that kids would be recruited (and were hyper-competitive) to a team where 50% are already committed by Fall of junior year, that had a much more collaborative vibe because the parents with already committted players are actually very open with how their kid got committed and give some really good tips.

The most competitive teams will often have kids that will be drafted into the MLB in the first or second round, direct from HS.

Because I’m not a hyper competitive striver. Obviously.

You even admit in this post that YOU know that not *everyone* knows this. (See bolded)

You seem confused as to what I took issue with in your original post. It’s your blithe “everyone knows this” - and by your own admission, no, not everyone knows this. I don’t get why you’re digging in your heels on this point. I’m sure the rest of your information is accurate but LOTS and LOTS of folks simply aren’t aware of how the recruiting game is played.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This must differ by sport. In baseball, everyone knows there are teams you try to get into for D1 others for D3 and then many teams where you are just playing but almost nobody gets a college commitment.

Maybe there is this drama up until like 13, but nobody expects teams to stick together at 14+. Also, everyone is fine being open because they know a D1 caliber is going to try to play for Richmond Braves platinum or Canes National or some equivalent while others aren’t.

Actually… no, not “everyone” knows that. There are lots of us *normal* parents out here who aren’t hyper-competitive, and we’re not all constantly researching and jostling for the biggest leg up for our kids. Some of us put our kid on a travel team when they’re young because we like the vibe, and then we keep them on that travel team because the kids are all friends now. Even if our kid is really talented.

That’s complete BS. Sorry, but especially with changes to baseball roster sizes and the relationships your travel coach needs to have with D1 coaches…you aren’t leaving your kid on the Primetime B team or the MVP C team just because you are all friends.

Your kid may not want the drama and pressure of D1 baseball…that’s absolutely true…but a different animal.

Heck, many D1 programs will take a rising JR HS commit and tell them they now have to play for the TBT Phillies or the Five Star National because those are the teams where they want their committed kids playing together.

It’s not BS, you just misunderstood my point. A lot of us literally *do not know* what the “premiere” teams are nor have we researched (or thought to research) because we’re happy where we are.

So there’s two reasons I would leave my kid on his current team, even though he would love to play D1 and is possibly D1 material. But I come from a small town so I don’t have this jostling/competitive nature in my blood, so hopefully my kid will get a look at some point.

But it’s foolish to assume that *everybody* knows that you need all sorts of close personal relationships with “the right people” these days. That’s not how it worked where I’m from in my day.

Why would you think of your own ancient experience as representative of how things work today?

I’m sorry…but if you aren’t playing at tournaments where D1 coaches are looking or don’t have someone that knows some coaches, you can’t expect to get a D1 look.

Now…if your kid can throw consistently in the 90s (ideally as a lefty), you can get some looks. It’s the one area of baseball that’s easy to prove and will get notice if all you do is post Twitter video and DM coaches.

BTW, this isn’t about getting on the most competitive travel team, but rather getting into a team that has connected coaches that attracts D1 caliber athletes. Sure, they are strong teams, but my kid left a more local travel team where parents were under the delusion that kids would be recruited (and were hyper-competitive) to a team where 50% are already committed by Fall of junior year, that had a much more collaborative vibe because the parents with already committted players are actually very open with how their kid got committed and give some really good tips.

The most competitive teams will often have kids that will be drafted into the MLB in the first or second round, direct from HS.

Because I’m not a hyper competitive striver. Obviously.

You even admit in this post that YOU know that not *everyone* knows this. (See bolded)

You seem confused as to what I took issue with in your original post. It’s your blithe “everyone knows this” - and by your own admission, no, not everyone knows this. I don’t get why you’re digging in your heels on this point. I’m sure the rest of your information is accurate but LOTS and LOTS of folks simply aren’t aware of how the recruiting game is played.

Stop with your holier than thou “I’m not a hyper competitive striver”. You can’t hope your kid will get to D1 and then do nothing to try to make it happen.

It’s one thing if your kid doesn’t want it…I completely get that…but if your kid does want it, you don’t just complain about the system and do nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This must differ by sport. In baseball, everyone knows there are teams you try to get into for D1 others for D3 and then many teams where you are just playing but almost nobody gets a college commitment.

Maybe there is this drama up until like 13, but nobody expects teams to stick together at 14+. Also, everyone is fine being open because they know a D1 caliber is going to try to play for Richmond Braves platinum or Canes National or some equivalent while others aren’t.

Actually… no, not “everyone” knows that. There are lots of us *normal* parents out here who aren’t hyper-competitive, and we’re not all constantly researching and jostling for the biggest leg up for our kids. Some of us put our kid on a travel team when they’re young because we like the vibe, and then we keep them on that travel team because the kids are all friends now. Even if our kid is really talented.

That’s complete BS. Sorry, but especially with changes to baseball roster sizes and the relationships your travel coach needs to have with D1 coaches…you aren’t leaving your kid on the Primetime B team or the MVP C team just because you are all friends.

Your kid may not want the drama and pressure of D1 baseball…that’s absolutely true…but a different animal.

Heck, many D1 programs will take a rising JR HS commit and tell them they now have to play for the TBT Phillies or the Five Star National because those are the teams where they want their committed kids playing together.

It’s not BS, you just misunderstood my point. A lot of us literally *do not know* what the “premiere” teams are nor have we researched (or thought to research) because we’re happy where we are.

So there’s two reasons I would leave my kid on his current team, even though he would love to play D1 and is possibly D1 material. But I come from a small town so I don’t have this jostling/competitive nature in my blood, so hopefully my kid will get a look at some point.

But it’s foolish to assume that *everybody* knows that you need all sorts of close personal relationships with “the right people” these days. That’s not how it worked where I’m from in my day.

Why would you think of your own ancient experience as representative of how things work today?

I’m sorry…but if you aren’t playing at tournaments where D1 coaches are looking or don’t have someone that knows some coaches, you can’t expect to get a D1 look.

Now…if your kid can throw consistently in the 90s (ideally as a lefty), you can get some looks. It’s the one area of baseball that’s easy to prove and will get notice if all you do is post Twitter video and DM coaches.

BTW, this isn’t about getting on the most competitive travel team, but rather getting into a team that has connected coaches that attracts D1 caliber athletes. Sure, they are strong teams, but my kid left a more local travel team where parents were under the delusion that kids would be recruited (and were hyper-competitive) to a team where 50% are already committed by Fall of junior year, that had a much more collaborative vibe because the parents with already committted players are actually very open with how their kid got committed and give some really good tips.

The most competitive teams will often have kids that will be drafted into the MLB in the first or second round, direct from HS.

Because I’m not a hyper competitive striver. Obviously.

You even admit in this post that YOU know that not *everyone* knows this. (See bolded)

You seem confused as to what I took issue with in your original post. It’s your blithe “everyone knows this” - and by your own admission, no, not everyone knows this. I don’t get why you’re digging in your heels on this point. I’m sure the rest of your information is accurate but LOTS and LOTS of folks simply aren’t aware of how the recruiting game is played.

Stop with your holier than thou “I’m not a hyper competitive striver”. You can’t hope your kid will get to D1 and then do nothing to try to make it happen.

It’s one thing if your kid doesn’t want it…I completely get that…but if your kid does want it, you don’t just complain about the system and do nothing.

I’m not complaining about the system. I’m (for about the third time) pointing out that NOT EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO DO!

Most parents think supporting their kid through travel ball FOR YEARS is quite the opposite of “doing nothing” in terms of supporting that kid’s college hopes and dreams. Back in my day NO ONE played travel ball. It was Little League, Babe Ruth, and high school. So by even participating in this travel insanity we are already acknowledging that things have changed. But some of us plebes are too stupid or lazy I guess to know that even if our kid is on the best, most competitive team, it’s still not the *right* team. So I guess our kids are just screwed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This must differ by sport. In baseball, everyone knows there are teams you try to get into for D1 others for D3 and then many teams where you are just playing but almost nobody gets a college commitment.

Maybe there is this drama up until like 13, but nobody expects teams to stick together at 14+. Also, everyone is fine being open because they know a D1 caliber is going to try to play for Richmond Braves platinum or Canes National or some equivalent while others aren’t.

Actually… no, not “everyone” knows that. There are lots of us *normal* parents out here who aren’t hyper-competitive, and we’re not all constantly researching and jostling for the biggest leg up for our kids. Some of us put our kid on a travel team when they’re young because we like the vibe, and then we keep them on that travel team because the kids are all friends now. Even if our kid is really talented.

That’s complete BS. Sorry, but especially with changes to baseball roster sizes and the relationships your travel coach needs to have with D1 coaches…you aren’t leaving your kid on the Primetime B team or the MVP C team just because you are all friends.

Your kid may not want the drama and pressure of D1 baseball…that’s absolutely true…but a different animal.

Heck, many D1 programs will take a rising JR HS commit and tell them they now have to play for the TBT Phillies or the Five Star National because those are the teams where they want their committed kids playing together.

It’s not BS, you just misunderstood my point. A lot of us literally *do not know* what the “premiere” teams are nor have we researched (or thought to research) because we’re happy where we are.

So there’s two reasons I would leave my kid on his current team, even though he would love to play D1 and is possibly D1 material. But I come from a small town so I don’t have this jostling/competitive nature in my blood, so hopefully my kid will get a look at some point.

But it’s foolish to assume that *everybody* knows that you need all sorts of close personal relationships with “the right people” these days. That’s not how it worked where I’m from in my day.

Why would you think of your own ancient experience as representative of how things work today?

I’m sorry…but if you aren’t playing at tournaments where D1 coaches are looking or don’t have someone that knows some coaches, you can’t expect to get a D1 look.

Now…if your kid can throw consistently in the 90s (ideally as a lefty), you can get some looks. It’s the one area of baseball that’s easy to prove and will get notice if all you do is post Twitter video and DM coaches.

BTW, this isn’t about getting on the most competitive travel team, but rather getting into a team that has connected coaches that attracts D1 caliber athletes. Sure, they are strong teams, but my kid left a more local travel team where parents were under the delusion that kids would be recruited (and were hyper-competitive) to a team where 50% are already committed by Fall of junior year, that had a much more collaborative vibe because the parents with already committted players are actually very open with how their kid got committed and give some really good tips.

The most competitive teams will often have kids that will be drafted into the MLB in the first or second round, direct from HS.

Because I’m not a hyper competitive striver. Obviously.

You even admit in this post that YOU know that not *everyone* knows this. (See bolded)

You seem confused as to what I took issue with in your original post. It’s your blithe “everyone knows this” - and by your own admission, no, not everyone knows this. I don’t get why you’re digging in your heels on this point. I’m sure the rest of your information is accurate but LOTS and LOTS of folks simply aren’t aware of how the recruiting game is played.

Stop with your holier than thou “I’m not a hyper competitive striver”. You can’t hope your kid will get to D1 and then do nothing to try to make it happen.

It’s one thing if your kid doesn’t want it…I completely get that…but if your kid does want it, you don’t just complain about the system and do nothing.

I’m not complaining about the system. I’m (for about the third time) pointing out that NOT EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO DO!

Most parents think supporting their kid through travel ball FOR YEARS is quite the opposite of “doing nothing” in terms of supporting that kid’s college hopes and dreams. Back in my day NO ONE played travel ball. It was Little League, Babe Ruth, and high school. So by even participating in this travel insanity we are already acknowledging that things have changed. But some of us plebes are too stupid or lazy I guess to know that even if our kid is on the best, most competitive team, it’s still not the *right* team. So I guess our kids are just screwed.

Well…I hope I at least gave you something to think about…because now you know.

You can’t just bury your head in the sand if it’s something your kid wants (and somebody who knows something can at least confirm they are D1 material).

The upside is now 100% of D1 baseball players at conferences that give scholarships should get a 100% scholarship (up from around 25%). The downside is rosters have been cut 15%-20%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This must differ by sport. In baseball, everyone knows there are teams you try to get into for D1 others for D3 and then many teams where you are just playing but almost nobody gets a college commitment.

Maybe there is this drama up until like 13, but nobody expects teams to stick together at 14+. Also, everyone is fine being open because they know a D1 caliber is going to try to play for Richmond Braves platinum or Canes National or some equivalent while others aren’t.

Actually… no, not “everyone” knows that. There are lots of us *normal* parents out here who aren’t hyper-competitive, and we’re not all constantly researching and jostling for the biggest leg up for our kids. Some of us put our kid on a travel team when they’re young because we like the vibe, and then we keep them on that travel team because the kids are all friends now. Even if our kid is really talented.

That’s complete BS. Sorry, but especially with changes to baseball roster sizes and the relationships your travel coach needs to have with D1 coaches…you aren’t leaving your kid on the Primetime B team or the MVP C team just because you are all friends.

Your kid may not want the drama and pressure of D1 baseball…that’s absolutely true…but a different animal.

Heck, many D1 programs will take a rising JR HS commit and tell them they now have to play for the TBT Phillies or the Five Star National because those are the teams where they want their committed kids playing together.

It’s not BS, you just misunderstood my point. A lot of us literally *do not know* what the “premiere” teams are nor have we researched (or thought to research) because we’re happy where we are.

So there’s two reasons I would leave my kid on his current team, even though he would love to play D1 and is possibly D1 material. But I come from a small town so I don’t have this jostling/competitive nature in my blood, so hopefully my kid will get a look at some point.

But it’s foolish to assume that *everybody* knows that you need all sorts of close personal relationships with “the right people” these days. That’s not how it worked where I’m from in my day.

Why would you think of your own ancient experience as representative of how things work today?

I’m sorry…but if you aren’t playing at tournaments where D1 coaches are looking or don’t have someone that knows some coaches, you can’t expect to get a D1 look.

Now…if your kid can throw consistently in the 90s (ideally as a lefty), you can get some looks. It’s the one area of baseball that’s easy to prove and will get notice if all you do is post Twitter video and DM coaches.

BTW, this isn’t about getting on the most competitive travel team, but rather getting into a team that has connected coaches that attracts D1 caliber athletes. Sure, they are strong teams, but my kid left a more local travel team where parents were under the delusion that kids would be recruited (and were hyper-competitive) to a team where 50% are already committed by Fall of junior year, that had a much more collaborative vibe because the parents with already committted players are actually very open with how their kid got committed and give some really good tips.

The most competitive teams will often have kids that will be drafted into the MLB in the first or second round, direct from HS.

Because I’m not a hyper competitive striver. Obviously.

You even admit in this post that YOU know that not *everyone* knows this. (See bolded)

You seem confused as to what I took issue with in your original post. It’s your blithe “everyone knows this” - and by your own admission, no, not everyone knows this. I don’t get why you’re digging in your heels on this point. I’m sure the rest of your information is accurate but LOTS and LOTS of folks simply aren’t aware of how the recruiting game is played.

Stop with your holier than thou “I’m not a hyper competitive striver”. You can’t hope your kid will get to D1 and then do nothing to try to make it happen.

It’s one thing if your kid doesn’t want it…I completely get that…but if your kid does want it, you don’t just complain about the system and do nothing.

I’m not complaining about the system. I’m (for about the third time) pointing out that NOT EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO DO!

Most parents think supporting their kid through travel ball FOR YEARS is quite the opposite of “doing nothing” in terms of supporting that kid’s college hopes and dreams. Back in my day NO ONE played travel ball. It was Little League, Babe Ruth, and high school. So by even participating in this travel insanity we are already acknowledging that things have changed. But some of us plebes are too stupid or lazy I guess to know that even if our kid is on the best, most competitive team, it’s still not the *right* team. So I guess our kids are just screwed.

Well…I hope I at least gave you something to think about…because now you know.

You can’t just bury your head in the sand if it’s something your kid wants (and somebody who knows something can at least confirm they are D1 material).

The upside is now 100% of D1 baseball players at conferences that give scholarships should get a 100% scholarship (up from around 25%). The downside is rosters have been cut 15%-20%.

To the parent who isn’t a baseball recruiting expert:

Between HS ball and your travel org, there should be someone to talk to about a recruiting plan. If your son is a D1 caliber prospect, he doesn’t need to play on Stars or Braves to be recruited (mine had no interest). But you do need a plan and someone to advocate for you at the schools he’s interested in. It isn’t always the fanciest big name org. In fact, sometimes those places aren’t great at, let’s say, placing athletes into high academic D3 programs. Every athlete has different goals and might need the different things from their travel team. Some kids aren’t going to benefit from wwba but might get exposure to the teams they want in more regional tournaments. One thing to consider is that a lot of D1 caliber rising HS seniors aren’t going to have roster spots due to the recent rule change - including many who have already committed. Your son needs to be doing email outreach and attending school specific camps at a minimum, casting a wide net in terms of division, and hopefully someone in his sphere can pick up the phone and help from that side.

Also to the point about the scholarships, that is entirely too complicated an issue to jump to the expectation that schools who currently fund 11.7 scholarships are going to be fully funding 34 scholarships in 2025-2026 or ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This must differ by sport. In baseball, everyone knows there are teams you try to get into for D1 others for D3 and then many teams where you are just playing but almost nobody gets a college commitment.

Maybe there is this drama up until like 13, but nobody expects teams to stick together at 14+. Also, everyone is fine being open because they know a D1 caliber is going to try to play for Richmond Braves platinum or Canes National or some equivalent while others aren’t.

Actually… no, not “everyone” knows that. There are lots of us *normal* parents out here who aren’t hyper-competitive, and we’re not all constantly researching and jostling for the biggest leg up for our kids. Some of us put our kid on a travel team when they’re young because we like the vibe, and then we keep them on that travel team because the kids are all friends now. Even if our kid is really talented.

That’s complete BS. Sorry, but especially with changes to baseball roster sizes and the relationships your travel coach needs to have with D1 coaches…you aren’t leaving your kid on the Primetime B team or the MVP C team just because you are all friends.

Your kid may not want the drama and pressure of D1 baseball…that’s absolutely true…but a different animal.

Heck, many D1 programs will take a rising JR HS commit and tell them they now have to play for the TBT Phillies or the Five Star National because those are the teams where they want their committed kids playing together.

It’s not BS, you just misunderstood my point. A lot of us literally *do not know* what the “premiere” teams are nor have we researched (or thought to research) because we’re happy where we are.

So there’s two reasons I would leave my kid on his current team, even though he would love to play D1 and is possibly D1 material. But I come from a small town so I don’t have this jostling/competitive nature in my blood, so hopefully my kid will get a look at some point.

But it’s foolish to assume that *everybody* knows that you need all sorts of close personal relationships with “the right people” these days. That’s not how it worked where I’m from in my day.

Why would you think of your own ancient experience as representative of how things work today?

I’m sorry…but if you aren’t playing at tournaments where D1 coaches are looking or don’t have someone that knows some coaches, you can’t expect to get a D1 look.

Now…if your kid can throw consistently in the 90s (ideally as a lefty), you can get some looks. It’s the one area of baseball that’s easy to prove and will get notice if all you do is post Twitter video and DM coaches.

BTW, this isn’t about getting on the most competitive travel team, but rather getting into a team that has connected coaches that attracts D1 caliber athletes. Sure, they are strong teams, but my kid left a more local travel team where parents were under the delusion that kids would be recruited (and were hyper-competitive) to a team where 50% are already committed by Fall of junior year, that had a much more collaborative vibe because the parents with already committted players are actually very open with how their kid got committed and give some really good tips.

The most competitive teams will often have kids that will be drafted into the MLB in the first or second round, direct from HS.

Because I’m not a hyper competitive striver. Obviously.

You even admit in this post that YOU know that not *everyone* knows this. (See bolded)

You seem confused as to what I took issue with in your original post. It’s your blithe “everyone knows this” - and by your own admission, no, not everyone knows this. I don’t get why you’re digging in your heels on this point. I’m sure the rest of your information is accurate but LOTS and LOTS of folks simply aren’t aware of how the recruiting game is played.

Stop with your holier than thou “I’m not a hyper competitive striver”. You can’t hope your kid will get to D1 and then do nothing to try to make it happen.

It’s one thing if your kid doesn’t want it…I completely get that…but if your kid does want it, you don’t just complain about the system and do nothing.

I’m not complaining about the system. I’m (for about the third time) pointing out that NOT EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO DO!

Most parents think supporting their kid through travel ball FOR YEARS is quite the opposite of “doing nothing” in terms of supporting that kid’s college hopes and dreams. Back in my day NO ONE played travel ball. It was Little League, Babe Ruth, and high school. So by even participating in this travel insanity we are already acknowledging that things have changed. But some of us plebes are too stupid or lazy I guess to know that even if our kid is on the best, most competitive team, it’s still not the *right* team. So I guess our kids are just screwed.

Well…I hope I at least gave you something to think about…because now you know.

You can’t just bury your head in the sand if it’s something your kid wants (and somebody who knows something can at least confirm they are D1 material).

The upside is now 100% of D1 baseball players at conferences that give scholarships should get a 100% scholarship (up from around 25%). The downside is rosters have been cut 15%-20%.

To the parent who isn’t a baseball recruiting expert:

Between HS ball and your travel org, there should be someone to talk to about a recruiting plan. If your son is a D1 caliber prospect, he doesn’t need to play on Stars or Braves to be recruited (mine had no interest). But you do need a plan and someone to advocate for you at the schools he’s interested in. It isn’t always the fanciest big name org. In fact, sometimes those places aren’t great at, let’s say, placing athletes into high academic D3 programs. Every athlete has different goals and might need the different things from their travel team. Some kids aren’t going to benefit from wwba but might get exposure to the teams they want in more regional tournaments. One thing to consider is that a lot of D1 caliber rising HS seniors aren’t going to have roster spots due to the recent rule change - including many who have already committed. Your son needs to be doing email outreach and attending school specific camps at a minimum, casting a wide net in terms of division, and hopefully someone in his sphere can pick up the phone and help from that side.

Also to the point about the scholarships, that is entirely too complicated an issue to jump to the expectation that schools who currently fund 11.7 scholarships are going to be fully funding 34 scholarships in 2025-2026 or ever.

*had no interest in team hopping to these "big name" orgs.
The org he was with for years was a great resource for recruiting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This must differ by sport. In baseball, everyone knows there are teams you try to get into for D1 others for D3 and then many teams where you are just playing but almost nobody gets a college commitment.

Maybe there is this drama up until like 13, but nobody expects teams to stick together at 14+. Also, everyone is fine being open because they know a D1 caliber is going to try to play for Richmond Braves platinum or Canes National or some equivalent while others aren’t.

Actually… no, not “everyone” knows that. There are lots of us *normal* parents out here who aren’t hyper-competitive, and we’re not all constantly researching and jostling for the biggest leg up for our kids. Some of us put our kid on a travel team when they’re young because we like the vibe, and then we keep them on that travel team because the kids are all friends now. Even if our kid is really talented.

That’s complete BS. Sorry, but especially with changes to baseball roster sizes and the relationships your travel coach needs to have with D1 coaches…you aren’t leaving your kid on the Primetime B team or the MVP C team just because you are all friends.

Your kid may not want the drama and pressure of D1 baseball…that’s absolutely true…but a different animal.

Heck, many D1 programs will take a rising JR HS commit and tell them they now have to play for the TBT Phillies or the Five Star National because those are the teams where they want their committed kids playing together.

It’s not BS, you just misunderstood my point. A lot of us literally *do not know* what the “premiere” teams are nor have we researched (or thought to research) because we’re happy where we are.

So there’s two reasons I would leave my kid on his current team, even though he would love to play D1 and is possibly D1 material. But I come from a small town so I don’t have this jostling/competitive nature in my blood, so hopefully my kid will get a look at some point.

But it’s foolish to assume that *everybody* knows that you need all sorts of close personal relationships with “the right people” these days. That’s not how it worked where I’m from in my day.

Why would you think of your own ancient experience as representative of how things work today?

I’m sorry…but if you aren’t playing at tournaments where D1 coaches are looking or don’t have someone that knows some coaches, you can’t expect to get a D1 look.

Now…if your kid can throw consistently in the 90s (ideally as a lefty), you can get some looks. It’s the one area of baseball that’s easy to prove and will get notice if all you do is post Twitter video and DM coaches.

BTW, this isn’t about getting on the most competitive travel team, but rather getting into a team that has connected coaches that attracts D1 caliber athletes. Sure, they are strong teams, but my kid left a more local travel team where parents were under the delusion that kids would be recruited (and were hyper-competitive) to a team where 50% are already committed by Fall of junior year, that had a much more collaborative vibe because the parents with already committted players are actually very open with how their kid got committed and give some really good tips.

The most competitive teams will often have kids that will be drafted into the MLB in the first or second round, direct from HS.

Because I’m not a hyper competitive striver. Obviously.

You even admit in this post that YOU know that not *everyone* knows this. (See bolded)

You seem confused as to what I took issue with in your original post. It’s your blithe “everyone knows this” - and by your own admission, no, not everyone knows this. I don’t get why you’re digging in your heels on this point. I’m sure the rest of your information is accurate but LOTS and LOTS of folks simply aren’t aware of how the recruiting game is played.

Stop with your holier than thou “I’m not a hyper competitive striver”. You can’t hope your kid will get to D1 and then do nothing to try to make it happen.

It’s one thing if your kid doesn’t want it…I completely get that…but if your kid does want it, you don’t just complain about the system and do nothing.

I’m not complaining about the system. I’m (for about the third time) pointing out that NOT EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO DO!

Most parents think supporting their kid through travel ball FOR YEARS is quite the opposite of “doing nothing” in terms of supporting that kid’s college hopes and dreams. Back in my day NO ONE played travel ball. It was Little League, Babe Ruth, and high school. So by even participating in this travel insanity we are already acknowledging that things have changed. But some of us plebes are too stupid or lazy I guess to know that even if our kid is on the best, most competitive team, it’s still not the *right* team. So I guess our kids are just screwed.

Well…I hope I at least gave you something to think about…because now you know.

You can’t just bury your head in the sand if it’s something your kid wants (and somebody who knows something can at least confirm they are D1 material).

The upside is now 100% of D1 baseball players at conferences that give scholarships should get a 100% scholarship (up from around 25%). The downside is rosters have been cut 15%-20%.

To the parent who isn’t a baseball recruiting expert:

Between HS ball and your travel org, there should be someone to talk to about a recruiting plan. If your son is a D1 caliber prospect, he doesn’t need to play on Stars or Braves to be recruited (mine had no interest). But you do need a plan and someone to advocate for you at the schools he’s interested in. It isn’t always the fanciest big name org. In fact, sometimes those places aren’t great at, let’s say, placing athletes into high academic D3 programs. Every athlete has different goals and might need the different things from their travel team. Some kids aren’t going to benefit from wwba but might get exposure to the teams they want in more regional tournaments. One thing to consider is that a lot of D1 caliber rising HS seniors aren’t going to have roster spots due to the recent rule change - including many who have already committed. Your son needs to be doing email outreach and attending school specific camps at a minimum, casting a wide net in terms of division, and hopefully someone in his sphere can pick up the phone and help from that side.

Also to the point about the scholarships, that is entirely too complicated an issue to jump to the expectation that schools who currently fund 11.7 scholarships are going to be fully funding 34 scholarships in 2025-2026 or ever.

Thanks for the actual useful information. At what point during high school should he be reaching out to potential college coaches? Junior year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are just mad that your kid was not invited….

Travel sports parents are the same as any others- always remember they will do their best for their own kid, and no one has loyalty to anyone.

I learned from watching parents and situations with DC#1, and it has been easier with my two younger:

-be friendly to all, confide in NONE
-don’t talk with other parents about the sport at all (seriously) unless it about general logistics or vaguely complementary “the girls played great today” etc
-focus on general pleasantries instead “how did the kitchen renovation turn out?” “Is Susie’s ankle feeling better?” etc
-never say anything negative about any player, coach or parent
-never ever tell anyone your future plans - moving teams etc
-never burn bridges even if it is a horrible team or coach “thanks so much for the opportunity, had so much fun” etc
-be QUIET at games other than general vague cheering
-and: FFS- do not get drunk at games or tournaments. That includes at dinners or the hotel if hanging with other families or coaches. Sad that this must be said.

Do those things and you will have no issues.

This this this. These people are not your friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Are you talking about a field hockey club? If so, even people not at the club know the issues.

Which one? My DD is thinking about moving from rec to club field hockey so don’t want to choose poorly.

Guessing Husel? There are a quite a few former players on my kid's team as of this summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This must differ by sport. In baseball, everyone knows there are teams you try to get into for D1 others for D3 and then many teams where you are just playing but almost nobody gets a college commitment.

Maybe there is this drama up until like 13, but nobody expects teams to stick together at 14+. Also, everyone is fine being open because they know a D1 caliber is going to try to play for Richmond Braves platinum or Canes National or some equivalent while others aren’t.

Actually… no, not “everyone” knows that. There are lots of us *normal* parents out here who aren’t hyper-competitive, and we’re not all constantly researching and jostling for the biggest leg up for our kids. Some of us put our kid on a travel team when they’re young because we like the vibe, and then we keep them on that travel team because the kids are all friends now. Even if our kid is really talented.

That’s complete BS. Sorry, but especially with changes to baseball roster sizes and the relationships your travel coach needs to have with D1 coaches…you aren’t leaving your kid on the Primetime B team or the MVP C team just because you are all friends.

Your kid may not want the drama and pressure of D1 baseball…that’s absolutely true…but a different animal.

Heck, many D1 programs will take a rising JR HS commit and tell them they now have to play for the TBT Phillies or the Five Star National because those are the teams where they want their committed kids playing together.

It’s not BS, you just misunderstood my point. A lot of us literally *do not know* what the “premiere” teams are nor have we researched (or thought to research) because we’re happy where we are.

So there’s two reasons I would leave my kid on his current team, even though he would love to play D1 and is possibly D1 material. But I come from a small town so I don’t have this jostling/competitive nature in my blood, so hopefully my kid will get a look at some point.

But it’s foolish to assume that *everybody* knows that you need all sorts of close personal relationships with “the right people” these days. That’s not how it worked where I’m from in my day.

Why would you think of your own ancient experience as representative of how things work today?

I’m sorry…but if you aren’t playing at tournaments where D1 coaches are looking or don’t have someone that knows some coaches, you can’t expect to get a D1 look.

Now…if your kid can throw consistently in the 90s (ideally as a lefty), you can get some looks. It’s the one area of baseball that’s easy to prove and will get notice if all you do is post Twitter video and DM coaches.

BTW, this isn’t about getting on the most competitive travel team, but rather getting into a team that has connected coaches that attracts D1 caliber athletes. Sure, they are strong teams, but my kid left a more local travel team where parents were under the delusion that kids would be recruited (and were hyper-competitive) to a team where 50% are already committed by Fall of junior year, that had a much more collaborative vibe because the parents with already committted players are actually very open with how their kid got committed and give some really good tips.

The most competitive teams will often have kids that will be drafted into the MLB in the first or second round, direct from HS.

Because I’m not a hyper competitive striver. Obviously.

You even admit in this post that YOU know that not *everyone* knows this. (See bolded)

You seem confused as to what I took issue with in your original post. It’s your blithe “everyone knows this” - and by your own admission, no, not everyone knows this. I don’t get why you’re digging in your heels on this point. I’m sure the rest of your information is accurate but LOTS and LOTS of folks simply aren’t aware of how the recruiting game is played.

Stop with your holier than thou “I’m not a hyper competitive striver”. You can’t hope your kid will get to D1 and then do nothing to try to make it happen.

It’s one thing if your kid doesn’t want it…I completely get that…but if your kid does want it, you don’t just complain about the system and do nothing.

I’m not complaining about the system. I’m (for about the third time) pointing out that NOT EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO DO!

Most parents think supporting their kid through travel ball FOR YEARS is quite the opposite of “doing nothing” in terms of supporting that kid’s college hopes and dreams. Back in my day NO ONE played travel ball. It was Little League, Babe Ruth, and high school. So by even participating in this travel insanity we are already acknowledging that things have changed. But some of us plebes are too stupid or lazy I guess to know that even if our kid is on the best, most competitive team, it’s still not the *right* team. So I guess our kids are just screwed.

Well…I hope I at least gave you something to think about…because now you know.

You can’t just bury your head in the sand if it’s something your kid wants (and somebody who knows something can at least confirm they are D1 material).

The upside is now 100% of D1 baseball players at conferences that give scholarships should get a 100% scholarship (up from around 25%). The downside is rosters have been cut 15%-20%.

To the parent who isn’t a baseball recruiting expert:

Between HS ball and your travel org, there should be someone to talk to about a recruiting plan. If your son is a D1 caliber prospect, he doesn’t need to play on Stars or Braves to be recruited (mine had no interest). But you do need a plan and someone to advocate for you at the schools he’s interested in. It isn’t always the fanciest big name org. In fact, sometimes those places aren’t great at, let’s say, placing athletes into high academic D3 programs. Every athlete has different goals and might need the different things from their travel team. Some kids aren’t going to benefit from wwba but might get exposure to the teams they want in more regional tournaments. One thing to consider is that a lot of D1 caliber rising HS seniors aren’t going to have roster spots due to the recent rule change - including many who have already committed. Your son needs to be doing email outreach and attending school specific camps at a minimum, casting a wide net in terms of division, and hopefully someone in his sphere can pick up the phone and help from that side.

Also to the point about the scholarships, that is entirely too complicated an issue to jump to the expectation that schools who currently fund 11.7 scholarships are going to be fully funding 34 scholarships in 2025-2026 or ever.

Thanks for the actual useful information. At what point during high school should he be reaching out to potential college coaches? Junior year?

I would say to get a list of 30 schools that are an academic fit at all levels (or at least d1 and d3 if your kid is a higher academic kid, since there's not a lot of d2, naia, jc that will fit that bill). Start emailing all of them summer before junior year and see where hs/club coaches know someone. Baseball is actually a pretty small world and coaches move around a lot, so you never know who knows who! Plan on attending school camps throughout junior year and keeping those emails flowing. It is VERY tedious but it is important to get in front of the schools and keep their attention. You don't want to show up "cold" to a school camp without them knowing you exist, so email ahead of time and get a coach to call on your behalf if possible. Prepare for a lot of blunt feedback and ghosting and hang in there. It is a hard process.

[Anonymous]

This thread is an interesting mashup of field hockey and baseball…