Pipeline

[Anonymous]

I was hoping people on this forum could help me out. I saw some of the comments on the Baltimore Armour post that turned into a bashing/defending of Pipeline. I'm honestly just looking for some real and objective feedback and not rumors/stories you have heard or want to spread, but that seems challenging. I won't get into too many personal details, but we have a younger son and daughter and have been considering Pipeline for next year. Both are in the younger ages, like U12 and below. I've heard the girls teams are a bit of a mess in the older years and that makes me weary except I also hear it's much better in the younger ages. The boys teams seem to be a great spot to play and we know a family on the boys side that love it there.

I know this forum is geared more towards DC, but any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. My bigger concern is that you hear some stories and when you dig in a little you realize the stories are inaccurate, exaggerated, or just lies. For example, the rumor was they hacked into Coppermine's systems to get player information and had to settle for "millions". That's obviously not true or anywhere close to the real story based on people I know and just looking up the case results online. Then there is the new story of Pipeline removing a family with 4 kids on their teams out of nowhere and stealing their money. The real story seems to be that a known problem parent caused a scene at a tournament after being warned many times that the family would be removed if he continued his behavior.

I'm not looking for that kind of information. I'm looking to see if it is a good place to develop a couple kids that have shown a real passion for getting better and a love for the game. Based on what I have seen they appear to really care about developing teams. Do they do the same BS as most higher level clubs trying to recruit kids/teams and win tournaments by playing a kid "down" who was playing up a year? I'm sure and don't have a problem with that at this time. If my kids are on the bubble of a team in a few years and better kids come along it kind of is what it is at that point and I wouldn't be upset. The new kid is just better.

I know no place is perfect, but I would really appreciate trying to have a somewhat civil discussion so I can do what is best for my kids.

[Anonymous]

We know a couple families with kids there and in my experience it is a polarizing club. People either love or despise. A lot of the rumors are spread by a couple organizations/upset parents that have had a falling out with the club and as you say, most are exaggerations at best.

We have played their boys teams and they can flat out play and look to be developing a good way of playing at the younger ages vs a punt to a fast kid up top you see at that age. They have been successful in the older teams as well with several highly ranked teams and it's across almost all ages so I think that is telling of what they are accomplishing. Now, what I have heard from people I know there is that some of the girls teams are "troubled" with some really crazy parents/kids/coaches and there is a lot of frustration that the organization isn't stepping in more to stop the behavior until recently when they removed a parent and their kids from the organization after repeated warnings. Everyone I know on the boys side love it there, except for one, who left two years ago. The parents thought their kid was special, he was not, Pipeline basically told the family that and they threw a fit after the kid was placed on the second team. They seem to have a win at all costs culture so if that is a turn off for you it is something to consider, but like you said, if you are ok with your kid being cut for the shiny new toy it may not be a shock, but it may be to your kid.

I would have no problem recommending a son to their teams. I've always been impressed with those teams and how kids develop there. If it was my daughter I would look a little closer and maybe ask some more questions if you talk to someone there.

[Anonymous]

I despise pipeline and I don’t live in that area and have never touched them. However like any club, talk to your kids about their goals and socialize their goals with coaches and see if it’s the right fit

[Anonymous]

My son has been with pipeline for many years - U12 and above. As a PP said, the opinions are polarizing, as are mine. Our experience is that the coaches are good, they are organized and put money into the teams/training. He has also played on other Baltimore based teams and comparatively, they are good.

The bad - they are about stats. They want to win and only win. We have been told by our son's coach that he is out if he doesn't show results. We also see rolling tryouts which means that you sign a contract, your kid shows up and plays but your child's spot can be taken at any minute if a kid from another club decides to go to pipeline mid-season. They won't be kicked off the team but will be benched permanently. We have seen it happen to kids that were good (and someone excellent came along) and kids who weren't so good but needed a little extra help. Therefore, you have to question if the club is there to develop your child or just replace or if it is a money grab. They also, like many other clubs, have taken on full teams from other groups. While this is great at times, it also can push down an existing team which we have also seen happen.

If you have a child who has an interest in being a keeper, you are on your own. They have keeper training but it is a waste. You will be expected to have private training in addition to the standard practices.

They don't have their own fields so you are jockeying for space which can get old. The fields they do use are turf and nice. The indoor training space is a joke and about the size of a big living room.

The parents all seem reasonable although we have had some backstabbing in our team. I haven't heard the crazy parent rumors that others have said.

All in all - if you are looking for a club that will win and you and your kid have tough skin, go for it. If you are looking for a club that will work through issues with your kid and foster development and growth, I am not sure pipeline is the club for you.

[Anonymous]

My child has been with Pipeline for around 5years on boy’s side, also played one year for another Baltimore club. I have another child who doesn’t play soccer, but has played club lacrosse for two well known Baltimore club. That child has a number of friends who play on the 04 and 05 girls teams. Her friends love it.

We don’t socialize with our coach and or the owners. Our kid is not on the top team. I would say in his age group, 80 percent of the kids have been with Pipeline for the past 3 years or longer. I’ve seen kids get moved up and down and have never wondered why, it has always been kids who are obviously excelling, or struggling. Pipeline pays its coaches better than any other Baltimore area club and most have been with the club for years. I know the coaches in his age group consult one another and there is a Pipeline “system” they are teaching the kids. I feel my child has improved a lot, and is getting good coaching.

It isn’t perfect, no club is. I do think that management has been responsive to parent complaints. They are fairly organized, and schedules are available weeks in advance. The other soccer club in Baltimore my child played for was poorly organized and any question (including the innocuous, what can I work on to get more playing time) was seen as a challenge, and met with retaliation.


Good luck in making your decision.

[Anonymous]

Boys side is great but do emphasis winning. Girls side is a train wreck with emphasis on winning.

I would put my son there if I could but would never even think about placing my daughter there. Like ever. Some of the stories I have heard are absolutely mind blowing both from a parent side and a coach side.

[Anonymous]

Pipeline girls has been a strong program ever since dd started travel. Just look at their performance at JefCup. Two age groups finished undefeated in the top bracket and another finished in the middle and another finished in the semi-finals.

DD has also played against them nd they are strong.

[Anonymous]

What's the difference between Pipeline and Pipeline North?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's the difference between Pipeline and Pipeline North?

. Pipeline north practices in Middle River.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the difference between Pipeline and Pipeline North?

. Pipeline north practices in Middle River.

That is their indoor turf area. Pipeline North are the Harford county teams and they now practice at Ripken stadium turf in Aberdeen. The main teams play out of Baltimore with the boys at Poly and the girls at Mercy.

We have been with Pipeline for a few years and love it there. I understand when people say they had bad experiences because it is very demanding on the top teams and if you aren't getting it done they will bring in someone else who can either from outside or a second team. You will move down to the lower team to develop (some teams are better at that than others) and parents do not like that so they get upset and leave. We had a kid move down to a second team midseason and the parents demanded a refund. They were denied and went on to trash the club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the difference between Pipeline and Pipeline North?

. Pipeline north practices in Middle River.

No, Pipeline North practices in Aberdeen at Ripken stadium complex.

[Anonymous]

Do they do the same BS as most higher level clubs trying to recruit kids/teams and win tournaments by playing a kid "down" who was playing up a year?

How is it BS to play a kid at age level to try and have the team/club win a medal? Clubs let parents know kids may play up or get sent down either in age or within the stratified pool. I don’t see that as a BS move. The talent levels are so strong all around I think more kids should play on age level for tournaments/the most important competitions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Do they do the same BS as most higher level clubs trying to recruit kids/teams and win tournaments by playing a kid "down" who was playing up a year?

How is it BS to play a kid at age level to try and have the team/club win a medal? Clubs let parents know kids may play up or get sent down either in age or within the stratified pool. I don’t see that as a BS move. The talent levels are so strong all around I think more kids should play on age level for tournaments/the most important competitions.

Sorry, I meant that as a rhetorical question. Everyone seems to freak out when teams do that and I've heard that about Pipeline as a "criticism" many times, which I don't see as a criticism at all as my next sentences mentions. I love that a club moves kids up when/if appropriate (maybe some league games against a lower opponent) and then will bring back to their age level team for a competitive tournament.

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful and productive comments!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Do they do the same BS as most higher level clubs trying to recruit kids/teams and win tournaments by playing a kid "down" who was playing up a year?

How is it BS to play a kid at age level to try and have the team/club win a medal? Clubs let parents know kids may play up or get sent down either in age or within the stratified pool. I don’t see that as a BS move. The talent levels are so strong all around I think more kids should play on age level for tournaments/the most important competitions.

I agree that this is not cheating. What is BS is parents who complain about this because their little Johnny lost the tournament. However the reason to play a kid up a year is because it is good for that kid's development. The reason to play them back down a year for a specific tournament is because it is good for the club. This is an example of a club putting its own interest ahead of the kid's. But it is a pretty mild example when compared to clubs that, for example, roster too many players or refuse to allow kids to tryout at other teams, or refuse to return the kid's player card. And I'm guessing the kid often doesn't mind - they probably quite enjoy occasionally playing with their old teammates and winning things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son has been with pipeline for many years - U12 and above. As a PP said, the opinions are polarizing, as are mine. Our experience is that the coaches are good, they are organized and put money into the teams/training. He has also played on other Baltimore based teams and comparatively, they are good.

The bad - they are about stats. They want to win and only win. We have been told by our son's coach that he is out if he doesn't show results. We also see rolling tryouts which means that you sign a contract, your kid shows up and plays but your child's spot can be taken at any minute if a kid from another club decides to go to pipeline mid-season. They won't be kicked off the team but will be benched permanently. We have seen it happen to kids that were good (and someone excellent came along) and kids who weren't so good but needed a little extra help. Therefore, you have to question if the club is there to develop your child or just replace or if it is a money grab. They also, like many other clubs, have taken on full teams from other groups. While this is great at times, it also can push down an existing team which we have also seen happen.

If you have a child who has an interest in being a keeper, you are on your own. They have keeper training but it is a waste. You will be expected to have private training in addition to the standard practices.

They don't have their own fields so you are jockeying for space which can get old. The fields they do use are turf and nice. The indoor training space is a joke and about the size of a big living room.

The parents all seem reasonable although we have had some backstabbing in our team. I haven't heard the crazy parent rumors that others have said.

All in all - if you are looking for a club that will win and you and your kid have tough skin, go for it. If you are looking for a club that will work through issues with your kid and foster development and growth, I am not sure pipeline is the club for you.

Thank you for these comments. I think this is helpful. Yes, no club is perfect and this will be part of the conversation we have with our children. I just want them to go to a team/organization where they will be happy, get challenged to progress, and hopefully continue to develop. Pipeline seems like a pretty good place to do that, but I was curious about other people's experiences. Thanks again!