Need Advice from HS Coach Regarding HS / Travel Tournament Conflict

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May 4, 2014
200
28
So Cal
Looking at some of the responses I’m Not sure why so many feel “entitled” to demand HS make accommodations for travel… glad CA makes it a rule so we dont have to debate this with parents… for all of you who dismiss HS And the coaches I have a simple answer: nobody is forcing your DD to play HS - she CHOSE to participate - with that comes commitment to the team and rules - if she or the parents are unwilling to abide by those rules or you don’t value what it brings then don’t play - what message is your kid sending her team when she bails on them for a game because she has a “better” game to go to… you would be the first to fry a travel player that did that to your team but it’s ok for your DD to do it because it’s HS? And here I thought HS ball was about teaching community/sportsmanship/commitment/teamwork and how to be both a scholar and an athlete but I guess for some “what’s in it for my kid” is more important….


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Jun 27, 2021
418
63
Looking at some of the responses I’m Not sure why so many feel “entitled” to demand HS make accommodations for travel… glad CA makes it a rule so we dont have to debate this with parents… for all of you who dismiss HS And the coaches I have a simple answer: nobody is forcing your DD to play HS - she CHOSE to participate - with that comes commitment to the team and rules - if she or the parents are unwilling to abide by those rules or you don’t value what it brings then don’t play - what message is your kid sending her team when she bails on them for a game because she has a “better” game to go to… you would be the first to fry a travel player that did that to your team but it’s ok for your DD to do it because it’s HS? And here I thought HS ball was about teaching community/sportsmanship/commitment/teamwork and how to be both a scholar and an athlete but I guess for some “what’s in it for my kid” is more important….


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What they said perfectly
 
Jun 1, 2013
847
18
Looking at some of the responses I’m Not sure why so many feel “entitled” to demand HS make accommodations for travel… glad CA makes it a rule so we dont have to debate this with parents… for all of you who dismiss HS And the coaches I have a simple answer: nobody is forcing your DD to play HS - she CHOSE to participate - with that comes commitment to the team and rules - if she or the parents are unwilling to abide by those rules or you don’t value what it brings then don’t play - what message is your kid sending her team when she bails on them for a game because she has a “better” game to go to… you would be the first to fry a travel player that did that to your team but it’s ok for your DD to do it because it’s HS? And here I thought HS ball was about teaching community/sportsmanship/commitment/teamwork and how to be both a scholar and an athlete but I guess for some “what’s in it for my kid” is more important….


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When they make it rule no travel ball during season that pretty much takes away the choice doesn’t it? Whether it means there is no teams specific practices or whether that means there are no tournaments allowed in the state for high school age players it takes the choice away from them. It’s play high school or don’t play. When high school raises it’s standards on who can “coach” a team then a lot of these problems will go away. Top players know when their coach is good and knowledgeable and when they aren’t.
We are from different regions so your experience could be different than others but from my experience from my region, there is no prerequisite to coaching except the need for a little extra money.
Another thought, if you aren’t going to look out for what’s best for your kid, who is? You expect the low paid, no expert coach to get your DD a scholarship? HS is about community but shouldn’t be used against a player that wants to play at the top levels. When the majority of HS team can be beat by 2nd year 14u A teams there is a problem. It’s not with travel ball, it’s with the blind commitment to community that didn’t care enough to hire a legit coach.
 
May 10, 2021
149
43
It won’t be long before travel will be all year round and HS Softball and Baseball will not have numbers to support teams. This is because of what someone else brought up earlier about competition. Our area is very spotty on talented teams 1-9 in line ups. Also there are HS coaches who despise travel and aren’t good coaches who drive girls away from playing in HS. College coaches aren’t around during HS season to watch games. But they are around when travel season is going watching at showcase tournaments every weekend. We have two out of eleven who aren’t playing for their HS because of poor Coaching at the HS level.


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Yes I agree. There are some fine travel players that walk onto the HS field and make everyone better. For every one of those there are many complaining (mostly from the parents) every moment about coaching, playing time etc... Really it is exhausting. If the HS coach lays down the law they are incompetent, only in it for the money lol, or not as good as my TB coach. HS coaches need to develop too and gain experience. We are chasing them all away.
 
May 4, 2014
200
28
So Cal
When they make it rule no travel ball during season that pretty much takes away the choice doesn’t it? Whether it means there is no teams specific practices or whether that means there are no tournaments allowed in the state for high school age players it takes the choice away from them. It’s play high school or don’t play. When high school raises it’s standards on who can “coach” a team then a lot of these problems will go away. Top players know when their coach is good and knowledgeable and when they aren’t.
We are from different regions so your experience could be different than others but from my experience from my region, there is no prerequisite to coaching except the need for a little extra money.
Another thought, if you aren’t going to look out for what’s best for your kid, who is? You expect the low paid, no expert coach to get your DD a scholarship? HS is about community but shouldn’t be used against a player that wants to play at the top levels. When the majority of HS team can be beat by 2nd year 14u A teams there is a problem. It’s not with travel ball, it’s with the blind commitment to community that didn’t care enough to hire a legit coach.

I think you misunderstood the rule - the rule states that HS players can’t play travel not that there can’t be travel tourneys or games. The only choice being removed is for players that want to do BOTH. Your DD could choose to only play travel or only play HS. If your local HS has such poor coaches why play for them? Stay in travel.
And we are def from different regions - our HS team would destroy most if not all 14u teams - wouldn’t even be a match


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Apr 13, 2015
179
28
what I see is that in bigger schools, the freshmen or sophomores who don't make varsity, go play select instead of JV ball for their HS....varsity kids will not actually play but attend weekend camps in some cases. School teams should come first but I do know some will do the club VB thing as well during softball...which is totally bs.
 
Nov 11, 2021
10
3
Maybe it’s being in Illinois, but whenever these posts come up, my first question is how do people possibly do both?

My daughters HS team is practicing 6 days a week (no sunday).

What do travel teams do for a typical schedule in states that allow both?
Travel teams that are >14U really don't play spring tourneys, at least not here in NE. If you search web for "showcase fastpitch tournaments", I'm pretty sure you'll see that nationwide, that is almost exclusively a summer/fall thing.
 
Nov 11, 2021
10
3
But there are going to be a total of zero college coaches watching a travel tournament in April because they’re in season. If she were in a state with fall high school ball and a conflicting showcase I might feel differently.
For my DD high school ball was about playing with her friends and even though they didn’t all have college aspirations it was still important to them.
Amen to this. HS ball and club/showcase ball are two very different experiences. I would add that in addition to the "playing with her school friends" aspect, HS ball offers a different competitive experience. I totally get some of the input here about the very variable quality of high school coaching and of school teammates... but for those girls fortunate enough to be at a high school that fields a competitive team, playing a full 7 innings (no clocks ending games), playing for the school/town and being motived by the support of the community, playing for a conference title, a county title, a sectional/state title... all are very different aspects compared to club/showcase ball. To be clear, my DD played on a competitive showcase team... the overall talent level (players and coaches!) was certainly higher than her HS teams, and she made lots of long-time friendships with her showcase teammates and enjoyed meeting/playing with girls from numerous other high schools... and the girls did enjoy competing and winning trophies together for a weekend of work... but the "competitive feel" was VERY different.
 
Apr 6, 2021
8
3
My daughter will most likely be playing JV or Varsity softball this spring. Unfortunately we have a conflict in April with an away tournament and a high school game on the same day. The tournament is arguably one of the biggest we play in all spring/summer. Her HS game is during the day which means we would probably miss most of the Saturday games.

How do I approach the coach about this scheduling conflict?
I am a high school softball coach for 22 years in the State of MA. It is against the MIAA rules to miss a game or practice for another sporting event. I believe the player has to sit out a penalty of 25% of the games. I am sure this is different state to state but in my personal opinion nothing is better or more important than representing your Town , City and HS,. We do not allow our players to play for any other club etc. during our season. I want nothing but 100% commitment from each and every player. Your daughter has to make a decision which is more important not to mention letting your team mates, coaches and school down by agreeing to play in an out side tournament. HS season is what it is and all these tournament games should not be played until the HS season has been completed
 
Aug 21, 2020
115
28
I am a high school softball coach for 22 years in the State of MA. It is against the MIAA rules to miss a game or practice for another sporting event. I believe the player has to sit out a penalty of 25% of the games. I am sure this is different state to state but in my personal opinion nothing is better or more important than representing your Town , City and HS,. We do not allow our players to play for any other club etc. during our season. I want nothing but 100% commitment from each and every player. Your daughter has to make a decision which is more important not to mention letting your team mates, coaches and school down by agreeing to play in an out side tournament. HS season is what it is and all these tournament games should not be played until the HS season has been completed

Yup this all day. After reading this thread, I’m really happy to live in MA. The rules are clear, the TB and HS coaches adhere to them, and our “spring” break is in February, so there is no chance anyone wants to play unless they enjoy 6” of snow and ice on the field.


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