Introduction
It’s normal to have questions for coaches when trying out for baseball teams. If your boy is new to select or travel ball and/or wanting to try out for other teams, it can be overwhelming for both players and parents. To help, here is our list of questions to ensure he is potentially joining a team that’s a great fit for him and his needs.
What Level is the Team
It’s helpful to know prior to signing up for tryouts, what level the team is playing at. Coaches will often list this with the trout details, but not always. They may want to get the full team established before deciding that; however, knowing in advance will help parents determine if the team is the right fit for their player.
What Positions Are the Coaches Looking For
As with the team level, it’s helpful to know if the coaches are only looking to fill a specific position. Knowing that in advance can help save both parents and coach’s time.
How Long Has the Team Played Together
Knowing how long the team has been playing together can help give parents insight into the teams. If there’s repeated turnover, it could be the result of something not quite right within the team, whether it be issues with existing players or with the coaches.
How Many Kids Will Be on the Team
This may not be a deal breaker for joining a new team, but if parents know the coaches plan to bring on several players above the standard 9-10, they may opt not to join the team. Joining a large team could result in less playing time for their player.
What Are the Fees & What Does That Include
Don’t wait for an offer to join the team to find out what the team fees will be. The cost for each club and/or team varies and it could be a deciding factor in joining a team. Some clubs will include access to the facility as part of their fees.
How Many Out-of-Town Tournaments are Planned
If out of town tournaments are hard for your family, it will be good to know up front how many the team is planning to do. That will be additional travel costs, on top of the team fees that parents will need to know about and consider.
Summary
These are some of the top questions to ask the coaches, but certainly not all. Asking these questions may help parents and players make quick decisions about joining a team.
If your son didn’t make a team they tried out for, encourage them to keep trying for other teams. In our article, “Important Tips for Joining a Baseball Team: Things I Wish I Knew Earlier as a Baseball Mom“, there are a lot of team options, if you know where to look. We recommend following some of the baseball social media groups in your area. Coaches will post in those groups when they are looking to add players.
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