Try out season is here!

What are your plans for tryouts?

It creeped up faster than I thought it would. The tournament season was over in what felt like a blink of an eye. But we didn't let what our plans were wait til the last minute.

Today's post is about what you can do to find the right fit if you plan on switching teams. It is never easy looking for a new team but having options and ideas of what you are looking for before roll into the tryout never hurts.

The easiest thing for what to do for next season is stay put or move up with in the same organization. That makes life easy but for many that isn't how this new season will start. There are a variety of reasons to find a new team, I won't go into them here, because if you are looking for a team you know why, you don't need me to tell you W H Y!

Due to trial and error and doing some research here is what I have come up with to help your daughter and your family find the right team:

Have an idea of what teams you want to play for. (be realistic on the level you play and where they play) Do you want a relaxed team, a state champ winner or do you want to see Nationals?

BIG TIP TIME: If you want to play college ball in your home state, do not get on a team that is doing tournaments out of state every weekend, or playing at the national level. This will not get you noticed by the very college you want to attract!

• Look for teams that you played where the coach impressed you while playing them.
• Have an idea where you want to go and don't just obtain info from a web site, we all know websites have the BEST info on a team and not the whole story.
• Find out where the try-outs are.
• You can find this info via news paper, local forums or word of mouth. I went here and here!

This is where the choice is made and the best info will be obtained -  Email the coach or contact on the try-out ad. Ask the question you need answered. IE...how often do you practice, what is the budget, how many tournaments are you playing and what kind?

This is the time to add any good solid info you have on the player. Like a recruitment video and what her plans are for the future. I'd stay away from stats or making comments about playing time.

If they do not have the time to answer you, don't answer you, or give you info totally different than what you asked for, this tells you alot about the coach or organization. I'd give them one more chance because emails always get lost or sent to junk. If you get no response...I'd start looking else where.

Communication is the key to this search, why? You get to learn a few things by the response: If the coach is going to be there again, how happy they are to be in the position they are in, how interested they are in you, and just what kind of organization you are going to be headed to or looking at.

To some extent on a much smaller scale, you are doing the steps you would take to find the correct college to attend, you are going to be with this coach and these players/parents for at the very least, the next year.

At tryouts, look at how the girls on the team interact. Are they happy, having fun and look like they like each other? Do they pout, move slow and yell at one another?
How is the coach? well organized? Do the people there react well to his direction?

This is the time to talk to them and their assistants, do they seem to be on the same page? Do you get a good feeling about them?  Do they have the time for you while there?

Let your gut reaction guide you here. This is your 1st impression of the team and the coach that will be setting an example for a team of 12+ young ladies and handling upwards of thousands of dollars.

TL; DR -
Find your team.
Ask your questions!
Communicate further?
Plan the tryout course!
Go to tryouts.
Have fun next year!

Beat the Heat! Guide to Summer Tournaments.

This has been a hot HOT summer.

Really hot.

Summer is far from over and the heat is always part of our sport. You can really never beat the heat totally until the game is done but below is my guild for getting you and your kid thru the worst times.

I'll keep it simple. Stay cool as you can. Drink water. Know the signs of heat related problems. As soon as you can, get out of the heat when done playing.

Staying cool: Shade is the key. Find some during offensive innings and between games. If you are out of the sun lots of radiate heat and the suns effects can't zap more energy, water and even cause burns.
Hopefully you have parents that have tarps, umbrella's and shade tents. Use them! Use rags and other objects with COOL water on them to bring your body temp down. Remove as much gear as you can (catchers gear, batting helm) when they aren't needed.

Drink water: Hydrate! You must. This will ruin your preformace faster than anything and will cause onset of heat problems quicker. When you sweat, you lose water and salt (electrolytes) both need to be replaced. Prehydration is key to really hot days. Drink lots of water before the weekend games. If you do this your fluid levels will be easier to maintain.

If you are thirsty, its too late! you already dehydrated. What do I mean by this? Thirst is a telltale sign that you need fluids. With the increased loss during hot days, by the time you realize you need water, its too late.  Get some water in you. Sports drinks are ok, but even better if mixed with water during game times. As silly as it sounds, don't drink ice cold water...why? Your body must cool this water taking more energy to find out where it needs to be. Leading further to zapped energy.

Signs to really bad to sever dehydration is extreme thirst, headaches and irritability. Any further than this you are ask inf or heat problems that take lots longer than a few bottles of water or gatorade to fix you up.
Under normal conditions a normal adult, needs 1 gallon of water a day. Under the conditions we have seen lately, you can need two times that.

Heat related issues: Minor to major!(CDC)
Heat exhaustion (cramps or fainting) -  the 1st sign a problem is going on. This can be obtained in not very hot temps and onset can be due to dehydration. You feel dizzy, light headed and cramp. Vomitting can happen too as it progresses. Quickly reversible but care and caution needs to be taken as it can happen very quickly again if steps are not take to be removed from heat or the player wants to play again.
1st aid- Get them out of the heat, into air conditioning and have them hydrate and place cool rags on person. Sit or lie down.

Heat Stress -  Brought on by dehydration, high temps and heavy work load. A physiological change takes place in the body too. Blood pressure rises, sweating occurs, people get dizzy and confused. They can can be pale and complain of being tired. This is pretty urgent and action must take place quickly.
1st aid- Get them to a cool spot, in the air conditioning. Drink water, or sports drink. Showers, lots of water and cold cloths work well here.

Heat stoke- a MEDICAL EMERGENCY! Hot skin and dry and red skin! No sweating will be going on. Chills, confusion and head aches will be common. Bodies core temp will be rising and can rise to permanent damage area quickly. Medical attention is needed quickly.
1st aid- CALL 911
Dampen or wetten their clothes, get in a cool place and have them sit or lie down. Make this person comfortable.
At this point the person and their body is past the point of thermoregulation. I cannot stress enough that they need medical help immediately.

After the game and in between games, get them to cool areas. Most preferred that air condition be used. Shade and a fan is also useful in this down time. Make sure they get some small snacks (such as fruit or a granola bar) and fluid is taken in. Relaxing at this time goes a long way.

When they get IT!

You have watched them all season, even in High School. Parents know when they make a mistake, even if the coach or the bench didn't catch it. Parents know their kids flaws and weakness, even if their kid is the best player to lace up some cleats. Ok, on that last one I kid a bit but really, we know.

We are their biggest fans and most knowing critics. They of course are their biggest critic. Even if you seen a mistake and ask them about it, they already know they did that wrong and beat themselves up over it many times over.

Then you see them play that game! Not the perfect game, oh no no! But the game where they battle, do all the little things right and fight thru the not so good things and shine as a star you always knew they were but others don't always see it.

Now remember I'm not talking about their perfect game. The one they will always remember thats too easy, this is the kind of game that they will probably forget but you know they did things during this game that added to them as players and people.

I watched my daughter play that game tonight. She was amazing! She scooped and shot a ball to home on a grounder to the outfield with a perfect throw. It was a close play but the catcher dropped the ball. She came over to me and didn't complain about the drop, oh no! She said, that throw was a bit high might have made that an easier tag. WHAT? I didn't say this to her, I told her hang in there, those will come.

The very next inning she it a LAZER to the short stop, one they had no business getting too, yet they did and threw the lead runner out. She didn't hang her head, nope! Not today, she played her best. In her half of the inning in the field, she had a blooper hit to her, she ran in HARD yet some how the ball got to the ground even thou she slid, she came up throwing and missed the runner by a step. Was it the perfect out come? No, but it was the correct play. She had 3 more plays like that and sold out to get them all. Her at bats weren't awesome, but they were tough and she worked the count finding her pitch.

A few innings later after an at bat she hit a shot over the pitchers head, standing at 1st base and the 5th hitter hits a soft liner down the 3rd base line, the runner from 2nd scores and she rounds and wants to go to 3rd, the cut sees this and doesn't go home but due to her heads up base running she doesn't get throw out. Sound simple, doesn't it? but in the heat of the moment all year long she'd have been thrown out. Next play she scores on a bloop single.

None of this may sound impressive but it was a proud moment today when she walked off the field saying, she could have done better but is still happy with how she played overall. I smiled to myself and knew, she is getting it. While it might not be perfect, no one is! But she gets it.

Blue Chips, Michigan style!

Everyone says there's it the best. Some tout that they have 300 coaches invited to come view your child. Others will tell you they will give you the best shot at getting to the next level if you come to their camp and use their service.

This week I was fortunate enough to allow my daughter to play with some first class talent and even more showcase her talent in front of close to 30 college coaches from all levels. She was able to learn from these professional men and women who were there from some of the biggest institutions in the country (more on that later). They were willing to give them the tips and tricks that makes players move to the next level.

My daughter is a 2014 graduate, so she still has time to grow and improve. Showing her the talent that was at that camp this week left a huge impression on her and motivated her to move past her current progression point she is currently at. The talent there was truly impressive and from what I hear there were three girls that signed D1 level letters.

My intent is not to bad mouth anyone else or say that the Michigan Blue Chip camp is the only way to go. I do want to say that of the several I've sent my daughter too, this one was by far the best. Not only did she get some first rate exposure, instruction but she was also talked to by several colleges stating they'd like her to send her schedule to them so they could take an even deeper look at her.

Thanks to Brad and Matt for having the vision to set this up and to come thru with the promises their web site makes. Colleges will see you and teach at this camp.

They have several upcoming camps for the rest of the summer and in the fall, so if you have some time, check these guys out.



Just and FYI in attendance for this camp was: (not in any real order and if I have forgotten someone I'm really sorry. Coaches seemed to be everywhere)

Alabama

Purdue

North Dakota

Central Michigan

Western Michigan

Eastern Michigan

Illinois Chicago (UIC)

Albion

Alma

Muskegon

Concordia

Siena Heights

Hillsdale

Lake Michigan

Grand Rapids

Aquinas

Cornerstone

The Skills Video

Hey everyone, I just wanted to take a few to go over something we recently did to improve my daughter exposure. You can do it too.

We call it the skills video! It is what experts or recruiting firms say is a must if you want to play at the next level. People charge good money and after doing ours, I see why. Really, if you want to save a few hundred dollars all you really need is access to a computer and a camera.

A computer is a must due to editing it.
Do I really need to say you need a camera to film something?

Reminder this is a tool to highlight your daughter or sons skills. Make sure this production does that.

• Edit out drops, errors and missed swings. Sure coaches don't expect perfection in these videos but leaving this in is a waste of time.
• Remove all downtime such as moving people around.
• Highlight - Highlight - Highlight: Use the best of what you shoot, shoot multiple angles and multiple shots of that skill.
• The majority of this video should be in a practice setting. Do not use or limit game footage.I included a very brief hit of a live game. I felt it showed everything I wanted the coach to see. Why? It mirrored the very same thing we shot in the skills video. Constant game video gets boring.
• Use a tripod and a camera you are familiar with.
• Keep it between 4 and 5 minutes. Any longer and you run the risk of having the full thing not seen.
• Keep it simple.

Here is my finished product:


Prior to starting here is what I did:

• I shot some film of my younger daughter at her softball game to get used to my camera. Make sure your setting are to a movement conducive setting. Using this filmed event, I edited it with my Windows MovieMaker to get used that too. It took me lots of time.
• Find a location you are familiar with and a time that isn't real busy there. Cutting down on the noise in the video.
• A power source is an AMAZING addition to the event.
• Set up your plan on what you want to shoot; know what positions, skills and angles you want to hit before you get there. (this will change but knowing prior till make adjustments easier to do)
• Watch some skills videos on youtube (example 1) (example 2) see what you like on each and what you would change. Take notes.
• Plan for everything that could go wrong IE...no bases, hot weather. Make this event like a tournament and take everything you need. Have a back up location in case your primary is used.
• Set up someone who can assist with catching and throwing. Two helpers is better.

Now for what to shoot:

• Brief intro: 15 seconds of who you are and what you want to coach to know. Shows communication style.
• Make sure you have coaches email address and phone in print on the video.
• Primary positon - 3 or 4 of each, edit what you don't want, use different angles.
• OF - show drop step/footwork, fly ball tracking, ground ball stopping, arm strength. Show throws to home plate and third base from about the middle of RF.
• P - pitches you throw (4 of each at minimum) show side and behind the plate view. If you can show the radar gun speed.
• C -  show how you block the ball, pop times (stop watch) and throw to all bases.
• Corner infield- Bunt coverage, cross diamond throws, foot work to base and ground balls to the forehand and backhand.
• Middle infield- Show your athleticism add movement and take ground balls that show range also show back hand and forehand. Show how you cover bases and turn double plays.
• HITTING - show several angles, behind the plate and side view. I do not recommend soft toss from the side, anyone can hit soft toss. Show bunting and slapping (if you can do it) and any other hitting skill you may have.

Now send them out!

Smooth calls...

I'm not going to use my blog to bag ump's. I understand they are human and make bad calls. Most of the time, they make the perfect call. The best kind of official is the one you didn't realize was there. Often times, they seem to forget this.

When I see a special call, I don't mean balls and strikes either but those ones that stick with you for a while I'm going to just give my two cents...

Why? well, when you complain to others who know the game or even that nice waitress at a restaurant, they don't listen. Its almost as if they are hearing a foreign language.

I'm also going to try and educate myself further, as I have no clue most of the rules these guys live by. I only know the game I've been playing or rooting for most of my life. From governing body to governing body, they have variations of rules.

This week’s gem was at Motor City Showdown in Canton, Mi. If you have never been to Canton, you aren't missing much. It is a dust bowl, expensive and

The ASA ump, called a foul ball on a one bouncer that then hit the bag. Three feet from my daughters team coach. He ruled it foul, stating it bounced foul before it hit the bag.

Here is what I could find and what I know: (source)

Just a side note from parents of our team and this is hear say and more than anything it was probably the ump trying to be friendly; he was heard telling the other team between innings "you welcome for that foul ball call".

B. Batted Ball

1) A batted ball that first hits the ground

before it reaches 1st or 3rd base is fair, if it settles in fair territory, is

touched by a player while the ball is on or over fair ground, or if the ball passes over 1st or 3rd base, regardless

of where the ball hits the ground after going over the base.

2) A batted ball that first hits the ground

beyond 1st or 3rd base is fair or foul based on where it hits the ground

that first time.

In with the new!

I gave the sports blogging thing a go! I wasn't cut out for it and didn't have the time.

My new project is my way to vent about a game that has grown to just about the main goal in our house.

SOFTBALL!

My oldest plays Travel and my other daughter is just in her first year and it is Rec. Softball but enjoys the game. My two boys are playing T-Ball and love it! So to say we are busy is an understatement. It is almost constant! And I wouldn't change a thing about it.

My oldest playing travel ball (16U) which takes up way to much of our time and money. She is playing tournaments every weekend for the next 5 weeks then try-outs start for the next whole year. Oh, joy! On top of that she plays three games in a league called WWCL on Mon and Wed.

She plays for an organization called the Thunderbirds out of Canton, Mi. We don't have one girl from Canton on the team, and never play a league game close to Canton. Why do I say this? no reason other than softball is so big right now, teams are all over and just because a team throws a city on its name, doesn't mean you'll be there at all.

My younger daughter playing Rec ball, plays for Dearborn Michigan and well, all the girls are from Dearborn. She is in a league called the DBA (downriver baseball assoc.) and is in the 12u bracket.

I think the people who run the DBA are crack heads as are the people in Dearborn who think that playing in this league is a good thing. The price is right and the girls get good facilities and uniforms but they play two games a weed. There is ZERO time limit on these games. Why is this a big deal you ask? Her games start at 6:30 PM, her coach makes them report at 5:30 PM the scores of the games are often in the high teens and the games usually don't end until dark which is past sunset. 9:45 is about our average leaving time. Her first game of the season we didn't get home and in bed until 10:30 and she had school the next day.

That was NOT fun! And the girls by the end of the game care about everything else but softball.

I emailed the league director and asked him if it is normal that games last 3 1/2 hours, seeing as my 16u daughter can play a double header 45 miles away and be home before my 12u girl. His answer was :

"It is at the discretion of the home plate umpire as to whether it is safe or not to continue at the start of the 7th inning because of darkness. "

Not sure we will be back next year...LOL

Thanks for reading and much more to come.