Finding the right team for you and your family (financially)

Finding the “right fit” seems to be one of the most relevant statements plaguing college athletics and youth sports today. Prospective student-athletes (PSAs) are being bombarded with college camp invites, recruiting services, admission pamphlets and open houses, and, at times, misguided information. Twice a year, college athletes have access to the NCAA Transfer Portal, or as some refer to it as a “get out of jail for free card” should they feel their current situation isn’t ideal.

Back in September, we explored how to find “Finding the Best Fit from the Start” when deciding what college to attend. It’s important to note that the transfer portal is NOT a sure bet. Often 40+ % of student-athletes that enter the portal, never find a program to compete in after entering.

Some of the questions we encourage all PSA’s to ask BEFORE committing to a school are:

• Did I visit campus? Have I taken a full campus tour driven by Admissions or the coaching staff?

• Does the school have my intended major or a variety of majors if undecided?

• Have I built a relationship with coaches through camps/clinics or have had extensive conversations and an on-campus visit (official or unofficial)?

• Have I met any of the players? Were the positive? Did they speak highly of the coaching staff? Did they respect their teammates?

• Can I see myself here for 4 years …. even if I do not play?

• If a partial scholarship offer, can my family afford the remaining cost of attendance or am I willing to take out a supplemental loan if needed?

• Have I seen that program compete in person? Do I have the physical ability to be competitive at that level?

• How many other players are being recruited for your position?

• Am I comfortable with the distance of the school to your home?

• Am I comfortable or do I feel anxious about the size of the campus? How long will it take to walk from my dorm to my classes? Where is the softball field?

• What is the student-to-professor ratio in the classroom?

“After the end of your first year in residency and eligibility, playing time should not be an indicator of overall happiness. If you’ve done your due diligence from the beginning and asked the right questions, you chose your school because it was a “good fit” and not because you were guaranteed a starting position. Unfortunately, many players choose to gamble in the Transfer Portal for this reason. It should be a rule of thumb that rising sophomores are not allowed to enter the portal solely for this reason. It’s rare, not impossible, for Freshmen to break into the starting lineup.”

Clearly, there are many factors when it comes to deciding where to attend a college or university and play at the next level. So why shouldn’t there equally be as many when it comes to deciding what travel ball team and organization to play for?

Parents, when you buy a new appliance, with today’s technology at your fingertips, how much research do you do? Do you look at reviews? Do you compare prices? Do you ask if there’s a warranty? Do you ask questions to the salesperson if you boldy shop in person?

A new fridge, for example, will set you back an average $2,000. Travel ball fees can range anywhere from $500 to $10,000 per season. AND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL EXPENSES.

If you’re doing your due diligence buying a new fridge, shouldn’t you do the same before committing to a travel team?

Here are some critical questions to ask when considering a new team:

1. What is the organization’s mission or team’s core values?

2. What do the coaches do with their teams that embody that mission or encourage their players to live up to those values?

3. If they don’t have any, why not?

4. How does each team define success? Tournament wins? # of Committed players, etc.

5. If age-appropriate, how many of their players go on to play at the next level from that specific team? From the organization as a whole?

6. If it is a franchised team, are players from other states included in that number?

7. If it’s a younger team, 10 or 12u for example, is there a path to an 18u team in that organization?

8. Do you accept other players to “guest” on your team? If so, do you allow your players to “guest” on other teams if time permits?

9. Has that team advertised “looking for the right fit” in their tryout announcement? Ask, what makes your team is the right fit?**

10. Has your team promoted that they specialize in “player development” or “positive team culture”? If so, describe what that means.

11. How much is your team’s fee? Can you provide a breakdown of where the money is being allocated to?

12. Do you charge every player the same amount?

13. Do your coaches get paid?

14. If we have to practice indoors, are the indoor fees covered under my initial fee?

15. Does your organization have any sponsorships to help offset costs?

16. Do any of your players or your team have an NIL deal?

17. How much fundraising does your team do or is it optional?

18. How is playing time determined?

19. Do you do background checks on all your coaches?

20. How much experience coaching youth girls do your coaches have?

21. How much knowledge do your coaches have in the recruiting process?

22. How many tournaments out of state do you compete in each season?

23. Is your schedule the same or relatively the same every year?

24. Do you let your players miss a game if it conflicts with a college camp (they are interested in)?

** Read more on “Travel Ball Coaches, do you have a moral compass?” here. 

We understand that not all questions will apply to every age group. Please use your best judgement when asking questions but the important message here is to ASK QUESTIONS before committing.

Want more guidance while navigating today’s softball climate? Find us at www.softballclimate.com and schedule your free discovery call.

Looking for more #SoftballTruths, like us at @SOFTBALLCLIMATE on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. 

There is power in information.