Travel ball coaches, do you have a moral compass?

It happens everyday. Sometimes in broad daylight and other times when no one is watching. A parent might get an unsolicited text from an unknown number. Or quite possibly a player is approached in the parking lot after a game from the coach of the opposing team they just beat. Kind of like Mr. Slugsworth whispering promises to Charlie Bucket in a dark alley if he were to do this one favor in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971).

Players, and parents for that matter, are being actively recruited, or poached for lack of a better term, mid travel ball season. Sometimes even mid tournament. Go ahead and make the argument that if the player is “happy” would they even consider leaving? Sometimes, all it takes is a little persuasion, like offering a free dessert when you're already full.

It's a crazy world out there for travel ball players and their parents. Some teams, or coaches for that matter, are constantly on the lookout for new talent, and take on a win at all costs mentality. Their egos, and bragging rights to print a P5 verbal commitment in their team flyer immediately takes precedence over any club Core Values that may be in place.

If you’re a parent, your social status is NOT measured based on what division your daughter commits to. Remember, this is not about you.

Every day, the landscape of at the travel ball level echos one at the Division I level. Name, image and likeness (NIL) deals are steadily widening the gap between powerhouses like Oklahoma and small underfunded mid-major schools working with just 6 scholarships (NCAA Softball “fully funded” programs carry 12 full scholarships).

In an article written this past summer, an OU softball player is likely to cash in an astonishing 5 figure deal just by putting on a uniform.

 https://fanbuzz.com/college-sports/college-softball/oklahoma-softball-transfers-nil-era/

Travel ball teams are no exception when it comes to deals and sponsorships. There are some organizations currently PAYING their players through NIL deals to compete with their teams while the majority still ask for fees up front to cover basic tournament registration costs which do not come close to covering travel expenses.

Who wants dessert now?

But who’s at fault? Who should take responsibility? Coaches? Parents? Players?

There is no doubt parents will play a role anytime a player changes team. The change has to be for the right reasons. Any college coach doing their due diligence during the recruiting process will look at a player’s travel ball resume and see a RED FLAG if that player has competed on multiple teams in a short period of time.

What does that say about the likelihood of them staying loyal to their program for 4 years? Changing teams and the NCAA Transfer Portal, are not always the answer.

Let’s now stop and ask your travel ball coach what is their organization’s Mission or team core values? Do they even have one? How do they define success? Is it by the number of tournament wins? Or perhaps a top 25 ranking by US Club Rankings https://www.usclubrankings.com/? Is their “success” based on the number of players committed to Division I.

Did you even stop to ask that question prior to trying out?

You may even be playing for an organization who’s roots are in another state. Note, the location isn’t the issue at hand. It’s the newly formed team using a well known organization’s brand as their marketing. “We have over 200+ alumni that have successfully competed at Division I”. No, no you haven’t. You just bought the name of that team and are using its logo on your uniforms in another state. Classic bait and switch.

If Coach Slugworth approached you in a parking lot, would you think to ask how would you describe the foundation of your culture? Do you have any core values? What is your definition of success and how do you empower your players to be successful?

What does it say about your moral compass if on your team’s website or Facebook page you value Integrity, Loyalty and Trust but see you host a tryout mid summer or don’t hesitate to text a parent of a player you just competed against?

Parents, do your due diligence before committing to a travel ball team and organization. Ask the tough but informative questions. Most importantly, find a program that aligns with your values because if a college coach is doing it right, they will find players that align with theirs.

Should you find yourself currently on a team looking to change for the right reasons, make sure those reasons include your personal values are not in line with your current team.

At the end of the day you’re not sure what one of your own personal values might be, just start with by being a good human. We all want those on our teams. #SoftballTruth

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