I would like to hear this communities view on organizational loyalty. I am very interested to see how many kids have stayed with the same organization from the start of travel ball to the end of HS.I also want to hear the reasons why parents have stayed and why others (like myself) have moved there kids to other teams when they feel necessary.

I'm interested in this as well. I have found that many parents I’ve come acrossed are more concerned about the win lose so much that many just bounce from one team to the next. I personal think if you find an organization that is helping your child then stay. There’s a lot to be said about loyalty.

BeenAround, I'm curious on your reasons for leaving certain organizations. I don't know your son's age level but I'm sure you are more concerned with development than winning. Was it that they were not doing any training at all, or was it just frustrating as hell, never seeing your son play a position that he was suited for? I'll share our experience for you.

After u13 when I last coached a team(outfield, not SS), we moved to an organization we were familiar with for u14 (end of 9th grade for us). It was a group that we were familiar with since the u12 Willimasport days. It was a good transition for us.

In the fall after u14, we did tournaments with a large national organization, and for us, it worked. We saw how kids played in other parts of the country and learned EXACTLY what college coaches looked for, and came up with a plan. Training was going to be our plan. He needed a quicker bat, more speed, more arm strength, and better routes to balls in the outfield.

For u15 (end of 10th grade) we played with somewhat of a regional team, all based on prior contacts. There wasn't a league, just tournaments. My son missed the local team tournaments to play in the larger tournaments with the same national team from the prior fall. Again, for us, it worked. Any sense of accomplishment on the local level was tempered when facing better competition. Luckily for him, he had enough exposure to get emails and letters on the first legal day of September 1st, starting 11th grade.

For u16/17 (end of 11th grade) we went with a larger local organization, who had enough vision to play in the national tournaments. The team did an absolute awesome job of getting the kids in front of the right people. Many of them had already developed contacts and were lucky enough to get calls on July 1st at midnight, or during the rest of that week.

The coaches (team) kept in contact with the college coaches before, during, and after the process. Depending on which schools would be at a particular game, the lineup might change, to show a player a bit better.

Some of the stuff seemed crazy, but since I had been exposed to some of the prior methods of showcasing, it didn't bother me much. It was unsettling to some parents.......

Bunting late in a game while down 4-2 so a coach can get a home to 1st clock on a guy.
Stealing on first movement, again, to get a clock on a guy.
Telling pitchers to throw fastballs and changeups only
Changing pitchers every 2 innings, etc

The outcome was excellent for us and 95% of the team. Just about everyone found a happy match for their particular situation, skill level, etc. When you go through the process your son will find a place and just know that its for HIM.

Notice I didn't say anything about wins and losses. It doesn't matter much in the grand scheme of things. Sure, the team playing in the finals at the main complex in East Cobb will have 100 people watching, but most of those players are verbally committed in 10th grade. Its a social event for the coaches as well.

Sure, change teams, but do it for the proper reasons. You want your kid to be seen playing, not sitting. If someone is there to look at your son, he has to be on the field. In my opinion, the coaches shouldn't give a "take" sign. A prospective coach might look at the lack of swinging at a pitch as not being aggressive.
I don't think any of the teams did much training per se, it was more a matter of knowing HOW to best show a player to a prospective coach. At u14, it WAS clearly about winning, BUT, they had intense practices where the kids learned alot.
Every kid did drills at shortstop and centerfield, just to keep the skill level up to par. They won, but they trained as well.

Just make the best decision for your kid's circumstances. Hope I made some sense.

Bring the Heat, as always your posts make a great deal of sense. Yes, of course I am more concerned about development than winning. I have moved my kid for improper or no instruction and poor attitudes by his teammates that go unchecked by the coach or organization. I have been with organizations both as a coach and parent and seen them start off promising the world and giving the Bronx! I have moved my kid because I want what I pay for and had to move my son because the game plan promised such items as strength and conditioning, speed, and other specialties that were not delivered after forking over my hard earned money.
It’s funny, the other day an organization that wants my son to play for this fall, presented a contract for him and me to sign. This contact would hold my son accountable for showing on time to practice and games, good conduct, etc. all good things, but I then asked the organizational representative to spell out what my son would receive for my money and proceeded to write it down on the organizations contract and asked the representative to also sign the contact and for him to furnish me a copy of the executed agreement. The rep did not know what to say and refused to sign the document, I then grabbed my son and we walked out. I think that all parents before writing a check should have these organizations put their promises in writing and hold them to it.

Sorry Bring the Heat, I neglected to sign in, the previous post was from me.

BeenAround