STORM TRAVEL SOFTBALL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
FAQs
What is the biggest change that our families will experience moving from our House ESAA softball program to travel softball?
Answer: The biggest change is the significant time commitment and expectations of both the parent and player to play at this higher level. The info below outlines some of our basic expectations for your daughter: Minimum time requirements: One to Two practices per week with each being 1-2 hours per practice (SEP-JUL) - All-day tournaments will vary, depending on age level and coach. (SAT & SUN, MAY-JUL, 1 in SEP or OCT) Extra time (Encouraged to address/reinforce improving playing abilities): - Optional Trainer (instruction time plus driving time) - Practice at home (especially for those players that play a specialty position such as pitcher, catcher or middle infielder) Depending on your athletes age, they will play in our Rec. League with ESAA, during the same season. The benefit is having the opportunity to test other positions throughout the season.
What should I expect as a parent from a travel softball coach?
Answer: You should expect a higher level of game knowledge, coaching experience, and dedication from any travel coach. Generally, travel coaches have many years of playing or coaching experience before joining a travel program. You should expect to receive quality instruction for your daughter and see progress in her abilities. That said, parents need to let coaches work with their players without interference or having the parent hover over their daughter. If you have a specific concern about how a particular skill is being taught or how a coach is interacting with your daughter, it is recommended that you discuss this concern with the coach before or after a practice in a private setting. If you are interested in helping a coach during practices, discuss this the head coach and be ready to articulate what specific help you can provide.
Question: I am paying for outside instruction for my daughter - how do I make sure that her travel coach doesn't contradict what she's being taught?
Answer: First, make sure the travel coach knows that your daughter is receiving outside instruction. Then, discuss with your private instructor what specific skills he would like her travel coach to reinforce in practice and communicate this to the travel coach. Most travel coaches want to support and reinforce the skills being taught by the private instructor so it is the parents and player's job to make sure that the travel coach understands what the private instructor is teaching the player. If your private instructor is teaching something different, be cognizant that this makes it more difficult for the travel coach because he now may have to coach your daughter differently than the rest of the players.
Question: How far away are most tournaments?
Answer: For our younger teams most of our tournaments and games are played within the city and surrounding suburbs. We are fortunate to have established strong relationships with neighboring towns that provide equitable competition. For our older levels we may branch out to neighboring states that would often require a one or two night hotel stay.
Question: Besides the time commitment, what else should a parent consider when making the switch from the House ESAA league to travel softball?
Answer: There is a significant time and family commitment associated with travel softball. Each family needs to carefully weigh its impact on their work, other family members and siblings, education, and religious commitments etc.
Question: What is the cost to switch from House to travel softball?
Answer: Time and family sacrifice will likely outweigh the playing and equipment costs. The travel coach will explain the costs to pay for registration, game uniforms, practice uniforms, and tournaments. Unlike House leagues, each team is generally its own independent entity and is responsible for their own finances. Given the costs of tournaments, teams are often required to seek sponsorships and conduct fundraising to offset playing costs. Cost per season also depend upon the number of tournaments the team plays. In addition, parents will need to budget for replacing outgrown or worn out equipment like bats, cleats, and fielding glove. Positions like catcher will require additional costs for protective gear. The travel coach and parents are happy to provide recommendations for discount web sites.
Question: My daughter also plays (another sport), can she do both? She also wants to still play on her House team?
Answer: We have girls that play multiple sports and manage to make it work. We would ask the parents to take a serious look at our practice/tournament schedule and determine if your daughter can commit to full participation while playing both sports. We don’t discourage multiple sports, neither coach will be happy if your daughter only attends 50% of the practices and games for both teams. Your daughter may play on her House team, but cannot miss Storm Practices, functions or games to play House ball or practice House ball.
Question: Can we still take family vacations and long weekends?
Answer: Throughout the year, there are opportunities to take the normal school holidays except for tournaments. Plan on doing tournaments throughout July. Travel softball families find it easier to schedule their summer vacations in August.
Question: I’ve heard the weekend tournaments are brutal and we give up the entire weekend for them- is this true?
Answer: Usually, the tournaments are set up as follows: We would play 3 games on Saturday at set times, sometimes 1 on Friday night. We generally get the specific times the week before, which gives people a chance to plan around the games. The organizers try to schedule team games in blocks, so we’re not there all day – but we would be lying if we said that was always the case. On Sunday, it is usually “elimination play,” which means we know the start time of our first game (usually early), then we could play anywhere from 1-4 games if we keep winning. We generally play 3 tournaments each month. We work hard to give you the tournament schedule months in advance, so your family can play accordingly.