Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com

Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com
[ Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com ]

Wholesale changes

Posted by Bucket sitter on August 5, 2025, 10:02 pm

With the amount of kids, moving to different teams and organizations, I see a lot of bashing on the kids and both the organization taking them and the organizations that these kids are leaving from.
Why the animosity?
If it’s about loyalty, then why don’t people bash BC or GTQ? They steal kids all the time! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it, mind you. But why bash these kids so much when BC and GTQ get a pass?

Re: Wholesale changes

Posted by JP on August 6, 2025, 11:27 am, in reply to "Wholesale changes"

I suspect the reason that bashing is the default response is, as you suggest, how valued loyalty to the coach, to the team, and to the organization is. I'd also suggest that a never-quit attitude also plays a role.

But loyalty is a two-way street. Is the coach loyal to you? Will your coach train you, believe in you when you're in a rut? Or will your coach simply seek another player if you cannot perform on demand? What's more, an athlete is encouraged to endure, to persist, to see through any adversity (even an "old school" coach who demeans his players). Why so? “Winners never quit and quitters never win.”

I'm not saying that such values are not valuable. But they certainly favor the status quo. Sometimes change is necessary, even good - and of course should be encouraged and even praised.

Re: Wholesale changes

Posted by Team Jumper on August 8, 2025, 8:00 am, in reply to "Re: Wholesale changes"

The whole conversation on loyalty cracks me up. My loyalty was always to my daughter and what was best for her. Number 1 was her happiness, especially when she was young. I wanted a team and coach that made her want to be there and play. I was not worried about level so much as I wanted her to work hard and focus on improving her skills. As she got older priorities changed when she decided she wanted to play in college. So she started moving up the levels in travel. She once even did the dreaded leaving a team after the fall season when asked to play for a top travel program in the country. We never left on bad terms or any drama but I prioritized my daughter above everything.

Re: Wholesale changes

Posted by JP on August 8, 2025, 9:52 am, in reply to "Re: Wholesale changes"

"I wanted a team and coach that made her want to be there and play."

Couldn't have said it better.

Re: Wholesale changes

Posted by @JP on August 8, 2025, 3:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Wholesale changes"

I couldn't agree more; "I wanted a team and coach that made her want to be there and play."

I wish I'd lived that statement with my kids. Well done.

Re: Wholesale changes

Posted by scout on August 7, 2025, 10:28 am, in reply to "Re: Wholesale changes"

Loyalty? What's that?

Re: Wholesale changes

Posted by Answer on August 7, 2025, 1:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Wholesale changes"

I've seen two organizations show loyalty towards their players. The Chill and New Lenox Lightning. Both keep players and develop them, instead of looking to replace them.

Re: Wholesale changes

Posted by @Bucket Sitter on August 6, 2025, 8:01 am, in reply to "Wholesale changes"

There's no stealing in travel sports. Other teams present an opportunity, and it's up to the parents and player to consider and vet the advantages the opportunity potentially offers, just like a job offer later in life.

I guess for most players, a position on a Bandits or Chill team represents a no-brainer upgrade to opportunity in the sport. They get a pass because it's not a discussion, except for the consideration of playing time.

Re: Wholesale changes

Posted by Answer on August 6, 2025, 9:00 am, in reply to "Re: Wholesale changes"

When the big league calls, who choses to stay in triple A? I agree with @Bucket Sitter, it's not stealing, it's presenting the athlete with a better opportunity.

« Back to index

[ Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com ]