BOTC - US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums NORTHEAST LACROSSE BOTC MAIN FORUM (LI, CT, WC) Boys 2025-3rd Grade Fall 2015 Summer 2016

yes, unless they get 50-60 kids at tryouts which is doubtful. Winter training is all in Nassau and spring/summer will be at Kellenberg, NYIT or St Anthony's.

And word is that his team is already filled with a good number of kids who played for him this summer. These are not fully open tryouts.

Word is incorrect

Bad info buddy...100% open tryouts. Half of the summer team isn't even coming back.

And also, doesn't every returning kid from any team/program have a leg up on the new kids in tryouts? Yes, they usually do.

It's THIRD grade!! If your kid has skill and shows he's an athlete and coachable, most coaches would grab him. Mike O'Reilly is excellent with developing the little ones. There is plenty of room on that team. Not many kids at 3rd grade are ready for a travel team. Make sure your KID is (not YOU). They have to WANT to play.

Correct. The team only had 15 kids. There is plenty of opportunity to make the team. And you'll get a dedicated coach for the entire year who has a lot of experience teaching kids at this age level and he makes it fun. Also, makes sure all the kids play a fair amount.

at this age you would think the 2025 tryouts would be totally open. Considering the noted loyalty of this particular coach (and his kids parents it seems), it is apparent to me that many spots are already taken. I believe that these organizations have a responsibility to tell parents (and kids) what they are in for.

Little Johnnie needs to know if he got cut because he needs to work harder or if he didn't make it because other kids have undeniable connections.

Again...open tryouts

Express summer team was open to anyone that signed up for his clinics. There was 15 kids from all over that paid an additional $500 to check it out. Most probably won't be back for this year

so are the clinics included now by Express or extra cost?

Don't know. Coach did a summer clinic and then they sent a flyer out for a summer team just to get something started. A few decent kids that I believe he already had and also some kids that were getting a taste of what it is about

Funny most were out at tryouts tonight. Please recheck your info.

And what's wrong with that?

Preset teams, tell the truth.

turnout was very small tonight... combined 2025/2026. All together about 21 kids. 6 of them were 2026...

Yes...some returning kids will make the team. Plenty of new kids will make the team too.

I guess they have to start somewhere, maybe if they are good enough they will have the 2026 play up to fill out the team. The parents better be happy with skill building ahead of winning, because that attendance sounds like the team will not be strong right out of the box.

Not sure what peoples expectations are for numbers at a tryout but at 2nd and 3rd grade in middle of august any club will be lucky to have enough there to fill a team. Also, too many clubs now so the pool gets diluted further. All of these clubs even the big ones will have another round of tryouts in fall or winter. At a minimum will be adding kids. Even the A teams.

Hey, are we talking about Express? In the past they would have been over run with kids! Even two years ago the tryouts were packed. They are planning two teams but don't even have enough for 1. Not a great omen for the future

I just think parents are thinking twice before getting their kid into travel sports as earlier as some are. Even in ice hockey, they have the mite division, but many kids still play house teams until 4th, 5th or 6th grade. Travel sports demand a lot of time and effort from the whole family. If you have older kids playing travel, often times families have to split up and go to tournaments separately. If it is your oldest, you may have to travel to full day tournaments or on the road with babies and toddlers in tow. I do not think this has anything to do with Express, but more about the amount of money, time and commitment that is required by travel sports. Just think about the time and money that will be spent if you start your kid this early in travel and they play through high school. I think that is what a lot of families are thinking before they sign up for the younger teams and choose to wait it out a bit.

there's also a population dip for kids around this age due to recession. plus admit it - we're all nuts for letting our kids do this in elementary school. maybe more parents are pushing baseball if the table stakes of lax is spending $1000+ and 3-4 summer weekends starting in 3rd grade

More like 2 to 3 k all in.....

Igloo had 50+ this morning for tryout

Any idea on the 2026 #'s?

30.. some were late due to diapers being changed and late feedings

There were only 10 2026's signed up the other day. $1800 for 2nd grade is a bit steep but those kids will get great training.

Population dip? Kids were born in 2007, before the crash! And if my calendar works right, most were conceived in 2006, I know my boy was ... But that was a good try for an explanation. I'm going for the too many teams argument!

15 to 20.

More like 40, but not bad.

Still crazy!!! Pay the PAL fee, keep your kids in town until at least 5th grade. It makes no sense paying the time and money toll on the families. My cheap 2 cents.

PAL is not good, period. Too many kids who can't catch and throw. Don't be cheap, you get what you pay for.

Clinics & PAL is a good choice too. Make sure you get a coach that clicks with your son, corrects him & makes him love the game. Those are the key ingredients at this age. If you can get that thru clinics & PAL, skip the club for now.

Agreed

PAL is a joke. To many Daddy coaches

What do you expect, people to actually coach kids , when there kid isn't playing. People have jobs and lives. I don't know any PAL team in any sport where someone just volunteers with no child on the team.

except the guy from Subway..

I do! The best PAL coaches in our town. They love the sport and enjoy coaching the kids. We are very lucky! I can count at least a dozen.

There is a difference between coaching teams the right way. If your son doesn't belong in a certain spot or deserve to start than as a coach you need to realize that and keep it fair. To many kids are out there over another kid because dad thinks he one day will step up. Not fair to the kid that works harder and deserves the spot. Everybody sees it except the dad coach and that is embarrassing and sad.

Hey at least these "daddy coaches" step up and coach, for free mind you. There wouldn't be a $100 per kid PAL team without these guys. Don't like it, don't put your kid on the team. No need to bash people who are investing time in other peoples' kids who do so on top of their own busy schedules.

Thats nice that you do that, but between work, family, my own 3 kids numerous sports. To find 3 days a week to v olunteer coaching other kids would be impossible. I don't know anybody who does that. That's one really nice town you live in.