Austin selected

Austin went to Federal Way select tryouts again this year. The league was a bit devious in getting everyone of the U-11 age to come out. They said that ALL boys needed to come to the tryouts as this coming year they would be separated into teams based on skill level. This would give some of the less-skilled players better opportunities if they were playing against players of like abilities. There was much concern among the parents of the Pirates team that I have been coaching that they would be breaking up our team which has been together for 5 years.
Austin shined in the tryouts (played over 3 days -Fri, Sat, Sun- except we wouldnt go to the Sunday tryout) He ended up getting put into the top-performers scrimmage along with two other kids from our team. He scored a couple and impressed the coach enough that he pulled him aside. I saw Austin over there talking to him- Austin told me that the coach told him he was a great player and wanted to make sure that he would be there on Saturday. Austin said he would, but that he would not on Sunday. We got a call from the coach on Sunday afternoon offering a spot on the top-level select team to Austin. I told the coach our concerns about Sunday games and he said that could be worked around. He said they only played a few games on Sunday over the course of the year. (Hard to believe if they were doing tournaments) We also discussed our concerns with the 2,000 yearly fee. We dont have that kind of disposable income. He said they would waive the registration fee- $225, and that they do a bunch of fundraisers as well. Still a bit much for us. I told him I would talk to Austin and LeAnn about it. I was almost to the point of trying to pull it off, but LeAnn was the voice of reason. I think Austin would have really liked to played with the select team, but he was quite understanding about the money part of it. I had LeAnn call the coach back as I figured I might break if he tried to further convince me when I called back. LeAnn ended up talking to the coach for a good 20 minutes, but we ended up sticking to our guns. I know Austin would excel in that environment, but we still see plenty of growth opportunities for him over the coming years. He continues to improve in the league that he is in, and we have been putting him in some clinics as well. He is one amazing kid!

Duped

Jaylin (7 YO) came up to me yesterday afternoon and asked me to show her how I write a capital K on a notebook. I wrote it down for her. 'Hmm.' she said. 'That looks exactly how the easter bunny writes his K!' She totally tricked me. The easter bunny had written the kids initials in pen on the cardboard box of a chocolate bunny in each of their baskets. (so they would know whose basket was whose). I think she is onto me!