Beer league team issue

[DocKOI 0]

Just read a few of these replies, every thought about telling the 2 "good" skaters to play up a league? This way you keep your friends and the "good" guys get what they want, to play with a better skill set of players. Eventually the "good" guys might hold resentment towards you, so you might as well dump them. Some new blood will come along, hopefully they will be "good", and understand it is just BEER LEAGUE!

[Chadd 916]

Why drop the lower skilled guys if your already the top team in a lower tiered league. No need to be demolishing every team in your league.

I'm left with the same question. Either cut the guys and move up or keep them and stay where you are.

[Lee-Bro 1]

It's not uncommon for a team to have "two teams." Basically, as guys get better on the team they register in a division higher so the better players can play at the next skill level and it doesn't harm the Beer League dynamic. Sorta like Varsity & J.V., if you wanna think along those lines.

At some point we all were, or will be again, the worst player.

[nexusrage21 1]

I recently had to call out one of our team organizers for trying to fill our roster up without even asking the weaker players (this team has been out of league action since last year, so we are reorganizing). He tried to tell me that "the other half of the team doesn't want to play with those guys because they want to be competitive." Same kind of situation, We are going to be in a low division, a couple different groups of friends within the group.

The thing is with our group is, the guys who want the so-called bad players gone aren't even good. They are open hockey all-stars who are "good" because they score goals in pickups because no one is playing D, and they just hog the puck. Meanwhile, the guys who are so bad are the ones who are making passes, getting in position for breakouts, and at least trying to play D. Maybe they have less skill, but I prefer playing with those guys.

[Chadd 916]

I recently had to call out one of our team organizers for trying to fill our roster up without even asking the weaker players (this team has been out of league action since last year, so we are reorganizing). He tried to tell me that "the other half of the team doesn't want to play with those guys because they want to be competitive." Same kind of situation, We are going to be in a low division, a couple different groups of friends within the group.

The thing is with our group is, the guys who want the so-called bad players gone aren't even good. They are open hockey all-stars who are "good" because they score goals in pickups because no one is playing D, and they just hog the puck. Meanwhile, the guys who are so bad are the ones who are making passes, getting in position for breakouts, and at least trying to play D. Maybe they have less skill, but I prefer playing with those guys.

Sounds like a good opportunity to take the "bad" players and form a new team around them. I hate losing as much as any person I've ever met, but I would rather lose with people I like than win with assholes.

[JoeyJ0506 192]

I am in this same position now. It is not a fun place to be in and I do not envy the position at all. I've already had one guy (One of the better players) blow up in the locker room after the game, call the entire team stupid and heartless and quit with a few games left in the season.

[Half 2]

I am in this same position now. It is not a fun place to be in and I do not envy the position at all. I've already had one guy (One of the better players) blow up in the locker room after the game, call the entire team stupid and heartless and quit with a few games left in the season.

Pot meet kettle?

[Bimmer 0]

Wow. This kind of scares and bothers me. I am coming back into the sport after not playing for 20+years. I've dropped a crap load of weight and have been exercising to get in better condition...Even plan on taking a development program before I even join the rec league in the fall. I know I am not going to be the fastest or best player out there, but I will put everything I have into it..I hope I don't end up in this situation...

[JoeyJ0506 192]

Pot meet kettle?

It's one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't situations. The team was put together in the first place from people replying to messages here and on other various hockey-related internet sites, along with a few players my buddy knew from playing in high school. Every season we have had turnover because of people losing jobs, getting injured, moving, going back to school, etc. Again, we have usually filled the team through the internet, problem being I have no idea what I am getting when they sign up. But I have to find a way to fill the roster somehow to keep fees reasonable.

In this past season I have gotten a good deal of pressure from the "better" players to let people go that are not progressing as quickly. But, like the OP, the guys they want gone are the original core that always pay, show up, and interact with the team outside of game times.

If you do not let people go you will most likely lose the skilled players at some point (Hey, it has already begun to happen), and if you do let them go in the name of appeasing skill players and winning how long is it before I am asked to leave the team in the name of making the team better?

I just know how the OP feels in this situation, it is very very tough.

[Chadd 916]

It's one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't situations. The team was put together in the first place from people replying to messages here and on other various hockey-related internet sites, along with a few players my buddy knew from playing in high school. Every season we have had turnover because of people losing jobs, getting injured, moving, going back to school, etc. Again, we have usually filled the team through the internet, problem being I have no idea what I am getting when they sign up. But I have to find a way to fill the roster somehow to keep fees reasonable.

In this past season I have gotten a good deal of pressure from the "better" players to let people go that are not progressing as quickly. But, like the OP, the guys they want gone are the original core that always pay, show up, and interact with the team outside of game times.

If you do not let people go you will most likely lose the skilled players at some point (Hey, it has already begun to happen), and if you do let them go in the name of appeasing skill players and winning how long is it before I am asked to leave the team in the name of making the team better?

I just know how the OP feels in this situation, it is very very tough.

The best thing you can do is network with other captains and the league administrator. Sometimes it helps when trying to fill holes and you can often get info on why certain guys are available and looking for teams.

[Lee-Bro 1]

<Insert Roller Derby Reference>

There are a few roller derby teams in my area. Some are competitive to the core, the others are more along the lines of recreational/beer league level. The teams who are competitive and their objective is be the best competitive team, make it known with their mission statement. Some (not all) of the more recreational teams emphasize "have fun" in their mission statement, if they have one.

Maybe a written understanding of the team's purpose would alleviate some of the requests for dumping people or give an understanding for cutting someone when they aren't up to snuff.

But in true beer league, I'm thinking you need to go up a level or two if your surroundings aren't competitive enough.

[Half 2]

It's one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't situations. The team was put together in the first place from people replying to messages here and on other various hockey-related internet sites, along with a few players my buddy knew from playing in high school. Every season we have had turnover because of people losing jobs, getting injured, moving, going back to school, etc. Again, we have usually filled the team through the internet, problem being I have no idea what I am getting when they sign up. But I have to find a way to fill the roster somehow to keep fees reasonable.

In this past season I have gotten a good deal of pressure from the "better" players to let people go that are not progressing as quickly. But, like the OP, the guys they want gone are the original core that always pay, show up, and interact with the team outside of game times.

If you do not let people go you will most likely lose the skilled players at some point (Hey, it has already begun to happen), and if you do let them go in the name of appeasing skill players and winning how long is it before I am asked to leave the team in the name of making the team better?

I just know how the OP feels in this situation, it is very very tough.

I understand the situation, been in it a few times myself and finally gave up trying to run the team. Found it more enjoyable just to show up and play and not worry about people whining and complaining. My point about pot meet kettle was the guy saying they were heartless and then quitting.

[shotty 7]

i "scout" new players throughout the season... if we have a few guys who cant make a game, i bring in spares. charge them to play, and evaluate their personality and talent on a per game basis. if they fit in with the team, i offer them a spot when one becomes available.

[SouthpawTRK 1]

First let me respond to this quote. I am still relatively new to the game. I have been the captain/manager of my team since I started is last summer season. We just got our asses kicked the first year. We weren't having fun ... Winning , not necessarily all the games but winning is important to a lot of people. There is no beginners league here and we were playing against guys who had played for a while. My team was made of all beginners and 2 players with some skill but not crazy good. We would get pissed at teams beating us by 7 or 8 goals all the time. I dont care if we win the league or not but I want to be competitive. We had to get rid of a couple guys who didnt fit at all , they never tried , never wanted to get better and I wanted to move forward and get better. I picked up a few different guys who played in our division ( not ringers) but its nice to have a sponsorship that can help you pick up better players. These guys not only made us a better team but they also worked with the guys who were not progressing to help them get better. This past winter we went to an almost .500 team. We were 2-16 the previous season and only beat the team that was 0-18.

I still have the core group minus the 2 I let go and 3 guys who moved on to pursue other hobbies. I just wanted to point out , as athletes or people playing any competitive sport, that winning is an integral part of anything. You dont have to be a dick , or win every game but winning makes the games more fun...... oh and I also like expensive uniforms HAHA!

The original OP . If these guys are trying , wanting to play , and arent being a huge detriment to the team you should keep them. Letting players go is tough and it weighed on my mind heavily when I had to decide what to do in my situation. When it comes down to it , you created the team and are the captain so it is whatever you say that goes. If the new guys dont like your decision tell them to hit the road. I would caution you to not kick them off just because you think it would bring you a championship at the lowest level. It seems like your playing well with them anyway .... Is it really worth the trouble just to be King Shit on turd Island ?

I like to win as much as the next guy; but I have a problem with players that are overly critical of their team mates when the team takes a loss. Believe me it's frustrating to be a team that is truly full of beginner players that are playing teams that have players that are playing down a couple of divisions so that "their" team can put up the win. My complaint is when winning is the top priority.

It's not that I'm against expensive uniforms, but it seems like it would be more realistic that a player new to a team would have the option of not buying two jerseys (and possibly spending a couple of hundred dollars) for their first season; but to make the commitment of a team jersey (not a practice jersey) if they continue with the team.

[iceNsteel 0]

It just seems logical to me that if you're in the lowest skill division the solution is for the better players to find teams in a higher division. Thus allowing them to sharpen their skills and increase their rate of progression, while the "D league" players are allowed to remain on their "D league" team. Of course I would have to acknowledge that I find the idea of "competitive" beer league teams to be completely asinine. The idea that players in the lowest skill division need to be cut to make a more competitive team, well it just smacks of wanting to be the smartest retard. "Hey, we need to build a team to win the D league championship, aren't we so fricking awesome because we're the best of the worst..."

I get that in leagues with a parity oriented division system there are valid times when a player might have to be cut from a team. Either for being too far above, or below, the average skill level. But we're talking the lowest division here for Pete's sake. Send the higher skilled players up a division or two, that would actually challenge their skills.

[BlackIce 1]

These issues seem to always arise on beer league teams. This is why people need to be honest with themselves and ensure that they are the right fit for the team. By fit, I mean (skill level, attitude, etc.). Jeez, I'd hate to be the guy who has to tell those two dudes that they aren't invited back. For goodness sake, it's the bottom tier division. I think guys on your team need to give their head a shake!

[dayroc 0]

i didnt read the entire thread, but why not just split the team up, and play 2 nights a week? Have the better guys on one night, and the other guys on another. Just fill in the voids. That way you get to play 2 nights a week!

[MatthewRoach7 130]

Sounds like a good opportunity to take the "bad" players and form a new team around them. I hate losing as much as any person I've ever met, but I would rather lose with people I like than win with assholes.

F'ing Great!

[epstud74 24]

Tell the sandbaggers to move up a level

[Machinehead2k5 32]

Sounds like a good opportunity to take the "bad" players and form a new team around them. I hate losing as much as any person I've ever met, but I would rather lose with people I like than win with assholes.

This is what we did in my first season playing hockey with a group of friends whom most have never skated or played hockey before. Of the 18 players probably 5 or 6 had some hockey (roller/ice) experience.

http://www.sportability.com/spx/leagues/Schedule.asp?LgID=14677&Filter=111289

[shotty 7]

whoa, an 8 game road trip to open the season. that is unprecedented in beer league.

[tareatingrat 4]

I guess it begs the question, though: Say the "sandbaggers" are the core of the team, and they do want to move up a level? Why should they have to go form a brand new team or go join up with another group?

[Chadd 916]

I guess it begs the question, though: Say the "sandbaggers" are the core of the team, and they do want to move up a level? Why should they have to go form a brand new team or go join up with another group?

We did something similar to this a bunch of years ago. We didn't want to play with a bunch of people on our team anymore, but didn't want it to get ugly. So, we just started a new team and didn't invite the other guys/girls that we didn't want to play with. No fuss, no muss and no issues with who the core of the team was or who should have rights to the name. It just seems like less of a dick move to me than telling half a dozen guys that they aren't good enough to play with us anymore.

I am concerned that something like that may happen next season, as a lot of the teams full of sandbaggers were thrown out of our league for the summer season. Unfortunately, that puts us in a position where we could dominate this league or lose every game in the league above us. Neither option is very appealing to me.

[IPv6Freely 2096]

Wow. I say screw em... if they think they're so much better, why have they not moved up a division?

Coming from a guy who plays Div 5 hockey who can barely skate, I just want to say: "Hey... we're in the lowest division. You know what that means? It means we suck at hockey. Now either shut your mouth and play, or move up to the next division, Bobby Orr."

But that's just me ;)

[tareatingrat 4]

I dunno, going and starting a new team and not inviting the weaker players doesn't really seem to be all that different than cutting players. But I guess "less" of a dick move is the key phrase.

And I'm not knocking it, 'cause it sucks either way. But when there are really only two guys we wanted to get rid of, it was a bit of a different situation.

I do think that people do have to take some responsibility for their own skills and talents, though. I'm not going to go play on an A division team, because I'd be a liability. If you're terrible, practice until you get better. I've played a couple divisions up, and I know the feeling when you're the weakest guy on a line and nobody wants to pass you the puck and you're behind the play all the time. It's terrible. So I went to every pick-up game I could and practiced.

I just find it funny how people can get mad at others for their lack of ability and effort.

Again, it sucks having to cut someone, and if the guys giving it their all are improving or taking advice and trying, I'd never say shit to them. It's the guys who do nothing and then get mad because they're called on it that I don't feel bad for at all.