Start your decision-making process during your sophomore/junior year in high school

SOPHOMORE - JUNIOR YEAR CHECKLIST:

• Involve your parents in your decision-making process.
• Decide how close you want to be to your home.
• Decide on what level (Division I, II, III, NAIA, JUCO) you can compete in college. If your high school or summer coach is familiar with collegiate softball you may ask them for an evaluation.
• Write softball coaches. Personalize each letter. College coaches are turned off by form letters.
• Return softball questionnaires sent by college coaches as soon as possible.
• Make a softball videotape. Many college coaches will request a videotape of your softball skills.
• Send high school and summer league softball schedules to college coaches.
• Be conscious of your high school grades, the level of courses you take, the correct number of courses and your rank in your class.
• Schedule yourself to take the ACT & SAT.*
• Decide on which colleges have your areas of study or interest. Be aware of "college nights" in your area.
• Start your initial-eligibility clearinghouse.
  
  *You MUST have taken your ACT and/or SAT before you can take an official college visit. 

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SENIOR YEAR CHECKLIST:

• Follow up on your clearinghouse eligibility.
• Take or retake your ACT & SAT.
• Start collecting college applications. Be aware of deadlines.
• Complete and mail applications early. Let coaches know you have applied.
• Follow up your contact with college coaches with a phone call or note.
• Narrow your choice of colleges to five or six.
• Decide on what colleges to visit (remember - you may only make five official (paid) visits. Do not make a decision unless you have visited the campus and met the coach.
  
   

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TIPS ON RECRUITING
 

1. Develop a resume
   • Just as you would if you were looking for a job. Although it's never too late, the ideal time to start putting this together is the summer before your junior year.
     Begin with the basics - name, address, telephone number, social security number and school. Then list your athletic and scholastic accomplishments, plus any honors you've received. Add any extracurricular activities in which you've participated at this point.
      
2. Do some research
   • Check the libraries for college reference books, then look to see which schools offer an academic and softball program that suits your needs.
      
3. Write interest letters to coaches
   • To find the coaches names, call the schools' athletic departments. If you can't get a particular name, address the coach by title:
     • Head Softball Coach
       Athletic Department
       University Name
       City Name, State Zip

     Note in each letter that you're interested in the schools athletic and academic program and fill the coach in on your background. Enclose your resume and, if possible, a letter of recommendation from a high school or summer team coach. You'll most likely get a letter back with a questionnaire to fill out.

4. Make a skills tape
   • Have a parent or coach videotape you in action. It does not have to be fancy, or done by a professional. 

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   WHAT TO ASK DURING RECRUITMENT:
   Don't be afraid to ask questions....it's your future!

    

1. What role do you see me playing in your program? 
   • It's not always obvious.
   • Most coaches want to be flexible so that you are not disappointed.
2. Describe the other players competing at the same position.
   • If there is a former high-school all-American at that position, you may want to take that into consideration.
   • This will give you clues as to what year you might be a starter.
3. What are the redshirt options and what are the circumstances??
   • Find out how common it is to redshirt and how that will affect graduation.
   • Does the school redshirt you if you are injured?
4. What are the physical requirements each year??
   • Philosophies of strength and conditioning vary by institution.
   • You may be required to maintain a certain weight.
5. How long does the coach plan to stay with the program?
   • Don't make any assumptions about how long a coach will be at a school.
   • If the coach is losing and the contract ends in two years, you may have a new coach.
6. Describe the preferred, invited and uninvited walk-on situation. How many make it, compete and earn a scholarship??
   • Different teams treat walk-ons differently.
7. Ask questions to players and coaches How would you best describe your coaching style??
   • Every coach has a particular style that involves different motivational 
     techniques and discipline.
   • You need to know if a coach's teaching style does not match your learning style.
      

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ACADEMICS:

1. How good is the department in my major??
   • Smaller colleges can have very highly rated departments.
   • A team's reputation is only one variable to consider.
2. What percentage of players on scholarship graduate in 4 years??
   • This will tell you about the quality of their commitment to academics.
   • The team's grade-point average also is a good indicator of the coach's commitment to academics.
3. Describe the typical class sizes.
   • At larger schools, classes are likely to be larger and taught by teaching assistants.
   • Average class size is important to the amount of attention you receive.
4. Describe in detail your academic support program. For example: Study hall requirements, tutor availability, staff, class load, faulty cooperation.
   • This is imperative for marginal students.
   • Find a college that will take the 3.000 students and help them get a 3.500 GPA.
5. Describe the typical day for a student-athlete.
   • This will give you a good indication of how much time is spent in class, practice, studying and traveling.
   • It also will give you a good indication of what coaches expect.
6. What are the residence halls like??
   • Make sure you would feel comfortable in study areas, community bathrooms and laundry facilities.
   • Number of students in a room and coed dorms are other variable to consider.
7. Will I be required to live on campus for all four years?
   • If the answer is yes, ask whether there are exceptions.
   • Apartment living may be better than dorm living.

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FINANCIAL AID:

1. How much financial aid is available for summer school??
   • There is no guarantee. Get a firm commitment.
   • You may need to lighten your normal load and go to summer school in order to graduate in four years. You can take graduate courses and maintain your eligibility.
2. What are the details of financial aid at your institution??
   • What does my scholarship cover??
   • What can I receive in addition to the Scholarship and how do I get more aid??
3. How long does my scholarship last??
   • Most people think a "full ride" is good for four years.
   • Financial aid is available on a one-year renewable basis.
4. If I'm injured, what happens to my financial aid??
   • A grant-in-aid is not guaranteed past a one-year period even for injuries.
   • It is important to know if a school has a commitment to assist student-athletes for more than a year after they have been injured.
5. What are my opportunities for employment while I'm a student??
   • Find out if you can be employed in-season, out-of-season or during vacation periods:
   • NCAA rules prohibit you from earning more than the value of a full scholarship during the academic year.

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INITIAL-ELIGIBILITY CLEARINGHOUSE

1. Why do I need to register and be certified?
   • If you intend to participate in Division I or II athletics as a freshman in college, you must be registered with and be certified as eligible by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. Please note that initial-eligibility certification pertains only to whether you meet the NCAA requirements for participation in Division I athletics and has no bearing on your admission to a particular Division I or II institution.
2. When should I register?
   • You should register with the clearinghouse during your Junior year. If you register late you may face delays that will prevent you from practicing and competing.
3. How do I register??
   • You will need to obtain registration materials from your high-school guidance counselor, or you can register online at the NCAA Clearinghouse website. These materials include a student-release form and a brochure titled, "Making Sure You Are Eligible to Participate in College Sports". Fill out the student-release form completely and mail the top copy of the form to the clearinghouse along with the application fee. Give copies of the student-release form to your high school to forward your transcript to the clearinghouse. The high school will keep a copy of the form for its files.
4. What if I have attended more than one high school??
   • If you have attended multiple high schools since ninth grade, each school will need to send your official transcripts to the clearinghouse. You should give the pink and yellow copies of the student-release form to the counselor at the high school from which you will be graduating. You also will need to make copies of this form and send them to the counselors at the other schools that you have attended.
5. Are standardized test scores required??
   • Qualifying test scores are required for participation at both Division I & II colleges. If you intend to participate at either a Division I or II school, the test scores may be taken from you official high-school transcript.

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We want to see everything you are capable of doing. If you play several positions, show us footage of different skills. Please keep in mind, though that we receive hundreds of videotapes each season and simply don't have time to view excess and unneeded footage. We have given some guidelines as to what we want to see and how many repetitions we'd like to see. In what order you perform the skills makes no difference.

We recommend using the zoom feature rather than moving in a position you may disturb the fielder or hitter.

The entire tape should only be no more than 5 minutes long.

HITTING:

• View from beyond opposite batters box, facing the batter as they are in their stance, close view. Full swings in this segment, if you have full swings from both right and left side, please show both.

BUNTING:  (Sac, Bunt for Hit, Drag & Slap) 

 -- Don't waste video on bunts (3-4 max) if there's little chance you'll bunt/slap in college --

• View from pitching circle, left and right sides, if applicable.
• Slap Bunt: View from beyond opposite batters box, left and right side, if applicable.

THROWING AND CATCHING: (All Positions)

• Fielding ground balls, some directly at you, some to your right and left. Balls to your forehand and backhand should be approximately 15 to 20 feet each way. Show the throw to a base. (Note) Always have an angle to show the throw. DO NOT follow the ball with the camera.

CATCHERS: (Full Equipment)

• Block ball in dirt, some right at you, some to show lateral movement.
• Field bunts and throw to all bases.
• Pickoff, show throws to 1st and 3rd base.
• Steals, show throw to 2nd and 3rd base, with the fielder on the move to cover the base.

CORNERS:

• Field bunts, throw to 1st, 2nd and 3rd bases.
• At 1st base, taking throws in the dirt.
• At 3rd base, taking throws from the outfield, making a tag.

MIDDLE INFIELDERS:

• Double play, pivot and footwork.
• Double play, feeds.
• Shortstop, covering second on a steal.
• Fly balls overhead, Texas Leaguer.

OUTFIELDERS:

• Fielding fly balls, some directly at you, some to your right, left and forward. Right fielders show the throw to all bases, Left & Center Fielders show the throw to 2B, 3B and home.

PITCHERS:

• Two Angles:
  • From behind pitcher.
  • From side of the catcher.
• Show 5 to 6 of each pitch you have from each angle.
• Fielding grounders and bunts, throwing to all bases.

RUNNING:

• 40 Yard dash
• Home to first, after you swing.
• Home to home, after you swing.

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HEY! Look at Me! (Author unknown, received via email)


How do I get noticed? I want to play college ball, but I don't have the faintest idea as to how to get noticed. Gee, I'd even like to play on the Olympic Team, but at the very least I'd like, a full-ride scholarship from a Division I school. How do I go about it?"

Ah, the ambitions and dreams of youth. Well, it ain't easy, but it's possible. First, know that there are precious few "full rides" at the college level. Some players won't have problems playing in college because of their high level of skill and talent. Let's deal with the players who are considered to be pretty good at the game, but not sensational in the eyes of the media or the viewing public in general. How do they get noticed by college coaches?

Well, in most areas colleges play at the same time of year as high schools so that it is difficult for college coaches to get to your games. Thus, a summer travel squad is a nice forum to exhibit your softball talents. You needn't play for the best, just a good one that enters local tournaments. Travel to the outer reaches of the planet is not really necessary. It costs big money to join those teams and the travel and other commitments are brutal. If you stay local, you will be seen by the local college coaches where you will have more of a chance to play. If you want to play in Florida and you live in the Midwest, get on a team that will travel South, but remember Florida and the other warm-weather states are prime candidates for many of the country's finest players. Remember, too, most college coaches have budgets and tend not to travel all over the country, preferring to stay local.

Next, contact the schools where you think you might want to play. If you like a particular school, write the coach, send a schedule, and try to arrange a visit. Look at as many schools as you can and talk to as many college players as possible.

By all means make a video of your skills. But remember if you send a lengthy tape to a college coach it will not get seen in its entirety. There 's nothing a college coach hates more than looking at a tape that goes on, and on, and on. 

So now you are in a high school game or at a tournament. At any given game there are usually 18 players on the field, with a college coach or two prowling about. At tournaments, there can be several hundred players, and anywhere from a few to a swarm of college coaches.

It is important that players interested in playing college softball assume they are being watched not only at every game, but between games, as well. College coaches put a high priority on attitude, discipline and general behavior. Between games, if you walk around with your hat backwards, your shirt out, eating a hot dog and chips, you may just be ruining your chances for a scholarship.

Want to be really noticed in a positive vein on the field? Look sharp!  Wear your uniform properly. Put a new definition into the word "hustle." Sprint onto and off the field. Run out all ground balls as fast as you can. Sprint to the dugout after a strikeout. Never behave rudely toward a teammate, opponent, coach or umpire. Accept instruction readily. Never throw equipment. Never behave like a brat after an error or strikeout. Get a smile on your face and act as if you are enjoying every minute of every game. Naturally, this should be your demeanor whether or not you are looking for a scholarship.

Often overlooked is pre-game activity. If a college coach is watching your game, you may never get a play in the field and may have a tough time batting against a great pitcher, so there can't be a fair evaluation of your talents. Thus, these coaches often watch warm-ups, which unfortunately can be sloppy. So, assume you are being watched the moment you hit the field until you leave, always working hard on your game.

But you say you only want to play for the University of Numero Uno, the school where dad played football and mom graduated from law school? And, what? The coach is rather cool toward you and your abilities, making no scholarship offer? Well, ask if you can walk on or try out in the fall. Most coaches will take a look at you and you just might land a spot on the team, normally without a scholarship, but sometimes with an indication that you might get one in the future if you pan out. Coaches look hard at your academic abilities along with your athleticism. You are no good to any coach if you don't make your grades, so it is absolutely essential that you work hard in high school and do your very best.

Then, too, some of us are not too swift when it comes to academics. Don't fret! There are many fine junior colleges that have excellent programs, and just as many coaches at four-year schools who look at these players. Do not look down upon such opportunities for they offer you a chance to get your grades up, play super schedules, and perhaps get a scholarship to the university of your choice. Sure, there are other aspects to this scenario, but these are some of the more important ones. Stay the course and set your sights high. Who knows? You may become the next Olympic star.