Play for big-name program, or no?

[CoogansBluff]

How important is it to play for a name program w/ a history of putting players in college, vs. another team that is just as talented but lacks that experience?

Is it possible for an independent no-name team to make a name for itself with good results? And for a coach to learn the ropes and put that one team on the map?

And at what age/grade does it begin to matter what team you play on?

I do know of at least one local independent team that has a roster of seniors that are committed, though only two D-1 (mid-major), the rest D-II and D-III. I know of another team that was independent/no name, but bought a 'franchise' and changed names to one that is recognizable, even though they are based 200 miles from the mother ship. Is that a good idea?

 

[riseball]

Depends on how much you value the benefits of direct marketing your product vs the added cost vs value of location and drive-by business. Personally I have found that direct marketing is far and away much more effective than any other method.

 

[Greenmonsters]

Also very dependent upon your educational and softball abilities and goals.

 

[CoogansBluff]

Depends on how much you value the benefits of direct marketing your product vs the added cost vs value of location and drive-by business. Personally I have found that direct marketing is far and away much more effective than any other method.

Interesting. Would like to hear more. ...

Let's say DD is on a good team that she likes. Really likes her teammates, has pride in the team, wants to win for them, etc. But she also could go to a bigger name team where she knows nobody and does it just to get noticed. Which sometimes you must do. I get that, and nothing wrong with it. But it seems like a college coach would also admire a player who had loyalty to her original team, kinda like, ''I could play for that name team, but I want to play and win for my buds. This is my team.'' I'd think those are some of the qualities you'd want in a college player, someone who'll bond emotionally w/ her team and want to be loyal unless she had no real choice to leave.

 

[CoogansBluff]

Also very dependent upon your educational and softball abilities and goals.

So it's harder to be noticed at a top-100 D-1 program if not on a team that has history?

 

[riseball]

Interesting. Would like to hear more. ...

Let's say DD is on a good team that she likes. Really likes her teammates, has pride in the team, wants to win for them, etc. But she also could go to a bigger name team where she knows nobody and does it just to get noticed. Which sometimes you must do. I get that, and nothing wrong with it. But it seems like a college coach would also admire a player who had loyalty to her original team, kinda like, ''I could play for that name team, but I want to play and win for my buds. This is my team.'' I'd think those are some of the qualities you'd want in a college player, someone who'll bond emotionally w/ her team and want to be loyal unless she had no real choice to leave.

Let's start off by agreeing that the single most important part of the recruiting process is the establishment of a relationship between the prospect and the coach. This is typically accomplished via email, hand written notes, personal interaction, telegraph, smoke signals, etc. That said, the thought process that by going to "the right" showcases and hoping to be "discovered" by the coach of Your Dream U is kind of like sitting on a bar stool in Hollywood hoping to be discovered as an actress. It happens, but only rarely.

For some folks the concept of playing for a big name team is an extension of the bar stool method. If I play for the Big Name Gold Platinum Elite I will go to all the right showcases, I will be seen by the Coach of Dream U, they will love me and life will be great. Sorry Beatrice; "That is not how this works. That is not how any of this works." Even if you play for the Big Name Gold Platinum Elite you still need to establish the relationship between you and the Coach of Dream U if you are going to have a chance of getting recruited.

Here is the important stuff - Teams like the Big Name Gold Platinum Elite are not successful because they are the Big Name Gold Platinum Elite, they are successful because they understand the process and they do a great job of helping their players establish the necessary relationships.

With that in mind is it beneficial to play for the Big Name Gold Platinum Elite with regard to getting signed? Yes. Must you play for the Big Name Gold Platinum Elite to get recruited into a top program? Absolutely not. There are many teams that do a great job of getting you through the process. But, unfortunately there are many more that are totally clueless. You need to find a team where the coaches understand that process. Bottom line, as long as you have the skills, reasonable expectations, and work to establish the relationships you will do just fine.

 

[Momo'sDad]

I think playing for a potential showcase team's organization matters in 14u IF your player (or you!) has aspirations of playing D1 ball. Then of course, you'll have those people whispering in your ear that it also matters in 12u, because if you're not on the 'right' 12u team, then you won't be able to make a good 14u team.

I know of another team that was independent/no name, but bought a 'franchise' and changed names to one that is recognizable, even though they are based 200 miles from the mother ship. Is that a good idea?

What you're describing is just the next evolution in the softball arms race and it's been happening here on the west coast, too. Small organization or startups are buying the bigger softball brand names out of SoCal in an effort to improve their player recruiting strength. It's weird to me, but works. There's an existing 'large brand' in our area that a lot of us don't like, yet they always manage to attract players. So other franchises are always looking for ways to undo that built-in advantage.

The 18 Gold team in DD's organization doesn't make a ton of noise, but quietly goes about the business of getting their players seen. Of the current 18-player roster, 6 are signed to play college ball this fall - 2 are going D1, 2 are going D2, 1 is going D3, and 1 will play NAIA. It's a solid program and the reputation helps maintain showcase access.

 

[CoogansBluff]

Let's start off by agreeing that the single most important part of the recruiting process is the establishment of a relationship between the prospect and the coach. This is typically accomplished via email, hand written notes, personal interaction, telegraph, smoke signals, etc.

What are the rules regarding what a college coach can and can't do as far as communication? If you email, or send a letter to a coach or an assistant, can that coach respond?

 

[Greenmonsters]

So it's harder to be noticed at a top-100 D-1 program if not on a team that has history?

Sure, that's logical, but it's not an obstacle that can't be overcome! As RB noted, the 'name' TB teams typically have more contacts and are experienced at facilitating the process of getting a player "seen" (i.e., having a coach specifically watch them in person). For a team lacking the cache or history, the player has to do more of the legwork and contacting to try to get a coach to want to see them play in person. As long as your team is playing in tournaments where the targeted coaches are expected to be in attendance AND those coaches have been well informed of your interest in their school/program in advance (by you instead of the name team coach/recruiting coordinator), a quick look see from a coach requires little effort on their part. As a no name team, that usually means playing in the same tournaments as the big dog teams that draw the coaches out. And don't rule out the option of trying to pick up w/ a team that is playing in a specific tournament that you know a target coach will be attending. And don't be afraid to reach out on DFP for help - my DD's team here in New England guested some girls from the SE for a local tournament to explore mutual interests with some Ivy/NESCAC schools.

 

[riseball]

It all depends on the age of the athlete and if it is DI, DII, DII. This should help:

http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/Overview+Chart.pdf