Better Competition

[_MIA_]

Includes B level players that make their way to college

What includes B level players that play in college?

 

[DropcityUSA]

….and here’s where it gets even trickier…

When your dd finally decides on what type of college she wants to attend and what division she would prefer to play for, the team she plays on at 16/18U might not need to be the Gold team that travels to Colorado, California, etc. If it’s an East coast D2 or D3 program or even a D1 Ivy or Northeast D1 mid-major, she doesn’t necessarily need to be on the top team of a National level org. She can play on their 2nd tier team and still get recruited by those schools. I’ve seen the Ivies and several Northeast mid-majors at Team NJ, Pennsbury, and NE’s Finest. That’s 3 East coast showcases with 2 right in your backyard.

If traveling all over does not seem feasible, research the local National orgs and see where their 2nd or 3rd tier teams play games. Since they carry the name (eg Newtown Rock, Chaos, etc) they still will get the better field locations.

At what age do they get realistic about those things?

Although recruitment seems a lot about PR. I know a pitcher who is going to be going to a lower-end power 5 next year who is not nearly as good as pitcher going D2. They played in the same HS conference and D2 girl was just so much better,

 

[Vertigo]

At what age do they get realistic about those things?

Although recruitment seems a lot about PR. I know a pitcher who is going to be going to a lower-end power 5 next year who is not nearly as good as pitcher going D2. They played in the same HS conference and D2 girl was just so much better,

You mean about colleges? That‘s the tough part. I’d say for my dd she knew by the end of her summer travel season after her sophomore year of HS that she wanted to go to a high academic D3 school. However, for other kids it is D1 or bust, so they might be more willing to go to a school where the SB program is very good and academics come second. That‘s why the recruiting process can be a lot of pressure on a kid who isn’t ready to make those kind of decisions yet. There is no set age where kids know for sure what they want to do or where they want to go.

Maybe for the player going D2 it was more about her chosen major, school location, tuition cost after athletic/academic money offered? I know it’s difficult for some on here to believe but there are some very talented players who choose not to play D1, even after schools have made offers. It’s not always about SB being the most important part of college with those kids.

 

[DropcityUSA]

You mean about colleges? That‘s the tough part. I’d say for my dd she knew by the end of her summer travel season after her sophomore year of HS that she wanted to go to a high academic D3 school. However, for other kids it is D1 or bust, so they might be more willing to go to a school where the SB program is very good and academics come second. That‘s why the recruiting process can be a lot of pressure on a kid who isn’t ready to make those kind of decisions yet. There is no set age where kids know for sure what they want to do or where they want to go.

Maybe for the player going D2 it was more about her chosen major, school location, tuition cost after athletic/academic money offered? I know it’s difficult for some on here to believe but there are some very talented players who choose not to play D1, even after schools have made offers. It’s not always about SB being the most important part of college with those kids.

I was told it was the school program and major and people were surprised she didn’t go D3. I also think the girl going power 5 is likely way out her league.

You get some very weird answers when asking a 12–13 year old where they might want to go to college for softball.

 

[RADcatcher]

What includes B level players that play in college?

If you need a more extensive explanation see post #60.

 

[Tango]

If pitchers see a lineup that can hit 1-9 they have to work for an extended amount of time. I see pitchers that can get the 3 and 4 hole out but falter getting 5,6, and 7. If you aren't a flame thrower this is part of developing as a pitcher. You have to locate and move it against the entire lineup and it's more mental than physical.

 

[benjey]

If it’s an East coast D2 or D3 program or even a D1 Ivy or Northeast D1 mid-major, she doesn’t necessarily need to be on the top team of a National level org. She can play on their 2nd tier team and still get recruited by those schools

Vertigo is absolutely correct here but... IMO there are many significant benefits for northeast kids to travel and play better competition. 1st- while you can absolutely get recruited in the northeast you definitely increase your exposure and likelihood of recruitment (this is especially true for D1) traveling to major tournaments and playing against better competition. 2nd- They will be better prepared for college if they are playing top level competition in travel ball. My DD is not a pitcher but I think this applies to hitters and pitchers, She still had the normal struggles of dealing with the transition to college life but one thing she didn't have to deal with was adjusting to a higher level of play. She could always fall back on knowing the competition she faced for the last several years was as good or better than what she was seeing game in and game out at the college level.

 

[Vertigo]

Vertigo is absolutely correct here but... IMO there are many significant benefits for northeast kids to travel and play better competition. 1st- while you can absolutely get recruited in the northeast you definitely increase your exposure and likelihood of recruitment (this is especially true for D1) traveling to major tournaments and playing against better competition. 2nd- They will be better prepared for college if they are playing top level competition in travel ball. My DD is not a pitcher but I think this applies to hitters and pitchers, She still had the normal struggles of dealing with the transition to college life but one thing she didn't have to deal with was adjusting to a higher level of play. She could always fall back on knowing the competition she faced for the last several years was as good or better than what she was seeing game in and game out at the college level.

In most cases, those orgs I am referring to will still have their 2nd and sometimes 3rd tier teams on the main fields, playing the top teams at those specific showcases mentioned above. Granted it’s not what they’ll see if they went to Cali, but still very good competition in most cases.

My suggestions were made because the OP was discussing the cost associated with playing on a top team. I do agree though, that if it is affordable for the family and the player is talented enough, playing on the top team would be extremely beneficial to recruiting and college play.

 

[Vertigo]

I was told it was the school program and major and people were surprised she didn’t go D3. I also think the girl going power 5 is likely way out her league.

The reason could have been cost of attendance. If she looked at a D3 school and the it didn’t offer merit money then it still would be full tuition (minus any financial aid).

 

[_MIA_]

At what age do they get realistic about those things?

Lot of good info in below group. She also has a book which is helpful.

I think your kid is a 2028 like mine so you have some time but in a year or so she should start making a list of schools she is interested in. List will likely change as she progresses both academically and athletically. You want to try and get on a school’s radar by at least the end of Soph year so that means e-mailing them (schedules,highlights,etc) and attending camps (when feasible). Don’t rely on anybody else or chance to get your kid recruited.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/parentsofhsathleteswantingtoplayincollege/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF