Share your recruitment story

I'm really curious about the wide variety of recruitment approaches and what has worked and not worked, etc. - - I realize that a combination of approaches will be best, since you never know what it's going to take for your own DD, but I'd love to hear what happened with folks on this forum. Would you be willing to answer a couple questions about how it went for your DD?

What year/time of year did your DD verbally commit (fall of HS junior year, summer after junior year, fall of senior year etc.)

What Division is the school?

When did your DD first connect with the coach of the school? Did you send a video and did you get a response from that?

Where did the coach initially see your DD, after which they let her know they were interested? (e.g., camp, showcase, tournament?)

If you went to a camp or showcase did you have any communication from the coaches ahead of time to let you know that they might be interested?

When did that ‘notice’ take place in relation to your DDs graduation year?

if you could pick one thing, what do you think was the most important thing your DD did to help her get noticed by a school she wanted to go to?

Anything else you'd like to note about your experience or what you've heard from others? I saw a great resource that I found from this site where a bunch of coaches were surveyed about how they find their recruits (and a number of other things) . From that it looked to me like attending camps was really really important.

What year/time of year did your DD verbally commit (fall of HS junior year, summer after junior year, fall of senior year etc.)

Around December of sophomore year

What Division is the school?

mid major D-1

When did your DD first connect with the coach of the school? Did you send a video and did you get a response from that?

Emailed the coach months ahead of interest but what got the coach's attention was recommendation of private hitting coach.

Where did the coach initially see your DD, after which they let her know they were interested? (e.g., camp, showcase, tournament?)

Video but mainly from a camp she attended.

If you went to a camp or showcase did you have any communication from the coaches ahead of time to let you know that they might be interested?

Yes. Coach knew she was coming to camp and was watching for her.

When did that ‘notice’ take place in relation to your DDs graduation year?

sophomore year

if you could pick one thing, what do you think was the most important thing your DD did to help her get noticed by a school she wanted to go to?

Camps. The only schools that were interested in her were those who saw her at camps. Another thing that helped get attention of one D2 school was going to a couple of their games. I think that showed the coach that DD was really interested in that school. The recommendation of someone that the college coach knows and trusts can go a long ways. DD didn't always play well when coaches watched so that tells me that camps and trusted opinions meant more than than anything else.

What year/time of year did your DD verbally commit? December, Junior year HS

What Division is the school? D1, mid major

When did your DD first connect with the coach of the school? Did you send a video and did you get a response from that? DD sent a letter/profile in September of her freshman year followed by emails connecting semi-regularly with updates. At this time she was emailing a list of about 30 schools, at different levels. DD emailed a video November sophomore year. This was the first time an assistant coach replied directly to DD by email.

Where did the coach initially see your DD, after which they let her know they were interested? (e.g., camp, showcase, tournament?) I think the first time they actually saw DD was at a 3 day camp, June after sophomore year.

If you went to a camp or showcase did you have any communication from the coaches ahead of time to let you know that they might be interested? Yes. Coach replied to her emails a couple of times and asked her to attend upcoming camps. But that was the extent that interest was expressed at that time.

When did that ‘notice’ take place in relation to your DDs graduation year? Real notice of interest was fall Junior year during an unofficial visit that she set up. She had more serious discussions in November junior year through travel coach (once SAT scores and transcript were provided) and had "the" phone call and made verbal commitment in December junior year.

If you could pick one thing, what do you think was the most important thing your DD did to help her get noticed by a school she wanted to go to? While the coaches from her school came to see her play at a few different showcases, the most important thing for our daughter was going to the camps.

Anything else you'd like to note about your experience or what you've heard from others? For our DD, the key was going to several camps and just becoming a familiar face to the coaching staff. After a couple of camps, the coaches started calling DD by name, asking her to demonstrate drills, joking around, etc. By going to their camps, DD showed interest in the program. I think it also gave the coaches the opportunity to get to know the type of kid she is and how she might fit into their program.


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DD verballed in October her senior year to a top D2 school... They had seen a skills video of her on NCSA earlier in the year but we thought she'd be going to another school -that fell through... She went to a private tryout after missing all of their clinics and fell in love with the coaches and school.
Most important things for DD were attending camps at the schools she was interested in and more importantly, TALKING TO THE COACH AND SHOWING INTEREST IN THE SCHOOL!!!
DD performed great in front of some big programs and they showed interest in her in 9th/10th grade but she literally got sick just thinking about talking to them ... She's changed completely and now won't shut up LOL...


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What year/time of year did your DD verbally commit (fall of HS junior year, summer after junior year, fall of senior year etc.) Summer before Junior year

What Division is the school? D1

When did your DD first connect with the coach of the school? Did you send a video and did you get a response from that? January of Sophomore year sent 2 videos one of her pitching and one hitting. Received a response stating he would like to see her play as soon as possible. Time passed and really no contact with this specific coach/team but did send an email of every tournament schedule and updates with school grades and ACT results. Firecracker Tournament came around and TB HC got a phone call letting him know that the asst. coach would be at her game that afternoon. Watched her pitch in 2 games and HC asked her to call him that night at a given time.

Where did the coach initially see your DD, after which they let her know they were interested? (e.g., camp, showcase, tournament?) Emailed video, asst came to tournament, HC asked her to play in Premier with a west coast team(first time to see her pitch in person), invited her to winter camp. Since it was 1800 miles away and on our coin I made a call to the HC. I asked if there would be an offer made, did not want to spend time and money just for a look.

If you went to a camp or showcase did you have any communication from the coaches ahead of time to let you know that they might be interested? Until the camp invite all communication was between the HC and my dd. I only intervened because it would be a costly trip and wanted be sure there was sincere interest.

When did that ‘notice’ take place in relation to your DDs graduation year? During winter of her sophomore year she attended a local camp that drew a few D1, many local D2 and NAIA schools. We knew she was an above average pitcher but at the camp she was throwing 63-64 consistently and touching 65 occasionally. CU and drop curve were unreal that day, just really great day for her. Caught the eye of D1 team and we realized she could set her sights higher than initially thought.

if you could pick one thing, what do you think was the most important thing your DD did to help her get noticed by a school she wanted to go to? EMAIL, EMAIL, EMAIL!!! And make sure her travel team has a representative that can be the contact for college coaches. We had a dad step up and he was relentless, made a world of difference compared to other teams in our area. Shotgun blast of emails(about 150 teams) that are addressed directly to the coach by name, addressing the asst coaches and school by name as well, with introduction letter, resume and link to video(a short to the point video in good quality. Not 4 minutes of her giving her life story. Slide of her bio and contact info that lasts 10 seconds or so and then straight to video). After initial emails any positive response kept them on the email list and that list was slimmed down after discussing which schools she would really consider attending. Send emails at least every 2 weeks with grade and travel ball updates.

Anything else you'd like to note about your experience or what you've heard from others? I saw a great resource that I found from this site where a bunch of coaches were surveyed about how they find their recruits (and a number of other things) . From that it looked to me like attending camps was really really important. Do your homework on coaches. My dd was in the WCWS her freshman year but seen little mound time through the season but loved everything about the team, the coaches and the school. She left to a team where she was in a 3 pitcher rotation but absolutely hates it. Going from a laid back style of coaching to a second year HC that scream like she is a mom coaching her 12 yr old dd. So ask tons of questions to player's parents if they are accessible. After receiving permission to talk to other coaches the recruitment was an awesome experience for her. Since our world of fastpitch requires so many of the girls to commit at 14, 13 and even 12 yrs old at times they miss the actual recruiting experience. During her transfer she actually got to take her 5 visits and be schmoozed by coaches(ON THEIR DIME!!). We logged over 5000 miles in 2 weeks visiting schools and me and my dd had a blast together. Sorry I am rambling but if your dd is fortunate enough to play college ball let her enjoy the experience.

What year/time of year did your DD verbally commit.
July before Freshman Year of HS

What Division is the school?
D1 SEC

When did your DD first connect with the coach of the school? Did you send a video and did you get a response from that?
DD had sent emails (along with other schools on her list). DD's hitting coach sent a video, and he responded immediately.

Where did the coach initially see your DD, after which they let her know they were interested?
Coach came to see her at an ODM Combine in Chicago before the DeMarini Tournament after the video was sent.

If you went to a camp or showcase did you have any communication from the coaches ahead of time to let you know that they might be interested?
She went to camps knowing there was interest. A handful were invite camps with a small number of players.
She let all of her schools know her entire schedule for the summer, and sent weekly updates/reminders. Her coach received a few email/phone calls during those showcases to let them know there was interest.


When did that ‘notice’ take place in relation to your DDs graduation year?
The notice got really involved 7-8th grade. She is a 2020 grad

if you could pick one thing, what do you think was the most important thing your DD did to help her get noticed by a school she wanted to go to?
The 2 biggest things were going to camps,and making sure she stood out. Always hustling, being vocal, and cheering on other campers, and making sure to approach the coaching staff after to thank them for the invite, and the great camp. I highly recommend hitting the ODM testing, and getting a Jamboree/combine invite! DD attended 2 of the Combines, and the Coach attendance is outstanding for a limited group of participants. I have heard from a few Schools that they value the ODM standards.

DD verballed Mid-D1 as sophomore.

It started as a cold-meet at a Individual exposure camp "Let's Play For You". Neither party knew each other. DD didn't necessarily have the best camp but she showed all the signs. I still think the key was my posting the video link on her resume to the stellar CO 4th July all-stars showing she had. I edited-out the inbetween batters for her pitching and just included her at-bats.

Morale of our story => right place at the right time.

What year/time of year did your DD verbally commit (fall of HS junior year, summer after junior year, fall of senior year etc.) - Spring sophomore year

What Division is the school? Mid D1
When did your DD first connect with the coach of the school? At a camp that they asked her to attend

Did you send a video and did you get a response from that? No

Where did the coach initially see your DD, after which they let her know they were interested? (e.g., camp, showcase, tournament?) School had followed DD for a couple years at a large showcase/camp run in our area. Seen her play at a showcase while guest playing for another organization early fall of her sophomore year. Had an outstanding weekend at the plate and on the mound, received a lot of interest and camp invites after that, including the school she finally chose.

If you went to a camp or showcase did you have any communication from the coaches ahead of time to let you know that they might be interested? Yes, college HC asked the recruiting coordinator for the org she guest played for to attend their camp.

if you could pick one thing, what do you think was the most important thing your DD did to help her get noticed by a school she wanted to go to? Attend their camps

Anything else you'd like to note about your experience or what you've heard from others? I saw a great resource that I found from this site where a bunch of coaches were surveyed about how they find their recruits (and a number of other things) . From that it looked to me like attending camps was really really important.
Attend as many camps as you can afford. It's hard on the pocket book and schedule doing it this way, but no other way to get a feel for what will be a good fit. DD thought she wanted to go to certain schools, but hard to judge without ever stepping foot on campus, talking to the coach, the other players, etc. DD realized about mid way through this process that it was cool to go to some of these places to visit for camps and a tour, but she really didn't like the idea of being too far away from home. The school she chose wasn't even on her list of schools she was reaching out to initially, but they really wanted her, had the best offer she had received so far and is only 45 minutes away.

To get noticed get on the best team you can find in your area. For us that meant moving from her local, mid level travel team where I was an assistant and were very good friends with all the families, to a team that we didn't know anyone, practices were 2 hrs away and a lot more travel for tournaments. Its up to you and your DD to get recruited but it helps if you have a recognizable name on the front of your jersey. She ended up guest playing for an organization in a showcase that wound up being "the moment" that got her noticed. Had she not made the jump to the out of town team never would have had the opportunity.

Like others have mentioned its being in the right place at the right time...all of the above just help the odds.

What year/time of year did your DD verbally commit (fall of HS junior year, summer after junior year, fall of senior year etc.)

Summer after junior year.

What Division is the school? D3

When did your DD first connect with the coach of the school? Did you send a video and did you get a response from that?

Summer before sophomore year started with emails including video. Coach responded via email.

Where did the coach initially see your DD, after which they let her know they were interested? (e.g., camp, showcase, tournament?)

Showcases during Spring of Junior year.

If you went to a camp or showcase did you have any communication from the coaches ahead of time to let you know that they might be interested?

Yes, coach let us know he was coming to watch her play at showcase.

When did that ‘notice’ take place in relation to your DDs graduation year?



if you could pick one thing, what do you think was the most important thing your DD did to help her get noticed by a school she wanted to go to?

Relentless emails.

Anything else you'd like to note about your experience or what you've heard from others? I saw a great resource that I found from this site where a bunch of coaches were surveyed about how they find their recruits (and a number of other things) . From that it looked to me like attending camps was really really important.

learning said:

What year/time of year did your DD verbally commit (fall of HS junior year, summer after junior year, fall of senior year etc.)
Yesterday, so fall of Senior year.

What Division is the school? NAIA Top 20 ranked in softball.

When did your DD first connect with the coach of the school? Met Grad Asst at a skills camp. Did you send a video and did you get a response from that?Sent e-mail to Grad Asst who forwarded it to AC.

Where did the coach initially see your DD, after which they let her know they were interested? (e.g., camp, showcase, tournament?) Skills camp, then campus visit where she hit and did some throw downs to second.

If you went to a camp or showcase did you have any communication from the coaches ahead of time to let you know that they might be interested? We went to the skills camp because of another college DD was interested in. She was thanking all the coaches for coming and a coach asked her to email them.

When did that ‘notice’ take place in relation to your DDs graduation year? DD really started looking her Jr year. She knew she didn't want to go DI and was iffy on DII. She started visiting colleges all during her Jr year.

if you could pick one thing, what do you think was the most important thing your DD did to help her get noticed by a school she wanted to go to?Communication, communication, communication! DD emailed and then has kept in phone contact. Texting and voice calls. Actually the school found her, she researched it then started the ball rolling

Anything else you'd like to note about your experience or what you've heard from others? Relax, if it's meant to be it will happen. And always keep an open mind. Where she or you think she needs or can go may change. I saw a great resource that I found from this site where a bunch of coaches were surveyed about how they find their recruits (and a number of other things) . From that it looked to me like attending camps was really really important.

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DD started talking to her future college winter of Jr year. AC has watched her play several times over the summer. Both her telling him where she was and him finding her on his own. Nothing more startling than looking up and the AC sets his chair down next to you to watch the game.