Recruiting rule changes 2018 questions and suggestions ??

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Apr 5, 2013
2,130
83
Back on the dirt...
The Rule Change topic prompted me to ask this question.

Our TB team is joining a large, recognized org for 14U this fall. I know the girls wont have the same recruiting rules that the previous group has had, but I am not clear on exactly where that puts our team. I know its early on but I am looking for some thoughts on how to proceed and to promote our players to coaches in the fall and following seasons. We will have access to an organizational recruiting leader but I am a planner and want to be on top of things so there are as few surprises as possible. Most of our team is 2023's but we do have a few 2024's including my DD. I would like to make sure as a coach that we are telling the girls and their parents relevant info to help them along on the process.

Thanks in advance.
 
Apr 16, 2010
924
43
Alabama
My best advice will be camps. They can still get in front of coaches and make an impression. One thing that helped us was getting multiple girls at the same camp. It has gotten us major interest from a instate DI after having four girls go to camp this winter. All four excelled that day so when I followed up with the coach she told me her staff would be watching us because we had the best group of kids there. Also get emails out to schools the girls are interested in to start building name recognition and relationships.

I have a feeling this may be more of a transition year for the college coaches. Most at this point have filled their classes for 2019 and are deep into 2020 at least scouting wise and those will fill up fast this September so they wont be watching the 16U group as much. We are 2nd year 14's so they have been watching us but now can't contact the 2021's for another year while the 2022's behind us are two years out. I am figuring a lot of the scouting will follow these two groups into 16's and the transition to scouting older teams will start happening. Not saying they will not be on the lookout for younger 14U teams but they have the chance to reset on the groups coming now and see who develops instead of trying to project a kids ability four years down the road. The 2023's will be in a great spot recruiting wise because they have a chance to develop their skills for the next 3 years and really impress coaches.

My biggest question for the younger groups would be do you play a showcase schedule or play the most competitive tourneys you can find? I think it may be best to find competition versus showcasing at least for the first year of 14's. Some showcases such as the ones in Colorado give you both but not all are like that especially in the fall. This may be a good fall to find several high quality teams to play competitive friendlies with to work on developing skills and save the thousands of dollars we are having to spend this year. One thing about moving to 14U is our tournament costs sky rocketed. For 5 tournaments this summer we have put out about $8500 in entry fees alone.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
Your DD is still free to send info to the coaches, but now the coaches cannot respond until Sept 1st of the players junior year. I hope the new rules also convert showcases back to just 16U and 18U teams. Coaches were spread too thin when they were trying to watch 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U in one weekend.
 
Nov 25, 2012
1,437
83
USA
My best advice will be camps. They can still get in front of coaches and make an impression. One thing that helped us was getting multiple girls at the same camp. It has gotten us major interest from a instate DI after having four girls go to camp this winter. All four excelled that day so when I followed up with the coach she told me her staff would be watching us because we had the best group of kids there. Also get emails out to schools the girls are interested in to start building name recognition and relationships.

I have a feeling this may be more of a transition year for the college coaches. Most at this point have filled their classes for 2019 and are deep into 2020 at least scouting wise and those will fill up fast this September so they wont be watching the 16U group as much. We are 2nd year 14's so they have been watching us but now can't contact the 2021's for another year while the 2022's behind us are two years out. I am figuring a lot of the scouting will follow these two groups into 16's and the transition to scouting older teams will start happening. Not saying they will not be on the lookout for younger 14U teams but they have the chance to reset on the groups coming now and see who develops instead of trying to project a kids ability four years down the road. The 2023's will be in a great spot recruiting wise because they have a chance to develop their skills for the next 3 years and really impress coaches.

My biggest question for the younger groups would be do you play a showcase schedule or play the most competitive tourneys you can find? I think it may be best to find competition versus showcasing at least for the first year of 14's. Some showcases such as the ones in Colorado give you both but not all are like that especially in the fall. This may be a good fall to find several high quality teams to play competitive friendlies with to work on developing skills and save the thousands of dollars we are having to spend this year. One thing about moving to 14U is our tournament costs sky rocketed. For 5 tournaments this summer we have put out about $8500 in entry fees alone.

Rambler, just curious, what type of camps are you referring to? Institutional camps or camps with multiple schools in attendance? Thanks!
 
Nov 25, 2012
1,437
83
USA
I think it will be interesting to see and we won't know until we know. I have spoken with a ton of TB coaches over the last few weeks and all have differing opinions but the common theme (although not with 100% agreement) is that the focus with be on 16U and 18U more than anything else moving forward. I think that aligns well with the actual passing of the rule and most think that the focus with start ASAP. If that is the case, 14Us will have potentially have less focus moving forward but they will certainly get some attention. Maybe not as much as before though.

Below is a recent quote from Cathi Aradi who I believe is still very well connected in the game today so I would assume she wouldn't make this comment without a bit of discussion and intel from the college softball world.

"Existing early commits will be allowed to stand, BUT, with no permitted contact until the player is a junior, it will be interesting to see how many of these actually hold up. Why do I say this? Well, Div. I coaches will now start focusing their active recruiting efforts on 11th and 12th graders while keeping an eye on the 9th and 10th graders who are coming up behind them. And they will discover it's a lot easier to tell how a player may develop as a college freshman when you see how she's developed as a high school junior. Many coaches will find there are late bloomers out there---girls who have come into their own at 15, 16 or 17---and recruiting perspectives may start to shift."

I tend to agree but we will have to see.
 
Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
Many coaches will find there are late bloomers out there---girls who have come into their own at 15, 16 or 17---and recruiting perspectives may start to shift."

Has any ever considered that the "late bloomers" are actually on time? Maybe we should switch the thought process to those kids that fully develop in 7th, 8th or 9th grade "early bloomers."

My DD is 5'10" and was 137 lbs in January. Now she's 145 lbs. Finally starting to fill out and grow into her body.
 
Last edited:
Apr 16, 2010
924
43
Alabama
Rambler, just curious, what type of camps are you referring to? Institutional camps or camps with multiple schools in attendance? Thanks!

Honestly I think you could go either way. Personally DD has enjoyed going to on campus camps more if they are not just money grabs. She gets to see the campus and facilities and get a feel for the school. You can always ask about ones she is interested in on here and get feedback from others.
 
Aug 5, 2018
3
1
what happens to a comitted freshman when coach leaves

I think it will be interesting to see and we won't know until we know. I have spoken with a ton of TB coaches over the last few weeks and all have differing opinions but the common theme (although not with 100% agreement) is that the focus with be on 16U and 18U more than anything else moving forward. I think that aligns well with the actual passing of the rule and most think that the focus with start ASAP. If that is the case, 14Us will have potentially have less focus moving forward but they will certainly get some attention. Maybe not as much as before though.

Below is a recent quote from Cathi Aradi who I believe is still very well connected in the game today so I would assume she wouldn't make this comment without a bit of discussion and intel from the college softball world.

"Existing early commits will be allowed to stand, BUT, with no permitted contact until the player is a junior, it will be interesting to see how many of these actually hold up. Why do I say this? Well, Div. I coaches will now start focusing their active recruiting efforts on 11th and 12th graders while keeping an eye on the 9th and 10th graders who are coming up behind them. And they will discover it's a lot easier to tell how a player may develop as a college freshman when you see how she's developed as a high school junior. Many coaches will find there are late bloomers out there---girls who have come into their own at 15, 16 or 17---and recruiting perspectives may start to shift."

I tend to agree but we will have to see.

How do the new rules affect a freshman/sophmore that's verbally comitted, then that coach leaves. Does this player now have to wait until Sept of Junior year to speak to the new coach? This will now put the player back to square 1!!
 
Jun 11, 2012
741
63
Has any ever considered that the "late bloomers" are actually on time? Maybe we should switch the thought process to those kids that fully develop in 7th, 8th or 9th grade "early bloomers."

My DD is 5'10" and was 137 lbs in January. Now she's 145 lbs. Finally starting to fill out and grow into her body.

My DD started high school at 4’11”, was 5’2” at the end of sophomore year and had a crazy growth spurt that summer and is now 5’6” as a recent grad. She was definitely a late bloomer. Even her soon to be college coach comments on how much she grew that summer.
 
Apr 16, 2013
1,113
83
For girls, a late bloomer is anything past 14. Almost all girls are done by 16, with a few exceptions. "Most" girls are done by 14.
 

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