D3 coach contacted one of my players/what to do

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Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
Out of the blue, one of my players was contacted by an assistant coach at a nearby D3. The coach asked for a copy of her tournament schedule so they can watch her play over the summer.

This was a shock, and we have no idea how they found her. She's a pitcher I've been working with since last year. She's only played for our HS teams and my summer rec team. She hasn't played on a travel team, and nobody connected to her has reached out to college coaches. My assumption is the coach from one of our opponents saw her pitch and passed her name on to this college coach as someone with potential.

The reason this matters is she is incredibly raw, to the extent that she wasn't even my #1 pitcher this year (she pitched in a 4-inning JV game where she struck out 11 and hit 12 batters, so... she has talent but a lot to work on). I know a coach of a low level travel team that is excited to have her pitch for them, so figuring out some dates won't be an issue. The question is...how should she respond to this coach?

Should she tell the coach she hasn't pitched for long and has never played TB before? I think that's important information if someone's evaluating her potential, but I don't want it to seem like an excuse for poor performance. Does it even matter? This is just a random school, and it's not necessarily a place she wants to go. I'm encouraging her to do it just for the experience. If her name got out just from pitching in HS games, pitching in a tournament with a college coach watching could open more doors for her even if she's "not ready" at the moment.

One last thing: How much involvement should I have? Her parents are not at all involved with softball. I've never even met them. I know at a certain point coaches expect the prospective athletes to be able to fend for themselves, but I also want to give her any help and guidance I can. Would it be inappropriate for me to talk to this coach on her behalf?

As of now, I only intend to help her with a response to the coach. We'll thank her for her interest, explain that she just started pitching last year so she hasn't yet played TB. Maybe say how there's a team that she's going to pitch for and she'll pass along a schedule once she has it. Is that enough for a first response?
 
Jan 30, 2018
252
0
SE Michigan
Does she even have interest in playing college ball? I would treat it like a job interview, and sell her as much as you can, but don't lie, and leave it up for that coach to decide if she is something they need. You can tell the coach just like you said it here, she has talent but is very raw. The coach, if they are worth their salt, will find out pretty quickly, especially if she doesn't play travel
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
She does have interest in playing in college. She may not have interest in two years (she's finishing up her sophomore year now), but for now she'd like to.

Should I let her handle all contact (I can help her, but it will all come from her) with the coach? What about on the day the coach goes to watch her? Would it be inappropriate to have a conversation with her then? I don't want to screw up the opportunity by being too involved.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
This is not surprising as there is always a shortage of arms. With any other position you can take someone and coach them up. I have taken athletes and turned them into competent catchers in a few weeks. That does not happen with a pitcher. Each year I have one or two college coaches contact me desperate for a pitcher, any pitcher who can eat some innings the following season. During my DD's last season at SC, all 4 pitchers were hurt in the fall. They had 2 players who had pitched in HS/TB step into the circle and throw. All and all they did not do too bad.

If she is at all interested she would explore the option. She has nothing to lose. As to your role, just make yourself available and do not try to "sell" her. If asked a question, just be honest. Coaches want to hear the good and the bad.
 
Feb 12, 2014
648
43
That is really cool! My advice would be to get in contact with the coach and be as open and honest as you can. If you sell a coach, they will figure it out and you'll lose your credibility.
 
Nov 18, 2013
2,255
113
Tell the kid and let them run with it. It’s flattering that a coach might be interested and it may provide motivation.

FWIW DS is currently a HS junior and has been receiving D3 “offers” faster than I can count. He’s been invited to “select” camps from Washington to Florida. The hitch is, he hasn’t played a single down of varsity or even JV football.
 
Oct 7, 2015
72
8
Tell the kid and let them run with it. It’s flattering that a coach might be interested and it may provide motivation.

FWIW DS is currently a HS junior and has been receiving D3 “offers” faster than I can count. He’s been invited to “select” camps from Washington to Florida. The hitch is, he hasn’t played a single down of varsity or even JV football.

Just curious because I have no idea. Do D3 schools provide scholarships? Or does an offer just mean that you can come play for us if you get in? Same with D2?
 
Jul 3, 2013
438
43
Just curious because I have no idea. Do D3 schools provide scholarships? Or does an offer just mean that you can come play for us if you get in? Same with D2?
D3= no athletic scholarships. They often have plenty of academic money to offer.

D2= 7.2 total athletic scholarships for softball. I don't know how they arrived at that number. They also often have plenty of academic money available.

How much money or how many scholarships they have will vary from school to school. Some athletic departments are not fully funded.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
 
Nov 18, 2013
2,255
113
Just curious because I have no idea. Do D3 schools provide scholarships? Or does an offer just mean that you can come play for us if you get in? Same with D2?

All D3 scholarships are need or merit based. Showing interest is to get athletes to look at their school with or without the sport. They do that at all levels to some extent. It's a good way to get kids on campus and consider their school even if they don't end up playing for them.
 

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