Question about the new recruiting rules

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Jun 27, 2018
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My daughter is a 2021 grad. She is narrowing her choice of schools and we are scheduling college camps. My question is, if she sends a coach an email expressing interest in playing at their school, they cannot respond yet other than sending out camp info? Should we be doing anything else at this point?


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Feb 28, 2015
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We're at this point also with DD2. We had our club coach E-mail a school she is interested in to see if they would like her at Camp. There's no sense in going to a Camp if her position is already filled especially if a plane ride is involved. Also have your DD keep sending E-mails with her club team's schedule.
 
Jun 27, 2018
291
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That’s just it. I don’t want to waste time if they already filled the position. Most schools aren’t too far, but one is a considerable distance. What’s the best way to find out if they filled that year/position?


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Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
That’s just it. I don’t want to waste time if they already filled the position. Most schools aren’t too far, but one is a considerable distance. What’s the best way to find out if they filled that year/position?

That's the million dollar question! Unless the team early verballed at that position, then it is open. Ama right? The recruiting journey would be so much easier if the coaches just gave you a thumb's up or thumb's down. Kids could just move along if there is no interest. But they won't do that since they can get you on campus for a camp or leave their options open. For the kids that don't stand a chance and hasn't realized it, this could be very helpful.

Football is so different. All the guys are stacking up offers like pancakes and they share every offer on social media. They even have a website that publishes this. With Softball, everyone keeps it a secret until the kid commits, and then it's still a secret. Maybe someone will come up with a public(no fee) clearing house so it can be transparent to all involved. I believe Sue Enquist has been proposing this. If XYZ school has 9 commits and 3 are pitchers, then move on to another school if your position is filled.

I was talking to a dad of senior uncommitted player in the stands the other day and were talking about his DD's options. He said that they are interested in getting a preferred walk on at a local P5 school as runner. What?!?!? This team has plenty of those players already on the team that don't even see the field. I just nodded my head and said that is an option for sure.
 
Dec 11, 2010
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Hey I just want to point out that there may not really be such a thing as “filled the position” in college softball.

Most college rosters sit at 18-20 plus. Mizzou currently has 31, counting the redshirts. (I don’t think this is normal, and once the first year coach irons some things out I bet she doesn’t carry that kind of roster.)

I understand what you mean (I think) but I think that until people get real world experience with a college sb team they tend to compare it to travelball. I personally think it has more in common with high school softball than travelball. More like a high school softball team with 25 absolute studs on it, ranging over four years of age and strength differences.

Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:
Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
Hey I just want to point out that there may not really be such a thing as “filled the position” in college softball.

Most college rosters sit at 18-20 plus. Mizzou currently has 31, counting the redshirts. (I don’t think this is normal, and once the first year coach irons some things out I bet she doesn’t carry that kind of roster.)

I understand what you mean (I think) but I think that until people get real world experience with a college sb team they tend to compare it to travelball. I personally think it has more in common with high school softball than travelball. More like a high school softball team with 25 absolute studs on it, ranging over four years of age and strength differences.

Hope this helps.

That's a good point. I am guessing these teams have about 10 Short Stops, 5 pitchers, 4 catchers along with 4 Center Fielders especially D1. I told my DD it shouldn't matter where you play on the field just as long as you are one of the 9 on the line up card.
 
Jan 18, 2018
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With the exception of pitcher, catcher and shortstop, it does not matter what position a girl plays. It's all about how well you hit. If you can hit, a college coach will find a position for you to play.
 
Jun 27, 2018
291
28
Very valuable advice. Thank you all. I have to remember to look at it differently than TB. My daughter is mostly picking schools close to home, but there is that one about five hours away. Im assuming it would be ok to send them an email and fill out their recruitment form? I know they can’t talk to her yet but I’m sure they would probably send camp info.


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Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
Very valuable advice. Thank you all. I have to remember to look at it differently than TB. My daughter is mostly picking schools close to home, but there is that one about five hours away. Im assuming it would be ok to send them an email and fill out their recruitment form? I know they can’t talk to her yet but I’m sure they would probably send camp info.

Absolutely fill out as many college questionnaires as you can that your DD is interested in. That is an absolute must. And email away! Better yet, send something snail mail. It's easier to ignore or delete an email than it is throw a physical piece of paper away. Have you seen my desk?

You have to look at it differently. It's like a marketing campaign. First you send an intro email. Then you follow up with a physical profile or post card. If the coach is at camp that your DD was working and got to talk to the coach, send another piece of correspondence. Then you send updates on how she is doing in HS sports. Also send videos. It will seem like you are having a one way conversation and it will seem hopeless. Get in front of the coaches, get on campus, etc so she can begin interacting with them. You will have to figure out when to stop corresponding with the school. Either when you hear a no or DD figures out that it's not a good fit or she gets an offer. Make sure to email head/asst coaches.

Btw, start now!
 
Dec 11, 2010
4,713
113
Completely agree with Orange Socks. It’s kinda weird how one way the communication is, tell her not to be discouraged by it. I hope it works out for her!
 

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