Forum for advice for MS and early HS players wanting to play college ball?

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May 15, 2016
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This question is not about softball activities, but for softball players and getting into college.

I am curious about the bigger picture of what a TB player should be doing to make herself the best possible recruit, besides the basics of good grades and HS and TB experience. Which is the best forum to ask such a question?

I want to follow the Forum Rules and post in the appropriate section.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
What are the things that a HS student should do to make themselves attractive from an academics standpoint? Do those things.
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
Ok, one sort of softball question, but would love to hear what parents who have gone through this process think. Got an invitation letter to the National Junior Honor Society from the school today. I don't see value in spending money on this honor society, when the grades are already proof of academic excellence.

One commentator I read said colleges are not interested in seeing a student with a long list of extra curricular activities with little commitment to any of them, rather they would rather see a student who makes a serious commitment to whatever extra curricular activity they chose. Does being on a TB team show that type of commitment?
 
May 13, 2013
99
0
Not sure about the NHS or how that reflects on a transcript. Ive heard mixed things about National Honors Society from those that think highly of it but have to be overly involved. To others saying it was a waste of time and/or money.
 
May 13, 2013
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Yeah there's a lot of information I'm still going over also on this softball journey of ours. DD has her heart set on playing college softball but D1 isnt the be all end all to her. W'ere still learning a lot from friends with kids playing college ball, along with researching via the internet. DD is a sophomore in HS so we know we still have time but we're learning a lot about what coaches, and the admissions department want to see in order to make it all work.
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
I am curious about the bigger picture of what a TB player should be doing to make herself the best possible recruit, besides the basics of good grades and HS and TB experience.

I'm not sure you quite get this. The best possible recruits are the best possible players.

Coaches have mortgages, car payments and dental bills...so, they want to keep their jobs. How do they keep their jobs? By winning. Therefore, coaches want kids who can play softball very, very well.

Therefore: Your DD has to be a really great softball player to play D1 or D2. This usually means private coaching and a lot of practicing on her own time.

As to grades--Sure, a coach would prefer to have a valedictorian who drives for Meals on Wheels. But, between a valedictorian who hits .150 and a "C" student who can .450, the coach will take the "C" student 10 out of 10 times.

D3 is different. Very good D3 programs require very good players. But, there are a number of weak D3 teams. If your DD went to a weak D3 team, she probably would not have to do anything other than show up on the first day of practice.
 
Last edited:
Dec 11, 2010
4,713
113
Sluggers nailed it. You have to be really good on offense and be able to play above average defense. (The old addage that if you can hit they will find a place for you might be true at lower levels but it isn’t at the top).

Not only do you have to be a really good player, you have to be able to fill the role that the coach needs filled. If you aren’t an absolutely dominant, top 1% right hand power hitter or a top pitcher I would work on being able to play anywhere on defense you can. Learn to catch, even as a backup. Don’t be that “I only play 2nd” kid. Know what is dime a dozen? Middle infielders that can hit a little.

Coaches are always looking for certain role players. Left hand power hitters. True triple threat slappers with real speed. Outfielders who have the attitude that nothing hits the ground that can also hit. Kids who can play defense and seem to get on base every time against the best pitching by making solid contact or doing absolutely whatever it takes every time. Maybe third basemen who are fearless and move well enough to close the 5/6. You get the idea.

If I could go back in time, I would have switched one of my daughters to the left side (even though she is a sophomore currently playing at a d1) and I would have made my other dd a c/of and worked hard at both. The idea that we spend most of our time working on hitting the middle of the ball hard would not change.

All that being said, if you are a very good player AND you have good grades and test score, that may open doors too. Test scores are money. But a test score and a 4.1 doesn’t get you a spot on the field for the reasons Slugger said.
 
Last edited:
May 15, 2016
926
18
As to grades--Sure, a coach would prefer to have a valedictorian who drives for Meals on Wheels. But, between a valedictorian who hits .150 and a "C" student who can .450, the coach will take the "C" student 10 out of 10 times.

I am hoping my DD does not strive for a school where a "C" student is the norm. I would like her to strive for a highly or very competitive school rather than a less competitive school.

A mid-major D1 school near me (that regularly plays in the NCAA regionals) prides itself on the academic performance of its team and will not admit a student who does not fall within the very competitive standards of admission.

So my question is of subtly. I am wondering if there are two equally achieving students, both taking part in community service, one because it is something she just volunteers for, and the other, because it is a requirement of the National Honor Society, will the student in the Society have a better chance of admission.

I am not expecting definitive answers, but would love to hear opinions.
 
Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
I am hoping my DD does not strive for a school where a "C" student is the norm. I would like her to strive for a highly or very competitive school rather than a less competitive school.

A mid-major D1 school near me (that regularly plays in the NCAA regionals) prides itself on the academic performance of its team and will not admit a student who does not fall within the very competitive standards of admission.

So my question is of subtly. I am wondering if there are two equally achieving students, both taking part in community service, one because it is something she just volunteers for, and the other, because it is a requirement of the National Honor Society, will the student in the Society have a better chance of admission.

I am not expecting definitive answers, but would love to hear opinions.

If your DD is interested in this specific school and wants to play softball there, start attending every camp that they offer. At the end of each camp session they usually have a Q & A session for the campers and parents. That is when you get feedback on what type of players/students they are looking for. Each school is different and each coach is looking for something that will compliment what they currently have as far as skill set. Bottom line, your DD better be a good softball player first.

DD attended an Amanda Scarborough/Calista Balko camp when she was 11 and she said something that got me really thinking about what it would take for my DD to play college softball. If your DD wants to play D1 softball, is she the best player at her position on on her team? Is the best player in her rec league/allstars? Is she the best player at her position in the area? Is she the best player in her school district? Is she best the player in her region? Is she the best player in her state at her position? If you answered Yes to all these questions, then your DD has a chance to play D1 softball. These are broad assumptions, but it's something to think about as your DD progresses.
 

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