So what would've stopped me from playing college softball when I finished high school
Because softball is designated as a women's sport. The NCAA designates all sports M or W with the exception of three, fencing, skiing and rifle, where the is co-ed competition allowed along with M and/or W.
So what would've stopped me from playing college softball when I finished high school
Not calling you a liar but, you seem to forget about the woman who played kicker for Colorado's football team. Football is not offered for women so they had to let her try out. There was a big controversay about it all when she was eventually thrown off the team. She filed lawsuits, etc. Do a Google on it.