I think by 14U, and certainly 16U, most become realistic about the scholarship situation in college softball. Players at that age either like playing or very quickly find something else to do. However, the parental emphasis seems to shift to "she's gotta play college ball somewhere, or we've wasted all this time and money". They head to schools where, yes, the tuition is covered this year, but not room/board. In some cases, it costs significantly MORE to do that than it would to send them to the local JC, which is potentially BETTER academically. I'm seeing kids heading for overloaded JUCO teams that may have two-dozen or more players when school starts later this month. Not only are they unlikely to play, they may not get through the workouts designed to force some attrition. I wish I had a dollar for every kid who signed a "letter of intent" to much fanfare who is not on the roster after their freshman year.