How would you advise?

I appreciate all of the input. I was in this same situation when I was 17. I ended up going to a junior college (Louisburg) to play baseball and absolutely loved every minute of it. I then went on to a four year university without doing much homework and I did not like it. Bottom line looks like visit, evaluate, and be comfortable. We will continue to work hard and hopefully she will get the opportunity to play where she can make a difference and enjoy the college life. Again, thanks for all of the input!

 

Good Insight

My DD is a Junior and also getting looks from across the spectrum. I asked her a simple question: "If a major school offered a partial ride, a minor school offered a full ride, and you liked both equally, which would you choose?" Her response was this:
I would first pick the school that I felt comfortable with and offered the major I wanted.
Secondly, I would choose a school where I could make an impact on the team and not ride the pine.
Finally I would look at the scholarship offering.
Smart Kid!
It is amazing how most children today have insight into life with so little experience.

PS. The scholarship amount would have been my first choice.

Go Seahawks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

While the point is correct that the coach is measured by their ability to recruit, it is also measured by their ability to retain players...

Roster sizes are sometimes items that the coach is required to meet,from the administration.
Retention is also another key measurement used to review a coaches performance and effectiveness.

I would say in 90 percent of the cases, from the school's point of view, these measurements are more important than the win / loss record...

Make sure the coach sees you as a player, not a number. There has been a trend lately in some areas to large rosters. NCAA limits it's rosters to 20 players for championship play.

Sure would hate to get left home.....

 

Right On

I was sent a Christmas Card by a local University and I counted 22 players! Some will not make the travel squad, some will never see the white lines, and others will run bases. There are some JUCO's and D-111 that carry 30+ to begin the season and as Charlie states are lucky to have 12 when finished. Do your homework! There are coaches that I just refuse to let a Lady Blue player play for, thank goodness a few of them are already gone from area!

 

Great Thread!!!!....

....and definitely one that requires thinking before replying with "THE" answer. I've read all of the above and agree that each point made does have SOME bearing on a decision, BUT each of said points don't answer chachas question for advise. Yes!!!! no doubt the quality of the education is powerful. But lets face the facts here, a degree from a Duke or Harvard will always carry more weight than a NCSU or UNC possibly, and so on and so on. Does the name of an institution have value? YEP, but it, the name, in itself, does not guarantee that a student gets any better education at one school or another. Example, I went to ECU, my brother went to NCSU, and my girlfriend, (she was hot) went to Pitt Comm. college. We ALL had the same Accounting book! NCSU was on a 10 point scale, ECU was on a & point scale. I know I'm muddying the waters of my post here so let me close with this......This thread opens up a HUGE arena of needed insight, experiences, and patience that whats good for one kid or their family may or not be right for another.

 

I politely disagree at least a little bit here friend....

.......I think the future coach of a kid is extremely important, and yes, you are right that coaches do leave for other programs. And yes you are right that the school is first, choicewise. Just think of how many parents would not want their kid to play ball for Bobby Knight, or Jerry Tarkanien, or the guy from Baylor. Sball4ever shows here just how difficult, and unfortunately, unstable a college choice is to make. Props to SB4 for an eyeopener!

 

In a perfect world lets say a team has 5 seniors, 5 juniors, 5 sophs, and 5 freshman at any given time. What are the odds that more than 2 of those freshman will play a lot? I would say the odds aren't in the freshman's favor, especially at a good program that continuously gets good players. The freshman will have to be right much better than the senior or junior to take the spot. This is hard to do for an 18 year old going up against a 22 year old with 3 years of college experience behind her. I do believe one could help their odds by seeing what the program loses the year you are supposed to arrive. If a program is losing 2 senior pitchers and only has a sophmore left on the roster that year I believe the freshman will have a good shot to pitch. This should hold true for any position in my opinion. I believe this definitely needs to be looked at very hard when attempting to choose a school.

 

Experience will not necessarily = playing time

One assumption many seem to be making here is that experience (especially at larger schools) will translate into playing time, leaving freshmen and sophomores in the dugout. In college softball this is simply not true. Player development is definitely over rated. More often than not if a kid is going to play she will get substantial playing time very early in her career. In fact, if you look at most D1 rosters you'll find fewer seniors than any other other class on many teams. For example, in 2006 UNC only had two seniors. While a 22 year old male has a definite physical advantage over the 18 year old the same is not true for females. In fact, nature works against many females. There are lots of other complex factors at work here. The bottom line is that if getting on the field regularly is a high priority you had better look for place where you can do so early.

 

one factor not mentioned

While the advice on this thread has been very informative, a factor that has not been mentioned is graduation rate
Does the softball program at the school you are looking at graduate any of its players? Or will the program chew you up and spit you out?Seems to me that should be a significant part of any decision, as that is the real reason to go to college

 

I would bet the reason you don't see many seniors on teams is because they got tired of sitting on the bench as sophs and juniors. This is my point. What percentage of all freshman get meaningful innings in their first 2 years at major D1 colleges? This would be a very interesting stat. If they don't, how many continue to play until they are seniors?