UNCW Softball

Bingo!

Many small private schools use athletics as a recruiting tool. Louisburg College started football a few years ago. At one point the total enrollment was around 600 and 100 kids were on the football roster! Of course, most of these kids had federal aid.

Fact is that many D2 and D3 programs are "pay to play" situations. If a college softball team needs have a fund raiser then it's "pay to play". If you choose to attend such school don't expect what most would call a "quality" program. That's not to say that these kind of programs can't provide a fun experience, a good education and sometimes win. The reality is, though, these programs are sort of a cross between rec and travel ball (trophy not showcase).

Before Charlie rips me, I know there are exceptions and 'quality' is in the eyes of the beholder.

 

fund raising?......

.....what? So what does the unc educational foundation do?
How about the wolfpack club?

 

Whole different deal

UNC or NC State have no shortage of applicants. They typically admit 20-30% of applicants. Athletic success has some impact of applications but it's honestly not all that important. Athletics at these schools are for the alumni.

On campuses of less than about 1,500 students athletics serve a whole different purpose. They can become a very important tool recruit students who can pay (either thru ability, loans or financial aid) the $25-40K it takes to attend these institutions and compete on teams. It's seen as a 'value added' approach and many students and their parents are willing to pay for it.

 

I agree....

What you are saying is correct.....

The premise of the D3 charter is about the student athlete... and the experience they have while getting their education... Academics is the primary role, and athletics is the reward for performing in the classroom...

It has been said many times that only part of a college education stems from the classroom experience. If you are competing at a Division I institution you are bound to that sport during the entire year. Hence, leaving little time for extracurricular activities that may enhance a college education. Learning comes in all forms, and should be investigated by all students during their college experience.

Division III athletics are an integral part of our educational system and should be considered by all student-athletes that seek to get a quality education while competing in the sport that they enjoy. Take time to investigate all options and make an educated decision on what best fits you.

For D3 athletes, sports have been an integral part of their lives since youth. From elementary school through high school, sports have complemented their educational experience.
And as college looms, they want to continue playing the sport they love while receiving an education from a first-rate college. A D3 school can be that fit.

How D3 is Distinct…
1. Athletes at D3 colleges and universities receive no financial aid on the basis of athletic merit, although substantial financial aid and academic merit scholarships are available at most D3 institutions.

2. D3 schools place highest priority on the overall educational experience; athletics is a complement to academics and overall residential experience.

3. D3 student-athletes are well rounded and take advantage of extracurricular activities in college.

At the D1 and D2 levels, athletics are a student's life and they have limited availability to college life outside of their respective sport.

How each D3 school or program performs "on the field" is largely due to the time and effort the coach puts in recruiting quality student athletes, and then how they develop as a team.

The word "potential" is one I use when talking about a kid that I am recruiting. If I am successful, I can take that potential and develop it into an "opportunity" for the student athlete to continue to play her sport, hopefully at a high level.

The D1 and D2 landscape is littered with broken hearts and shattered dreams of can't miss players. They all had "potential"....did they all get the "opportunity" to develop?

Div 1 programs expect to win. They don't care who plays and they will recruit over you next year, if they think the new player will help them achieve that goal. It takes a special athlete to play at the top level....all our DD's are special, but they are all not special athletes.

I get measured on many different attributes on a yearly basis...
4 of them are absolute, and I get to name one on my own.

The absolute mesurements are as follows
1. Academic progress and retention
2. Maintain roster size at minimum levels (16 players)
3. Community Service within the school and area.
4. Team budget and management objectives...

No where does it say I have to win.....

I set that goal for myself and the team.

5. Compete for Conference Title and NCAA bid


Last comment...

I attended a wedding last Saturday night... 10 years of softball came walking past me, as I watched the bride and three of her bridesmaids walk down the aisle. It was a moment of celebration, a part of their lives they will never forget. Around the room, there were many happy faces, as they celebrated this marriage....

These are the events I speak of...young women, who are now forever linked, because of a decision years ago to continue their education, while playing the game they love...

This story happens all the time...at the D1, D2, or D3, NAIA, or Juco level.

It about the experience, the hard work, and sacrifice they made as an athlete and team. What a great reward.....

If they had made a decision not to play, because it is not the highest level, what a shame....

D1 is not for everyone....
As I have said before.....

Don't let your signing day be the greatest day of your career.....

 

Agree 100% with . . .

everything Charlie's written (I knew my comments would get a response). My kid could play him anytime, D1 or D8.

 

DD

You know you are so right !! Between you and Charlie, I wish I had an inkling of you guys wisdom ! Has JMU played any games yet, haven't looked at their site lately. Will be in Wilmington next weekend with the Fishman, OOOOOh Nooooooooo !! 12 oz curls coming up !!

 

JMU fall ball

The coaches have chosen to only play one DH the fall. Only needed to find a SS and they recruited a dandy out of MASS. She played with UNCW pitcher Aditays on the Raiders. We played this past weekend losing to UVA 7-4 in game one and then destroying them 15-1 in game two.

My daughter pitched game two. Threw 60% fastballs (bicep tendon is tweaked a bit so no drop or changes which she throws off her drop). Eight K's in five innings. The key thing though is there were no fly balls hit against her. I'm not sure how she does this but girls simply can't the ball in the air off her. She's living proof of C Kempf's belief that the fastball is the most under-utilized pitch in the game.

I know it's not baseball but look at Mariano Rivera. The hitters know what's coming (90% fastballs) and still can't hit it. The key is simple location, location, location. Pitching this way may not be 'fancy' but is sure makes life simpler! It's especially effective for a 'cold weather team'. Many girls (especially those who 'knuckle up') find that its tougher to make the breaking stuff work one cold winter and spring days. Better to be able 'to grip and rip it'.

 

C kempf and the rest of club K was at North Davidson High School this past weekend. They have close ties to ND. Duke is right about location of the fast ball. a pitcher should master location of the fastball before trying to be a jack of all trades and trying to throw every pitch. just don't throw that fast ball down thre middle and belt high.

Duke's daughter is a very good pitcher. I have seen her in high school and college.

 

The Fastball

Thanks. The key to an effective fastball is to throw it with a 12/6 spin. This makes it very "heavy" even when you miss high. The problem is many kids throw a "bullet" spin FB that's almost impossible to get down and very "light". I think part of the problem begins when dad sets on the bucket with the target chest high. Essentially every pitch that hits that target is a 'meatball'. If Dad's on the bucket (and most are) the target for every pitch, except the rise, needs to be between his knees. This reinforces the proper release point. Same thing for drills. Always throw to the low target to reinforce the release point. Tough on Dad's back but will pay huge dividends in the long run.

Amazingly, my DD NEVER surrendered a HR in HS or TB and she pitched 4A HS and against some pretty good TB teams. Of course this changed quickly in college but she still has 3:1 ground out to fly out ratio throwing 40-70% fastballs depending on the game. You will not set many strikeout records this way (although she holds all of them at her school) but you can win at the highest levels. It's very tough to score if the pitcher limits walks and only surrenders singles.

Too many HS pitchers fall in love with the 'Rise Ball' as most HS hitters can't lay off a ball in the eyes. When these same pitchers move to college the hitters leave it alone and when the pithers has to come down bad things happen.

If you can locate the fastball at 64/66 mph, consistently throw one breaking pitch both on and off the plate and have an effective change up you can be a successful D1 pitcher. There are too many "six pitch pitchers" who can't do any well enough.

 

Fastball

Agree 100% on fastball. DD throws hers low using a 2 seam grip. Ball comes in & breaks at last sec. Looks like a meatball, but bout time the batter swings it tails off. Also uses same grip when throwing drop, it drops & breaks. Coach loves that pitch, but doesn't use fastball. Oh well, guess you can't have everything. Wilmington here I come !!!! Go Pack !!!