Showcasing our kids.......

....can be done right and certainly we all make mistakes no matter how hard we try to do the best for the girls. That being said, Hey folks give us some info on the hows, whens, wheres, etc. by ......the parents, or coaches, players, etc.

Experiences.
Do's that you wanted to work but turned into don'ts.
Whatever help you can offer is welcome.

I'll start it off by saying this and hopefully this thread will go in a postive direction from here.......


To me, one thing that stands out BIGTIME is how important it is for the players to personally reach out to the college coaches. Inform the coaches how much you want to be part of their program, etc.

Thanks,

Fishman

 

Also how you want to continue your education at their school and all the pros that that school has to offer you as a student/athlete !!!!!

 

How Do You Fit In ??

One thing other than Beks ability to play ball the coach was really concerned how she would fit in the school, and what were her educational interest that was beyond softball. He pointed out that the academics were his main concern,the other would fall in place. That is one thing that impressed her mom and me how the coach was more concerned about her future as a student than a player. Plus the institution had a more homelike atmosphere. Do the homework about your school of choice, take the unofficial visits and tour the campuses and talk to some of the students,and just ask them how they like the school. It never hurts to ask, then sit down with the coach and get to know him or her. This will help you make lots of decisions if you want to go there or not.

Guru

 

I agree with Guru...You need to keep in mind that this is where you're going to spend the next 4 years of your life and your main goal is to achieve/earn a degree of your choice. Never pick a college for their softball program over your education. Education first! With my DD , we visited the campus 1st , talked to the professors, students , advisors, etc...Then from there we spoke with the softball coach. (Just a note: While sitting in the office I noticed several disc "of recruits" lying on her desk. At that point I asked her opinion about receiving disc/videos etc...Her reaction -She pick the disc up and drop them in the garbage.) From there she explained that she'd like to see the recruit and for the recruit to spend a little time with the team. You see sometimes it how you bond with the team. Two girls were asked to stay that weekend . Only 1 was asked to sign . I'm sure all coaches has "different strokes for different folks". My point being is that even know you're there to impress the coaches-you're also there to bond with girls too.

HIT-N-RUN

http://carolinahitnrun.googlepages.com/

 

One of the great resources we have at TBR are the parents that have been through the process. The one's that give back to others their experience is very helpful to the families just starting to enter the recruiting process.

Although there are many commonalities for all parents, I can tell you that each experience is different for each family.

Since the so-called studs are easily identifiable and they don't need the attention, it's the majority of other players signed that you should focus this thread on. How many times have you seen a DD sign with a school and you've said, "What? How did that happen? I've seen DD's that were better that have not signed!"

There are reasons why 2 equally talented players where one was offered a scholly, while the other one isn't. I would suggest you discuss the why's and how you and her can do everything possible to give her the best opportunity to play at the next level.

There are certain things you and your DD can control and there are certain things you can't. I would concentrate on the areas you can...and those areas are fun to discuss.

 

Well Said !!

Be persistent and consistent ,and keep emailing the school that you want to attend it will usually benefit you in the long run...---- Guru

 

advice

From the hundreds of coaches I get to talk to through my showcases and recruiting each year, let me offer some of their throughts they have shared with me:

1) Understand that there is a school for everyone, it just may not be the one at the top of your list. BUT, if you want to play softball in college there is a place for every one who wants to with all the different levels.
2) Understand that the offers go from $0 (walk-on) to full and all points in between. You are working for a chance to play softball in college and not neccessarily the scholarhship amount. If you are playing for the scholarship amount, you very well may be dissappointed. But if you are playing for a chance to continue your career while you attend college you will be fine.
3) Start early. The earlier the better. The summer before your freshman year is not too early. But no later than the summer after your freshman year.
4) Understand that high school softball is not the proving grounds by which you will be judged. So work hard for your school, enjoy the time, but do not depend on that experience and coach to get you where you want to be.
5) Understand that playing travel ball is not enough. You must play on a team that has ASA Nationals as its primary goal, attends ASA qualifiers and once it reaches 16u attends showcases on a regular basis. It must also have a coach who is willing to work the crowd for the players sake. If your team is trophy hunting in unknown ABC association tournaments each week, you will be left out. Being willing to lose is a good thing. Play in the tougher events even if it means no trophy.
6) Pick the top schools you want to attend and go to their camps and let them know of your interest. Many will be having 1 day camps over the next 4 months that are excellant chances to get your face in front of them. At the camp, wear a t-shirt with your name on the back so that when you do something good, they know who you are.
7) E-mail coaches regularly FROM YOUR OWN e-mail address and let them know how you are doing. But make sure what you are telling them impresses them. Going 5 for 5 at the ABC Boo Bash in Nowhere is not as good on paper as going 3 for 5 at an ASA Qualifier. So be careful what you tell them. You may be signaling that you are a glorified rec player.
8) Understand that 95% of your e-mails will NEVER get a return response. College coaches get anywhere from 100 to 1,000 e-mails a day. But keep sending them.
9) Always but your name in the subject line of every e-mail.
10) Work hard and never give up on your dream.

Ty

 

I really enjoyed reading all these comments. We have one headed to college soon, and so much of this is re-itterating things we have already learned & been told. It amazes me how much time and effort goes into the recruiting process. My daughter spent weeks this summer doing nothing but researching colleges, their sb coaches/teams, and sending out emails to them. This is great info! Thanks

 

To echo Marlinfans comments, coaches want to talk to and hear from your DD. There will be a time for the parents to talk but, as one coach told me, they are recruiting the girl, not the parents. By allowing your DD to do all of the work will give you a good picture of just how much her heart is into playing college softball.

 

These are all excellent comments. I would also recommend setting up a profile online and KEEP IT UPDATED. There are many places you can put up a free profile.

The best thing we ever did for our youngest daughter was set up a profile on berecruited.com. Back then it was free or $19.95 for the deluxe version. Pay for the deluxe--well worth every penny. Again, keep it updated. The format isn't the greatest, but college coaches do look.

My daughter's top two choices were schools that found her on berecruited.com. There were tons of coaches who visited her profile, and a large number of coaches who bookmarked her profile. You can see every coach that visits the profile, and you receive an email every time a coach bookmarks the profile.