Question for DukeDog4 and others whose girls have completed collegiate careers

I really appreciate the info in the thread about college scholarship money, etc. It leads me to another question. Roughly what percentage of softball players that begin college as student-athletes actually stick with it for all 4 years? I'm sure there isn't an exact number readily available. But, I'm curious what folks observations are in this area.

Obviously, this is why people always advise kids to pick a school that they are comfortable with, even if they weren't an athlete. My observation is that a lot of girls quit the game early in the college careers, often after their freshman seasons.

My kid will be a 2011 grad. She has a 4.3 gpa, taking two AP classes this year. She is a pitcher with a good bat, who is getting some looks from D-2 schools and some lower level D-1 inquiries.

Generally speaking, if a kid is gonna stick with it all four years you take the best combination of athletic/academic money. But, I'm curious how many kids end up giving up the game.

Trying to guide her in the right direction. I appreciate everyone's feedback from their experience.

 

Good question. Between coaching at high school and travelball and having a daughter who played in college I've had about 25 to 30 girls I've coached go on to play in college. Of those only 1 played all 4 years. The majority only played 1 year. I think you will find this to be the norm. I know many many more girls who we've played against in different programs and most of those who do go on to play only play 1 year. Most including my own daughter enjoyed the experience but it just isn't the same as it was in high school and travelball. I think many there are many factors involved not which the least of is the fact that girls, more so than boys at that time in their life are just ready to move on get their degree and go to another stage of their life. I know when my daughter came to me and told me she wasn't going to play after her sophmore year it was that she just wanted to finish school and start her career. She had a very successful 2 years of college ball but was just done with it. Another thing when they get to college they find it is not the fun part time game they have enjoyed the entire life but now is pretty much a full time job. It is a great experience for the girls but one that very few will see through for the entire 4 years. The ones that do are special and the exception to the rule.

 

My oldest played two years and is not playing her junior year. She spends her days eating, sleeping, and studying in the nursing program she is in. Not all is related to the demand of study, but a major part of her decision is due to the time involved in her studies. Funny, she never had to study in high school.

She is red shirted this year, and the coach told her that if she changes her mind she is welcome back on the team this spring. He also let her keep her athletic scholarship.

I think she is focused on her career and will not return to the game except in a coach/mentor capacity.

 

I'll always remember what one young lady, who graduated last spring after playing four years of college ball, said to her Momma after the first week of fall practice her freshman year...

"Momma, I didn't know I had signed to be on the damn track team!"

 

Time and commitment

This is their first real life experience..... where the decisions they make effect how successful they will be in the classroom, on the field, and their overall college experience. Biggest thing they need to learn is that change is good.

Factors involved...

First from the athletic side

1. If you are at a decent program, does not matter if it is D1 - D3...everyone can play.... and the rosters maintained range from 18-30 players... and they all can compete. Most freshman come from TB programs with 11 kids on it, where they always played...

Some have a hard time with the "earning time" concept.
The juniors and seniors aren't gonna just give up playing time.. Some coaches let the system take care of it self....survival of the fittest.
Most incoming freshman think they play a better game than they actually do...

2. They also have a hard time adapting to a new system.. In my case, I don't care how you did it in HS or TB: We are all gonna do it the same..This could be something minor as to how we dress to travel to away games, to the nuts and bolts of swing mechanics...

The concept of changing can sometimes cause a player to momentarily take a step back...This happens allot with pitchers, who sometimes get " rebuilt" during the freshman year... You have to be careful, and read the emotion on the kids face.

Here is an example..
As a coach, you might see them being an everyday player in her junior year...but as a freshman, you see her as being a pinch runner for the big first baseman... I doubt she has the same vision...

3. Time commitment to the PRACTICE required, when in some cases, the athlete has NO chance of PLAYING TIME. Kind of hard to bust your butt all week, knowing you won't sniff the field... Must kids have never been involved in a true "team first" environment.... I stress that everyone has a role to play for the team to be successful. Hopefully, everyone wants their role expanded, but you have to earn it first. This requires hard work...

Academics....

1. Time management The biggest killer of college students. Get a planner, follow it.

2. Academics.... It's hard... really hard!! and if you don't make the grades, no softball...

3. See number 2 above....

*********************************
Playing four years of college softball can be a wonderful experience, but the most important factor that revolves around our sport should be graduation day..... decisions to stop playing should not be a decision to stop the education....

If you want to play
2 things I would recommend ...

1.
Go somewhere where the coach will make you better... not where you will make the coach better, or worse.....where neither of you get better...

2.
Key word is PLAY......I watch kids make decisions to go PLAY at
X University, but never have a prayer of seeing the field.... Be realistic about your abilities,and how much hard work it will require to improve them to the level that the coach expects. As I have said before.....Don't let you "signing day" be the greatest day of your career.

Busting your butt in practice is very rewarding when you see your name in the lineup.

Makes you want to come back.....

 

Best estimates

I've studied rosters of a number of D1 schools for several years. If I were to pick a percentage of scholarship freshmen who play for four years I'd say around 65-70%. Remember the six year graduation rate for many schools ranges from 60 to 80 percent.

 

Coach Dobbins this is a excellent view of how it might be for the collegiate player, it gives them an understanding of what they are about to enter into. Should be required reading for all who are interested in playing at the collegiate level. Thanks, this is what I have been telling my own DD for the last couple of years.

 

I know this thread was mentioned for parents who have DD's that completed college and ball, and I apologize for the crash, but let me add this for those of you who do not know Coach Dobbins. He has been a blessing for my DD as a hitting instructor for the last two years, friend, and mentor. Without his passion, experience, knowledge, love for the game, spirit, and the fact that he even makes himself available to kids, my DD would have never made it starting ball at the age of 13. As a coach he is arguably one of the best in the country, so don't let that DIII tag fool you. He is truly a gift to have as a coach in the Raleigh area, and whether you are a pitcher or you want to be a better hitter you owe it to your DD to check him out. If you are a DD looking for excellent coaching and education at the college level, you should take a good look at what he has to offer you. Thanks Charlie for all you've done for us as and instructor, friend, and mentor. We look forward to the next three years of HS and TB with the knowledge you have to offer. Peace.

 

Some comments

I think this is an overly pessimistic assessment and certainly does not reflect my experience. I think for those girls playing in 'elite' travel ball the number who go on to play four years is far higher. Most of these girls are ballplayers first other stuff second. There are lots of other kids playing travel ball (lots playing 'daddy ball') that I call 'girls playing softball'. For these girls softball is not first, its just one of many interests, fun and a way to be with friends. Nothing the matter with the latter but, if you read what Charlie has written, this approach is not consistent with the commitment and focus required of college players, particularly at the D1 level. The bottom line is top level college softball is for girls for whom 'softball is life' . . . . it's not for everyone.