Why so few

I have looked at countless collegiate softball rosters the last year, basically looking at them to see where DD might fit in well. But the common thing I have noticed is there are very few seniors and even juniors on most rosters. Why is this? I know I have read, possibly on this board that the percentage of girls who actually play 4 years is quite small, but why. Is it that softball is too demanding, or that a lot of girls walk on and then realize that they will be bumped out by next years class. Do they just loose interest? Curious what others may know or believe the reason behind this is.

 

This has been discussed here . . . .

and on the national softball forum many times. It happens in all manner of programs. For example, if I remember correctly, the year Crystal Cox finished at UNC she was the only senior on the team. Contrast this with ECU where there are eight seniors this year on a 15-person roster. Lots of factors are involved but the bottom line is that, compared to boys, the average girl's estimation of self-worth is far less associated with athletic achievement. It is far easier and far more acceptable for girls to walk away from their sport than it is for guys. Even on most D1 teams there are more 'girls playing softball' than there are 'ballplayers'.

Of course the other issue is the fact that there are no $100K signing bonuses awaiting these girls. My DD had male pitcher friend who went to an ACC school. He was injured a lot and never distinguished himself yet he is home working out getting ready for his second minor league season and getting paid well. On the other hand my DD has 'retired' at age 22.

 

Seniorless?

From my own perspective, I have a daughter playing at Elon. She is the only senior on the team this year. Her recruiting class started with 4. Attrition 75%. Reasons for not playing all 4 years vary, injuries and academics are a part of it. Playing time, imo, is the biggest reason though. In their younger years, they are superstars on the travel ball team, all conference, all state in school ball. They go to college and work their a** off so they can ride the pine, pinch hit, sub run. Hoping when the upperclass graduates their time will come. Sophmore year and new recruiting class coach finds a position player even better than them and they become discouraged. The time and effort it takes to play at the highest level is immense. It really does take more than being a great ball player to stick with it.

 

Good points, I guess also with the dropping of softball from the Olympics that may, or not also contribute in the future.

 

In my DD's case it was academics(nursing) and knowing that there wasn't another level of play after college(except for a few). She even made the statement Nursing she could do the rest of her life and competive ball only a few more years and knew she wouldn't be making a living from ball in the long run. Mine decided after meeting with coaches and talking to them about their ball and nursing programs and the few numbers that finish both unless they change majors, that she would not pursue college ball. I'm sure if you looked at past rosters and saw their fields of study it might make a difference. Some of the programs of study interfere with the schedules and since most programs become more intense during the junior and senior years some have to make a decision...Ball or Books?

 

No Olympic Softball

No Olympic softball will have a huge impact on softball internationally. My DD played in Europe (Germany) this past summer. Sport in Europe is completely different than the U.S. as college athletics do not exist. All sport, including football (soccer) are either government or corporate sponsored. The lack of the Olympic 'aura' will make sponsorships harder to come by thus making it more difficult for European teams to afford American imports. This really does not impact a lot of kids but does limit one of the few post-collegiate options for softballers.

 

great post.... Duke you made the statement some time ago that College Coaches were looking for girls that defined themselves as softball players first. This was something that I had never heard nor considered but was obviously true. It is incredibly hard to be in that category for the obvious reasons which you have stated above.

There are few girls with the skills to play college softball; there are fewer still with the determination to see it through to the end and those that define themselves as softball players first is a hyper select group.

ps: I have lurked on that national board. It is fascinating to see what lies just below the surface at some of the elite programs.

 

most Olympic players are older

No softball in Olympics would impact a very very small percent of college softball players, right? because most Olympians are not college players.

 

I think the point is they were college players who had the motivation/dream of playing at the Olympic level and that kept them focused through college ball. Now, there isn't that goal to strive for.

 

That was my line of thinking, I know I have heard many young ladies over the years state that this was their ultimate goal, many even before college was a thought. College ball was a way simply extending the dream.