Percent that play in college?

in NC softball, what percent that play travel ball (for say 6-8 years) go on to play one or more years of college varsity ball?

Same question for showcase.

Question came to mind recently when learning a local girl that had played high level TB for many years and has been an outstanding player for very strong HS program will not be pursuing a college softball career, choosing instead to concentrate on academics. May play club ball.

 

Right off the top of my head, (for the team i was most involved in) i could come up w/ a breakdown of about 14 (playing college ball) to 7 (didn't play college ball) and 2 that "played" one year of college ball. Now of the 7 who didn't, there was various reasons. A couple didn't get alot of attention recruiting wise or not from a school that they wanted to go to. (had one young lady that said if she wasn't good enough to get a scholarship at a big school, she just wouldn't play ball). A couple went to the school of their choice for academics (one played club ball), and a couple didn't even make it to college or went to a local community college.
Don't think i disagree w/ any of the kids who either chose not to go to school (the field they were interested in it really wasn't required) or went to the school of their choice for academics (both are at UNC and doing VERY well). Or ended up at a CC (also doing well).
The big thing is that 99% of girls won't make a dime playing softball after college. They'll go into their field and either be successful or won't. Some will take up slow pitch, some will coach at the rec or tb level (or at least we hope). As a consequence, you "lose" some kids along the way. either because of academics or other reasons they choose not to continue their softball career. If they do it for the right reasons is it wrong?? if they do it for the wrong reasons, is it wrong?? after all they are affecting more than just themselves w/ their attitude or work ethic or lack thereof.
Girls are different from boys, there is no major leagues, no millions waiting on them. so they realize somewhere down the line that there's more to life.
Oh don't get me wrong, softball is a LARGE part of some of these kids lives and they love every minute of it (even some who didn't play in college), but there are others that figure out they're headed somewhere else.
Saw a quote somewhere from somebody (wish i could remember where) that goes as follows:
"College consists of three main things, ACADEMICS, ATHLETICS, & SOCIAL...there is only time for 2 of these things in the modern college world....which two will they choose???"

 

TB or showcase

TB 5%

Showcase 20%

Just a guess

 

What about the percentage that play softball in college for the 4 years? I have heard this number to be around 30-40%. Would this be the same for all college sports?

 

This is closer to 30% maybe a little less, just looked at collegiate rosters other then major D1 schools and the bulk of them are made up of underclassman.

 

Rosters can be deceiving.

Don't let the rosters fool you about the numbers, you are correct about the number of Freshmen and Sophomores. I know of one team that lost a player early in the spring and her name was removed immediately. That same team lost three more several weeks into the season, a Senior, and two others, Sophomores I think, and they are still on the roster.
I'm curious as to why (The Real Reasons) so many do not play 4-years.
Dad

 

It is more difficult then most realize until they get there, very demanding schedule you can count on 28-35 hours of time devoted to softball every week at a D1 and some D2 schools and thats the offseason. D3 is also demanding just not quite as many hours. This does not count the indivual work you need to do on your own. A lot of kids drop out after1 year a great deal after 2. If you are not getting significant playing time by the end of your second year you most likely never will, and that is at all levels.

 

I wouldn't be able to tell you a percentage but it is very small. One example i have is my own daughters team. 8 girls off her team had offers only 3 took the step. As for the ones who get to college and play 4 years I would bet that number is under 10%.
The one thing i see all the time is that most of the girls playing ball even on Travelball teams they are doing it more for fun than to get to play in college. If you don't believe that take the fun out of it and see who stays. Most of the play to be seen agenda is the parents idea not the kids. I've known many many girls who did go to college and play and nearly all played one year and decided it wasn't what they wanted at this time of their life, girls become women much faster than us men do and most dads can't accept that fact

 

I agree and this certainly makes for the argument to abandon showcase ball for regular tournaments.

 

Great post..... Dead on