Does girls have to play showcase?

Question to the veterans of TBR. Does a girl have to play showcase ball to get a real look at colleges? Do scouts come to regular ASA, NSA or IFA events looking for talent that do not include showcase teams? How fast do you have to pitch and what pitches must you have to be considered for college ball? Thanks for any advice or feedback!

 

That all depends on what college level and association. NCAA I, II, III, or NAIA.

 

Some answers

First, understand that virtually anybody who really wants to play college ball can. There are schools that have spots for anyone who is an average player who is willing to work and practice. Of course, if you want to someone to pay you to play (earn an athletic scholarship) then you've got to have the better than average skills and market yourself. There have been books written on this and, in the past, some very good threads on this website (perhaps one of the moderators can provide a link). The short answer is that if you don't play showcases it will make your marketing more difficult. Coaches will attend ASA qualifiers but few attend NSA or IFA events. Chances are, though, if you're on a team good enough to play in ASA qualifiers that team will play showcases also.

Don't rely on high school ball for any real help. It's fun but, honestly, colleges pay little to no attention to anything having to do with HS ball. What they do pay attention to are grades . . . study!

How fast do you need to throw? Very few D1 pitchers are recruited under 60 mph and fewer are successful if they can't throw that hard. D2's a bit different and I suspect there are a lot D3, NAIA and community college pitchers in the mid 50's. Keep in mind though that in pitching, like real estate, the three most important things are location, location and location. Almost every batters has holes in their swing. If you can hit these holes consistently you will be successful.

 

Absolutely not!!! As a matter of fact if a girl just goes to a showcase thinking she will get a look they are badly mistaken. Showcases are more of a money maker than anything. To get a look you have to get your name out to colleges go for visits. If you are in contact with a college and they are going to a tournament your at be it showcase or just a regular tournament then you may get seen. I know many girls who have got schlorships that never went to 1 showcase tournament. And I also know of several that went to showcases and never got an offer. You have to market yourself and if you do that in the right way you will get some offers

 

Yes and No

There is not a straight answer for this. It all depends on the girl, her ability and her desire. What level is acceptable to her for her to play?

The less she does, the less chance of being recruited. But she still could.

I believe that attending the right showcases are a part, but only a part of the entire recruiting process. Are they an important part? Again it depends on the desired outcome. Should you desire to be recruited by the major D1 schools, YES, absolutely. Do you just want to have a chance to go to a school and play college softball, probably not.

The bottom line is, the more you want out of it, the more you have to put into it. Does that guarrentee the desired outcome, NO. Does it increase the possibility of the desired outcome, YES.

Recruiting is like playing roulette. For everything you do, you get a chip. The more chips you have on the table, the more likely it is your number will come up. Do a little, you only have a few chips, but your number may still come up. Do a lot (more showcases, team and individual, attend camps, write e-mails, publish info on web sites, attend visitation days, go to tryouts, etc) the more chips you have and the more the chance you will come up with the desired outcome.

Ty

 

DD needs to contact the coaches

Your DD needs to contact the coaches of the colleges she is interested in and tell them when /where she's playing, send them her resume and keep contacting them.
Just playing in showcases is not enough. The coaches want to hear from the player but there are dead periods, etc when they cannot have contact with the player. The player can always email them though. A phone call is better. Both is even better.
I know this has been discussed in detail on the TBR before.
Like someone said, you can buy books on this. The book has all the info you need.
Have your DD go to camp at the school she's interested in so she can meet the coach, get to know the coach and they can do the same. Check out the sticky on TBR for college softball camps.
Start visiting schools etc in your DDs freshman or sophomore year. Believe it or not, it's not too early. She's going to need time to decide what the right fit is for her, both college and coach-wise.

 

HAHA If every player that comes my way, that THINKS shes going to play college ball, actually DO make it, they better start building more colleges NOW.

 

Where did anyone use the word THINK?

I am not really sure what your intent by this comment was supposed to do. After all, it is desire that controls your destiny.

With all the levels of college play, about any girl that wants(DESIRES) to play can find a home. whether it is NCAA I,II,III, NAIA, JUCO, College Club ball, etc... There are new college programs being created every year.

If you really had a point, why dont you clarify it.

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Getting recruited and playing college ball is very similar to getting recruited and working for a company. Your training, your desire, your marketing and finally your skill sets will get you on a college team. Playing Showcase ball is simply one of the tools to accomplish this goal but is certainly not the only tool nor is it the most important tool.

 

No "Point" there dude..... Just an observation.... good Luck to you and yours

 

College Showcases

Mostly good comments. Some points:
(1) Although most College Showcase tournaments are money makers, it does give the collegiate coaches a chance to see a lot of talent in one location, this will increase the chance for a girl to be seen.
(2) Very few college coaches or assistants attend high school games, because in NC, both the colleges and the high schools are playing the same season.
(3) A girl wishing to play at the college level should research the schools, find out which schools have the classes she needs to get her major, then contact those schools, (most have information forms to be filled out on their websites.) Then send the coach an email introducing herself and what her desires are and possibly a schedule of her tournament games.
(4) STAY AWAY FROM ANY SCOUTING SERVICES When a college coach sees a bulk email from a service they will throw them in the trash. Any information that these services can give you, can be found on the schools websites. There is no need to pay a fee for FREE information.
(5) Going to different camps, put on by the school of your choice is also a way to be seen.

And if you do need any help, contact me, I will help you as much as possible for free.