Trying to figure out the best way to get colleges to see me....

I'm a sophmore and I play on the varsity team at my school (I did as a freshman, as well) and I also play on an 18u travel team. I starting thinking about what colleges I would like to attend if I'm not able to play softball at my number one choice, UNC Chapel Hill. (I realize that's a pretty ambitious goal) First of all, I don't know which colleges have the best programs, and I also am not sure of how to get schools to look at me. I've heard different opinions but I'm not sure who I should listen to. Any advice???

 

My advice would be to think first about what you want to do after college. Do you want to be a doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc. While considering all of that, also consider the amount of money you'll want to earn--not just what you want to do.

After you are comfortable with those decisions then you need to find a school that fits. Most schools will have softball programs.

Once you have a list of those schools find out where their coaches go to see players play. I feel like one of the very best ways to be seen by your school of choice is to attend every camp they offer. You will not only learn what they expect but your skills will be directly shown to the coaches.

If UNC-CH is your dream, work hard to be what you can be and attend their camps and clinics. They have excellent camps. Don't give up and don't be satisfied with your current skill level--keep improving--off-season and in-season!

 

Get on A Team With A History

First and foremost, you must be on a team that has a history of having it's players recruited. These teams play in the ASA showcase tournaments both locally, regionally and some nationally. The coaches of these teams have long relationships with college coaches and many times college coaches seek the travel ball coach out for player recommendations.

You may also want to ask yourself, "Do I want to be the star on a team that doesn't play in the ASA tournaments, or do I want to be a role player on a team that plays in all the ASA showcases where I will have a much greater chance for a coach to see me play? Again, this is a tough question, sometimes the parents are the ones who have the issues with this.

The teams which play the ASA showcases also will help their players in how to be recruited. Things which have been previously mentioned such as participating in camps, and sending emails are vital in the process.

Good luck!

 

Aside from being on an 18U team with a history of placing players

the surest way to get in front of coaches is to attend clinics. Get on the school's websites and find which ones have clinics over the winter and get there. All my DD's scholarship offers came from schools at which she had attended clinics. It's easier to get noticed if your pitcher (the radar gun doesn't lie) but they will also pay attention if you can run and hit.

 

specific

To summarize what everyone has said,

#1 if you have specific schools that interest you, attend their camps and clinics and make sure the coach knows who you are and of your interest. Buy a t-shirt with your name on the back, wear it while you are there so that every time you do something good, they can see exactly who you are.

#2 make sure you have the grades, ability and desire to do so.

#3 make sure you are on a travel team who's #1 goal is to attend ASA Nationals and is playing in the neccesary qualifiers to do so. That is an important entry on your resume. Even if they do not make Nationals, they better be trying.

#4 make sure the travel team you are on has enough clout to get into the better showcases,play at the better tims on the better fields and is attending the better showcases and has a coach who is not afraid to approach the coaches about you. A past history of having players who are in college would be a good reference.

#5 make sure you have a plan B, C, D and E. If you put all of your eggs into one basket, you may be disappointed unless your plan is to go to that school no matter what and walk-on even if no scholarship money is available.

Ty

 

Thanks so much for all the advice!! It seems like the number one thing is to attend camps and clinics....I'll put that on my to-do list. And as for a travel team with history, I play on the Carolina Comets 18u and I feel like we have a pretty solid team and we play in a lot of showcases. Any advice is welcome, keep it coming!