In State -vs- Out of State Tournaments Opinion

"Dead" Period

The NC state softball championships are usually held during an NCAA-mandated D1 dead period. This coincides with the WCWS. Coaches actually like dead periods as it gives a chance to be somewhere other than a softball field without fear that other coaches are at the field.

 

That's a good outline to follow.

One additional point, I'm not sure many people are aware of where the elite programs (SEC and PAC10) are in their recruiting cycle. By that, I mean the class they are currently focusing on recruiting.

This fall, the 2011 class will enter college.
Many of the major programs have already completed their 2012 class
Some have already filled their 2013 class
A few already have commits for the 2014 class.
Believe it or not, even a 2015 commit already. (check out Nebraska!)
Source: link

Point is: if you are in the the last category Throw Heat listed, you really need to consider starting to play nationally at the 14U level, 16U at the very latest. Sounds young, but it's becoming a necessity given how far ahead the colleges coaches are looking.

Btw, once you commit to playing elite, you really shouldn't stop if you are fortunate enough to get a scholarship at a major program. Why, well, you'll be entering a highly competitive program with other elite players who are still playing elite/national schedules. In order to compete day 1 as a freshman, you'll need to be at the top of your game.

What I've outlined is a general set of guidelines. You'll can find exceptions and I'm sure some folks will disagree with my views, but the facts regarding the major programs and how far ahead they are looking in recruiting is reality.

 

This is absolutely true

Btw, once you commit to playing elite, you really shouldn't stop if you are fortunate enough to get a scholarship at a major program. Why, well, you'll be entering a highly competitive program with other elite players who are still playing elite/national schedules. In order to compete day 1 as a freshman, you'll need to be at the top of your game.


The fact is that college coaching is more about player selection than player development. If a kid is not contributing by the middle of the Soph year chances are they never will. Elite coaches recruit every position, every year. Not quite satisfied; go get another player.

This is particular true in the circle. Look at U of Tenn: Ashton replaced by Kat replaced by Renfroe replaced by Renfroe.

Point is you need arrive on campus ready to play. Going to the beach and hanging out with friends the summer before Freshman fall ball is not going to cut it.

Doing so will help insure that "Signing day will forever be the highlight of your career" (credit to Charlie D).

 

And for folks just entering the process, remember, athletic scholarships are series of 1 year commitments that are reviewed/renewed each and every year.

 

Study past rosters!

Before committing to any school, players (and parents) should study four years worth of the rosters at the school. Look at how many seniors are on the roster each year. This will give you some idea of player retention. Attrition occurs for lots of reasons (personal, academic, athletic) but, in general, it's better to go to a place with a history of having girls play all four years.

 

^ you can save yourself a lot of heartache if you follow this advice. This was something we definitely took into consideration and most prep players totally overlook this.

You want to feel devastated? Go thru the grinder to get to college and then be miserable. Some of our friends from the journey aren't feeling the love.

 

you are going to get different advise from different people. the best thing to do is find an organization that commonly puts kids in college and mirror what they do. you can play "out of your comfort zone" without having to travel to maryland just for the sake of going to maryland.

if you have the right 14U team then that is the time to start getting their name on the market. most D1 schools are done with 2012 and most have over half of their 2013 class. i was at a showcase earlier in the year and a coach was looking at strickly 2014s.

go to asa nationals if you can!!!!!

if the entire team isnt on the same page (parents, players and coaches) then its not going to work. if your kid has different goals than the rest of the team then find a team that suits her goals.

there is no right or wrong answer to your question. it simply depends on your childs goals and talent level. dont take this the wrong way because your kid could be the next natash whatley for all i know but dont be that parent that thinks your kid is going to ucla if she isnt that good. i see too many kids being stuck in the mud with their recruiting because they and their parents both thought they were olympic team material when they werent.

have realistic goals and let her set some realiztic goals for herself and then find a team that has the same plans.

 

Topic for every summer

This topic comes up every summer and we go around and around.
Each organization or team has to decide what works for them.

 

Great advice

 

That the point of a discussion forum. Believe it or not some people do not hear of a forum called TBR till their kid starts playing 12u or 14u. Next summer their will be more parents start looking on this forum for answers to questions from people that have been there and done that.Thats one of the great things about TBR. People can get an inside track on the recruiting process so they can make an informed decision on what might work best for their daughters situation. I hope this subject does come up next summer.