Is college softball for you?

In all the 'showcase frenzy' parents and players need to honestly assess the question "Is college softball really for me?" The thread on "Ultimate College Softball" is worth a read:

http://robocoach.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3565479

 

excellent excellent stuff...

perhaps the most troubling thing I read: "You are restricted on your major. One of the first things you learn is if it's in the afternoon, you're not taking it"

Of course this was a Pac 10 parent talking.

 

Be Careful Here

Many coaches will tell you "we have no restrictions on what you major in". Technically, this is almost always true. Practically speaking though, there are many majors that would be virtually impossible to complete in four years playing at a D1 school without lots of summer school. Even then, many majors will require an extra semester or two, especially if an internship is involved. Be sure to inquire up front if the scholarship package includes support for summer school/extra semesters. This varies from institution to institution.

 

If everyone is honest most kids only think they want to play in college. It has been my experience that the most of the ones who do go play find it is not what they thought and only play one year or even less. I personally know of around 25 girls who have went on to play in college and of those only 1 played 4 years. Most played 1 year and decided it wasn't for them. Many things contribute to this but the main thing is if you play in college that is pretty much all you do other than being in class. My daughters played for several coaches and only 1 told us how it would really be. He wasn't trying to discourage us just wanted us to know all tha facts. Playing in college can be a wonderful experience but you had better be super commited as in softball is all you do commited. You will have little or no time for a social life and when not practicing or playing you will have to be doing homework and studying. Best way to look at it is go in knowing it will take 5 years to graduate and ease up on classes a little. If I was guessing I would say less than 1 percent of the girls who go to college to play ball play all 4 years so that will tell you how hard it can be.

 

You're a little too negative I think

One percent? I can't know your experience but will say that if the number were anywhere close to 1% all the programs would have been shut down by the NCAA. That organization tracks scholarship athletes and holds institutions responsible for graduation rates. Yes, there's attrition in softball. Parents/players should study the roster history of programs they considering to see the attrition pattern at those schools.

As for social life I can assure you that players in even the most competitive programs can have full and enjoyable social lives. The team essentially becomes a sorority of sorts except instead of Dad/Mom paying dues it's free!

That said, college softball (especially at the D1 level) is really only for girls who define themselves, at least in a significant way, as a 'ballplayer'.

 

I'm sorry I haven't had the opportunity to meet Dukedog4. You, sir, are extremely bright, well spoken and a tremendous resource to the softball community.

You are a great example of a parent that has been through nearly every aspect in the softball environment from travel ball to the highest level of college softball. At a time when many parents move on and away from TBR when their DD moves on...you chose to stay and give outstanding advice and counsel to the many new posters.

It's what's called "giving back"....and for that, I thank you.

 

You're right 1 pecent may be a little low. just throwing something out there but there are very few that do make it. I agree 100% with your last line. I can't speak for the entire U.S. but I do see what goes on in NC. Here the majority of girls are just girls who like to play ball. There are a few that are "ballplayers" but many of them even outgrow it when they hit 17 to 18 years old. As for the social part they do have a social life in amongst each other but they also see their other friends who don't play ball doing different things and that tends to pull them away. I think losing players are a lot less of a problem with the bigger d-1 schools than the d-2 and smaller school. This is mainly because the big d-1 schools get most of the "ballplayers". My point in all this is that the best years of the majority of the players are the early high school years after that their intrest starts to sway to other things and when they go to college they have even more distractions

 

...DocDdog4 'ol boy, you flat out hit it out of the park in that post!
Way to step up buddy.

 

....I hear what you're saying Central. And you're right, kids do have other interests. And college sports are very demanding. And those demands are not only what "normal" college kids have to face, student athletes have a lot on their plate.
They also get perks that are awesome. Tutors, sports meds, traveling, clothes, and intangibles that are hard to describe.
I'll throw this in for what its worth, 4 out of the 11 kids that I either coached or my DD played along side with them one time or another quit
this year. They were all freshmen.
Nice post by CentD.
And this thread BTW is working in a positive way that I do beleive will help a bunch of folks along the way.
Fishman