Softball Recruiting 101

Brittany Pascale– Head Softball Recruiting Coach

• University of Nebraska• 4 year letter winner• 2 year team captain

• High School Coach • Won a State Championship

• DI College Coach• Head recruiting coordinator,• Won a Conference Championship

We will discuss:

• An overview of softball recruiting opportunities

• Different Division Levels / NAIA

• Knowing the NCAA Rules

• Evaluation

Realities of the big picture

• 5-6% of all HS players will play at college level(5 out of 100 or 1 out of 20)

Odds are higher if you will receive a softball scholarship

Better odds are in that you could receive merit aid and academic grant money – grades are important!

NCAA

NCAA Dl• Approx. 277 colleges• Can have up to 12

scholarship• Players are best of HS, area,

conference teams.• Rosters around 18• Play competitive ASA – gold• Top players give verbal

commitment sophomore year

NCAA Dll• Approx. 279 Colleges• Can have up to 7.2 scholarship• Rosters around 15-18 • Top level Dll can beat low level

Dl• They can hold tryouts for HS

players – usually in fall• Top programs get verbal

commitment from HS Juniors

NCAA lll

• Approx. 406 schools• No Softball scholarships but have: Merit

money/leadership/academic/work study money

• Usually have tryout to make the team in fall• Rosters range from 12 – 20• Top programs finish recruiting in fall for next

years’ players

NAIA (National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics)

• Approx. 200 Schools• If fully funded programs they can have up to

(10 scholarships)• Rosters range from 12 – 20• Top level NAIA programs can beat lower level

Dl programs and usually compete with Dll programs.

• They can hold tryouts for HS players

JC (2 year schools

• Top Dl JC schools can compete with NCAA Dl schools – usually play games with them in the fall.

• Top Programs are found in: FL, CA, AZ, TX Good success with players from

JC to move to 4 year program.

3 Levels

Dl – can have up to 24 scholarships 152 colleges

Dll – can have up to 24 scholarships – no housing121 programs

Dlll – no softball scholarships80 programs

Know the Rules• When NCAA DI & DII can email SA – after

September 1st of their Junior year.• Until then only questionnaires, admissions info & camp brochures

• Coaches can call – After Junior year -D1 July 1st, DII June 15th

• YOU as the athlete can email and call college coaches at ANYTIME.

• You can VISIT anytime EXCEPT Dead periods.

How a Coach evaluates a recruit:

No particular order•Stats (hitting – V <.350, ERA, etc.)

•Skills Video

•Academics (GPA, test scores, honors/AP classes)

•Awards (All-League, All-state, etc)

•Athletic ability – arm speed, running speed, pitch speed/movement- size is a key factor for higher level programs.

•Summer travel team (showcase tournaments where colleges come to watch (ASA most popular).

5 Things You need to KNOW about Softball

1. You should compete year around- need to be Varsity level

2. SB coaches make decisions & are looking at 2014’s and 2015’s

3. Biggest need for colleges: P, C, SS4. Hitting biggest skill for position players (power or

speed)5. You can visit a college & call/email coaches early

– it is a long process – be patient & persistent.

Questions?

• Phone Number : (877) 845-6272• Email: Recruitinghelp@ncsasports.org• Fax: (866) 996-6272