so let me ask this. i always hear that some kids travel all over the place and pay a huge amount of money to play. is there really value in that? Can't a kid play more local and get the exposure they need for a lot less money? do we let our peceptions get the better of us?

 

If it's the goal of the KID to play at a very high level D1 school, it may make sense to travel all over the country. But is that really the goal of all these kids or is it just to have an opportunity to get their education paid for? would they really just like to get their schooling paid for and play a sport they love while doing it. lets face it, not one of the girls will make a career out playing softball. just not going to happen. it's really about education and making their dreams come true. I would also say that when it comes to education, i would say that several small schools provide just as good or a better education than some of the D1 schools.

 

And, if you spend all your money traveling, paying absorborant fees and training fees, couldn't you have saved that money over the years and just help pay for college? (unless it's really YOUR DAUTHGER'S DREAM to play D1).

 

So if we agree that it's very hard to get a D1 scholarship, if it's about education and you can do that at ANY school, a kid won't ever get paid to play softball and it's very expensive to travel and play at an elite level...is it all worth it? I know some will say the exposure the kid gets from playing at the elite level. some truth to that, but there are plenty of local (within 2 hours) of places to get exposure if you want it. If you are going to some of these huge event, how many looks do you really get? they are big events, but that also means a ton of kids! it's more about marketing yourself in the end and their are 1000's of resources on the internet that can educate you on how to market yourself.

 

So do you really need to spend all that money and travel all that time to get looks? I don't think so.

 

Sorry one more point about the highlighted part. Talk to most Head Hunting company's and ask them what they do with a resume they recieve from a female that played in college. I would say most would move them towards the top of the list. Also you can find many stories about how most women executives in fortune 500 companys played some type of college sport. So no they are not going to make a softball career out of it but sure sounds like the future can be bright.

so let me ask this. i always hear that some kids travel all over the place and pay a huge amount of money to play. is there really value in that? Can't a kid play more local and get the exposure they need for a lot less money? do we let our peceptions get the better of us?

 

If it's the goal of the KID to play at a very high level D1 school, it may make sense to travel all over the country. But is that really the goal of all these kids or is it just to have an opportunity to get their education paid for? would they really just like to get their schooling paid for and play a sport they love while doing it. lets face it, not one of the girls will make a career out playing softball. just not going to happen. it's really about education and making their dreams come true.

 

I would also say that when it comes to education, i would say that several small schools provide just as good or a better education than some of the D1 schools.

 

And, if you spend all your money traveling, paying absorborant fees and training fees, couldn't you have saved that money over the years and just help pay for college? (unless it's really YOUR DAUTHGER'S DREAM to play D1).

 

So if we agree that it's very hard to get a D1 scholarship, if it's about education and you can do that at ANY school, a kid won't ever get paid to play softball and it's very expensive to travel and play at an elite level...is it all worth it? I know some will say the exposure the kid gets from playing at the elite level. some truth to that, but there are plenty of local (within 2 hours) of places to get exposure if you want it. If you are going to some of these huge event, how many looks do you really get? they are big events, but that also means a ton of kids! it's more about marketing yourself in the end and their are 1000's of resources on the internet that can educate you on how to market yourself.

 

So do you really need to spend all that money and travel all that time to get looks? I don't think so.

 

Short answer is yes. If any kid is good enough and that's their goal or dream than you do what you can to make it happen.

My dd was very fortunate and blessed that UT was still an option the summer before her senior year. I'll just say that alot of events, all of which were out of our control, lead to her offer. The value of her scholly far far exceeds any time and money it took to reach this point. I would never second guess or change any part of the last 9 years, ever, things happen for a reason.

In my opinion, all of a kids opportunity rests with their abilities, desire to play at the next level and the travel team that they decide to play for, especially during the crucial years of recruitment. A team and coach that cares more about getting "his" or "her" kids in college than the money and self promotion is where you wanna be if college is important.

Edited February 21, 201313 yr by Texasdad

First point what level are you talking about wanting to play?

 

To your second point I would think most kids that play travel past the age of say 12U have some desire to play somewhere at the next level.

 

To your education point I would say most small schools provide a better education than D1 schools. D3 standards as a whole are a lot harder than D1. And to add to that point there are a lot of people smarter than me saying now a days that college just isn't worth the price. We have a lot of females going to school to be teachers and have 100K in student loans. I am all for getting an education but at what cost.

 

To the 4th point I spend a lot of money on travel and would spend a lot more if thats what it takes. I enjoy the heck out of it and have stated before I would do it over again with no chance of a scholarship. As for my kid she would travel every weekend if I let her, she wants to take a bus to Chicago on weeks I can't take her.

 

Where with in two hours can a kid get D1 looks at besides the Sluggers and the DOOM? And they almost never play around here.

 

And I think it is up to each family if they want to spend the money to get looks. My Kid has a $150,000 scholarship so for me yes it was very much worth it. I understand this is the exception and not the rule but I stated this thread for PEOPLE that are interested in understanding what works for some kids to get to the next level. I know a lot of kids that did have dreams to play D1 and were good enough but just did not understand the process until its to late. Unless you are just a monster player you can't sit around and hope to get a scholly.

 

It may be right for you and your daugther, but how many do the same thing with a very different outcome? Or, how many chase it and spend all the money and then quit when it comes time to play. How many come back after their first year in college and give it up? How many are burned out by the time they are ready to play college? How many are doing it because mommy and daddy want them to?

 

Yes, most kids playing after that age may want to play in college, but most are not talking about D1. They just want to play in college. So if you eliminate D1 for almost all of them, then is it necessary to do all that?

 

Where 2 hours from here?...I'm not talking about clubs. I'm talking about events. You can play on local teams and go to events with plenty of recruiters. We went to a WS in Columbus with a lot of scouts. We also went to a "showcase" up there a little later in the season. I'm saying that if you want to get in front of scouts, you can within 2 hours. Columbus, Indy, Louisville, etc. Do the scouts get drawn to the better teams, yes, but if you do your homework and tell them you'll be there, you can get looks. Again, not trying to go to Arizona.

Sorry one more point about the highlighted part. Talk to most Head Hunting company's and ask them what they do with a resume they recieve from a female that played in college. I would say most would move them towards the top of the list. Also you can find many stories about how most women executives in fortune 500 companys played some type of college sport. So no they are not going to make a softball career out of it but sure sounds like the future can be bright.

 

This may or may not be true...depending on who is hiring. If I'm the hiring manager and I played in the band or were into the arts, I could care less if someone played a sport. That wasn't important to me. But I do agree that many have exposure to sports and understand the attributes sports bring to the table.

 

But I would ask this...again, not talking about D1. But let's say your daughter gets her D1 scholly Arizona and mine goes to Georgetown in KY. In 4 years, is one better off than the other? Mine got to play in college, probably got her education paid for, will be able to put it on her resume and has a great chance to make it to Gtown by not spending all that money traveling and training fees. Heck, I know some that played at gtown and NKU by only playing high school ball. My point is, in the same time frame when they are ready to get on with life, they will be in the same place! My daughter will have great memories of growing up playing softball. The memories of "where" won't make a difference. It will be how much fun she had and the relationships she developed along the way. She won't think that it wasn't fun or a success because she never went to Colorado, Geogia and Florida to play. She won't have less relationships or contacts because she played local.

 

So unless your daughter's number one goal is to play D1, then is it worth the chase? You can get the same things (except you may not play D1) by playing on local teams that travel within 2 hours and pay significantly less in money and time. I'm not saying its not fun to travel, but it's also not a nesessity to get recruited.

 

If that's her goal, then I'm all for chasing it with her. I just question if it's really always the daughter's goal to chase D1 scholly's at all cost.

 

Not saying it's not right for you and your daughter. I'm speaking in general.

Short answer is yes. If any kid is good enough and that's their goal or dream than you do what you can to make it happen.

My dd was very fortunate and blessed that UT was still an option the summer before her senior year. I'll just say that alot of events, all of which were out of our control, lead to her offer. The value of her scholly far far exceeds any time and money it took to reach this point. I would never second guess or change any part of the last 9 years, ever, things happen for a reason.

In my opinion, all of a kids opportunity rests with their abilities, desire to play at the next level and the travel team that they decide to play for, especially during the crucial years of recruitment. A team and coach that cares more about getting "his" or "her" kids in college than the money and self promotion is where you wanna be if college is important.

 

First bolded - if it's their dream to play D1.

 

Second bolded - If you're just talking about a scholarship, I bet your daughter could have received a scholarship (maybe not to Texas) without the entire amount of spend over those same 9 years. If she wanted to go to high D1, then it worked for you. But if it was just a goal to get to play in college and get your schooling paid for, was it necessary to do all that?

 

Third bold...If D1 is important. You can go to school if you are a good athlete, are smart and do your homework on how to get exposure.

 

I just think we shouldn't generalize that just getting a scholarship requires all that time and money and that you must play for one of the elite organizations. Maybe getting a high level D1 does, but not all scholarships. And not even all of D1.

First bolded - if it's their dream to play D1.

 

Second bolded - If you're just talking about a scholarship, I bet your daughter could have received a scholarship (maybe not to Texas) without the entire amount of spend over those same 9 years. If she wanted to go to high D1, then it worked for you. But if it was just a goal to get to play in college and get your schooling paid for, was it necessary to do all that?

 

Third bold...If D1 is important. You can go to school if you are a good athlete, are smart and do your homework on how to get exposure.

 

I just think we shouldn't generalize that just getting a scholarship requires all that time and money and that you must play for one of the elite organizations. Maybe getting a high level D1 does, but not all scholarships. And not even all of D1.

 

Not sure what point is but you and your family are free to do whatever you decide is best, just like I did.

 

Everything my dd has achieved has been through her abilities, drive and desire and as her father It's my responsibility to help her achieve a better life and future for her. Whether its through softball, music, dance or whatever it may be, no matter how many times she may change her mind I will support her. Period.

It may be right for you and your daugther, but how many do the same thing with a very different outcome? Or, how many chase it and spend all the money and then quit when it comes time to play. How many come back after their first year in college and give it up? How many are burned out by the time they are ready to play college? How many are doing it because mommy and daddy want them to? Yes, most kids playing after that age may want to play in college, but most are not talking about D1. They just want to play in college. So if you eliminate D1 for almost all of them, then is it necessary to do all that?

 

Where 2 hours from here?...I'm not talking about clubs. I'm talking about events. You can play on local teams and go to events with plenty of recruiters. We went to a WS in Columbus with a lot of scouts. We also went to a "showcase" up there a little later in the season. I'm saying that if you want to get in front of scouts, you can within 2 hours. Columbus, Indy, Louisville, etc. Do the scouts get drawn to the better teams, yes, but if you do your homework and tell them you'll be there, you can get looks. Again, not trying to go to Arizona.

 

To answer all those questions I would say the answer is very few. There are girls that get burned out or decide softball isn't for them but I would say most that don't make it bc they are having trouble adjusting to the next level. Could happen to my kid who knows, but I will not have any regrets.

 

I don't think you are getting the purpose of this thread. It is to help people that want to play D1 softball. So the vast majority of what wer are talking about is D1, we will move on to the other Divisons shortly. If you feel like any of this is not helpful please disregard. I have said before there are nourmous ways to get to college but I am trying to explain the general way that most kids get to the D1 level

 

As far as going 2 hours to play in events yes it is possible very few D1 coaches are at these events but there aresome. And let me ask this question when you go 2 hours away vs say 5 to play in Chattanooga TN where there could be 10 times the amount of coaches what is the price difference maybe a $50 in gas? Don't you still need a hotel room in Columbus and eat out up there and pay for gas to get there and so on.

 

Why do you keep talking about kids dream to play D1, isn't everyones dream in just about every form of life to be the best they can and be. If you work at Mcdonalds and you sweep floors should you just say ok I am a floor sweeper or should you try to move up to maybe manager. D1 softball is the highest level they can reach so why wouldn't most kids shoot for that level. There is very good ball played at other levels but it's not the same. Do you practice everyday and say ok I am praciticing today just to be average. When you were a kid didn't you have dreams?

Remember there are almost 300 divison one schools out there and countless other divisons. All coaches like things a little different. This video below is a highlight video but is very good. Has almost 14,000 hits on you tube which is a ton for a skills video, most are in the hundreds. So the point is make a good video and they will watch. I would also throw out if your kid is a good hitter but the fielding is weak just do a video of them hitting. There are plenty of kids in college and the majors for that matter that are only really strong in one area.

 

 

I see coaches almost every game we play and about 95% of the time they do not have an evaluation sheet out. They may make a mental note of things but most are busy talking to other coaches or looking in their phone.

 

Sounds like you got some great advice and was well worth your time and money. Good luck!

 

Thanks for that link! And the advice! This is a great thread! I appreciate all your guys experience! In my situation my daughters education is by far the most important, and if she gets to continue to play a game she absolutely LOVES and get her education patially paid for more power to her! Not to mention I love to watch her play!!! She is still improving and growing absolutely loves to work on her game. She has found a couple schools that offer what she wants to major in (Physical Theropy) and looks at their softball program second. Her top choice would be Ballarmine so why not start with your first choice. Which we are going to visit sometime in march when they have a home game.

 

Thanks Again!

Not sure what point is but you and your family are free to do whatever you decide is best, just like I did.

 

Everything my dd has achieved has been through her abilities, drive and desire and as her father It's my responsibility to help her achieve a better life and future for her. Whether its through softball, music, dance or whatever it may be, no matter how many times she may change her mind I will support her. Period.

 

Very well said!

 

Just to help with this thread would you say your family was fortunate that your daughter landed at Texas, regardless of her abilty. I am talking strictly as far as timing. Very hard to receive money at any level of D1 that late in the game much less at a school like Texas.

Very well said!

 

Just to help with this thread would you say your family was fortunate that your daughter landed at Texas, regardless of her abilty. I am talking strictly as far as timing. Very hard to receive money at any level of D1 that late in the game much less at a school like Texas.

 

Timing was everything. Aside from Murray St losing their coach UT had some events occur that certainly helped us out. My wife and I had to fly to OKC during ASA nationals and pick our dd up and go to the official visit ASAP. Once her club team coach called and said UT wanted to offer...it was over, no other school mattered to our dd. Her dream came true! Nothing but tears of joy from me, my wife, our dd and even her sisters!

Timing was everything. Aside from Murray St losing their coach UT had some events occur that certainly helped us out. My wife and I had to fly to OKC during ASA nationals and pick our dd up and go to the official visit ASAP. Once her club team coach called and said UT wanted to offer...it was over, no other school mattered to our dd. Her dream came true! Nothing but tears of joy from me, my wife, our dd and even her sisters!

I remember hearing about this.

JMU31=Softball recruiting guru!! But, seriously folks, I can assure you that he knows what he is talking about.

To answer all those questions I would say the answer is very few. There are girls that get burned out or decide softball isn't for them but I would say most that don't make it bc they are having trouble adjusting to the next level. Could happen to my kid who knows, but I will not have any regrets.

 

I don't think you are getting the purpose of this thread. It is to help people that want to play D1 softball. So the vast majority of what wer are talking about is D1, we will move on to the other Divisons shortly. If you feel like any of this is not helpful please disregard. I have said before there are nourmous ways to get to college but I am trying to explain the general way that most kids get to the D1 level

 

As far as going 2 hours to play in events yes it is possible very few D1 coaches are at these events but there aresome. And let me ask this question when you go 2 hours away vs say 5 to play in Chattanooga TN where there could be 10 times the amount of coaches what is the price difference maybe a $50 in gas? Don't you still need a hotel room in Columbus and eat out up there and pay for gas to get there and so on.

 

Why do you keep talking about kids dream to play D1, isn't everyones dream in just about every form of life to be the best they can and be. If you work at Mcdonalds and you sweep floors should you just say ok I am a floor sweeper or should you try to move up to maybe manager. D1 softball is the highest level they can reach so why wouldn't most kids shoot for that level. There is very good ball played at other levels but it's not the same. Do you practice everyday and say ok I am praciticing today just to be average. When you were a kid didn't you have dreams?

 

As far as the cost to travel to one tournament you're right. Couple dollars more. However, local teams may only go to 1-2 travel events. When you look at it as 1-1, then yea. But when you travel every weekend as an elite club vs me only traveling 1-2, now how much is the difference. Hotel, gas, flights, food (you tend to eat out more when traveling), etc. then your cost is way more than mine and we still have a shot at scholarships and yes, even D1.

 

Not every kid desires the same thing. They all go out and put their time in. Some may work extremely hard, but never get anything out of it. I would say this topic has very few viewers that have the reality of getting a D1 scholarship.

 

My whole point is I see all kinds of people listening to advice of a very few that it worked for. And then they follow that advice, only to find out years later that they wasted a lot of time and money for nothing. There are more stories like that than there are successful d1 stories. I'm saying there are many other options than flying around the country and paying large amounts of money to get a scholarship. It might work for a few, but not the majority.

 

You did it your way, I'll do it mine and the girls will end up in the same place in life 6-8 years from now. Mine will have memories, established relationships, and played in college. All without dragging the family all over the place every weekend and paying the elite costs.

Advice is advice...not orders:) LOL I find this all very interesting and informative and my dd does not want to play D1:) Looking forward to more tips for the other divisions as well. I can tell, you as the parent of a HS player since 7th grade NOT on a travel team, that we can take all the help we can get...nobody seems to know anything about any of this where we are:)

 

Keep the info coming:)

As far as the cost to travel to one tournament you're right. Couple dollars more. However, local teams may only go to 1-2 travel events. When you look at it as 1-1, then yea. But when you travel every weekend as an elite club vs me only traveling 1-2, now how much is the difference. Hotel, gas, flights, food (you tend to eat out more when traveling), etc. then your cost is way more than mine and we still have a shot at scholarships and yes, even D1.

 

Not every kid desires the same thing. They all go out and put their time in. Some may work extremely hard, but never get anything out of it. I would say this topic has very few viewers that have the reality of getting a D1 scholarship.

 

My whole point is I see all kinds of people listening to advice of a very few that it worked for. And then they follow that advice, only to find out years later that they wasted a lot of time and money for nothing. There are more stories like that than there are successful d1 stories. I'm saying there are many other options than flying around the country and paying large amounts of money to get a scholarship. It might work for a few, but not the majority.

 

You did it your way, I'll do it mine and the girls will end up in the same place in life 6-8 years from now. Mine will have memories, established relationships, and played in college. All without dragging the family all over the place every weekend and paying the elite costs.

 

If you and your dd don't want to pursue a d1 school than don't

If you and your dd don't want to travel and play on an elite team than don't

I won't get on this forum and say your selling your kid short so why get on here and insist that it's to expensive and probably a waste of time pursuing a big d1 school

I'm glad your kid will probably be at the same place 6-8 years after college but don't belittle those that do aspire to play at the highest level by insisting that hardly any kid really gets that far.

The reality of my dd pitching at her dream school on the same field as cat osterman is priceless. Traveling the country and playing the best softball talent in this country are memories no less important than what you hope for your kid.

Do what you think is best without downplaying what others might choose to do, even if doesn't work out for them. Memories and life lessons are created either way...........