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Recruiting Tips
Use these 5 tips to help with your softball scholarship recruiting:
Get the best grades possible. This is an easy aspect of your recruiting to control. Coaches have a much easier time recruiting an athlete that leaves no questions to their academic ability in college. Colleges are tightening admission standards for athletes every year. Do let your grades leave you sidelined.
Play multiple positions. With such little scholarship money to hand out, if you can play two positions well, the coach saves money by recruiting you. You are a two-for-one deal in the coaches eye. Even if your high school coach only lets you play one position, play another during your summer season.
Get exposure. You have to let the coaches know you exist. Even if you are from a rural high school or school that hasn't had a scholarship athlete in years, you can get your name out there if you contact schools early and do it the right way.
Don't wait. Coaches are offering scholarships earlier every year. Start your recruiting during your sophomore year to get a jump on the competition. Junior year is critical for softball and you should have been contacting colleges all year. Don't wait for your high school coach or the college coach to contact you. Get out there and make it happen.
Be aggressive. There is a lot of competition. Be aggressive with contacting schools, sending out personal recruiting packets and picking up the phone. It often comes down to who did more work during the recruiting process, not who is the most talented softball player.
Use these 5 tips as a starting point for your college softball scholarship search. You need to start developing a recruiting game plan and educating yourself about the recruiting process. Take action and you can guarantee yourself success.
Recruiting Tips From Missouri Softball (Head Coach)
Come to play
Every weekend, we send two coaches out, and they go to these big exposure tournaments. One of our policies is that we’re never going to sign a kid unless we’ve thoroughly seen them play. We’re not going to do it [based] on hearsay or what we saw on a videotape or by a statistical chart. We’re going to physically go watch these kids and pick out [those who] fit what we’re looking for.
Flexibility with scholarship opportunities
A lot of kids (and parents) have this expectation that [they’re] going to get a full ride, [but] it’s just not the case in most instances. Most kids are getting partial scholarships. It’s very hard to get a full ride, and I think kids (and parents) should understand the reality of that.
Expand your athleticism
The athletes in our game have certainly gotten better [compared to] 10 years ago. I just hope that trend continues. I think the more our sport transitions from the stocky, strong, slow softball player into the athletic, agile kid, I think the better we’ll get overall.
________________________________________________________________________
More Good "Recruiting" Advice and Information
Too many parents waste time insisting that their player is in the elite "blue chip" pool of recruits, when in reality she's in the much, much larger pool of "very good" athletes. Because of this, these families take too long to realize that their player may have to accept a Div. II scholarship or an NAIA talent award or a Div. III financial aid package if she really wants to play softball in college. Never recommend that a player go to a college she hates just to play softball. This is always a big mistake. But athletes should expand their horizons and consider colleges they might not have heard about or colleges that are farther away from home than they originally wanted. College coaches do want the best talent they can get. But almost all coaches will take a long hard look at the player who most wants to play and who really wants to be part of their program. So the more open an athlete is and the more willing she is to take a look at lots of different types of colleges and college teams, the greater are her chances of being some coach's "dream" recruit. The recruiting game is like the game of musical chairs. There are way too many players competing for too few seats. If the music starts to slow down, you had better grab the first open chair. If you don't you may find you are out of the game all together!
Proactive marketing, contacting coaches, sending out videos, and never stopping does produce results. But because of the pyramid structure of college softball, there will be far fewer spots open at top schools and far more players wanting to go to those schools. And the bigger the talent pool, the more coaches can pick and choose which kids they want to recruit.
Where players think they can play and would like to play may not be where they are most likely to make a strong contribution to the program and therefore be a "hot prospect."
It's fine to contact your "dream" schools. Just do it early in your college search, and at the same time also write twenty or thirty other schools covering a broad spectrum from small and mid-level Div. I schools to good Div. III programs. It's a lot easier to hear that a Top 20 Div. I team doesn't want to recruit you, if at the same time, you are hearing that a smaller D-I or good D-II/NAIA school has a spot just for you.
When scouting, how much attention a coach pays to any given athlete may also depend a lot on whether or not the coach has a context for that player. In other words, when a coach just randomly stops at a field for five minutes to watch a team he or she doesn't know, if your player is having a really bad game, the coach will probably move on and not pay her any more attention. However, if the coach had gotten a letter from her, seen her video and liked it, and knew your player was very interested in his or her college, that coach might still take the time to watch more than one inning. He or she might even come back for another game to see if this poor performance was the result of an 'off day.' It's also good to remember that college coaches don't just look at mechanics or skill level when recruiting athletes. Although these things are very important, most coaches also look closely at a player's attitude, work ethic, sportsmanship, and other qualities that can't be measured by 'statistics.'
When recruiting, many college coaches will specifically try to look at an athlete's performance in challenging situations; and they will definitely be interested in how she copes with adversity.
When the umpire has an inconsistent strike zone, or the team isn't playing up to its potential, coaches want to know how the individual reacts. Does she throw her bat and helmet, stomp around angrily, sit and sulk on the bench, or in other ways fail to adjust to the situation? Or does she rise to the occasion, try to keep her teammate spirits up, try to perform to her best? Loving the game and being competitive enough to hustle even when it's ninety degrees and you're losing will tell a college coach a lot about how you will cope with the demands of college softball. In between innings if you drag out to your position at shortstop and just lob balls to the first baseman, laughing when you miss a ball, this may give a college coach the impression you lack intensity or that you can't stay focused. If you sit in the dugout and sulk when the coach pulls you for a pinch hitter or when the coach asks you to bunt, you pop up because you really want to hit away, this may tell a college coach you're not a team player and you're only interested in your own performance. Remember, you never know when a college coach or a scout is watching you.
From the time you show up at a tournament or game, you should be performing--in every sense of the word--to the best of your abilities. Whether you're just hitting soft-toss during pre-game warm-ups or making a leaping catch to save the game, coaches may be watching. When you're carrying gear after the game or sitting on the bench keeping stats for your coach, someone may be watching. And a decision to recruit or not recruit you could be based on how you handle yourself in these situations.
Finally, parents should keep in mind that the same cautions apply to you. While coaches are scouting your player, they may also be scouting you. Although it seems farfetched, there have been situations where coaches have decided not to recruit a good athlete simply because they watched her parents "act out" in the stands. The coaches saw the parents and realized the athlete would probably not fit in with their team--or at least her parents wouldn't! It may be difficult for some parents to understand, but the reality is when your athlete joins that college team, you have to say good-bye. Even if you've coached her for ten years, you will not have any input once she's in college. Where she plays, when she plays, what pitches she throws, whether she hits--these are all decisions the college coach will make without your help. And whether or not you like what the coach is doing probably won't matter a bit.
______________________________________________________________________________
Observations from/about College Coaches
They all go to big tournaments with lists. If you're not on that list, it will be very hard to get noticed unless you're hitting the ball to the fence on a regular basis--when the coaches are watching. (Sorry, but that's just the way it is.)
(Parents: read the NCAA rule book and memorize the rules on contact. (see links page for link to NCAA Rule book) I see parents breaking these rules right and left--sometimes coaches too--but you may not realize your daughter's eligibility to play could be jeopardized by what you consider a harmless conversation about a college's football team.)
Unless you're incredibly lucky or amazingly athletic, becoming a good hitter is a matter of learning the right mechanics (teaching your muscles what to do), developing a keen eye and teaching yourself very good discipline at the plate...and then practicing to get even better!
Don't assume because they're watching your game that they're there to see you. You need to show them you're motivated enough to put some effort into your college search!
By the end of a big exposure tournament, coaches are bleary-eyed and exhausted. And we can guarantee you they won't remember everyone they've seen. If you want them to remember you, follow up after the tournaments with a call or email to find out if they even saw you play...and to ask where they are with recruiting.
A rotten attitude turns coaches off faster than anything else. If you don't want to be playing softball, don't play. (Mom and Dad will get over it - eventually.)
If you're not performing well at the moment, focus externally and support your teammates instead of sulking and feeling sorry for yourself.
Weight training and running will be part of your college experience if you play softball. Don't wait until you get to college to figure this out. Start now. You'll feel better, look better, perform better and have more stamina. And you'll be way ahead of the other freshmen starting school with you!
College coaches really prefer to hear from you. They're not recruiting your mom or your dad or your pitching coach. No matter how scary it is, if you're not motivated enough to call coaches, talk to them, etc., they may figure you're really not that interested in playing college softball for them.
Don't ever just take the SAT or ACT once--unless you score a 1600 or 36 out of the gate. No matter how unpleasant it is, work to raise your score. There's a lot more academic money than athletic money available and coaches look for kids with high test scores.
If your daughter doesn't want it, you can't make it appear that she does. Ask her on a regular basis if she's sure that playing in college is what she's wants. If it is, help her learn how to reach that goal. If it's not, let her do something she enjoys--and you can both move on to other things.
Find out what your daughter or player's grades really are. Learn the difference between an NCAA "core GPA", a "semester GPA" and a "cumulative GPA". This is critical information for many college coaches.
Whether you are a freshman or a senior, start thinking about college NOW. The preparation you do today, will make your decision-making process easier when you being recruited. Research, research, research... discover what your interests are, and what schools will best help you achieve your goals for the future.
If you intend to participate in Division I or II athletics as a freshman in college, you must be registered with and be certified as eligible by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
NCAA Division I & Division II Rules to Follow:
1.Coaches may not contact prospective recruits before Sept. 1st of the players' junior year in high school. You can call or write but they cannot call you or send any promotional softball material about their program.
2.Coaches may not contact you by phone or in person before July 1st after your junior year.
3.Coaches may not talk to senior players at tournaments until their team has been eliminated. They can talk to a family member, which will constitute an official contact.
4.Coaches may only call prospective student athletes once a week. (You may call them as often as you like.)
5.Coaches can only have 3 in person official contacts with a player. (Parents talking to a coach is a contact.)
6.A player can only have 5 official visits. (You must be in your senior year to take an official visit.)
7.Early signing period is during the 2nd & 3rd week of November of your senior year; the next signing period is in April of your senior year.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Please remember it's great to receive letters from schools and coaches, but most schools send out hundreds of letters to athletes. This is only the first step in the recruiting process. So don't slow down on marketing yourself because you are receiving some letters, no matter how interested the coach seems. They are sending the same letter out to a lot of other athletes. Most programs will only be recruiting 3 to 4 players a year.
Use these 5 tips to help with your softball scholarship recruiting:
Get the best grades possible. This is an easy aspect of your recruiting to control. Coaches have a much easier time recruiting an athlete that leaves no questions to their academic ability in college. Colleges are tightening admission standards for athletes every year. Do let your grades leave you sidelined.
Play multiple positions. With such little scholarship money to hand out, if you can play two positions well, the coach saves money by recruiting you. You are a two-for-one deal in the coaches eye. Even if your high school coach only lets you play one position, play another during your summer season.
Get exposure. You have to let the coaches know you exist. Even if you are from a rural high school or school that hasn't had a scholarship athlete in years, you can get your name out there if you contact schools early and do it the right way.
Don't wait. Coaches are offering scholarships earlier every year. Start your recruiting during your sophomore year to get a jump on the competition. Junior year is critical for softball and you should have been contacting colleges all year. Don't wait for your high school coach or the college coach to contact you. Get out there and make it happen.
Be aggressive. There is a lot of competition. Be aggressive with contacting schools, sending out personal recruiting packets and picking up the phone. It often comes down to who did more work during the recruiting process, not who is the most talented softball player.
Use these 5 tips as a starting point for your college softball scholarship search. You need to start developing a recruiting game plan and educating yourself about the recruiting process. Take action and you can guarantee yourself success.
Recruiting Tips From Missouri Softball (Head Coach)
Come to play
Every weekend, we send two coaches out, and they go to these big exposure tournaments. One of our policies is that we’re never going to sign a kid unless we’ve thoroughly seen them play. We’re not going to do it [based] on hearsay or what we saw on a videotape or by a statistical chart. We’re going to physically go watch these kids and pick out [those who] fit what we’re looking for.
Flexibility with scholarship opportunities
A lot of kids (and parents) have this expectation that [they’re] going to get a full ride, [but] it’s just not the case in most instances. Most kids are getting partial scholarships. It’s very hard to get a full ride, and I think kids (and parents) should understand the reality of that.
Expand your athleticism
The athletes in our game have certainly gotten better [compared to] 10 years ago. I just hope that trend continues. I think the more our sport transitions from the stocky, strong, slow softball player into the athletic, agile kid, I think the better we’ll get overall.
________________________________________________________________________
More Good "Recruiting" Advice and Information
Too many parents waste time insisting that their player is in the elite "blue chip" pool of recruits, when in reality she's in the much, much larger pool of "very good" athletes. Because of this, these families take too long to realize that their player may have to accept a Div. II scholarship or an NAIA talent award or a Div. III financial aid package if she really wants to play softball in college. Never recommend that a player go to a college she hates just to play softball. This is always a big mistake. But athletes should expand their horizons and consider colleges they might not have heard about or colleges that are farther away from home than they originally wanted. College coaches do want the best talent they can get. But almost all coaches will take a long hard look at the player who most wants to play and who really wants to be part of their program. So the more open an athlete is and the more willing she is to take a look at lots of different types of colleges and college teams, the greater are her chances of being some coach's "dream" recruit. The recruiting game is like the game of musical chairs. There are way too many players competing for too few seats. If the music starts to slow down, you had better grab the first open chair. If you don't you may find you are out of the game all together!
Proactive marketing, contacting coaches, sending out videos, and never stopping does produce results. But because of the pyramid structure of college softball, there will be far fewer spots open at top schools and far more players wanting to go to those schools. And the bigger the talent pool, the more coaches can pick and choose which kids they want to recruit.
Where players think they can play and would like to play may not be where they are most likely to make a strong contribution to the program and therefore be a "hot prospect."
It's fine to contact your "dream" schools. Just do it early in your college search, and at the same time also write twenty or thirty other schools covering a broad spectrum from small and mid-level Div. I schools to good Div. III programs. It's a lot easier to hear that a Top 20 Div. I team doesn't want to recruit you, if at the same time, you are hearing that a smaller D-I or good D-II/NAIA school has a spot just for you.
When scouting, how much attention a coach pays to any given athlete may also depend a lot on whether or not the coach has a context for that player. In other words, when a coach just randomly stops at a field for five minutes to watch a team he or she doesn't know, if your player is having a really bad game, the coach will probably move on and not pay her any more attention. However, if the coach had gotten a letter from her, seen her video and liked it, and knew your player was very interested in his or her college, that coach might still take the time to watch more than one inning. He or she might even come back for another game to see if this poor performance was the result of an 'off day.' It's also good to remember that college coaches don't just look at mechanics or skill level when recruiting athletes. Although these things are very important, most coaches also look closely at a player's attitude, work ethic, sportsmanship, and other qualities that can't be measured by 'statistics.'
When recruiting, many college coaches will specifically try to look at an athlete's performance in challenging situations; and they will definitely be interested in how she copes with adversity.
When the umpire has an inconsistent strike zone, or the team isn't playing up to its potential, coaches want to know how the individual reacts. Does she throw her bat and helmet, stomp around angrily, sit and sulk on the bench, or in other ways fail to adjust to the situation? Or does she rise to the occasion, try to keep her teammate spirits up, try to perform to her best? Loving the game and being competitive enough to hustle even when it's ninety degrees and you're losing will tell a college coach a lot about how you will cope with the demands of college softball. In between innings if you drag out to your position at shortstop and just lob balls to the first baseman, laughing when you miss a ball, this may give a college coach the impression you lack intensity or that you can't stay focused. If you sit in the dugout and sulk when the coach pulls you for a pinch hitter or when the coach asks you to bunt, you pop up because you really want to hit away, this may tell a college coach you're not a team player and you're only interested in your own performance. Remember, you never know when a college coach or a scout is watching you.
From the time you show up at a tournament or game, you should be performing--in every sense of the word--to the best of your abilities. Whether you're just hitting soft-toss during pre-game warm-ups or making a leaping catch to save the game, coaches may be watching. When you're carrying gear after the game or sitting on the bench keeping stats for your coach, someone may be watching. And a decision to recruit or not recruit you could be based on how you handle yourself in these situations.
Finally, parents should keep in mind that the same cautions apply to you. While coaches are scouting your player, they may also be scouting you. Although it seems farfetched, there have been situations where coaches have decided not to recruit a good athlete simply because they watched her parents "act out" in the stands. The coaches saw the parents and realized the athlete would probably not fit in with their team--or at least her parents wouldn't! It may be difficult for some parents to understand, but the reality is when your athlete joins that college team, you have to say good-bye. Even if you've coached her for ten years, you will not have any input once she's in college. Where she plays, when she plays, what pitches she throws, whether she hits--these are all decisions the college coach will make without your help. And whether or not you like what the coach is doing probably won't matter a bit.
______________________________________________________________________________
Observations from/about College Coaches
They all go to big tournaments with lists. If you're not on that list, it will be very hard to get noticed unless you're hitting the ball to the fence on a regular basis--when the coaches are watching. (Sorry, but that's just the way it is.)
(Parents: read the NCAA rule book and memorize the rules on contact. (see links page for link to NCAA Rule book) I see parents breaking these rules right and left--sometimes coaches too--but you may not realize your daughter's eligibility to play could be jeopardized by what you consider a harmless conversation about a college's football team.)
Unless you're incredibly lucky or amazingly athletic, becoming a good hitter is a matter of learning the right mechanics (teaching your muscles what to do), developing a keen eye and teaching yourself very good discipline at the plate...and then practicing to get even better!
Don't assume because they're watching your game that they're there to see you. You need to show them you're motivated enough to put some effort into your college search!
By the end of a big exposure tournament, coaches are bleary-eyed and exhausted. And we can guarantee you they won't remember everyone they've seen. If you want them to remember you, follow up after the tournaments with a call or email to find out if they even saw you play...and to ask where they are with recruiting.
A rotten attitude turns coaches off faster than anything else. If you don't want to be playing softball, don't play. (Mom and Dad will get over it - eventually.)
If you're not performing well at the moment, focus externally and support your teammates instead of sulking and feeling sorry for yourself.
Weight training and running will be part of your college experience if you play softball. Don't wait until you get to college to figure this out. Start now. You'll feel better, look better, perform better and have more stamina. And you'll be way ahead of the other freshmen starting school with you!
College coaches really prefer to hear from you. They're not recruiting your mom or your dad or your pitching coach. No matter how scary it is, if you're not motivated enough to call coaches, talk to them, etc., they may figure you're really not that interested in playing college softball for them.
Don't ever just take the SAT or ACT once--unless you score a 1600 or 36 out of the gate. No matter how unpleasant it is, work to raise your score. There's a lot more academic money than athletic money available and coaches look for kids with high test scores.
If your daughter doesn't want it, you can't make it appear that she does. Ask her on a regular basis if she's sure that playing in college is what she's wants. If it is, help her learn how to reach that goal. If it's not, let her do something she enjoys--and you can both move on to other things.
Find out what your daughter or player's grades really are. Learn the difference between an NCAA "core GPA", a "semester GPA" and a "cumulative GPA". This is critical information for many college coaches.
Whether you are a freshman or a senior, start thinking about college NOW. The preparation you do today, will make your decision-making process easier when you being recruited. Research, research, research... discover what your interests are, and what schools will best help you achieve your goals for the future.
If you intend to participate in Division I or II athletics as a freshman in college, you must be registered with and be certified as eligible by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
NCAA Division I & Division II Rules to Follow:
1.Coaches may not contact prospective recruits before Sept. 1st of the players' junior year in high school. You can call or write but they cannot call you or send any promotional softball material about their program.
2.Coaches may not contact you by phone or in person before July 1st after your junior year.
3.Coaches may not talk to senior players at tournaments until their team has been eliminated. They can talk to a family member, which will constitute an official contact.
4.Coaches may only call prospective student athletes once a week. (You may call them as often as you like.)
5.Coaches can only have 3 in person official contacts with a player. (Parents talking to a coach is a contact.)
6.A player can only have 5 official visits. (You must be in your senior year to take an official visit.)
7.Early signing period is during the 2nd & 3rd week of November of your senior year; the next signing period is in April of your senior year.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Please remember it's great to receive letters from schools and coaches, but most schools send out hundreds of letters to athletes. This is only the first step in the recruiting process. So don't slow down on marketing yourself because you are receiving some letters, no matter how interested the coach seems. They are sending the same letter out to a lot of other athletes. Most programs will only be recruiting 3 to 4 players a year.
Playing vs Competing
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College Recruitment Information
Southern Shockers
Division I Softball recruiting Calendar
Division I Softball Recruiting Calendar
August 1, 2005 - July 31, 2006
(See Bylaw 30.11.4 for Division I softball calendar formula)
The dates in this calendar reflect the application of Bylaw 30.11 at the time of publication but are subject to change per Constitution 5.2.3.1 or if certain dates (e.g., National Letter of Intent signing dates are altered.)
(a) August 1 through November 23, 2005*
[except for (1) below]:
Contact/Evaluation Period
(1) November 7-10, 2005: Dead Period
(b) November 24, 2005, through January 1, 2006,[except for (1) below]:Quiet Period
(1)November 30 (12:01 a.m.) through
December 4 (12:01 a.m.):Dead Period
(c)January 2 through July 31, 2006,* [except for (1) and (2) below]:
Contact/Evaluation Period
(1) April 10-13, 2006:Dead Period
(2) May 30 - June 9, 2006, (noon):Dead Period
(d) During high school regional and state
championship competition that does not occur during a dead period:
(e) In Hawaii, between November 24, 2005, and January 1, 2006, [except for (1) below]:
(1) November 30 (12:01 a.m.) through
December 4, 2005, (12:01 a.m.):
Evaluation Period
Contact/Evaluation Period
Dead Period
* Each institution is limited to 50 evaluation days (August 1 - July 31)
per Bylaw 13.02.6.2, which do not include employment of coaches in
instructional camps/clinics or the observation of prospects participating
in high-school softball competition.
What are they looking for????????????
How to Act/Dress for Success on the Field
Click here to review what many coaches are looking for when they come to see a player live and in person at a tournament
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
College coaches look at hundreds of prospects and only make offers to a few players. What can you do to stand out from the crowd? Dress Like a Pro: Be prepared before you step on the ball field. Make sure that your uniform and shoes are clean. Dress like a ball player. Leave the jewelry at home and please don?t come to the ball park wearing your hat backwards! If you are thinking about attending a certain college, find out how players at that school wear the uniform and dress the same.
DO'S & DON'Ts
YOUR AUDITION BEGINS IN THE PARKING LOT
Believe it or not, some coaches will watch every move that you make once you reach the ball field. Your actions say a lot about your desire and love of the game. Your pre-game warm-up is critical. Go about it in a business-like manner. It is okay to smile and have fun, but avoid horseplay with your teammates.
PRE-GAME WARM-UP?
Show your skills in infield/outfield warm up. You may play an entire game and not get a single batted ball. Make sure that you are properly warmed-up and show your arm and body action during the pre-game routine.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I MAKE A MISTAKE DURING THE GAME
Personally, as a coach, I always want to watch a player make a mistake during a game so that I can see how she responds. Softball, especially hitting, is a game where you fail more than you succeed. If you can?t control your emotions and recover from a mistake, you will never be successful. Coaches are looking for team players who can overcome failure.
DO'S & DON'TS OF THE GAME
* Do treat umpires and the opposition with respect.
* Don't talk with people in the stands during the game.
* Don't throw equipment.
* Do Hustle, (that means run on and off the field and run out routine ground balls).
* Don't give up, no matter how far your team is behind.
* Do pay attention to what is happening on the field when you are in the dugout.
* Do your share of housekeeping on the field and in the dugout, pick up bats, helmets etc.
* Do enjoy and the competition, it shows!
Division I Softball recruiting Calendar
Division I Softball Recruiting Calendar
August 1, 2005 - July 31, 2006
(See Bylaw 30.11.4 for Division I softball calendar formula)
The dates in this calendar reflect the application of Bylaw 30.11 at the time of publication but are subject to change per Constitution 5.2.3.1 or if certain dates (e.g., National Letter of Intent signing dates are altered.)
(a) August 1 through November 23, 2005*
[except for (1) below]:
Contact/Evaluation Period
(1) November 7-10, 2005: Dead Period
(b) November 24, 2005, through January 1, 2006,[except for (1) below]:Quiet Period
(1)November 30 (12:01 a.m.) through
December 4 (12:01 a.m.):Dead Period
(c)January 2 through July 31, 2006,* [except for (1) and (2) below]:
Contact/Evaluation Period
(1) April 10-13, 2006:Dead Period
(2) May 30 - June 9, 2006, (noon):Dead Period
(d) During high school regional and state
championship competition that does not occur during a dead period:
(e) In Hawaii, between November 24, 2005, and January 1, 2006, [except for (1) below]:
(1) November 30 (12:01 a.m.) through
December 4, 2005, (12:01 a.m.):
Evaluation Period
Contact/Evaluation Period
Dead Period
* Each institution is limited to 50 evaluation days (August 1 - July 31)
per Bylaw 13.02.6.2, which do not include employment of coaches in
instructional camps/clinics or the observation of prospects participating
in high-school softball competition.
What are they looking for????????????
How to Act/Dress for Success on the Field
Click here to review what many coaches are looking for when they come to see a player live and in person at a tournament
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
College coaches look at hundreds of prospects and only make offers to a few players. What can you do to stand out from the crowd? Dress Like a Pro: Be prepared before you step on the ball field. Make sure that your uniform and shoes are clean. Dress like a ball player. Leave the jewelry at home and please don?t come to the ball park wearing your hat backwards! If you are thinking about attending a certain college, find out how players at that school wear the uniform and dress the same.
DO'S & DON'Ts
YOUR AUDITION BEGINS IN THE PARKING LOT
Believe it or not, some coaches will watch every move that you make once you reach the ball field. Your actions say a lot about your desire and love of the game. Your pre-game warm-up is critical. Go about it in a business-like manner. It is okay to smile and have fun, but avoid horseplay with your teammates.
PRE-GAME WARM-UP?
Show your skills in infield/outfield warm up. You may play an entire game and not get a single batted ball. Make sure that you are properly warmed-up and show your arm and body action during the pre-game routine.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I MAKE A MISTAKE DURING THE GAME
Personally, as a coach, I always want to watch a player make a mistake during a game so that I can see how she responds. Softball, especially hitting, is a game where you fail more than you succeed. If you can?t control your emotions and recover from a mistake, you will never be successful. Coaches are looking for team players who can overcome failure.
DO'S & DON'TS OF THE GAME
* Do treat umpires and the opposition with respect.
* Don't talk with people in the stands during the game.
* Don't throw equipment.
* Do Hustle, (that means run on and off the field and run out routine ground balls).
* Don't give up, no matter how far your team is behind.
* Do pay attention to what is happening on the field when you are in the dugout.
* Do your share of housekeeping on the field and in the dugout, pick up bats, helmets etc.
* Do enjoy and the competition, it shows!
