Yes arm strength is very important, also I have noticed that many coaches are wanting athletes (infielders) to really master throwing from the slot now (side arm). My daughter has been to camps where this is been stressed by colleges.
Hi Dan, My daughter is 13 and a pitcher for both our local middle school and for a travel ball team she plays for. Last year we went to a recruiting/skills showcase (one of the ones that has reps all over the country) and their advice was to, unless you're the top 1% of 1% of the players in your region not to try for the big D-1 schools but to stay local and play D-2 or D-3 ball. Is this an accurate picture of what it would take to be on a D-1 program? Do recruiters look for extra curriculars or just softball and softball alone? Additionally, my daughter is an A+ student, plays 2 other sports and is involved in community and school programs. Thanks very much and I appreciate your efforts in teaching kids of all ages how to be better at these great games.
The extra curricular stuff and academics helps, but it doesn’t make up for the required skills to play at a level. Schools will cross a kid off their list if their grades are too low, If they see or hear about attitude or effort problems from the player or family members. Being a great student opens doors at schools like Cornell or other high academic schools that can’t get talented players in who don’t meet their strict entrance requirements. But - if she doesn’t have D1 talent she still won’t go D1. The academics open some doors, but mostly just keep all doors open. And yes - when averaged out, it really is the best 1% who go D1. So look lower until D1’s begin showing interest. Ultimately, if you get seen enough, the interest she gathers will tell you how good she is. If only D3 schools contact her, that’s probably where her talent level is.
Trying to find some help!!!! My kid plays on a very high level 12u team that travels all over playing the best competition in the country. My issue is her school coach told her she would be his starting varsity catcher this year as a 7th grader. The problem is he says no practice or tournaments with travel team from jan1-mid may. We have worked hard to get a travel team like we are a part of now with some of the top kids in the country all on 1 team. I do not wanna give that up for school ball now while she is in 7th grade but what do we do?? If he doesn’t budge she won’t be the varsity catcher and will play JV only. I don’t think my kid should be punished for being good enough to start as a 7th grader and forced to quit travel ball. Without high level travel ball we wouldn’t even be in this position!! Any help or advice is appreciated.
I wouldn't let a varsity coach push my 7th grader off her travel teams at such a young age. Also crazy that their varsity team is so bad that a 7th grader would be the starter...
I would say is more an issue if she is just that good at 7th grade vs them being so bad. Our travel pitcher recorded her 110th strike out for her school as a 7th grader this last week and took them to a 2 seed in their state tournament. This travel team at 12u would beat most varsity teams. We have the best kids from 3 states.
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Yes arm strength is very important, also I have noticed that many coaches are wanting athletes (infielders) to really master throwing from the slot now (side arm). My daughter has been to camps where this is been stressed by colleges.
yeah - I have urged this in more than a few videos here on my channel. Thanks for the comment!
Awesome video!
That's my best friend Crimson at 5:34. She is super cool!!
She’s definitely pretty cool!
Hi Dan, My daughter is 13 and a pitcher for both our local middle school and for a travel ball team she plays for. Last year we went to a recruiting/skills showcase (one of the ones that has reps all over the country) and their advice was to, unless you're the top 1% of 1% of the players in your region not to try for the big D-1 schools but to stay local and play D-2 or D-3 ball. Is this an accurate picture of what it would take to be on a D-1 program? Do recruiters look for extra curriculars or just softball and softball alone? Additionally, my daughter is an A+ student, plays 2 other sports and is involved in community and school programs. Thanks very much and I appreciate your efforts in teaching kids of all ages how to be better at these great games.
The extra curricular stuff and academics helps, but it doesn’t make up for the required skills to play at a level. Schools will cross a kid off their list if their grades are too low, If they see or hear about attitude or effort problems from the player or family members. Being a great student opens doors at schools like Cornell or other high academic schools that can’t get talented players in who don’t meet their strict entrance requirements. But - if she doesn’t have D1 talent she still won’t go D1. The academics open some doors, but mostly just keep all doors open. And yes - when averaged out, it really is the best 1% who go D1. So look lower until D1’s begin showing interest. Ultimately, if you get seen enough, the interest she gathers will tell you how good she is. If only D3 schools contact her, that’s probably where her talent level is.
Good looking out Bro.
When should a player narrow their position choices?
Probably 14 or 15 years old.
Trying to find some help!!!! My kid plays on a very high level 12u team that travels all over playing the best competition in the country. My issue is her school coach told her she would be his starting varsity catcher this year as a 7th grader. The problem is he says no practice or tournaments with travel team from jan1-mid may. We have worked hard to get a travel team like we are a part of now with some of the top kids in the country all on 1 team. I do not wanna give that up for school ball now while she is in 7th grade but what do we do?? If he doesn’t budge she won’t be the varsity catcher and will play JV only. I don’t think my kid should be punished for being good enough to start as a 7th grader and forced to quit travel ball. Without high level travel ball we wouldn’t even be in this position!! Any help or advice is appreciated.
I wouldn't let a varsity coach push my 7th grader off her travel teams at such a young age. Also crazy that their varsity team is so bad that a 7th grader would be the starter...
I would say is more an issue if she is just that good at 7th grade vs them being so bad. Our travel pitcher recorded her 110th strike out for her school as a 7th grader this last week and took them to a 2 seed in their state tournament. This travel team at 12u would beat most varsity teams. We have the best kids from 3 states.
What happens when you are a really good infielder but your coaches move you around to give everyone playing time at different positions?
depends on your age
15 years old
itll probably start to hurt if coaches dont get to see her at her best position regularly next year and the year after.
Hi! What age should players start emailing colleges?
Freshman year if they're REALLY good (like best in the county without question), Sophomore year for everyone else.