14 Year old College Prospects

[FastpitchReport]

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[WalkOffHR]

Given everything that has transpired over the past 3+ years of HS, both in DD's development as a player and in significant changes in colleges she was very interested in early in the process (coaching changes, economic uncertainties, etc) I am very grateful she waited to verbal until the summer after her Junior year. Her 1st choice as a Freshman would have ended up being a disaster today and that would not have been known until it was way too late to change her mind.

Remember, last year this time the University of Akron had a baseball team. Who could have imagined what happened there? Not even the head coach knew until it was too late. Just imagine how horrible it was for those players who were all set to go there as players only to get the word they were now out in the cold right in the middle of summer. How many coaching vacancies opened up since the end of the spring season. Remember Mount Union considering dropping to D3 from D2?

Patience is a virtue. Trust the process and don't rush into a big mistake.

 

[tankerlab]

Verbals mean very little, trust me...it means the college coach is still looking......

I wouldn't go that far.. Yes noting is final until signing day but committed is committed. It was put to us this way by my DD's D-1 full ride offer in the summer between her Sophomore and Jr. Year (to her travel coach )
When I came and watched six plus games and you have been e mailing me... And coming to camps, it is like we were "Dating", getting to know each other... I make an offer and that's like me proposing to you. If you accept my offer, it's like we are engaged... After signing we are married...
So when you are engaged are you still looking? ( not supposed to be...)

 

[wow]

The experience is different for everyone, although there are some commonalities. My takeaways are be at the camps where you have a interest in the education and majors, make sure you travel the facility and see campus life, and most off the fit of the coaches and team. Put yourself out there and once you make that initially contact follow up and send emails. Put together a video. Get front and center so when you return the staff knows you. Every college coach, who I have heard speak, wants the right fit. Not only is this in ability but also in personality. There are a lot of great kids out there but not all of them have the temperament to fit in the program they seek. The other part of this process is understanding what dollars are available and how academics play into that.

As far as when the commitment is made, I tend to agree freshman year is a long way away for a college decision. With that said everyone has a different path and that is one of the reasons there is so much ambiguity around this process. There is a ton of great advice and always enjoy hearing how others made their journey.

 

[SOFTBALLS14]

The player and family have to own a huge percentage of the situation... once your org/team/coach layout a schedule the family has for the year, they must attend camps, email, call, and work with their head coach, recruiting liaison, and for themselves... which is like 50-60% of the deal.


I agree with a lot you have posted (especially above) but ... Its not the only window at the young age....
I have talked with D-1 college coaches this week .... They are still looking for 2017 and 2018s ... Even pitchers and catchers... Some are due to injury some are due to leaving softball. Its a grind at D-1 and its hard!
So there are still opportunities out there just because you don't get picked up at 14u doesn't mean you cant get picked up at 16u or 18u.
Besides D-1 is not a fit for all. only 3% get there. ....
So like you stated above do the work put in the time, in getting your players out there and good things will come!
GOOD LUCK THIS SEASON!