College recruting article

[default]

http://thesportjournal.org/article/...eria-leading-ncaa-division-i-softball-coaches

This should help on the question of what stats are important. Great survey on D1 softball coaches. Sure tells you to play more than one sport, plus it shows what they are looking at.

 

[default]

One can only hope that stats are kept correctly, which isn't always the case.

 

[default]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[default]

Pretty cool article

 

[default]

It is a fascinating article. But with only 37 coaches responding and the "top three indicators" often including a mismash of widely varying responses, I am not convinced that there are many firm conclusions to be drawn from the study. I also note that the 37 coaches were from what the study authors believed to be the top 50 Division I programs in the country, so players who aren't focusing on that elite level of college play might not want to put too much emphasis on this study. When a college coach from a top 50 program says that statistics are not important, for example, it is likely that stats don't mean much because the player has been able to prove herself though observed participation in really high profile showcases/tournaments (Premier Nationals, USA/ASA Nationals. USA Jr. Team, etc. etc.) or through attending that college's clinics.

I agree with SBFamily that one of the clearer results from the study is the fact that the responding college coaches preferred to recruit multi-sport athletes. Although as travel coaches accommodating multi-sport athletes can be difficult/frustrating, it appears that continuing to embrace the multi-sport athlete, with no significant penalty for missed travel ball events (and I don't consider sitting the next game back to be a significant penalty), is in the best interest of the player.

 

[default]

Many/most coaches don't pay a lot of attention to stats because they don't trust their accuracy and don't know the level of competition. Stats and participation in their camp may get a player noticed by a coach, but top programs will still want to see them play against top competition.

 

[default]

Interesting article. Thanks for sharing SBfamily

 

[default]

I thought it very interesting about the reference to paying for a professional recruiting service, and the purpose of a recruiting video from the coaches perspective. That should send a big message to families just starting the recruiting process.

 

[default]

I liked this question/answer:

Do you prefer to recruit multi-sport athletes? Top response was Yes with 74%. The reason provided was that multi-sport athletes were ?more athletic, they can think, are challenged on several levels, balanced, well rounded, don?t burnout, improve more once focus on softball, are versatile, all around athletes and they possess carryover skill and better court [field] sense or awareness.?

A lot of student/athletes think they need to focus on one sport in order to be recruited. This response obviously indicates differently.

 

[default]

Great article. My DD began playing Basketball because we were informed of this a couple years ago. I keep stats for our team. I know that people bash us and that the stats are not really considered because of the resume of the stat person, but I truly take to heart my girls' stats and how important it is for them.

I consider it a tool for the girls to grow and have and educated response when they are speaking to college scouts. They also have their own paper form to hand over to the scouts when asked. Having the girls informed about themselves makes them more likely to get a second look unlike the "um-I don't know" players. JMHO

I don't mind the bashing-I completely understand it . Just remember it is a tough job and actually there is only a few padders out there-most of us are actual really educated in the game. A good coach will locate a great stat person who is fair.