At what age do college coaches REALLY start looking at girls? I've heard 16,14...... my DD will be moving up to 14u next year so I'm curious. Any thoughts, maybe some of the veterans of this game ( players and parents ) could help educate me.
If your kid is 13u/14u and good enough to make the Beverly Bandits, New Jersey Breakers, New Jersey Intensity, Illinois Chill, Indiana Magic Gold, Wasco Diamonds, Worth Prospects, Georgia Elite, then by all means, play up at 16u and attend showcases....these kids will get looks.
However, if your kid is 13u/14u and on a team that isn't consider a "gold" team, I see no benefit of entering into 14u showcases (other than the local ones like Lasers/Gapss/Stingrays) because college coaches are not watching kids play 14u (unless you have a stud pitcher who is 6'0 tall and throws 63+ which is RARE)
Another thing you need to consider, do you really want coaches looking at your kid if she isn't ready?
I don't know who your kid is but this is my suggestion for what it is worth-
Have her play on the BEST ohio team she can get on (that matches her abilities) and hopefully that team will play in the BEST tournaments that they can get themselves into. with like minded parents, maybe the team can schedule a couple out of state tournaments too. Play the best and be willing to take your lumps...
Make sure the coaches know what the heck they are doing- don't join the "bluerays" or "crazers" for the "team name"- nothing is worse than watching a 13u/14u team and seeing that the coaches don't even move the defense around at every pitch or for every batter! Why is the LF at the fence when there is a slapper up to bat (drives me nuts!!) Strong coaching is a MUST.
If college looks is your kids goal, have someone give you an honest assessment of your kid's current abilities and areas in which she needs to work on and focus on those areas during this upcoming off season.
Network, network, network! Softball is very much like life...