Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Where does my pitcher fit in college?

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What are the determining factors for pitchers and thier parents to understand what determines if they will be a D1,D2,D3 pitcher after highschool career is over so they all don't think they are D1?
How do we get the parents/pitcher to understand?
Just because they put in the time,heart and money-how should we tell those how to really evaluate thier future?
When do freshman,sophmore,junior,seniors accept they missed the boat?
Anyone know percentages of how many pitchers,say from Ohio,go D1-D2 or D3?
How about opinions of pitchers/parents that have went on to the next level?
 
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It is not the be all end all to be a D1 pitcher. It is much more important that the girls get the education they desire and perhaps play some softball. To measure success by only counting D1 programs is very short sighted and just plain wrong. A girl should pick a school because she wants the education they offer and that is how you should measure their success.

I would define 'missing the boat' by not playing anywhere at any level and not by only playing in a D1 program.
 
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For us, it doesn't matter if she plays D1, D2, or NAIA. We want her to get the education she needs to be successful in life. Your daughter should go to the school where she will is comfortable and will give her the tools for the future.
 
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They will figure it out during Jr. or Sr. year of high school if they do not have a trusted, knowledgeable and impartial person to help them along the way. They will contact coaches from schools they are looking at and some may be DI while others may be smaller. When the coaches come watch or don't and when they attend camps, the answer becomes clear.
 
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You don't accept it. You work as hard as you can to get to the top rung of D1.

Reality says you have to take what you get based on the interest you are being shown and present yourself to the level that you feel you have the best shot at. But accept it? No.
 
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I don't have a horse in this game,just looking for realistic opinions on why everyone shouldn't think they are the next D1 All American.Give the parents and players opinions on where the public/colleges/coaches place evaluations.Yes I agree education before ball but just looking at an evaluation chart on?
-Who do I play for?
-how fast do I throw?
-What do D1 schools look for?
-what differentiates a D1 or D3 pitcher?Is is 6'2"?Is it 68,64 or 58 mph?
-should I not go to D1 camps/clinics?What camps should I go to?
-if I'm a junior,is D1 out of the option now?
-We've all heard the how you carry yourself,who carries the bat bag and do it for education but some parents still look past that to why not me?

Just basic questions that lead girls to undertsand reality.
 
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My DD chose her school based on education, playing DI is an added bonus. I asked her to choose where she wanted to go and play 1 year and if she had to give up softball, she would be alright with her choice of school. I told her if she wants to play DI don't give up her dream because it only takes 1 school to accept her as DI player.
Also, as long as she maintains her grade she is guaranteed acceptance to dental school from college of her choice.
 
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Good questions. Like every other 12U dd, she has high hopes and aspirations to play at high D1. Do I think she can, it doesn't matter for it's not my dream. Recently, I broke it down for her ad told her she must look short sighted before going to the next level. She has a check list that she must meet. So far, she has met those goals. As she gets older, those goals actually get extremely tough. Those checks include factors she has control over AND what she can't control like growth. That's when she will realize whether or not she has what it takes to get to the next level.
 
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In my opinion, if she's a pitcher, and D1 colleges aren't beating down her door by her freshman or sophomore year at the latest, she's not going D1. D1 pitchers are dominant pitchers in both high school and travel ball. If a girl wants to increase her chance to play D1, the most important things they can do when they are in the 14-15 year old range is to attend D1 camps and to play on top tier travel teams with good coaches who play very competitive schedules. Once they hit their junior and senior years, they still have an opportunity to play D2 or D3, but will likely have to work hard to get noticed, still playing on competitive travel teams and such.
 
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my dd has an 80 mph rise with a filthy drop peel circle screwball. she's going right to the npf draft and skipping college.
 
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It is not the be all end all to be a D1 pitcher. It is much more important that the girls get the education they desire and perhaps play some softball. To measure success by only counting D1 programs is very short sighted and just plain wrong. A girl should pick a school because she wants the education they offer and that is how you should measure their success.

I would define 'missing the boat' by not playing anywhere at any level and not by only playing in a D1 program.

I agree completely fairman.

I sense this question comes from a parent of a young (12u or younger) player that has plenty of time to develop and/or to change her mind. As she gets older, you'll have a better understanding of where she stacks up in the big picture but the main focus right now should be to enjoy the game and take advantage of opportunities to learn and improve her game. College softball isn't for everyone but in many cases a young lady that wants to play can find a "fit" somewhere that offers her the major she's seeking in school.

Candrea recruits pitchers almost exclusively yet only a couple get the nod to actually take the circle each year. Those select few have a schedule that would scare most kids while the others fall in line to support the program's efforts. They are great pitchers, just not Arizona front line material. A player is recruited for many reasons. D1 schools will support their recruited athletes and give them an opportunity if they have proven they are committed to the program.
 
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my dd has an 80 mph rise with a filthy drop peel circle screwball. she's going right to the npf draft and skipping college.

Your's too!:lmao::lmao::lmao: I'm sure the big signing bonus they get might pay for a couple months rent too.

I say - D1, D2, D3, whatever. Go get an education and play softball if you can for the love of it and enjoy it while you still can as long as you can. It will be over at some point and you will miss it. I know I will miss watching my DD's. Thank God they are 13, 10, & 7...Got years to go!:)
 
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It is not the be all end all to be a D1 pitcher. It is much more important that the girls get the education they desire and perhaps play some softball. To measure success by only counting D1 programs is very short sighted and just plain wrong. A girl should pick a school because she wants the education they offer and that is how you should measure their success.

I would define 'missing the boat' by not playing anywhere at any level and not by only playing in a D1 program.

I agree. Since the number in Ohio that will play high end D1 is so minute does it really matter if you play 1,2 or 3? That number is the size of the school not the success of the program or the academics. Our girls are not looking for exposure to get drafted into the pro's. Playing softball is a supplement to getting an education and should not come before it. Education first and softball to maybe help pay for it, maybe.

I'm just getting into understanding recruiting and selecting a college but that is my impression so far. A lot left to learn. Glad for OFC and those who share their experiences.
 
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If she is not verballed to a D1 school by the end of her Sophmore year her chances will become very slim. Most D1 programs are done with the 2012, 2013, and even very far into there 2014
That does not just go for pitchers alone it goes for all positions.
 
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I am all for seeing my girls play at the highest level of competition but when it comes to college, education is king and I hear so many negative stories about D-1 players sacrificing their education for softball. Assuming we can afford to put two girls through private college I would be ecstatic to see my girls play D3 ball. In the meantime we continue to emphasize good grades and one way or another there will be some $$$ for college.
 
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There is no one true answer. As people already have said, it depends on the player, the school, the coach, the educational needs, etc...

My daughter pitched in high school, but never considered it her primary position. On our first visit to the college where she eventually signed, the coach told her that she didn't need any more pitchers - which was fine for my daughter. Then, due to a number of unplanned events, the coach had her working out with the pitchers after two weeks of classes in the fall.

I guess the point is to keep an open mind when making college decisions - situations change constantly. :)

Another point to consider - Is it important to play D1 because of "bragging rights" or tuition assistance? Or do you just want to play? i.e.- Do you want to ride the bench in D1, or actually get real playing time elsewhere? My daughter asked every coach she interviewed with this question; "Where do you see me fitting in on your roster?"
 
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I am all for seeing my girls play at the highest level of competition but when it comes to college, education is king and I hear so many negative stories about D-1 players sacrificing their education for softball. Assuming we can afford to put two girls through private college I would be ecstatic to see my girls play D3 ball. In the meantime we continue to emphasize good grades and one way or another there will be some $$$ for college.

You got it! My oldest plays D2, the recruiting process was interesting. She loves playing ball, loves the school and is getting decent grades. (I'd like better grades lol) She's involved, she has a major she's enjoying...really what more could I ask?
 
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If she is not verballed to a D1 school by the end of her Sophmore year her chances will become very slim. Most D1 programs are done with the 2012, 2013, and even very far into there 2014
That does not just go for pitchers alone it goes for all positions.

This is a pretty realistic outlook as far as major D1 goes. There are always exceptions to this rule. The studs as we all know them are normally courted, recruited and verbaled by the age of 16 or so.

Minor D1 has a little more room for play. Attrition due to grades, injury or player decisions sometimes make room on rosters. As both types of D1 are always looking to replace scholarship athletes with the newest and best players coming down the pike a late bloomer that comes on very strong her last year of High School may make it.

As everyone has stated before education comes first. My advice is to take as many college visits as you can afford to . To all Divisions. Your dd will know where she belongs by the time she takes these visits if she isnt one of the select few that have been chased by D1 college coaches.

She will just visit a campus and it will click. I would suggest this because alot of young ladies accept scholarships get to the campus and instantly become miserable as reality settles in. To far from home, campus to big, coach is an ***, classes are over whelming and the down hill spiral begins.

Be careful of your choices and how you advise your dd. A ton of money for a scholarship is meaningless if all she does is cry and want to come home. Let her decide what level she is and where she fits . Its her life


Tim
 
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This is a pretty realistic outlook as far as major D1 goes. There are always exceptions to this rule. The studs as we all know them are normally courted, recruited and verbaled by the age of 16 or so.

Minor D1 has a little more room for play. Attrition due to grades, injury or player decisions sometimes make room on rosters. As both types of D1 are always looking to replace scholarship athletes with the newest and best players coming down the pike a late bloomer that comes on very strong her last year of High School may make it.

As everyone has stated before education comes first. My advice is to take as many college visits as you can afford to . To all Divisions. Your dd will know where she belongs by the time she takes these visits if she isnt one of the select few that have been chased by D1 college coaches.

She will just visit a campus and it will click. I would suggest this because alot of young ladies accept scholarships get to the campus and instantly become miserable as reality settles in. To far from home, campus to big, coach is an ***, classes are over whelming and the down hill spiral begins.

Be careful of your choices and how you advise your dd. A ton of money for a scholarship is meaningless if all she does is cry and want to come home. Let her decide what level she is and where she fits . Its her life


Tim

Wow, your pretty smart for a hitters dad....lol.....but

This is great advice.
 
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This is a pretty realistic outlook as far as major D1 goes. There are always exceptions to this rule. The studs as we all know them are normally courted, recruited and verbaled by the age of 16 or so.

I would add that any pitcher that is close to a D1 level will get scrutinzed and courted by local coaches at all levels and will be your indication that it may be worthwhile to look elsewhere if you want to. Many will be scrutinized and found wanting (as far as D1 ability) but it's the one position where selling yourself is the least important, because coaches are more than willing to put time in to evaluate potential pitchers. I've coached one pitcher that accepted a D1 offer and another that turned one down to play DIII. Both were good decisions based on what they wanted from their college experience. Both traveled widely and spent lots of money at showcases and out of town tourneys, but both were recruited close to home where their High School exploits were observed first hand and attending specific camps at the schools they were interested in was where they sealed the deal not in Colorado, Texas, or points east.
 
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