NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

Softball bats continue to be a issue with the colleges. There have been numerous attempts to hold bats to certain standards. One of the challenges has been on how the bats are tested to see if they uphold the standards and what levels the standars should be set at.There is concern in the danger that bats can pose with their exit speed -how fast the ball comes off the bat.  What speed is it safe for an athlete to be able to react to the ball?

The softball committee is now looking to do some on-site tests during the college championships.

The NCAA DII men’s golf coaches are wanting to have a match-play format for the championship.

They are proposing a 2011 start with the match-play. It will change the type of championship and offer more excitement for more teams to contend for the championship.

How much of an effect do you feel this rule change will have on the DII’s?

Colleges and universities all over the country are feeling the pressure due to our current economy. More specifically, their athletic departments are trying to manage budgets and make decisions that will allow their programs to stay afloat while remaining competitive. Unfortunately, this often leads to having to cut teams and programs. And no one is feeling the effects of those cuts more than the swimming and diving world.

In February, citing the “current economic environment and the need to reduce its budget,” Pepperdine University announced they were dropping women’s swimming & diving, as well as track.

In March, Pennsylvania’s Kutztown University dropped men’s swimming and men’s soccer from their institution. “This move is ultimately a proactive attempt to reduce costs in the current economy based on the anticipated budget,” said University President Dr. F. Javier Cevallos.

In May, the Pac-10 powerhouse University of Washington eliminated their men’s & women’s swimming programs, effective immediately. Athletic Director Scott Woodward stated, “We have a number of serious issues that have arisen out of the recent economic crisis. It is with great regret that we are discontinuing our swimming programs and we will do everything possible to assist the student-athletes and coaches who are affected.”

Earlier this month, Western Illinois University cut their men’s and women’s swimming & diving programs to try and remain economically sound. “We are committed to maintaining a successful broad-based, gender-neutral athletics program, and this move will economically allow us to continue that commitment. As a department we have been working through a very difficult budget situation for some time now, and unfortunately we have been forced to make some hard sacrifices, ” said Director of Athletics Dr. Tim Van Alstine.

This recession has caused everyone to make sacrifices and financial decisions that are not easy. It’s just a shame to see swimming programs nationwide taking such a hard hit. These schools are only a few examples of the eliminations made in 2009. And it proves that no one is safe from the crunch of these economic times, from NAIA to NCAA Division I.

However, tough times can also produce some pretty hopeful stories. On June 29th, only 24 days after announcing they had cut their programs, Western Illinois University re-instated both men’s and women’s swimming & diving.

“We are grateful for the Leatherneck swimming and diving family and the greater swimming community, who have provided input, assistance and financial support during this process,” said Van Alstine. “It is very apparent, now more than ever, that the support for swimming and diving on a national scale is alive and well. Without that support we would not be able to continue our success in the pool and in the classroom.”

USA Swimming will host their National Championships and World Championship Trials this July 7-11 in Indianapolis, IN with big adjustments as they adhere to FINA’s new rules regarding swimsuits.  On, June 1st, USA Swimming announced an amendment to it’s rules that reflect the changes that FINA made back in May.  Earlier this week, USA swimming also confirmed that it has adopted the newly revised list of approved suits released by FINA. 

The protocol for swimmers and swimsuit manufacturers will change dramatically this year and this should be quite evident as they all gather for the USA National Championships.  Swimmers will have to undergo a swimsuit evaluation before entering the water.  

Swimsuit manufacturers will be limited to bringing only FINA/USA Swimming approved suits to the Championships.  

This years Division I Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championship will take place June 10-13 at John McDonnell Field at University of Arkansas. The East Regional will be hosted by North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Mideast Regional is hosted by University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. The University of Oregon and Hayward Field will be home for the West Regional with University of Oklahoma being home for the Midwest Region at John Jacobs Track. The Division II Championships were hosted at LeGrand Sports Complex in San Angelo, Texas with Angelo State being the host. The Division III Championships were hosted by Marietta College and Don Drumm Stadium in Marietta, Ohio. UW-Oshkosh claimed gold on the men’s side and Wartburg College on the women’s side.

On the women’s side Caves Valley Golf Club has been selected in Owings Mills, Maryland to determine the 2009 Champion with Georgetown University being the host. Arizona State goes in as the favorite. For Division II, Findlay Country Club in Findlay, Ohio was named the venue for the women’s championships. Nova Southeastern claimed their first ever women’s golf title. Congratulations to them on a great season
The Methodist University Women claimed their 12th consecutive DIII National Championship at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. They have had quite an amazing run and hope to keep it going for number 13 in 2010.

The 2009 Golf Championships are going to be held at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio with University of Toledo being the host. Between May-26-30 the Division I Men’s Champion will be crowned. Will #1 Georgia be able to hang on? For Division II Loomis Trail Golf Club in Blaine, Washington is the site with Western Washington University being the host. Sonoma State was crowned champion after a playoff with CSU-San Bernardino. For Division III Oglethorpe was crowned national in Port St. Lucie at the PGA Golf Club which was hosted by Methodist University.

The College World Series of softball is underway at Oklahoma City where the top eight teams are playing for the championship over the weekend.  If you have it in your dreams to be playing softball at the college level – are you following the games?  There are some great individual stories of the players how they had to overcome odds to make the teams as well as how teams progressed through the season.  There is Georgia who is making their first appearance in the world series with the youngest NCAA D1 team with 10 freshmen players and only two upperclassmen.

There is a great story about the University of Florida, catcher Kristina Hilberth took to get where she is today. She began as a freshman walk-on to now a school record holder in career fielding percentage (.995).  Learn about how she ‘earned and worked’ her way to the starting catcher role.

Don’t miss on supporting and watching the Women’s College World Series games over the weekend and championship early next week.

Be sure to check out what softball teams won the other division championships – NCAA DII, NCAA DIII, NAIA, NJCAA’s. (D1), (DII),  (DIII).

If you are fortunate enough to have options to choose which travel baseball team you should play for over the summer here are a few questions to ask yourself:

1. Which team are you going to receive more playing time with?

The only way to get better in baseball is by actually PLAYING the game.

2. Which team is playing better competition?

In addition to making sure you are playing, you have to make sure it is against good competition. The best way to get better is to play against guys who are better than you.

3. Where is the team traveling?

The summer time is an important time that college coaches do their recruiting. One of, if not, the most important factor coaches take in to account is seeing you play in person. Playing for your high school summer team usually doesn’t fit the bill in terms of gaining exposure or playing against good competition.

4. What is your budget?

In these economic times this is a difficult question, but it is a factor you need to consider. Many times the more travel required, the more expensive the team is to play for.

Don’t forget to incorporate attending some college camps and making a few visits over the summer. If you are traveling to a showcase or tournament with your summer team don’t be afraid to stop by some campuses to meet with some coaches. Lastly, be sure to be pro-active in terms of inviting college coaches out to see your games.

Spring is here!! Even if it doesn’t feel like it or look like it in your area.  The college softball season has reached the mid-point and there are a lot of great teams emerging.  I’m certain we are in for another great finish come tournament time.   

Of course, it is an extremely busy time for high school softball players.  Your season has started and the school year is winding down.  But if you are serious about playing at the next level, remember you need to stay educated with what is going on in the college game.  There are still plenty of weekends left to go see a college softball game. Or, at least, get on the websites and see where schools are ranked and how their seasons’ are progressing.  The more information you gain, the better educated you will be when it’s time for you to make your college decision.   

A great resource to help you get started is the NFCA website.  The National Fastpitch Coaches Association keeps all of the updated information on every level of college softball.  Just click on the level you are interested in and they will provide you with schedules, scores, rankings and more.Once you click on the level, you will have the option of looking at the conference websites or the individual program websites.  It is quick and easy and will get you up-to-date on all that is happening right now in the world of college softball.