By Adam Diorio
If you are a high school softball player with aspirations of playing in college, fall usually means competing with your travel team in hopes of improving your skills and being exposed to college coaches. Most players believe that a positive performance alone at these tournaments will attract a great deal of interest from college coaches. Unfortunately this is one of the most common myths throughout the recruiting process.
To understand why a strong showing at fall tournaments does not mean instant attention, you need to look at these events from the perspective of the college coach. With so many girls and games to watch, understanding the coach’s perspective becomes integral to maximize the value of these tournaments. Here are some observations from softball recruiting expert Cathi Aradi to help you understand where the college coach is coming from:
- They all go to big tournaments with lists. If you're not on that list, it will be very hard to get noticed unless you're hitting the ball to the fence on a regular basis--when the coaches are watching. (Sorry, but that's just the way it is.)
- There are way too many kids out there for coaches to see all of you. Don't assume because they're watching your game that they're there to see you. You need to show them you're motivated enough to put some effort into your college search!
- By the end of a tournament or at the end of a series of tournaments, coaches are bleary-eyed and exhausted; and I can guarantee you they won't remember everyone they've seen.
If you want college coaches to consider you, follow up after the tournaments with a call or email to find out if they had an opportunity to see you play and ask where they are with the recruiting process. Also, let the college coach know you are interested in making an unofficial visit to their college and inquire about the best time to set up a visit. If available, also send them a copy of your high school spring schedule.
