High school softball

[CrazyNani]

Okay so she made a decision and she's playing basketball and snowboarding good for her.

This is generally the case in older age brackets. There are a few teams out there that do not put that standard must play in college on it though. Yeah, this is a first year, 16u team, Sophomores and a couple Freshmen. I’m hoping she’ll change her mind about travel ball.

 

[Eric F]

Part of it is the machine of having to be recruited earlier and earlier. Yes, rules are in place but you know well before Sept 1st of your JR now if teams are interested. Best brutal honesty my daughters PC coach told her during the recruiting process was "if they don't call early, they're not interested"

This has not been my observation. In my circle of knowledge, I know only a few that verbally committed in their Jr year. It may be more common in the teams at the very elite end of the spectrum, but for the majority who aren't going to top-25 D1 schools, the big waves of commitments I've seen have been fall of Sr year, with many of those contacts being made the previous summer.

 

[PapaBear]

This has not been my observation. In my circle of knowledge, I know only a few that verbally committed in their Jr year. It may be more common in the teams at the very elite end of the spectrum, but for the majority who aren't going to top-25 D1 schools, the big waves of commitments I've seen have been fall of Sr year, with many of those contacts being made the previous summer.

Each player is different. Mine committed in fall of JR year and then college team went back to regroup on players from the 2021 class. The remainder of her class was filled this past summer. But you’re right in that the Power 5 teams have identified majority of their players early and those slots get filled.

 

[radness]

Reminder about the super senior year.
The additional fifth-year players can take will continue to cause interuption in recruitment while coaches figure out if their fifth-year seniors are going to stay.
*Because that holds up their budget until they find out if seniors are going to play 5th year.

 

[PapaBear]

Reminder about the super senior year.
The additional fifth-year players can take will continue to cause interuption in recruitment while coaches figure out if their fifth-year seniors are going to stay.
*Because that holds up their budget until they find out if seniors are going to play 5th year.

Definitely was a factor in regards to 2022 trying to find a home. On top of the option for portal players too

 

[BB875]

I think he was just referring to the girls at IPF. I know they think they’re the only program with high level athletes in Iowa, but that’s not the case.

I'm a little late getting back to this discussion, but yes most elite kids in my state still play HS ball. Up until a couple of years ago, I'd say 99% played HS ball. Now there is a legit option for greater national exposure and some kids are going that route. Iowa kids have been historically overlooked or dismissed. Iowa kids have always had the option of playing TB during the summer. We have no rules that prevent a kid from doing both TB and HS at the same time. Its up to the local school authority. But, I have a problem with it as a coach. My job is to build a program/culture/winning approach to everything we do. HS softball in Iowa is huge. The state tournament is like no other (IMHO). In 2019, the attendance for state softball week was 18,289. Over the past 50 years, its averaged 17,517 per year. IGHSAU does an outstanding job promoting female athletes.

I am sure that there are many outstanding kids stuck in a bad situation with their school program. I get that. But, from what I have seen over the many years is that most coaches want to win. Most coaches do not deny talent. The excuse that HS is all politics doesn't hold water with me. If you deserve to be on the field, you will get a shot. I have, like most coaches, been accused of playing favorites. Heck yes I have favorites. Kids that come early for practice, stay late, look me in the eye when I'm coaching them up, try to execute what we worked on in practice, have a positive attitude, work hard, give no excuses, lead the team, pick their friends up, are up on the fence in the dugout, get good grades, etc. I have a day job that pays my bills. Coaching is a hobby & challenge that I embrace. In the off-season, my wife and I attend 10U/12U/14U TB tournaments to watch and support my up and coming HS players. I invest in those kids. We hold winter camps and softball clinics to get them excited to play school ball. Building those relationships at a young age is important. And when those kids get to HS they will get a shot like everyone else. The top 9 players play. Period. My team in 2019 below.

 

[_MIA_]

We have no rules that prevent a kid from doing both TB and HS at the same time. Its up to the local school authority. But, I have a problem with it as a coach.

The top 9 players play. Period.

Which one is it?

 

[Vertigo]

This has not been my observation. In my circle of knowledge, I know only a few that verbally committed in their Jr year. It may be more common in the teams at the very elite end of the spectrum, but for the majority who aren't going to top-25 D1 schools, the big waves of commitments I've seen have been fall of Sr year, with many of those contacts being made the previous summer.

I think this is more common now due to Covid having a big impact and coaches couldn’t travel to showcases to see players in-person for a while. This had a huge impact on the 2021 and 2022 classes so far.

 

[Rick M]

I think this is more common now due to Covid having a big impact and coaches couldn’t travel to showcases to see players in-person for a while. This had a huge impact on the 2021 and 2022 classes so far.

I was going to say the same thing. I know a bunch of 2021’s who committed in the fall of 2019 before everything went topsy-turvey. Most of the 2022’s I know are just committing now.


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[PapaBear]

I was going to say the same thing. I know a bunch of 2021’s who committed in the fall of 2019 before everything went topsy-turvey. Most of the 2022’s I know are just committing now.


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22’s are filling voids with the extra year or players opting out late to not return. Not in all cases. Obviously varies around the country as some classes are small and some are large.