Each week we take a question from a softball player, parent or coach and pass on to our long-time contributor, Cathi Aradi, one of the most knowledgeable people in softball when it comes to the recruiting process.

If you’d like to ask Cathi a question, e-mail us at brentt.eads@flosports.tv and we’ll pass it along.

Today, we get advice on what to do to be proactive in the recruiting process now that high school is starting up again…

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Recruiting Question: I play volleyball as well as softball and my fall is busy with volleyball practice, games and tournaments.  My first sport is softball, though, and I want to play in college but I’m afraid that by missing a lot of softball showcases in the fall I’m hurting my recruiting exposure.  But I love volleyball too and my teammates so I’m torn.  What can I do to not get behind in recruiting?  Do you think I should stop playing volleyball if softball if my first sport?  I’m so confused about what to do!
— Alex, Houston TX

Cathi's Answer: This is a very difficult question to answer.  And you’ll probably get many different opinions when you ask it!

Some college coaches have no problem with multi-sport athletes and won’t mind you taking time off from travel ball in the fall to play another sport.

Others may be concerned that you haven’t made a full time commitment to softball yet.

Some travel coaches will be accommodating and ask that you only attend one or two fall events in order to secure your place on their teams, while others may tell you that if you want to play volleyball, you should play volleyball and give up softball.

If you are considering doing both a volleyball and softball college search in order to see which sport will best suit you in college (or which colleges are most likely to recruit you), then you definitely want to continue playing both sports.

If you’re planning on attending a smaller college, perhaps a Div. III program, you might even be able to do both sports in college!

However, if you are serious about committing to a college softball career, then at some point you may have to choose between volleyball and softball, particularly if you turn out (or hope) to be a Division I prospect.

If you’re a sophomore or junior, this might be a good time to make a softball skills video and send it around (via snail mail) with a resume and letter of introduction and then follow it up with some research phone calls to the coaches you’ve written.

Ask them for feedback both on your skills as a softball player and possible recruit and their feelings about you playing volleyball in the fall rather than travel ball.  The answers you get may help you decide on a long term game plan.

But no matter what, don’t rely on simply attending tournaments–be they fall or summer–in order to get recruited.  Conduct a comprehensive college search by reaching out to coaches at lots of different schools so that you have the best chance of finding the team–and college–that are right for you!

— Cathi Aradi

Catharine Aradi is the author of Preparing to Play Softball at the Collegiate Level, published by the National Fastpitch Coaches Assoc. (www.nfca.org).  She has over 20 years of experience working as a recruiting consultant with athletes and colleges around the U.S and Canada.  If you would like knowledgeable, one-on-one guidance through the often bewildering labyrinth of recruiting, Ms. Aradi’s company, Collegiate Softball Connection, offers “concierge” recruiting services.  Unlike corporate websites that rely upon mass marketing of hundreds and hundreds of athletes, Ms. Aradi works with the individual player and her family to ensure a successful college search.  Detailed information is available on her website www.fastpitchrecruiting.com. Cathi can be reached by e-mail at info@fastpitchrecruiting.com or by calling 415-456-6449. Remember: if you use the code “fullcountsoftball” when signing up with CSC, you will be entitled to a $100 discount off her Fast Track or Elite options!

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