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 learn about talking to coaches at a camp if you’re not yet in high school…

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Recruiting Question: I’m confused about early recruiting, I’m starting to get attention from smaller schools and I’m going to be a freshman.  Should I pursue relationships with these schools even though I’m interesting going to a major D-I school?  Would it be wasting the small schools time if I’m not truly interested?  Or should I keep talking to them to keep my options open?  My parents say I should listen to everybody and a small school could get a good experience but my heart’s not in it.  What are your thoughts? — Anonymous, Orlando, Fla.

Cathi’s Answer:  The best way to answer this question is to try to find out whether you’re a likely candidate for a major D-I college.  Most of the bigger programs are already looking at 2018 and even 2019 grads, so if you can put yourself on their radar, this might clarify a few things for you.

Send a skills video to D-I coaches at the schools that interest you and possibly attend a camp or be seen at a tournament where these coaches are scouting. You you should be able to get feedback from them as to whether or not they’d consider you a strong prospect.  If their response is positive, you can move forward accordingly.

However, if they’re not interested at this time, then you have a couple of options.  You can take a hard look at the schools that have expressed serious interest and move forward with them, or you can tell them that you’re not ready to make a commitment and that you’re going to continue looking at lots of colleges until you find one you feel is a good fit.

Recruiting isn’t fair, and it’s never going to be.  You might be someone who could play at a major D-I program in three or four years, but if those coaches don’t see that potential in you now, they may look for commitments from other players. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a wonderfully successful collegiate career.  It’s just a matter of conducting a comprehensive college search and targeting the types of schools where you have a really high “wow” factor.

Also, before making any decisions, know that in any given graduating class, of all the kids who go on to play college softball, no more than 10-15% will actually commit “early” as in before the middle of their junior year. The vast majority of players won’t find the college that’s right for them until they into their senior year. If this seems contradictory to what you’re always hearing, remember that 75% of all college players are at Div. II, Div. III or NAIA schools. And those coaches are far less likely to be pursuing freshmen and sophomores!

— Cathi Aradi

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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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