Early Committments: A TERRIBLE idea!

As the TB season winds down the pressure is building on the 2009 girls to "make a decision". The coaches are calling every week and telling them how much they are wanted and the girls are being asked every day "where are you going to go?". Even worse there are 2010's and 2011's hearing the same questions even though coaches are not allowed to initiate any communication.

My advice: Wait, take you official visits and wait some more. I can't over emphasize the importance of those visits. Sure you've been on campus, you've seen the team play and you've talked to the coaches. But, you haven't talked to many of your future teammates (if you have there's probably been a recruiting violation but that's a different story). The point is, that you learn things about the university and the team culture that you cannot learn any other way than that visit. I know for sure that my DD was 80% sure of her decision before her visits but after them chose a different school. In retrospective it was a very fortunate change. We told every coach recruiting her from the outset that she would be taking her visits. We felt like that if a school pressured her to commit without that visit that fact probably said something about the school and their commitment to her recruitment (fortunately none took that stance). I talk to kids and parents who proclaim their DD only wants to attend XXXX only to find out that neither she nor they have ever been to any other campus! Remember there are 280+ D1 softball teams and about as many D2 and D3 programs. Keep an open mind, look around and take those visits. Good decisions are informed decisions. The "official visit" is designed for that very reason.

 

??

What would you tell the kid that let the one big offer they had pass them buy while they are taking other visits. Lets face it schools will move on so it isn't just that easy. If they don't hear won't they won't to hear they move to the next option that will make that decision and not wait on you. This is a discussion that you can argue both sides for and against a early commitment. I know of a 2010 in this scenario right now. If she takes 5 visits and lets it drag out the offer may have passed her by. I am sure for the few top players in the country they maybe able to wait as long as they want.

 

It can be tough but . .

if a 2010 is already getting this pressure it's not good. My DD was not "one of the top players in the country" but all the schools recruiting her, including the 'baby blue' one, knew from day 1 that we were taking our visits. I'm not saying never commit early. I am saying that you need to be as informed as possible before you do. I hear too many kids that say "I just wanted it over with" when asked why they committed. Think of the offer as a marriage proposal because your college education will, in fact, be with you the rest of you life (heck, you can get rid of that reject husband!). I don't think you're going to marry some guy "just to get it over with!".

I blame this on the parents. If they manage the situation correctly the girl should not feel a lot pressure. I realize every circumstance is different but the NCAA has structured the recruiting process to include official visits prior to the signing date for a reason. Coaches as well as parents and players should honor the process. If you're dealing with a coach that isn't willing to then you might want to move on.

 

Un official visits

Hey.... you can learn alot by just visiting the campus and scheduling a visit with the academic folks..

Don't tell them you are a softball player... They won't ask....
They want to know your gpa, not your batting average.

Go to camps...talk with the players.... better yet... listen to the players interact with each other.... Read the body language...

Don't wait until you senior year....

All this leg work should be done before the senior year...

 

I totally agree with you and WndMillR. Educate yourself early if you have any hint that you are a college bound player. I have read many things about the pressure to commit early. The 2010 I am talking about is going to wait it out. They also don't know if the big offer will be there when they are ready to make a decision.

 

Confused !!

I thought NCAA didn't allow college coaches to talk to a player until after their Junior year the following summer !!!

Guru

 

Player calls the coach, unofficial visits, and camps. Easily done. Even messages through a school or travel coach "hey you need to call coach x. they called asking about you".

 

Okay I Agree W/ This

But as far as an offer by a coach I think I'm right !!!

 

my daughter chose not to play in college, she is in the nursing program and has no time. to me it seems that the education is why you go anyway! i dont want my dd to depend on any man to support her, she will be able to do that her self. i know she made the right choice. some parents and their dd don't think beyond softball, yes i have a 12yr old and softball is all she thinks about, but it is my job to keep her grounded in her school work first......scott