Committed as a Sophmore?

[Gone in 2.6]

Blind Squirrel,

I believe Scott's estimate was players who verbal during their sophomore year.

I'm aware of only 7 right now. There may be more of course.

[Gone in 2.6]

I have done a fair amount of research on this issue, including examining the websites of most of the top colleges and top travel teams in California, Arizona, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Virginia, Georgia, etc. Most of these teams are QUICK to post when a kid verbals or commits. I also have read almost everything written on commitments and verbals on all the major softball forums and news sources. I've talked personally to dozens and dozen of college coaches and I just think this verballing during your sophomore year is not nearly as prevelant as everyone is willing to accept. I agree that the Top 25 programs are recruiting earlier and earlier, and coaches seriously start tracking their next recruits during the sophomore's fall showcase season, but I still see lots and lots and lots of commitments in the fall of the Junior year to Top 25 programs and rarely ever see the post of the verbal as a sophomore. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, because it most certainly does, but I think SSarge's number is closer to reality.

As I understand it, the program does NOT publicly acknowledge a verbal commit. Announcemnts are only made on their web sites after the player signes their NIT.

[TXfastpitchsoftball]

I have done a fair amount of research on this issue, including examining the websites of most of the top colleges and top travel teams in California, Arizona, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Virginia, Georgia, etc. Most of these teams are QUICK to post when a kid verbals or commits. I also have read almost everything written on commitments and verbals on all the major softball forums and news sources. I've talked personally to dozens and dozen of college coaches and I just think this verballing during your sophomore year is not nearly as prevelant as everyone is willing to accept. I agree that the Top 25 programs are recruiting earlier and earlier, and coaches seriously start tracking their next recruits during the sophomore's fall showcase season, but I still see lots and lots and lots of commitments in the fall of the Junior year to Top 25 programs and rarely ever see the post of the verbal as a sophomore. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, because it most certainly does, but I think SSarge's number is closer to reality.

As I understand it, the program does NOT publicly acknowledge a verbal commit. Announcemnts are only made on their web sites after the player signes their NIT.

The college programs don't put it on their websites until they get a commitment, but I'm not sure it's just after they sign a NIT. The travel teams put it on their websites as soon as the player commits, especially if its an established travel team and a Top 25 college program.

[ssarge]

Scott, I just read your post and I, with the greatest respect, disagree with your numbers on kids who verbal. We talked with schools across this country who wanted to make offers to my kid before she started her junior year. That suggests to me that the number is greater than 20 or 30, especially since my kid was never even on the radar of Arizona or UCLA. On top of that, she is a measly outfielder. Verballing is more prevalent than folks think. Consider how many schools are already out of 2009 money and some who are already out of 2010 money. Figure 3 scholarships per school per year.

My estimate was for kids who verbal as sophomores. Suspect it is not much higher than that. Maybe less. Although if your kid received numerous indications of interest as a sophomore, maybe the phenomenon is growing faster than I realize. And reporting of these kinds of verbals is not an exact science. However, I have a pretty good idea of most of the CA kids who have verballed as sophomores. As Gonein2.6 indicates, that is not a big number.

As I indicated as well, the practice is far more common for juniors. My own daughter verballed early in her junior year. And it was a great decision for her.

She did go into the process with a definite idea of what she was looking for. She had 4 criteria she was evaluating, plus chemisstry and feel of the relationship, campus, facilities, etc. Her intent was to consider only those schools which met at LEAST 3 of her 4 criteria. As it turned out, the one she selected met all 4, and it felt "right" as well. So she was very fortunate.

No magic to that particular plan. But I think having a plan is important. One, because - my opinion - because designing and adhering to a plan shows the kid is ready to make this kind of decision. Obviously, some sophomores and juniors are too young. For others it is not a big deal. They are ready for something like this. And second, it is perfectly possible for even parents to get swept up in how good the stadium looks, how the team did in conference last year, or whatever mystique is associated with the coach. Not BAD things, but perhaps not what should be considered paramount, either.

You will probably have a list as well - and should.

Regards,

Scott



PS:

However many sophomores and juniors verbal early, it is still NOT the norm. "Norm" in the sense of what they typical / average player in college experiences. Increasingly, it IS the norm for Big Conference schools in D1. If your dream is a scholarship in the Pac10 or SEC, and you are a senior, you'll probably need to re-evaluate. HOWEVER, there are close to 1000 4-year schools playing softball in America. Meaning something like 18,000 players, and something like 5,000 needed each year. Now, many of those players receive no aid, and a lot receive partial aid. An extremely small percentage receive a full scholarship. I suspect people know this.

But the point is, there are a LOT of slots available on rosters each year, and the vast majority of those will be decided when the player eventually filling the slot is a senior in high school.

[Tucson]

There are also the young women that go to college and think 'What the heck am i doing here?". It gets put into their head at such an early age that this is all about a scholarship, that there is no way for them to get out of it. They commit early. It's in the papers, on the websites, the family is thrilled and the girl is secretly going "Oh, no."

I guess there was a young pitcher that was supposed to be the next big thing at the Uof AZ. (From bits and pieces that I hear around here.) She didn't last a semester.

Good luck to all the young ladies, that do make it.

[maxedout007]

That was Amanda Williams from the OC batbusters, phenomenal pitcher but not so much student. I've been hearing she's going to try to go to Fresno State where her younger sister (Hannah Williams '09)has committed to.

[Gone in 2.6]

That was Amanda Williams from the OC batbusters, phenomenal pitcher but not so much student. I've been hearing she's going to try to go to Fresno State where her younger sister (Hannah Williams '09)has committed to.

That would be a curious decision considering they already have excellent pitching including
freshman sensation Morgan Melloh. Add to that Mckenzie Oaks is coming in next year.

Arizona State on the other hand is losing Burkhart to graduation this season and no one behind her has established themselves as the heir apparent. Maybe Coach Meyers or "Wags" needs to get on the horn to the Williams house.

[SoCalFP]

2.6:

Also Fresno State should get Mackin back next year as well. Loaded bullpen there.

[Tucson]

If she was ineligible at Uof A, should would still be ineligible at ASU.

[maxedout007]

That I know of ASU's got about 5 pitchers coming in the next 3 years...I think they'll be pretty loaded themselves for a long while