Sad to hear about 3 kids that I really like - who wanted to play college ball - but arent, this year at least. All , in my opinion, the fault of the parents. These are not all in our sport by the way, but it applies to our sport as well. Two of the kids parents - are freaking clueless - kids arent bad - good athletes - but are not top D1 athletes. On top of that, the parents are poster children for the over the top nuts types. Had major confrontation with coaches - in front of news cameras and college scouts (who were there to see other kids). The film clip could probably make a great PSA on what not to do. Flew their kids all over the country going to combines - put on by pro teams - to get more 'attention'. Switch their kids from team to team like nothing that has been discussed on this board. The tough thing is the kids are small - one 5.7 - this one is more athletic, the second kid, is 5.9. Swore all over the place their kids would slam dunks at top D1 programs - had they been realistic, those kids could be having a great college start at a decent Juco, or D2 or D3. Money is not a factor to any of these families either. The third kid's parents told her the same thing - going to pitch d1 - so on and so forth. Spent a year sitting on a bench at a very competitive D1 where the coach was wore down by the parents into letting her on the team. Now she says - no more. I know another kid who is the 3rd year of her college softball career, two years of starting at a new juco and now is going to play at a pretty highly rated (athletically) D3 school, and happy as a clam.
Its hard to be realistic - I know personally - but it is very important.