College Coaches Recruit from Camps

I’ve gone to the the National Fastpitch Coach’s Association conference for a number of years and I was so excited last year’s conference was in Chicago! I even saw a couple of Practice Pro parents there! They are always an EXTREMELY AWESOME experience and I learn a ton, all of which I’ll pass along to you. My first year I sat next to Pat Murphy, head coach of Alabama for two hours. I got a pic with Jennie Finch and I didn’t even have to compete with any 9-year-olds. I talked to pitchers who threw over 70mph and got their insight. I learned about cool new softball technology. I caught up with my old college coach, Deb Pallozzi, and got to talk shop with her as a fellow coach, not as a past player. I discussed pitching mechanics with the great Cindy Bristow. The best thing of all is that I get to hang out with “my people” and just laugh and laugh and laugh.

Here are some interesting things I learned that will help you:
1. Many college coaches are recruiting most of their players from camps, not tournaments.
2. A lot of college coaches recruit families, not players.  They need cooperative parents and are attracted to players who come from well developed travel programs because they, and their parents, have been groomed on how to conduct themselves.
3. The biggest problem college coaches see with pitchers, and other players for that matter, is that they have no idea how to deal with failure and are not tough.
4. The legendary retired Hofstra coach, Bill Edwards, sees sports as important because it teaches kids what the classroom doesn’t.
5. Cat Osterman didn’t really have a change going into college.
6. When teaching a player, you need to have a 5:1 ratio of positive to negative feedback for optimal results.
7. Get a gathering routine. A gathering routine is a routine you execute after something bad happens.
8. Parents need to ask their kids, “How do you want me to be? Come to every game? Catch for you pitching? Don’t give you tips when you are up to bat?” Then do it!