Collegiate Level

As you look at the colleges with softball teams, you may see schools you know you want to write-or schools you been told might be in your target zone. ( You may also want to buy one of the college guides in most bookstores. These books usually provide detailed information-academic requirements, setting, student body, majors, financial aid, etc.-about colleges and may help you decide whether to write the coach at a specific school) Keep your options open. The more colleges you look at the greater your chances are of finding the one that's really right for you.

Be yourself and relax. Coaches can see talent no matter how badly you play. Also, a coach will watch how you handle yourself under pressure. Your true character show's when things don't go your way, not when they do.

You may start email college coaches at any time to let them know your interested in their teams. However, schools don't all follow the same recruiting timetable, so you may want to stagger your school contacts. For example, its good to write Div I programs during your freshman year and follow up with them periodically. Just remember the NCAA specifies when coaches in each division may begin writing you for recruiting purposes, so you won't always hear back immediately. Keep track of where you send your letters, and consider sending the coach a follow-up letter or telephoning him or her if you don't get a reply. Know your target zone Schools that would be a good match for you athletically and academically. Pride-Sheeley does evaluations you so you can better understand what level your player is at & what target zone is a good match.