THE ODDS
1 IN 13 MAKE
A COLLEGE ROSTER.
Most of those spots aren't at the schools in the College World Series. That's good news. There are more doors than most families know about.
811K
High school baseball and softball players
Play at any NCAA level
7.8%
2.7%
of baseball players play NCAA Division l
2.1%
of softball players play NCAA Division l
NCAA data from 2024-25. Baseball: 8.8% play at any NCAA level, about 1 in 11. Softball: 6.5%, about 1 in 15. NAIA and junior college rosters aren't counted, and baseball has a big junior college system, so real college opportunities are higher. The goal isn't "D1 or bust." It's the right school, at the right level, where your player gets on the field and graduates with little or no debt.
FIVE LEVELS.
ONE RIGHT FIT.
SWIPE FOR ALL FIVE →
KNOW YOUR NUMBERS.
KNOW YOUR LEVEL.
Baseball and softball recruit by the radar gun and the stopwatch. Velocity, exit velo, pop time and running speed tell a coach your level before they watch a full game. They can still play in college, at the level where the numbers fit.
P
88+
D1 baseball RHP mph
BASEBALL D2 84-87 LHP a little less
SOFTBALL D1 63+ | D2 58-62
C
1.9-2.0
D1 baseball pop time
BASEBALL D2 2.0-2.1 sec
SOFTBALL D1 1.6-1.8 D2 1.8-2.0
IF
85+
D1 baseball throw mph
BASEBALL D2 80-84 mph
SOFTBALL D1 60+ mph. | D2 55-60
OF
88+
D1 baseball throw mph
BASEBALL D2 83-87 mph
SOFTBALL D1 62+ mph | D2 57-61
BAT
90+
D1 baseball exit velocity mph
BASEBALL D2 85-90 mph
SOFTBALL D1 7 MPH | D2 63-68
RUN
6.9
or faster, D1 baseball 60
BASEBALL D2 83-87 mph
SOFTBALL D1 62+ mph | D2 57-61
Radar
Coaches trust numbers they can verify. A velo from your backyard means little. Get radar, exit velo and laser times at a showcase, a college camp or a Combine Day, and put them on your profile with the date.
* General ranges coaches commonly use for senior-year prospects, not official NCAA standards. Lefties, catchers who can really receive, and middle infielders with great hands always get extra looks. D3, NAIA and junior college programs take players below these ranges who can play. Pitchers: protect your arm. Follow pitch-count guidelines and take time off from throwing every year.
GET TESTED.
GET SEEN.
GETTING SEEN
WHAT COACHES
LOOK AT FIRST.
1
VERIFIED NUMBERS
Velo, exit velo, pop time and running speed. In baseball and softball these get you on a list before anything else.
2
VIDEO
Swing or pitching delivery from the side and from behind, defensive reps at your main position, and live at-bats or innings. 2 to 4 minutes, best clips first.
3
GRADES
Strong grades unlock academic money and make you an easy yes. Rosters are full of players stacking athletic and academic aid.
4
IN PERSON
Travel tournaments, showcases and college camps are where coaches confirm what the numbers and video say.
5
STATS + AWARDS
Nice to have, especially against good competition. They count least.
- Timing rules. D1 baseball coaches can't call, text or message you until August 1 before junior year. D1 softball coaches wait until September 1 of junior year. You can contact them any time. - Wrong level. Build a list of 30 to 50 schools across levels, aimed where your numbers fit. - Wrong person. Email the head coach and the assistant who runs recruiting. For pitchers, add the pitching coach. - Weak first message. Name, grad year, position, bats and throws, verified numbers with dates, travel team, GPA and video link. One personal line about their program. - No schedule. Send your tournament schedule with field and game times. Coaches plan their weekends around it. - No camps. One camp at a school that likes your numbers beats ten emails. * Follow up every few weeks with something new: a new velo or exit velo, updated video, your next tournament schedule, a grade report.
MYTH OR STRATEGY
PAY FOR THE ELITE TRAVEL TEAM?
Mostly myth.
Coaches find talent on every kind of team. At-bats and innings beat the logo on the jersey.
WHEN IT HELPS
-
Tournaments where college coaches actually show up
-
Better pitching and hitting make your states believable
-
A coach with real college relationships
​
WHEN IT HURTS
-
You sit behind a starter. No at-bats, no innings, no video
-
Fees and travel eat the money you'd save on college
-
Too many innings with no rest ricks an arm injury
DOING IT YOURSELF
GREAT COACH.
NO RECRUITING HELP.
Very common, and fixable. Many high school and travel coaches are great teachers but stretched thin. Your family can run this.
THE PLAYER
LEADS.
Sends the emails, makes the calls, talks to coaches at camps and tournaments. Coaches want to hear from the player.
THE PARENT
SUPPORTS.
Runs the school list, deadlines, tournament schedule, travel and the money questions. The voice stays the player's.
Start with the NCAA Eligibility Center early. Homeschool coursework goes through a separate review that takes longer. Keep detailed course records from 9th grade on. Ask your travel or high school coach for small, specific help: take college coaches' calls, share video, and give an honest reference.
OFFICIAL VISIT
THEY PAY.
-
Travel, lodging and meals covered
-
Athlete plus family members, WITHIN NCAA limits
-
Two nights max, one per school
-
D1 baseball and softball: opens September 1 of junior year
-
Means a school is seriously interested
UNOFFICIAL VISIT
YOU PAY.
-
Any time outside dead periods
-
Home games, camps and campus tours count
-
Perfect for 9th and 10th grade research
-
Email ahead so a coach can meet you
- Any time: you can email, call or visit coaches. - Baseball, August 1 before junior year: coaches can call, text and message you. - Softball, September 1 of junior year: coaches can call, text and message you. September 1 of junior year: verbal offers and official and unofficial visits open for both. Rules change often. Confirm at ncaa.org.
COACH TALK
BEFORE YOU
BELIEVE IT, ASK.
Promises are easy. "We"ll can get him seen." "Come play for our travel team." "We love your daughter." Most come from good people, but words aren't a plan. These questions separate real opportunity from hope.
A HIGH SCHOOL OR TRAVEL COACH
"COME PLAY FOR US. COLLEGES COACHES WATCH OUR TOURNAMENTS."
ASK
​
1 Which of your players signed with a college in the last three years, and at what level?
​
2 Who on your staff calls college coaches for players, and how often?
​
3 How many at-bats or innings would my player actually get?
​
4 Which tournaments does this team play, and what does the full season cost with travel?
​
5 How do you manage pitch counts and rest for pitchers?
A bigger travel fee doesn't mean more college looks. Ask for names, results and the real total cost before you switch.
A TRAINER, SERVICE OR "CONNECTOR"
"I KNOW COACHES. I CAN GET HIM RECRUITED."
ASK
​
1 Which athletes have you helped place, and can I call their families?
​
2 Which college coaches, by name, will actually see the video and numbers?
​
3 What exactly will you do, and what will it cost in total?
​
4 What happens if nothing comes from it? Is any of the money refundable?
​
5 Can I see that in writing before I pay anything?
Nobody can guarantee a roster spot or scholarship. Only a college can offer one.
A COLLEGE COACH
"WE LOVE YOUR DAUGHTER. COME TO OUR CAMP."
ASK
​
1 Is this an offer? Is it a roster spot, a scholarship, or both?
​
2 Is the scholarship full or partial, and for how many years?
​
3 How many players are you taking at his position, and where is she on your list?
​
4 Is the camp invite personal, or did everyone get it? What do you need to see from her there?
​
5 Who on your staff is our contact, and does this still stand if the head coach leaves?
A camp invite is not interest, and interest is not an offer. A clear answer in writing is the only thing you can count on.
- Mass emails and generic camp invites - A social media follow and nothing else - "We'll be at your tournament" with no next step - Big promises with no names, numbers or dates - Pressure to pay or commit right now
- Personal calls or texts from the head or assistant coach - A coach watches several of your games at a tournament - They ask for video, verified numbers and a transcript - An official visit invite - An offer with specifics, in writing
PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
NO GUARANTEES.
NO SHORTCUTS.
WALK AWAY IF
FREE AND LEGIT
-
Anyone guarantees a scholarship
-
"Coaches are waiting to offer your son"
-
Big fees before any results
-
Pressure to sign today
-
Showcases that won't name the college coaches attending
-
Camps run by a college that's already shown interest
-
Your own video on Youtube or Hudl, and your own emails
-
NCAA.org and the Eligibility Center
-
Your travel and high school coaches as a references
-
Radar and laser-timed numbers with the date on them
Ask anyone charging you: which players did you place in the last two years, and can I call those families?
GRADE BY GRADE.
9th
Foundation
Grades count from day one. Get stronger. Protect your arm. Video of every game.
10th
Build
First verified numbers at a showcase. Skills video. School list. NCAA Eligibility Center. Email coaches with your summer schedule.
11th
The big year
D1 coaches can reach out (baseball Aug 1, softball Sept 1). Visits and offers open Sept 1. Many commitments happen this year.
Summer
Tournament circuit
Best-fit tournaments and college camps. Official visits. Narrow the list.
12th
Decide
Updated numbers in the fall. Compare total cost after aid. Pick a school you'd love without the game.
