"SCHOLARSHIPS ARE NO GUARANTEE"

Girl’s fastpitch softball has become a multi-million business and as this business continues to grow the average middle class family will find it harder to sustain this activity for their daughter(s). It is hoped with this program www.girlsfastpitch.us will provide the necessary information to assist families by isolating information needed to seek a higher education program and possibly provide information regarding Grants and Scholarships available for your daughter(s). This information will be FREE and as programs change we will keep you abreast of these changes.

If you have questions, thoughts or ideas we value your opinion and would appreciate your comments. contact@girlsfastpitch.us.

Where To Start: (↑)
The first thing you need to do is assess where you are academically. The NCAA requires you to have a minimum grade point average (GPA) coupled with a minimum SAT or ACT score. A Division 1 athlete must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and a minimum 1010 SAT or 86 ACT. Remember the higher your GPA, the lower your SAT or ACT score has to be; example a 3.5 GPA requires a minimum 400SAT or 68 ACT score.

If you are interested in entering a Division I or II college there are new rules and guidelines for the 2008 enrollees. Those graduating in 2008 and plan to attend a NCAA Division I institution you must have 16 core courses.
DIVISION I: 16 Core-Course Rule DIVISION II: 14 Core-Course Rule

16 Core Courses 14 Core Courses (↑)
4 Years of English 3 Years of English
3 Years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher) 2 Years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
2 Years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab 2 Years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab
if offered by high school) if offered by high school)
1 Year of additional English, mathematics or 2 Year of additional English, mathematics or
natural / physical science natural / physical science
2 Years of social science 2 Years of social science
4 Years of additional courses (from any area 3 Years of additional courses (from any area
above, foreign language or non-doctrinal above, foreign language or non-doctrinal
religion/philosophy) religion/philosophy)

NCAA Core-Course Requirements:  (↑)
(1) A course must be a recognized academic course and qualify for high school graduation credit in one or a combination of the following areas: English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language, or non-doctrinal religion/philosophy.
(2) A course must be considered four-year college preparatory by the high school. College preparatory is defined for these purposes as any course that prepares a student academically to enter a four-year collegiate institution on graduation from high school.
(3) A mathematics course must be at the level of Algebra I or a higher level mathematics course.
(4) A course must be taught by a qualified instructor as defined by the appropriate academic authority (e.g., high school, school district or state agency with authority of such matters).
(5) A course must be taught at or above the high school's regular academic level (i.e., remedial, special education or compensatory courses shall not be considered core courses). However, the prohibition against the use of remedial or compensatory courses is not applicable to courses designed for students with learning disabilities.

Internet, Distance Learning, Independent Study: (↑)

Courses taught via the Internet, distance learning, independent study, individualized instruction, correspondence, and courses taught by similar means, may be used to satisfy NCAA core-course requirements if all of the following conditions are satisfied.
(1) The course meets all requirements for a core course as defined above.
(2) The instructor and the student have access to one another during the duration of the course for purposes of teaching, evaluating and providing assistance to the student.
(3) Evaluation of the student's work is conducted by the appropriate academic authorities in accordance with the high school's established academic policies.
(4) The course is acceptable for any student and is placed on the high school transcript.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION: (↑)
• Division II has no sliding scale
The minimum core grade-point average is 2.000. The minimum SAT score is 820 (verbal and math sections only) and the minimum ACT sum score is 68. 14 Core courses are required for Division II. 16 Core courses are required for Division I. The SAT combined score is based on the verbal and math sections only. The writing section will not be used. SAT and ACT scores must be reported directly to the clearinghouse from the testing agency. Scores on transcripts will not be used.

For more information regarding the rules, please go to www.ncaa.org. Click on “Academics and Athletes” then “Eligibility and Recruiting.” Or visit the Clearinghouse Web Site at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net (or) web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter. Please call the NCAA Eligibility Center if you have questions:
Toll-free number: 877/622-2321

Personal Profile/Portfolio: (↑)

Use the profile information below to start your Portfolio:

TODAY'S DATE:

NAME:

GPA:

ASA TEAM:

GRAD YEAR:

WEIGHTED: SAT: ACT:

POSITION(s):

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Address:

City:

State: Zip:

Home Telephone:

E-mail Address:

Birth Date: Ht: Wt:

Father Name:

Telephone Number:

E-mail Address:

Mother Name:

Telephone Number:

E-mail Address:

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

High School(s):

NCAA Clearing House Registered? Yes (or) No

MANDATORY INFORMATION FOR RECRUITMENT!!
ALL STUDENT ATHLETES REQUIRED TO REGISTER
FOR CLEARING HOUSE DURING JUNIOR YEAR!

Counselor Name:

Telephone Number:

Coach(s) Name:

Telephone Number:

Email Address:

GOALS
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

ACADEMIC

MAJOR:

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
1.

2.

3.

4.

SOFTBALL INFORMATION

Hits:

Throws:

Speed: Home to First: Speed Home to Home:

Uniform Number & Color(s):

PITCHERS ONLY: LIST THE TOP SPEED CLOCKED
AT 40 ft AT 43 ft

CHANGE-UP
AT 40 ft AT 43 ft

LIST EACH PITCH YOU THROW:
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

ASA Coach Name:

Telephone Number:

E-mail Address:

Winter ASA Team:

Uniform Number & Color(s)

Coach Name:

Telephone Number:

E-mail Address:

Junior College(s) Attended:

Coach Name:

Telephone Number: Ext:

E-mail Address:

ACADEMIC AWARDS
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

ATHLETIC AWARDS: (ALL SPORTS)
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

COMMUNITY SERVICE
1.

2.

3.

4.

Quiz on your attitude: (↑)

“ATTITUDE IS A LITTLE THING THAT GOES A LONG WAY”

Published By: Recruit (NFCA Camp Magazine) Volume 2
IS YOUR ATTITUDE AS GOOD AS YOU THINK?
Quiz
When college coaches talk about what they look for, attitude is ALWAYS high on the list. Take this quiz to see if yours will help or hurt you.
(1) During practice, I
(a) Always give 110 %
(b) Do only what the coach requires and no more
(c) Am a slacker during the strenuous running drills

(2) I am normally a starter and am surprised when my name is not on the starting list. When I don't start, I
(a) Pout and refuse to contribute
(b) Sit at the end of the bench and wait to be called on
(c) Cheer, assist with stats, watch for and relay opponent defensive weaknesses and help my teammates in every other way
I can

(3) I am on deck and as I start toward the box, my coach approaches the umpire to sub for me, I
(a) Walk back to the dugout with a frown on my face
(b) Throw my bat against the fence and my helmet at the dugout
(c) Realize that one of my teammates is better suited for the at-bat

(4) I have started at shortstop on my team for the past two years. This coming year, the team will have several newcomers
on the roster, I will
(a) Befriend the new kids and help them feel comfortable
(b) Allow them to fend for themselves, just like I did
(c) Try to alienate the shortstop so that she will quit the team

(5) When I get called out on a close play at the plate, I
(a) Yell at my coach for sending me
(b) Resolve to be more conservative in my base running
(c) Understand that it was an aggressive play and those plays don't always result in a safe call

(6) My coach allows us to do our aerobic conditioning on our own, I
(a) Am conscientious about completing my program
(b) Never condition but say I do
(c) Do enough to get by

(7) Some of my teammates are always talking negatively about our head coach, I
(a) Enjoy participating in the conversation and contribute
(b) Refrain from saying anything about the coach that I wouldn't say to her face
(c) Choose to listen and laugh, but not contribute

(8) I know that a teammate is consistently breaking team rules and I know that others on the team are aware of what she
is doing, I
(a) Try to ignore her
(b) Confront her and ask her to put the team first by following the rules
(c) Decide that she is having more fun and join her

(9) With no outs and a runner on second, my coach gives the signal for a sacrifice bunt, I
(a) Decide to hit away and say that I must have confused the sign
(b) Bunt, but with no enthusiasm or sense of purpose
(c) Bunt, but try to get the ball down and make the third baseman make the play

(10) I have four friends on the team that I am closest to, I
(a) Am conscious of the importance of team chemistry and try to relate equally to all while practicing or playing
(b) Demand that only my friends can room with me on away trips
(c) Just love myself and only worry about me

(11) Coach expects all team members to arrive on time for each practice. I
(a) Arrive ten minutes early
(b) Am always late
(c) Get there just in time to get my cleats on

(12) Coach has divided my team into four groups and assigned equipment responsibilities for practices as well as away
tournaments, I
(a) Expect the others in my group to do the work
(b) Participate only when the coach is watching
(c) Always carry the heaviest equipment

(13) Coach wants me to work on hitting behind the runner so he can call a hit and run with a runner at first, I
(a) Don't like to work on new stuff because it messes up my batting average
(b) Will work on it, but hope he never calls it
(c) Like being challenged to learn new skills

(14) My team is participating in a national qualifier to earn the right to go to Nationals. While staying at a hotel during the
tournament, I will
(a) Obey the curfew rules and expect my teammates to do so also
(b) Stay at the pool as long as my heart desires, even if I get sunburned
(c) Look the other way when my teammates find some beer

(15) My travel ball organization has worked hard to provide us with classy uniforms and state of the art equipment, I
(a) Didn't buy it, so who cares
(b) Double check my personal gear and take a second look at our dugout before leaving after each game
(c) Just make sure I leave with all my stuff

(16) There are three players on my team that never start, but are always at practice, I
(a) Don't bother to associate with them because they don't matter
(b) Am glad when they contribute to our success but don't always tell them
(c) Look for ways to show appreciation and support for their team dedication

(17) Our practices are regularly scheduled for Tuesday evenings, I
(a) Make most of the practices
(b) Am committed to the team and that means attending practices and games
(c) Often lie about my reasons for missing practice and encourage my best buddies to do the same

(18) My coach is always encouraging us to hustle, I
(a) Never hustle - what's the hurry?
(b) Hustle all the time - it's the right thing to do
(c) Hustle only when doing so will benefit me

(19) I steal on my own and get thrown out, I
(a) Badmouth the coach to my teammates saying that we should steal more and that I was just trying to be more
aggressive
(b) Show no emotion about costing the team an out
(c) Admit my mistake and apologize to the coach, but ask if we could talk later about times that I might be given the green
light

(20) When playing during an away tournament, I hear the opposing fans calling out my number and verbally abusing me, I
(a) Concentrate on the game and try to ignore them
(b) Return their verbal abuse at every opportunity
(c) Use it as motivation to play even harder

SCORE YOURSELF
1 A=3 B=2 C=1 11 A=3 B=1 C=2
2 A=1 B=2 C=3 12 A=1 B=2 C=3
3 A=2 B=1 C=3 13 A=1 B=2 C=3
4 A=3 B=2 C=1 14 A=3 B=1 C=2
5 A=1 B=2 C=3 15 A=1 B=3 C=2
6 A=3 B=1 C=2 16 A=1 B=2 C=3
7 A=1 B=3 C=2 17 A=2 B=3 C=1
8 A=2 B=3 C=1 18 A=1 B=3 C=2
9 A=1 B=2 C=3 19 A=1 B=2 C=3
10 A=3 B=1 C=2 20 A=2 B=1 C=3

20 to 32 Points Un-recruitable!
While it's obvious you love the game and you play for the right reasons, your attitude is working against you. You are not being a team player, and it's probably very hard for your coach to want to work with you. College coaches are scratching you off their list, regardless of your abilities. It's time for a change unless you're ready for your career to end.

33 to 46 Points On the Bubble!
While you do the right thing most of the time, your attitude could use a little work. Sometimes you can be a little selfish and need to work on being more of a team player. While college coaches may not have noticed, they will continue to watch closely – make sure that you're always doing what's best for the team, not just for yourself. Commit yourself completely to your game and team, and it will pay off at the next level.
47 to 60 Points Blue-Chip Recruit!
Along with your talent and skills, attitude is another attribute that is making you very attractive to college coaches. You do what you're supposed to do without being watched or told. Your coach probably loves your dedication, hard work and leadership.

Skills Video (↑)

WHAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR SKILLS VIDEO?
** Length is no more than five to ten minutes of skill work. Include the following basics:
** Hitting off a tee, machine, or pitcher; video from the side and behind.
** Field your position from the front and side. Show both fielding and throwing.
** Pitchers should show different pitches, and video should be from behind the catcher and a side view of the pitcher.
** No need to get fancy or include game footage ~ keep it short and simple. Remember coaches have a lot of videos to view.
** Make sure your graduation year is clearly marked on the video.

Sample Cover Letter (↑)

SAMPLE COVER LETTER TO THE COACH

Name
Address
City State Zip
Telephone Number
E-mail Address

Date

College Name
Address
City State Zip
Name of coach

Dear Coach :_________________( fill in name)

I am writing in regards to the softball program at (college name) and the possibility of you reviewing the enclosed information as I am extremely interested in attending your institution and playing on the softball team.

The video enclosed shows my versatility while my profile shows you how long I have been playing, my interests and community involvement. I am a hard worker, team player and most of all realistic. I have worked hard to maintain my grade point average and develop my softball skills to further my opportunity to play at the college level.

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity for you to review the enclosed information and the possibility of having a conversation with you one on one. Should you need any further information, please feel free to contact me.

Respectfully,

__________________________
Name here

NCAA Guidelines indicate in your Freshman and Sophomore year Division I and II may receive Questionnaires and Camp Brochures only. Division III off-campus recruiting guides indicates the Freshman and Sophomore year may receive Recruiting Materials and unlimited telephone. With this in mind, it is suggested:

FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE  (↑)

** Meet with your school counselor and advise (him or her) that you are a student athlete and need to meet the NCAA Academic Requirements beginning in your Freshman year.
** Create a player profile and letter of introduction (see above).
** Begin to make your skills video (see above).
** Establish and maintain the best GPA possible.
** Attend as many clinics as possible (if you live close to a college, take their summer softball camp). If possible, attend a show case camp.
** Play your best at every game.
** Take the PSAT or the PACT in your Sophomore year.

JUNIOR YEAR (↑)

AUGUST ~ SEPTEMBER

** Begin planning your college search. Get the family meetings started regarding where are you now academically, athletically and financially.
** Check out the web sites www.ncaa.org www.ncaaclearinghouse.net www.web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter
** Talk to your high school Counselor; find out if you are on track to be a “qualifier”.
** Take the PSAT or PACT and schedule your first SAT and ACT.

JANUARY ~ MAY

** Develop a resume and letter of introduction (see above) for college coaches. "NEVER CALL A COACH DIRECTLY"
** Identify schools that interest you and start sending out packets to coaches at that school. (This is something you may need to do over the summer and into the fall as well).
** Make your softball skills video. You can also get your camcorder and with Mom or Dad's help create a video showing your batting, fielding, pitching or catching (whatever applies). Start early (Freshman year ~ keep the one tape going and when you enter your Junior year take it to a professional for splicing and editing. (No more than 10 minutes as coaches have a lot of videos to review). Your video will be included in your introductory packet, if possible.
** Take both the SAT and ACT within this period. Remember to schedule senior fall retakes.
** Try to visit some college campuses to get an idea of what you like and don't like about them.
** If college coaches do not contact you or pursue you start looking into other programs. Always have a "Plan B".

JUNE ~ AUGUST

** Start the NCAA initial Eligibility Clearinghouse and Amateurism Clearinghouse Certification process. www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
** Play the most competitive travel ball possible.
** Return coach’s questionnaires, send out transcripts, and track responses to your video and so on.

SENIOR YEAR (↑)

AUGUST ~ SEPTEMBER

** At the end of summer ball, assess where you are in your college search. Continue to send out new letters/resumes and videos (as long as necessary).
** Respond to letters from coaches. Follow up your letters/videos with E-mails to coaches to find out how interested they are in recruiting you.
** Take the SAT or ACT again. Never settle for just one score!
** Visit the colleges that you are seriously considering attending.
** Begin sending out college applications. (Be sure to know all application deadlines)
** If you have not started the NCAA Clearinghouse process, do so immediately. (Early signing for softball scholarships is in November).

JANUARY ~ MAY

** Continuing sending out college applications
** Apply for financial aide. (It is on a "First Come, First Serve Basis" which begins January 1st).
** If necessary, continue visiting colleges
** Make your final college decision.
** Late signing for softball scholarships is in April.

JUNE ~ AUGUST

LINKS OF INTEREST (↑)

As promised we will find the links of interest to help you research and locate the best possible solution to your needs. We will research those programs that are FREE first or a minimal fee.

Check Out: