How to Catch a College Coaches Eye in Summer Softball
Summer ball is in full swing all across the country. At the club and premiere levels, teams will be heading to out of state tournaments and showcases to compete at the highest levels. College coaches will be in attendance at most of these tournaments and showcase’s scouting out new talent to fill their future roster spots.
It can be nerve-wracking for players who haven’t played in front of college coaches before. My advice to team coaches and parents, don’t make it a big deal. College coaches will be dressed in their college gear but they will also blend in with the fans in the stands. Try not to draw attention to them and keep your players focused on the game, as they have enough to worry about in front of them. Keep the players focused on the task at hand and let them play.
Just because a college coach is in the stands, doesn’t mean players have to hit a home run or make a SportsCenter Top 10 play to get noticed. College coaches enjoy watching players with talent, but they look for so much more from players when they are on the field. If you find yourself on the field this summer and a college coach you are trying to impress is in the stands, below is a list of ways to catch that coaches eye aside from your playing abilities.
Hustle: College coaches watch how players react when things go well and when things don’t go well. Players should always be hustling when they set foot between the lines. Sprinting on and off the field is something college coaches enjoy watching. It is an expectation they will implement in college and when they see a potential recruit hustle, they will make a note. If you strike out up to bat, put some pep in your step and hustle off the field.
Take a Chance: If you find yourself at a college clinic, showcase, or tournament with college coaches present, take some chances on yourself. Dive for balls in the infield and outfield that are just out of reach. Push yourself to new limits. Nothing gets a college coach more excited than seeing someone at the club and premiere levels dive for a ball. This proves the player is fearless and even if the play isn’t made, it shows the coach what the player will be capable of and more when they get to the college level.
Be a Vocal Leader: College coaches don’t just pay attention to a player’s skill level on the field. They also pay a great deal of attention to how players engage with their teammates. Being a vocal leader in the dugout and on the field will make a player stand out. When players are vocal leaders, it shows the college coach that they not only know and are in tune with the game, but that they are a good teammate. If you have ever been to a college game or have tuned into one, pay attention to how the players interact with one another every pitch. Being a vocal leader is important and makes an impact on the team and the game.
If you find yourself on the field this summer with a college coach in the stands, don’t put extra pressure on yourself. Control what you can control and focus on your game. Pick one of the things from the list above and focus your attention on that. Have some fun, make a gutsy play, and be a good teammate. If you can do all of those things, you will be sure to catch a college coaches eye this summer.
