We have begun the game with my daughter’s eagerness to play at the next level (including and not including schools listed below). However, we are very adamant about choosing a school where she can stay for four years, get the education she wants, and we can afford. Knowing that full-rides or even decent partial rides are not available for most softball players, we have focused our efforts at academics, then softball. If she plays at her college, great. If not, fine. But believe me, we will only take a look at softball programs at that have her best interest and provide a benefit to her college experience.
My daughter told me of an opportunity to attend a game at Indiana University this March. From my understanding, a letter was sent to her HS coach marketing a “High School Days” game and inviting her team to tour the facilities and watch a game. It was even advertised in the invite that IU had six players named NFCA Academic All-America Team Scholar Athletes and eight players named Academic All Big Ten Honorees. Sounded interesting.
If IU and other local programs want to gain support from young players and their families, I might suggest they do a better job at truly supporting local players. Here’s what I mean. Curiously, I gathered some quick stats from rosters of Indianapolis metro programs. I was looking for two things; One, how many in state players does each team have and Two, how is the retention of players after their freshman year. I won’t elaborate anymore and let the blog do the rest.
Team, Players, From Indiana, % From IN, Freshman, % Fr
Indiana, 21, 5, 24%, 8, 38%
Purdue 17, 6, 35%, 5, 29%
Butler 19, 10, 53%, 6, 32%
Ball State 20, 10, 50%, 6, 30%
IUPUI 21, 16, 76%, 6, 29%
Marion 18, 17, 94%, 5, 28%
U Indy 23, 9, 39%, 8, 35%
Anderson 26 , 24, 92%, 10, 38%
Depaw 23, 11, 48%, 9, 39%