It was really interesting to read the exciting momentum that came out of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association convention in Las Vegas this year. The Division I coaches in attendance voted, nearly unanimously, to put an end to the practice of early recruiting.
We heard that our great game was going to make a fundamental change and put an end to the practice of recruiting very young players.
Now I admit that I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed but I am really, really confused.
Why?
Since this grand proclamation, I have seen at least a dozen Facebook posts with players as young as 6th grade committing to very big and very powerful programs.
Could these be rogue parents, or players just saying they were committed to these schools on their own?
Did these players and parents jump to the misguided conclusion that these schools, that are committed to ending early recruiting, didn’t really mean to offer them scholarships?
Would it be wrong to assume that the pictures taken with coaches, in dugouts, with statues, in clubhouses, while wearing the obligatory bookstore t-shirt, are not meant to tell everyone that a player is committed to that program?
Or is this just the last gasp of early recruiting where schools feel the need to get the last fish in the boat before the fishing season closes?
When will early recruiting stop? When the big schools stop thinking it benefits them.
Nice vote, but it won’t change much.
About the Author: Tory Acheson brings a wealth of knowledge to the Fastpitch Prep staff. He has coached at all levels of the game, including the last 25 years at the college level at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside, Tennessee Tech and Kennesaw State. He began his coaching career at the high school level spending 9 years Whitnall High School in Greenfield, Wis. and is now working as a professional softball instructor.
