The Scoop on College Softball Scholarships

We live in a very results oriented society that's certainly focused on showing others how well we're doing. And in softball this has translated into many kids playing softball to get scholarships and parents and coaches pushing hard for that result as well.

While a softball scholarship can certainly be a wonderful thing not only as an acknowledgement of talent, but as a financial relief for the family, it shouldn't be the only reason that anyone is involved with softball. Playing for these potential scholarships can result in pressure to improve, to never make mistakes, to make sure you get enough playing time, or whatever you think that college coach might want to see. This pressure results in adults having less patience and shorter fuses causing coaches to blow up at players and other coaches, parents to blow up at daughters and at coaches, and finally players to blow up at themselves. Never mind how everyone treats the umpires…

So, I thought I'd quickly share some information regarding softball scholarships that you might not find anywhere else. This information isn't about how to get one as you can find that lots of places, but instead, I want to show you just how scarce those softball scholarships really are. And, why it might really be better to play softball because you absolutely love it and/or want to get better at it, instead of playing it in order to get a softball scholarship.

• Fun is pivotal; If it isn't "fun", young people won't play a sport
• Skill development is a crucial aspect of fun; it is more important than winning even among the best athletes.
• 70 percent of kids quit playing sports by age 13 -- and never play them again (source: National Alliance for Sports)
• 2,250,000 youth softball players in the US (approx 150,000 teams)
• 235,360 High School softball players in the US (14,710 teams)
• 915 Total NCAA colleges with softball Programs (all 3 divisions)
• 262 division 1 and 253 division 2 colleges that offer softball scholarships
• 4,965 total NCAA softball scholarships available
• 1 in 500 softball players will be awarded a NCAA College Softball Scholarhip

We need to make sure our players are playing softball because they enjoy playing the game, because they like being with their friends, or they enjoy competing, or improving their skills and testing themselves. Players shouldn't play softball only to get one of these few elusive softball scholarships. If they're truly good enough they'll get one, and if not, they'll love playing softball anyway!

For ways to keep the Fun in softball, check out our eDrills, our Drill Manuals, and our book The Ultimate Softball Practice Guide!