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Why Wait?

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By NICK WILLIAMS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 25, 2008

Updated: 02/24/2008 11:55 pm

Since middle school, Chamberlain High softball players Stephanie Medina and Marissa Menendez dreamed about playing for the University of South Florida's softball team.

"My sister JoJo plays there," Medina said. "It's a school I've wanted to go to for a while."

"I always used to go to their games after my travel ballgames," Menendez said.

Both would write letters to the USF coaching staff, explaining how they were perfect fits for the program. They would include their summer ball statistics and physical progress.

Flourishing on the summer ball circuit and earning starting roles on one of the most recognized high school programs in the state led to that dream slowly forming into a reality. Menendez, now a junior, verbally committed to USF as a sophomore in April. Medina, now a sophomore, committed days before the current high school season.

Menendez and Medina aren't the only early commitments from the area. Chamberlain junior Samantha Holle committed to Florida before the season, as did Durant junior Kelsey Horton. Junior baseball players Ray Delphey (Alonso), Chad Taylor (Jefferson), Austin Adams (Zephyrhills) and Jesuit's Nick Lockwood and Jimmy Falla all committed to USF before this season.

The trend has become for players to commit before their senior season begins.

According to the NCAA, an athlete becomes a "prospect" once they enter the ninth grade, but can't be in contact with a college coach until after July 1 of their junior year. A verbal commitment is non-binding and a prospect can only sign a letter-of-intent during the signing period of their senior year.

Jennifer Kearns, associate director of public and media relations for the NCAA, suggests when any high school athlete commits before his or her senior year, it can "alleviate some pressure during his/her senior year of high school" and that "signing early prevents other schools from recruiting him/her and the school doesn't have to spend any more money recruiting them."

Others agree.

"It gives them additional time to prepare for college," Jefferson baseball coach Pop Cuesta said. "They have no worries their senior year. Kids can concentrate on having fun."

"If you're already comfortable with that program, then why not," Menendez said.

Meanwhile, the trend also suggests there is more pressure on athletes to impress college coaches during the summer.

"We sold ourselves," Menendez said. "No one else is going to sell you."

Cathi Aradi, a member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and owner of Collegiate Softball Connection, has been a recruiting consultant for the past 18 years. Author of "Preparing to Play Softball at the Collegiate Level," she said early verbal commitments will become a challenge.

"How the whole scholarship offer happens is a mystery," Aradi said. "If the NCAA had to police it, it would be virtually impossible. Problems will start emerging over the years. Kids will back out and coaches will back out because there is nothing legally binding by just committing."

Aradi said on numerous occasions, she has had to explain to worried parents that all is not lost if their child hasn't committed to a college by their junior year.

"Seventy-five percent of college softball players sign with Division II, Division III and NAIA schools," she said. "The other 25 percent make up the Division I programs. These nationally ranked schools are almost forced to identify prospects early in order to compete with like schools that are probably doing the same thing."

"It doesn't mean you're not good enough if you don't sign early," Medina said. "But did that player go for it? Did they write the coach? It's whether you push yourself or not."

Chamberlain softball coach Bob Diez supports his players' decisions and agrees "it's a relief" by committing early. He also said it allows the college coaches to plan one or two seasons ahead. However, he said there are reasons to throw caution to the wind.

"I listened to Florida women's softball coach Tim Walton at a clinic and he said a lot of coaches aren't comfortable with it," Diez said. "A lot can change in two years, but players want to make sure they have a spot where they want to go. What happens if a coach leaves? It's a fine line."

The growing number of recruiting Internet sites, which can rank prospects as early as the ninth grade, along with summer showcases and camps also play a factor in how early an athlete gets recruited.

"It's happening more now because coaches are seeing players earlier," Cuesta said. "They see them at the camps. Years ago, there were few showcases and you had to be invited. Now, people are paying $400 to go."

While there are many opinions , there is one constant.

"Nothing is official until you sign," Medina said. "You have to keep working hard to keep that coach interested."

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848 or nwilliams@tampatrib.com.

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