What are the athletic requirements to play college softball?

In MyNextPlay's Guide to the College Softball Recruiting Process, we talk about the importance of calling attention to yourself. This process starts with data; understanding where you fit as an athlete – combined with where you are tracking academically – will help you pursue the right colleges and softball programs as you move through the recruiting process.

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This article focuses on the athletic data you should know about yourself to determine where you might fit in as a college softball player.

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A few words about intangibles

Before we get into metrics, a few words about what can’t be measured.

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Coaches place a high value on the “intangibles” that a player can bring to a program –  elements like work ethic, leadership potential, composure and resiliency on the field, and a team-first attitude.

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While physical tools matter a great deal, there are many gifted players who don’t make it. On the flip side, plenty of college players thrive even though their core athletic metrics would tell you they don’t belong on the field.

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In some cases, being stellar in 1 or 2 of the key metrics might be enough to get the attention of colleges at a specific level. For example being able to hit for power can make up for being a slow runner and/or having a weaker arm.

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Simply put, success in softball is not just based on a quantitative, data-driven formula – it’s a physically and mentally challenging game that’s played by humans. It’s a sport that requires the athletes who play it to endure failure and possess a high ‘softball IQ’ – shorthand for the ability to make quick and accurate decisions in complicated situations.

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Core metrics for playing college softball

There’s no scientific way to pinpoint exactly the college level you can play at from a softball perspective. That said, whether you are a position player or a pitcher, there are some basic core metrics that will guide you to the right level – and that show where you’d need to improve in order to play at a higher level in college.

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Scouts assess position players based on “5 tools”: your ability to run, throw, field, hit for average, and hit for power. Likewise, scouts evaluate pitchers based on arm strength (fastball or “FB” velocity), FB movement and command, off-speed pitch movement and command (e.g. your curveball, changeup, and/or off-speed pitches), and your makeup.

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Makeup is a catch-all phrase that measures how competitive, smart, composed, and mentally resilient a pitcher is during each outing regardless of what happens during the game.

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For college softball prospects, “3 tools” can be used to provide a simple snapshot of where you might fit as college position player or pitcher:

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Position players

• Speed → 60 feet (20 yards) dash time
• Hitting and Hitting for Power → Exit velocity of ball off bat, or “Exit Velo”
• Defense → Throwing velocity from either SS, OF, or C positions

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Pitchers

• Arm strength → FB velocity
• Movement and command → FB and offspeed pitches
• Makeup → Mental resilience and pitching IQ 

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The chart below has general core metric ranges that college coaches use to evaluate where a high school softball player might fit within the NCAA Division I, Division II, Divsiion III, and NAIA and Junior College levels. Position players are listed first; scroll down to see the core metrics for pitchers.

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Core metrics for position players

Let’s start with the general metrics that align with the different levels of college softball, starting with position players. These guidelines provide ranges that span all position players from outfielders (corner and center fielders), middle infielders, corner infielders (e.g. 1B/3B), and catchers (e.g. POP time is included here).

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Emphasis on “ranges” – these are not hard and fast rules by position. For example, if you’re a high school shortstop you might see that you’re a little below the 60-yard dash time for Division II, but in the upper end of the ranges for arm strength and batting exit velocity for DI. You may be able to play at the Division I level as a corner infielder/outfielder.

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Let's look at how core metrics map to specific college levels for softball position players:

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Division 1

• Home-to-1B/60ft time: 2.8-2.9
• Throw velo: 60-63+ MPH
• Hit exit velo: 68-70+ MPH
• POP time: 1.8 or better

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Division 2 / NAIA

• Home-to-1B/60ft time: 2.9-3.0
• Throw velo: 58-60+ MPH
• Hit exit velo: 67+ MPH
• POP time: 1.9 or better

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Division 3

• Home-to-1B/60ft time: 3.1-3.3
• Throw velo: 55+ MPH
• Hit exit velo: 65+ MPH
• POP time: 2.0-2.1

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Junior College (JUCO)

• Home-to-1B/60ft time: 3.3+
• Throw velo: 50-55+ MPH
• Hit exit velo: 63+ MPH
• POP time: 2.1-2.2

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Core metrics for pitchers

The number one metric college coaches look for is the ability to consistently throw strikes (ideally with movement) at or above the RHP or LHP fastball (FB) velocity targets.

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After velocity, showing the ability to command multiple off-speed pitches sets pitching prospects apart. Command generally speaking is the ability to hit specific spots in the strike zone; for example, throwing off-speed pitches for strikes in any count. Control represents the ability to throw each pitch for strikes a majority of the time.

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For example, a LHP who throws 58+ MPH consistently with good movement and command, throws two off-speed pitches with command, and another off-speed pitch with control would be considered a lower Division I/Upper Division II+NAIA prospect. The upside for this prospect would be based on physical projection (which is an estimate of how much this player will improve in these core metrics from their high school senior year to their upper class college years) and mental makeup.

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Let's look at how core metrics map to specific college levels for softball pitchers:

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Division 1

• FB velo: 60-63+ MPH
• FB + Changeup with command
• 2 breaking pitches (e.g. Curveball, Dropball, etc.)

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Division 2

• FB velo: 58+ MPH
• FB with command
• 2 off-speed pitches (e.g. Changeup, Curveball, etc.)

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Division 3

• FB velo: 55+ MPH
• FB with command
• 1-2 off-speed pitches (e.g. Changeup, Curveball, etc.)

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Junior College (JUCO)

• FB velo: 55+ MPH
• FB with command
• 1 off-speed pitch (e.g. Changeup, Curveball, etc.)

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Sources for college softball athletic metrics:

• https://www.ncsasports.org/softball/recruiting-guidelines
• https://www.softballrecruiting.com/College-Player-measurables
• https://www.athleticscholarships.net/softballscholarships.htm
• ​​https://fastpitchmasters.com/metrics-combine/
• https://www.gobigrecruiting.com/recruiting101/softball/positional_guidelines/recruiting_guidelines
• https://www.softballrecruiting.com/blog/exit-speed
• https://www.softballrecruiting.com/blog/types%20of-softball-pitches
• https://dt5602vnjxv0c.cloudfront.net/portals/3027/docs/softballgripscheatsheet.pdf
• https://www.nsr-inc.com/sport/softball/recruiting-facts.php
• https://thehittingvault.com/exit-speed-in-baseball-and-softballl/

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Grid below courtesy of Kelly Ahrens, founder of Test and Train Sports:

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