Considerable disagreement exists about the correct "Timeline" for college recruiting. About, the only thing most experienced travel softball coaches who compete at the national level can agree on, is colleges are offering scholarships to younger and younger players every year, and the recruiting process seems to change every year.

It's true some high school seniors and juniors will still receive NCAA Div. I and II scholarship offers. It, however, is more common for many Top 100 NCAA Div. I programs to extend all of their scholarships to recruits in a class before those recruits finish the summer between their sophomore and junior years in high school.

Many softball players and parents new to elite, national-level travel ball simply can't believe many of the Top 50 college programs extend all of their scholarship offers to recruits by the end of the fall showcase season for high school sophomores.

The Echoes Fast Pitch Club believes strongly a coordinated recruiting plan must be developed for all players in their program from at least the beginnig of the 8th grade fall season, and sometimes sooner for elite-level players. In the current system of "early verbals" if your current travel club is waiting until their players have entered high school before starting the "recruiting process" their players are behind.

We recommend the following "Timeline" for Echoes Fast Pitch players, but caution that all players must remain flexible and remember there are exceptions to every rule. Always consult regularly with the coach on your team.