FASTPITCH RECRUITING
About this site…
Hello! I'm Cathi Aradi,
softball recruiting consultant and owner of Collegiate Softball
Connection. I'm an active member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association,
and I work with athletes and colleges all over the
NEWS FLASH! In 2007, StudentSportsSoftball.com
polled over 250 of the top youth coaches in the country to find out who they
consider the most influential people in fastpitch. Coaches were invited to nominate 3 people,
and StudentSportsSoftball.com put together a list of the “Ten Most Influential
People in Softball.” Catharine Aradi was
number eight on the list which included Olympians Jenny Finch and Lisa
Fernandez, former UCLA head coach Sue Enquist and USA Olympic coach Mike Candrea. Coaches call
Cathi’s book, Preparing to Play Softball at the Collegiate Level, the “Bible of Fastpitch Recruiting.”
This page is designed to
help college-bound softball players gain a competitive edge during their
college search. The information offered here will help athletes as well as
their parents and coaches. The Fastpitch
Recruiting Web Source includes:
- A
featured article on the college search
process! The July-August article is
entitled: OUCH, THAT
HURTS! WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE INJURED
DURING YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH
- It’s just my opinion, but… (Not quite a blog, more like an
editorial page.) Updated
6/20/09.
- Information
about my book, Preparing
to Play Softball at the Collegiate Level and how
to order the current edition online at www.nfca.org
or http://www.nfca-services.org/store/Shelf.asp#139
- Collegiate Softball
Connection and You! Celebrating 20 years of experience and thousands of
happy ball players! If you want an
experienced guide to work with you through your college search, read more
about CSC. (Phone consultations now available.)
This page also includes signings/commitments by
- Recruiting Workshops -- Information about upcoming
clinics or about presenting a clinic.
I will be attending the CO
Fireworks (6/29-7/5). I will also
be attending (and may do a workshop at) the 18/U ASA Nationals in Las
Vegas, NV July 28-August 1, 2009.
If you would like to chat with me at these venues, please email
me.
- Recruiting
FAQ with Cathi Aradi -- Various questions and answers on issues related to
recruiting and the college search process for student-athletes. There's
also a link to archived questions and recruiting-related articles.
- Archived
Web Articles on the college search process.
(If you have a recruiting question, please email info@fastpitchrecruiting.com.
Thanks!)
- Which
LINKS to terrific web sites that will provide
helpful college search information!
National
Fastpitch Coaches Association This site is a key
resource for information about the NFCA and college softball in general. You
can order my book on-line there!
NCAA Home Page
This is the link for general NCAA information. (For eligibility, see
link below.)
NCAA Eligibility Center
Page A direct link to the
National Letter of Intent This web site will provide information,
including signing dates, on the National Letter of Intent.
NAIA Home Page
For all NAIA guidelines and regulations and other relevant information.
Student Sports Softball.com Fun and informative web site for college-bound
prep high school and travel ball families as well as youth and college coaches.
NJCAA Home Page For junior college guidelines and regulations
and other relevant information (excluding
NWAACC Home Page For junior college guidelines and regulations
and other relevant information for WA-OR junior colleges.
Calif. Community College
Softball Home Page For guidelines
and regulations and other relevant information for Calif. Comm. Colleges.
College Board Online A link to the organization that administers
the
ACT.org
On-line ACT registration and review, with tips on successfully preparing
for this test.
FAFSA on the Web! This site will take you through the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (where it all begins) and allows you to complete the form on-line
after January 1.
CAL GRANT on the Web! This web site will provide California
students with information on that state's special aid program for good students
from low and moderate income families.
Smart
Money An article on boosting your
financial aid package.
Las Vegas Junior
Olympic Classic This is the biggest
of the early summer showcase tournaments, and it officially kicks off the
summer scouting season in the West. An
NFCA Recruiting Camp is held in conjunction as well as a workshop on the
college search. Between 300 and 350
college coaches attend every year.
Radisson Colorado
Fireworks The web site of one
of the nation's premier recruiting tournaments. This tournament is attended by
coaches at all levels of college competition every year, and it is simply the
best! Unfortunately, getting into the tournament is tough--impossible late in
the season. It fills up by fall with a waiting list. In 2007, over 400 college
coaches attended, and more are expected in 2008. Eighty-five percent of the
games are held at the state-of-the-art 12-field Aurora Sports Complex. The NFCA
runs a recruiting camp prior to the tournament, and with practice games, this
becomes a week-long event. With two
other major tournaments running concurrently in the area, Denver becomes the
softball capital of the world this week.
Valley Invitational Tournament The premier Northwest Recruiting Tourney,
this event features an NFCA Recruiting Camp and the top teams from the NW
region and
Spy Softball The most widely visited
softball “blog” with information on all levels of competition, particularly
travel and college softball.
Embark.com
Apply to college online and find information about colleges,
scholarships and more.
College is Possible Great resource site for information on
choosing a college, financial aid and more.
SAT Prep Plan Excellent resource site for SAT preparation
and review.
Free Financial Aid Documents Web listings of free information on financial
aid resources.
FinAid An index of financial aid resources.
Excite
Scholarship Search Site A site with
information on searching for scholarships and aid.
EStudentloan.com Search Site A site with information on searching for the
best college loans and other aid.
College BOT (Search Engine) A site with information on finding
information on lots of different colleges.
Fastpitch USA Great on-line fastpitch magazine. Check it
out.
Online Softball Resource Directory A site with a variety of resources for
fastpitch softball.
Blood Donations Save Lives Visit the Red Cross for information on
how you can donate! (In fond memory of
John Gimbel and Jenny Eller.)
The Milo Foundation Helping Pets in Need—my pet project.
Check out FAQ and
my book Preparing to Play Softball at the Collegiate
Level, or just email
me.
Miscellaneous 2009
©Collegiate
Softball Connection 2009