General Information Websites

If you are planning to play softball in college, here are some important websites and information.

Useful Web Sites

• NCAA Eligibility Center - At this site, you'll find the tools and information you need to begin your college experience.  Explore this site to learn more about the NCAA, its athletics divisions, its sports and other information.
• NCAA Website -  Find out who the NCAA is, about academics, student-athletes experiences, keys issues, and championships.
• College-Bound Student-Athletes Initial-Eligibility Resource Center - Information and Resources for College-Bound Student-Athletes and Parents

• Colleges that have Softball by Division:
• Division 1
  
• Division 2
  
• Division 3
  
• Top 25 Colleges for Softball by Division:
• Division 1
  
• Division 2
  
• Division 3
  
  

National Letter of Intent

The NCAA Eligibility Center manages the daily operations of the NLI program while the Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA) provides governance oversight of the program. Started in 1964 with seven conferences and eight independent institutions, the program now includes 616 Division I and II participating institutions.

The NLI is a voluntary program with regard to both institutions and student-athletes. No prospective student-athlete or parent is required to sign the National Letter of Intent, and no institution is required to join the program.

By signing a National Letter of Intent, a prospective student-athlete agrees to attend the designated college or university for one academic year. Pursuant to the terms of the National Letter of Intent program, participating institutions agree to provide athletics financial aid for one academic year to the student-athlete, provided he/she is admitted to the institution and is eligible for financial aid under NCAA rules. An important provision of the National Letter of Intent program is a recruiting prohibition applied after a prospective student-athlete signs a Letter of Intent. This prohibition requires participating institutions to cease recruitment of a prospective student-athlete once a National Letter of Intent is signed with another institution.

The National Letter of Intent has many advantages to both prospective student-athletes and participating educational institutions:

1. Once a National Letter of Intent is signed, prospective student-athletes are no longer subject to further recruiting contacts and calls.
2. Student-athletes are assured of an athletics scholarship for one full academic year.
3. By emphasizing a commitment to an educational institution, not particular coaches or teams, the program focuses on a prospective student-athlete's educational objectives.

Useful Websites

• NLI Website- learn about NLI guidelines, signing dates, NLI provisions, frequently asked questions, future signing dates, and a quick reference guide.
  

Recruiting Information

 There are many rules for recruiting.  It is important that you know them if you plan on playing softball in college.  Here are some useful websites that may help:

• Glossary Terms on Recruiting- there are many terms about recruiting.  Here is a quick guide with definitions for most of them.
• NCAA DIVISION I COACHES OFF CAMPUS RECRUITING GUIDE
  

• NCAA DIVISION II COACHES OFF CAMPUS RECRUITING GUIDE