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University of Arkansas-Monticello has named Kyle Lem head coach of the UAM Softball program removing the interim tag that he served under during the 2019 season. Lem was named interim last summer after the passing of former coach Alvy Early. Lem had served on staff as an assistant coach for three seasons before taking the reins of the Blossoms. UAM finished this season 25-27 and 18-26 in the Great American Conference.

The softball program at the United State Military Academy has gone through definite transition the last six months. The fall brought with it the abrupt resignation of head coach Michelle DePolo after 10 seasons; then the naming of longtime Senior Associate Athletic Director with a Travel Ball background Bob Beretta as interim head coach for the 2019 season. The Cadets are currently moving toward the end of the 2019 season and currently sit around .500 at 25-26 overall and 8-7 in the Patriot League. Once Army wraps up their season in the next few weeks (NCAA Postseason not withstanding), where does Army look for their next head coach? That question might have already been answered with the stealth-like hiring of Cheryl Milligan.

For those that don’t go to school athletic pages to check on roster moves or adds during the season, the addition of a three-time National Champion Head Coach to the Black Knight Coaching Staff might have gone unnoticed. Milligan was quietly added as an assistant coach officially after the start of the season (Although it remains a mystery exactly when. She apparently replaced Brittany Robinson on staff that herself was just hired last fall.). While the timing of the addition seems odd, the quality of the addition is anything but. Milligan spent 15 seasons at the helm of Tufts University and in that time won Division III National Championships in three straight years from 2013-2015. The 2015 team went undefeated 51-0 and is the best record of any softball team in NCAA History.

Milligan stepped down last November citing wanting to “Spend more time with her family”, just to pop up less than six months later on the coaching staff at Army. Milligan however is being true to her word, as her husband Jamie Pinzino is the Associate Head Coach with Army Baseball and now work in the same department together. This naturally leads to the thought that Milligan taking the reins of the Army Softball program would be attractive to her as working around your husband each day would definitely lead to more “time” with family.  

While the USMA will most likely open the position for a national search after the conclusion of the season; Could they already have this succession plan in place? Could the timing of DePolo’s departure in October and then the subsequent resignation of Milligan at Tufts the following month be connected? The odd timing of adding Milligan to the coaching staff can’t be denied and could indicate an attempt to get a jump on familiarizing her with the program before taking the reins this summer. Adding her as an assistant first also keeps from further overturning the ship (or tank in this case) with a third head coaching change in a six months. While this could seem a bit farfetched to the naked eye, connecting the dots to put a three-time national championship coach in the Captains (Generals) Chair at West Point doesn’t. 

This week On Deck we sit down with the head coach at Hope International University, Dennis Blas. Since taking over the Royals for the 2016 season, Blas has transformed HIU into one of the top programs in NAIA. In 2019 Blas led HIU to their first Golden State Athletic Conference Championship and a 47-11 record. HIU advanced to the opening round of the NAIA National Championship and its best ranking in school history coming in at No. 6. With the historical season, Blas earned GSAC Coach of the Year honors. Blas has a record of 141-73 through his fourth season skippering the Royals. Before landing in Fullerton Blas served 15 years on the coaching staff at Cypress College. During his time with the Chargers the program won four CCCAA State Championships and 13 Orange Empire Conference Championships. He also had a distinguished career as a coach and administrator at Saint Joseph High School. Blas graduated from California Lutheran University in 1989 and earned his master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University in 2002.

Lee Dobbins: Coach Blas you took over a program at Hope International that has seen unprecedented success since you took charge of the program four years ago. What have been the keys in turning the program from your average NAIA program to a Top 10 type national competitor that we see today?

Dennis Blas: When I accepted the position as Head Softball Coach at HIU, I knew that I needed to change the culture of winning. First, I had to hire strong assistant coaches that believed in my vision and leadership. I then had to begin the recruitment process and focus on talent that would help the team move to the next level in the Golden State Athletic Conference. I came from a very successful program at Cypress College and used this experience and my connections in the softball community to get the name of HIU out to the softball community. My recruitment process included freshmen along with top athletes from local community colleges that could bring experience to my team. I was looking for student-athletes that wanted to work hard on the field and in the classroom. The first year was the hardest since I was hired late in the recruitment season and had to hit the ground running to set the schedule and build a team that first year. Another challenge each year at HIU is securing the best competitive schedule since there are not a lot of NAIA schools on the West Coast. This changed for the team when we started winning more games, and other teams across the country wanted to come play us. It has been truly a pleasure to watch this program grow from the beginning to where it is today. Our Athletic Director and the University Leadership are very supportive of the softball program and continue to make investments in our success. My coaching staff and I have put a lot of hard work in the program from building strength and conditioning programs, setting required study times for the student-athletes, and securing a home playing field. This hard work has paid off, and there is a lot of pride in the HIU softball program today.

Dobbins: Over the last few years recruiting has been a major topic of conversation particularly when it comes to the average (young) age that Prospective Student Athletes are being recruited and making verbal commitments to programs. Legislation has now been initiated with NCAA Institutes restricting contact/offers to PSAs until September 1 of their junior years in high school. NAIA is not restricted to any of these recruiting rules and really takes on a “Wild Wild West” mentality in the recruitment of student-athletes. What are your thoughts on the differences? Would you like to see more restrictions for NAIA when it comes to PSA recruitment and contact?

Blas: The only difference I see between the two is contacting the players. I have made it a point not to recruit players too early. I think development is not always there when they are younger and young ladies all mature at different times. So many great players get passed up by Division I & II schools because they had such early commits they did not have room for them. I do not think we need to change the restrictions for the NAIA schools. I feel everybody does a good job of not recruiting too early in the process. When you talk with the players they all tell you they want to go Div. I, so most of the time you just need to keep following them and show interest until they make a final decision.

Dobbins: NAIA Teams seem to get a raw deal in how they are perceived nationally compared to NCAA programs; when in fact many NAIA teams are as good if not better than many programs at the NCAA DI and DII levels. What have been the keys to convince recruits in picking an NAIA program like HIU particularly in the softball rich area like Southern California?  

Blas: I think that being in the hotbed of the softball world in Southern California, you must show future recruits that you take an interest in them as people. Most players like to stay home so their parents can see them play. By going to an NAIA school you are going to finish many time in four years, and during that time will be able to have teacher/student interaction by having small class sizes you get to have a great softball experience. I tell all of our future athletes that I am going to treat them just like my kids. I think that gives some peace to the parents knowing that their daughter is going to be taken care of when they come to HIU.

Dobbins: I recently heard a phrase directly referenced to collegiate softball; “The era of the free agent has begun.” This seemingly is referencing the latest NCAA Transfer Legislation that eliminates the permission-to-contact process. The transfer rates in the last five years had seemingly already been at an all-time high. Recently however, it seems the flood gates have opened directly connected with this legislation. Although this legislation doesn’t encompass NAIA; How has it affected how you recruit? Has this legislation for NCAA programs been an advantage to those in NAIA?

Blas: I think it has been very good. I am always on the lookout for players that are coming back to Southern California and want to continue their softball career and earn a degree. I think people do not always realize that when they go to these big-time schools, there are huge expectations besides them just attending class. Those programs do so much all travel and put so much time into the program just form an operational aspect. The larger size programs are not for everyone and sometimes coming home and going to a small private school is what fits them best. There is a school out there for everyone, and sometimes it just takes a little time for the student-athletes to find their place in a program. Since we have done well nationally the last couple of years the recruits that are coming home know that if they transfer to HIU, they are going to get an excellent softball experience and a solid education.

Dobbins: The “Point of Emphasis” the last few years from a rules and officiating standpoint have been the obstruction rule (particularly at the catching position) and the enforcement of the players positioning and movements in the batter’s box and leaving the dimensions and confines of it (particularly slappers). What are your thoughts on these two particular points of emphasis the last few years? Are they being enforced accurately and effectively? If not, what needs to change from an enforcement standpoint?

Blas: I feel the most significant problem has been the obstruction rule for the catchers because nobody calls it consistently. The defense is at a complete disadvantage especially if the throw takes them up the line and they have to make a play on the throw. The batters stepping out of the box has been called so much this year that I feel it has put the officials in a tight spot. We are asking them to get better at calling balls and strikes as well as watching the hitters to make sure their toe is not outside the batter’s box especially in the late innings when the lines have been lost. I just feel with these two rules we need to get more consistency. The slappers have been doing it that way forever, and now in 2018 and 2019 we decide to change it. I am not a fan of those two rule changes that have taken place.

Coach Ralph Raymond didn’t just coach icons, he was an icon in the midst of icons. Coaching such names as Lisa Fernandez, Dot Richardson, Michelle Smith, and a list of Softball Royalty too long to list; He not only guided players, but helped shape the sport into what we see today. Raymond passed away today just days shy of his 95th birthday at his home in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Raymond coached Team USA to two Gold Medals in the first Games that softball was offered as part of the Olympic Program in 1996 in Atlanta, and then again in 2000 at the Sydney Games. He also won five ISF World Championships and captured Gold three times in the Pan American Games leading the Red, White, and Blue. He compiled an international record of 332-9 coaching Team USA.

While guiding the US National Program he also coached the legendary Raybestos Brakettes to 18 Women’s National Championships while compiling a 1,192-162 record.

Softball’s Godfather has reached a milestone, and he did it faster than anyone ever.

University of Arizona Head Coach Mike Candrea scored his 1,600th career victory over the weekend with a 9-1 win over Stanford. Candrea reached the wins plateau faster than any coach in any sport in NCAA Division I History. He is one of only two softball coaches to reach 1,600 victories.

Candrea is an eight time National Championship Coach and also lead the U.S. Olympic Team to a Gold and Silver Medals in 2004 and 2008 respectively.

Candrea is in his 34th season as coach of the Wildcats and shows no signs of slowing down. UA currently sits at 38-7 overall on the seasons. The No. 7 ranked Wildcats also sit undefeated atop the PAC-12 with a 15-0 record.

This week On Deck we sit down with the head coach of the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, Kelley Green. Coach Green is in her 10^th season in-charge at CCU and has lead the transition of the program from the Big South Conference to the Sun Belt Conference. The Chants have consistently dialed up winning seasons during Green’s time leading the program. The 2012 season has proven to be the Chants most successful season under Kelley as the program collected 44 wins on the season while winning the Big South Conference Tournament Championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. Prior to leading Coastal Carolina, Green spent 10 seasons as head coach at Lock Haven University. While at LHU she led the Eagles to two Division II National Championships in in 2006 and 2009 while posting a 346-134 record. Before landing at Lock Haven she served as an assistant coach at Penn State. Green a standout All-Big 10 and All-American athlete at Northwestern University also competed professionally for the Virginia Roadsters.  

Lee Dobbins: Coach Green you took over the program at Coastal Carolina after the retirement of Coach Jess Dannelly after he lead the program for 22 season stretch; Along with that transition you have gone through a lot of expansion and growth in the CCU Athletic Department, including transition from the smaller Big South Conference to a Group of Five Conference in the Sun Belt. In your 10 years at Coastal how has this growth and expansion helped you transition the program into what we see today?

Kelley Green: Our transition from the Big South to the Sun Belt has been exciting. We certainly enjoyed our time in the Big South and experienced so much success over the years. Moving to the Sun Belt certainly has had its challenges early on, but we see those as opportunities. We now feel we are building a program to get to Oklahoma City and that’s exciting. Our President has backed this move 100% and provided us with the resources necessary to reach new heights. We have had upgrades to our facilities, increased budgets and overwhelming support. All the programs here at Coastal have benefited tremendously. The growth on both the academic and athletic side is impressive and Conway is a great place to be. This allows us to target a new level of recruit as we move forward. We feel like we are building something very special here and it’s fantastic to be part of it.

Dobbins: Over the last few years recruiting has been a major topic of conversation particularly when it comes to the average (young) age that Prospective Student Athletes are being recruited and making verbal commitments to programs. Legislation has now been initiated restricting contact/offers to PSAs until the start of their junior years in high school. Talk a bit about that change in the recruiting dynamic since that legislation has been adopted. Has it slowed the process and made balancing recruiting better? Has the legislation been effective in curving earlier recruiting in any way? 

Green: The new recruiting rule is such a mindful move for our sport. I’m not sure that we have seen the affects yet in our program because we had recruiting classes committed for a while before the rule, but we expect it to be a very positive change. We now have more time to track athletes and see them develop. It benefits the prospect even more though. A ninth or 10^th grader no longer has to stress about making a college decision. They can just play, work on their skills and develop on and off the field. They will now be making their decisions at a higher level of maturity.

Dobbins: Being in the hotbed area that encompasses “SEC/ACC Country”, what have you seen as both challenges and benefits in recruiting to a school like Coastal that falls very much in-between that Mid-Major and Power 5 level institute?  What have you and your staff done to carve out your recruiting niche to get top-recruits to pick the Chanticleers? 

Green: It certainly is tough to recruit against Power 5 and other top mid-major programs. Coastal offers such a unique experience though so we use that to our advantage. We may be considered a mid-major, but when you are on campus, you get a big-time feel. We have so much pride on campus. We have teal and Chanticleers everywhere! Our facilities are top notch and there are certainly not many universities that can boast being so close to the beach. You just can’t go wrong with palm trees in the outfield. The entire campus is so beautiful. The people are the best part about Coastal though. From our President to all our support staff, people truly care about each other. Once we get a recruit on campus, they feel this right away.

Dobbins: I recently heard a phrase directly referenced to collegiate softball; “The era of the free agent has begun.” This seemingly is referencing the latest NCAA Transfer Legislation that eliminates the permission-to-contact process. The transfer rates in the last five years had seemingly already been at an all-time high. Recently however, it seems the flood gates have opened directly connected with this legislation. What are your thoughts on this legislation and its effect on the collegiate game?

Green: It’s disappointing to see the transfer rates so high. I struggle with formulating an opinion on this because I believe everyone should be able to make choices to make their life better, but I also feel like there is a lack of commitment now. I see both sides of it. Each transfer has their own reason and individual story though, so I try not to judge. Transfer rates were already increasing before the new rule, but now it will skyrocket. That’s the reality of it, so we will be prepared to adjust as necessary.

Dobbins: Collegiate Softball has boomed in popularity in the last 10 years and this seems to be based on its visibility on different media outlets (TV, online, Social Media, etc.). How has that dynamic of visibility has changed the way the game is played and how you run your program? What is the next progression of promotion of the game/advancement would you like to see as a head coach?

Green: Access to more media has only improved our game. I learn so much from watching what others are doing. My phone is filled with hitting GIFs! Scouting an opponent is so easy now as I usually just have to turn on ESPN to find games. We definitely go into a game more prepared than ever. Of course, so do our opponents! The media growth in our game will only continue to make our sport better too. With all the access kids have now, they will grow up watching the best hitters and pitchers and look to emulate. This will lead to an even greater skill set over a wider population of athletes. I hope the see the increased coverage leads to more opportunities professionally in our sport. I would also expect to see replay emerge in the next few years throughout all divisions and conferences.

University of Missouri Kansas City has confirmed to RTS that assistant coach Greg Bachkora has returned to his coaching position after a voluntary leave of absence since February.

UMKC released the following statement about Bachkora returning to the coaching staff.

“The department has completed its comprehensive review of the UMKC Softball program and has found no issues of concern that require any further corrective action. Assistant coach Greg Bachkora has completed his voluntary leave of absence and has returned to his coaching duties.”

Bachkora had been the target of sexual harassment allegations by three former student-athletes that have seemingly been proven inaccurate after the aforementioned comprehensive investigation by UMKC Athletic Director Brandon Martin and his staff.

Current members of the UMKC Softball Program have come to the defense of Bachkora from day one disputing the allegations. Current players have said many of the accusations were taken out of context and were used by the former student-athletes to paint a certain narrative of the coaching staff.  Current members of the squad have indicated the accusations from the three former student-athletes were geared toward getting the coaching staff removed from their positions after being unhappy with their roles with the program and discipline that they had been subject to, rather than any wrongdoings by Coach Bachkora or any of the coaching staff.

The initial story filed by the Kansas City Star with the accusation has yet to be retracted nor updated with the findings of the investigation and clearing of Coach Bachkora to return to his position. Other outlets having reported on the claims have also followed suit in the same narrative as the KC Star. Several “interest groups” that have a very anti-male sentiment and used the story as a narrative for males having no place in female sports have also remained silent since the new findings.

On the field UMKC currently sits 23-17 overall on the season and 3-6 in the WAC. 

This week On Deck we sit down with the head coach of the University of North Alabama, Ashley Cozart. Cozart is entering her sixth season as head coach of the Lions and has found unparalleled success in that short time. In only her third year at the helm of UNA she led the Lions to the NCAA Division II National Championship along with the programs first Gulf South Conference Championship. Following that season, she and her staff were named the DII National Coaching Staff of the Year for that banner season and accomplishments. She has amassed a record of 231-80 since arriving at North Alabama. Before arriving in Florence, she served as head coach at Lindsey Wilson College where she led the Blue Raiders to the NAIA National Tournament all four years with the program while also winning the Mid-South Conference Championship each year. She served one season as an assistant coach at Lee University before taking her first head coaching job at LWC. Cozart (formerly McCool) was a standout player breaking many school records at Trevecca Nazarene University.

Lee Dobbins: Coach Cozart you took over the program at North Alabama and have taken it on a meteoric rise from an average program, to DII National Champions, and now have made the move into DI and are doing so in a very competitive fashion; How have you made these strides in just six seasons that have led to such successes for a program very much in transition? 

Ashley Cozart: I think the most important thing is our culture and what we believe drives female athletes. Confidence and Love. We preach from day one that if you don’t have confidence and a love to be the best student athlete you can be, then you do not belong here. You don’t HAVE to come to practice, class, or make a difference in our community; you GET to. It also helps to recruit the right kids. There is so much talent around North Alabama and we focused on targeting and winning those athletes first and building around that. My coaching philosophy is based on that confidence and love. Those two things mixed with a female and sports works wonders in what makes us successful.

Dobbins: Over the last few years recruiting has been a major topic of conversation particularly when it comes to the average (young) age that Prospective Student Athletes are being recruited and making verbal commitments to programs. Legislation has now been initiated restricting contact/offers to PSAs until the start of their junior years in high school. Talk a bit about that change in the recruiting dynamic since that legislation has been adopted. Has it slowed the process and made balancing recruiting better? Has the legislation been effective in curving earlier recruiting in any way? 

Cozart: I am a huge fan of the new recruiting calendar. I think this gives kids chances to be kids but also grow and learn as a person and athlete without the stress of making a huge decision when they aren’t ready. I think this takes pressure off families and the athlete to take their time and look at all options and not do something based on being scared of missing an opportunity. I think the new recruiting rule will help athletes make more of the right decisions and not a decision based off money, popularity, or afraid of missing an opportunity. I do think this puts more pressure on coaches. Once that date hits where we can talk with a prospective student athlete, we have to make sure we are prepared and ready to show them what we can offer. But the good far outweighs the bad on this one.

Dobbins: Being in a state heavily populated by both DI and DII programs, what have you done to carve out your niche in recruiting and draw athletes to a mid-major DI like UNA? Have you found it more difficult to recruit in this transition period that seems to be a “no man’s land” when schools are in between DII and DI?

Cozart: Alabama is loaded with so much talent! When I coached in Kentucky, I recruited so many athletes from Alabama so I said I just need to move and take a job there. It is important for us to locate the great local talent and build around that. Some of the best players I have had the pleasure to coach have been from small towns around North Alabama. Also, there are so many wonderful junior colleges around that we have been able to recruit players from and fill positions where we may need more experience right away. In this transition, you have to look at it as the glass is half full. This is such an exciting time for our program and university. An athlete gets to come in and be a part of a “first” for us. Also, our goals have changed. Now our conference tournament is our National Championship. That’s our ultimate goal over the next 4 years and we embrace that. The experiences that our players are getting to face is exciting and we are embracing every moment and every opportunity we are given.

Dobbins: I recently heard a phrase directly referenced to collegiate softball; “The era of the free agent has begun.” This seemingly is referencing the latest NCAA Transfer Legislation that eliminates the permission-to-contact process. The transfer rates in the last five years had seemingly already been at an all-time high. Recently however, it seems the flood gates have opened directly connected with this legislation. What are your thoughts on this legislation and its effect on the collegiate game?

Cozart: I am indifferent about the transfer portal and eliminating the permission to contact policy. I do feel like athletes should have options because sometimes their path turns out different than what they had imagined or planned. Sometimes there are unforeseen circumstances or coaching changes that are beyond their control. We cannot give athletes a revolving door to transfer whenever they want. In the real world if something doesn’t go our way with our job or family do we just leave or make a decision to not fight or make things better? What are these kids learning if something doesn’t go their way and they decide to handle failure by transferring or quitting? I have a young team this year, and we try and have individual meetings once a week to discuss things and what I hear most from my freshmen is they don’t know how to handle not playing and not feeling like they are good enough if they don’t start or play every game. That frustration then turns into handling it in a negative way or parents telling them to quit or transfer. I think coaches AND parents need to do a better job of teaching this generation the importance of perseverance and being tough. If you’re not getting the playing time you want, what are you doing to fix it? You can go so many different ways with it. However, athletes these days want to point fingers and not work for it but complain about it. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have the transfer portal and this outlet for athletes, but is it being used in the right way? We have gotten some great athletes that have been transfers and it has changed their life for the better and I truly believe God has led them to us. So, it can be beneficial if it is used correctly and benefiting everyone.

Dobbins: Collegiate Softball has boomed in popularity in the last 10 years and this seems to be based on its visibility on different media outlets (TV, online, Social Media, etc.). How has that dynamic of visibility has changed the way the game is played and how you run your program? What is the next progression of promotion of the game/advancement would you like to see as a head coach?

Cozart: Softball is so exciting and absolutely one of the most exciting and talked about sports these days. Seeing a female being successful in the sport of softball is incredible. The diving plays, the home runs, the athleticism is a beautiful thing! Having softball on TV for these young girls to watch is what it’s all about. They are role models to everyone who watches them play. One of the greatest things about us moving to DI is our games are now broadcast on ESPN. Every play is out there for everyone to see and we get to embrace the successes of our girls for the way they perform. Recruits now get to see more than ever how teams interact with each other, how coaches react in certain situations, and what your program is all about. It’s great for recruits and also great for scouting teams you play. There’s not much that’s a secret when playing an opponent that you can’t find on TV. I guess the next progression I would like to see from our sport is more games on TV. Having more channels available for all schools to be on TV and also highlighting the success of every program and their athletes on more media outlets. I think the sport of softball has progressed very well and will continue to be very popular and exciting.

Tiffin University Head Coach Jeff Nickerson became the all-time winningest coach in program history with an 8-0 win over Urbana on Tuesday. Nickerson has 287 wins in 11 seasons with the Dragons. He also has amassed 427 career wins in 17 seasons as a collegiate head coach including stops at Presbyterian College and Ohio Northern University.

Florida State’s Atlantic Coast Conference unbeaten series streak came to an end Monday night as they lost game three of their conference series to Louisville 10-9. Seventh inning rally was an understatement as FSU trailing 7-3 scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning to take a 9-7 lead. Louisville then answered with a three runs in the bottom of the frame after loading the based then ending the deciding game three of the series on a walk-off double. Florida State streak of ACC Series wins had stood at 52 straight until losing to Louisville. The Seminoles had not lost a series since 2012 when they dropped two of three to then conference foe Maryland.