Rounding Third Softball

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.

The 2019 season will be University of Detroit Mercy Coach John Conway’s final season with the Titan Softball program. Conway recently announced his intentions to retire at the conclusion of his fifth season as head coach in Motown.

Conway took over the program at Detroit Mercy before the 2015 season, and through his fifth campaign has amassed 74 victories while helping start the turn of a program that had seen little success in recent years. Conway had seen win improvements in each of his first three seasons with the Titans. During his time he has also produced numerous All-Horizon League Honorees over his five seasons.

Conway reflected on his time and felt fortunate to have had coaching career that spanned 25 years counting his time on the Elite Club Level

“I have been so fortunate to begin my career coaching as a club coach and then to transition into being an NCAA coach for the past 17 years.”, Conway commented. “I never imagined starting as a part-time Division III coach at Fontbonne University to then coach at the Division I and II levels. I have had so many wonderful experiences with all these young ladies who I have been fortunate to hopefully give them an enjoyable four year career each stop.” Conway went on to thank his family. “I want to thank my daughter Nicole for bringing me into this career by asking me to play catch with me as a five-year-old and then going on to play for me in club ball as well in college. Most of all my wife Kathy for putting up with me these past 17 years and always acting as a consultant in all I did.” Conway went on to say his time coaching might not be completely over just yet. “I plan to stay involved somehow with softball but no longer as a head coach.”

Conway also had stops as head coach at Saint Leo University, Saint Louis University, and the aforementioned Fontbonne University before coming to Detroit.

UDM currently sits 15-21 on the season and 7-5 in the Horizon League good for fourth place in the standings with 12 conference games remaining.

This week On Deck we sit down with the first year head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks, Jennifer McFalls. Coach McFalls comes to Lawrence after serving on the coaching staff at the University of Texas since 2010. McFalls helped the Longhorns to the NCAA Postseason in each of her eight seasons in Austin including a berth in the Super Regionals in 2012 and appearance in the Women’s College World Series in 2013. While serving at Texas she also spent her 2015 offseason as head coach of professional softball’s Dallas Charge. McFalls was an All-American standout and Hall of Fame Inductee at Texas A&M. After her time with the Aggies she joined the U.S. National Team and won a Gold Medal in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. McFalls also had coaching stops at her Alma mater Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and stops at Hockaday and Midlothian High Schools. From 2005-2010 she also served on the USA Softball Selection Committee.

Lee Dobbins: Coach McFalls you took over a program at Kansas that hasn’t had a lot of sustained success in the Big 12 and on the national level. What are going to be the keys for you and your staff to change that from an on-field aspect and culturally?

Jennifer McFalls: Our goal is to be more prepared as we enter conference play.  With that being said, we will play a tough pre-season schedule that will allow us to face strong pitching and top ranked teams.

Dobbins: Being as familiar as you are with the Big 12 having served on coaching staffs at Oklahoma and Texas; What has it it been like the last six months since taking your first head coaching job and how has that transition been for you? Has familiarity to Big 12 made it easier for you? Or has it been more challenging compared to being at league juggernauts like Texas and Oklahoma?

McFalls:  Being familiar with the Big XII is certainly helpful in a lot of ways.  First of all, I understand the level of competition we will face, the opposing coaching philosophies, and the tough environments our team will play in.  My goal is to prepare us both physically and mentally to face some of the best teams in the country that our in our conference.  If we can be competitive enough to finish in the top half of the Big XII, I believe that will give us an opportunity to get to post season play.

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?

McFalls: I am personally in favor of the rule changes for recruiting.  It will allow coaches to make better decisions on a student-athlete based on their physical talent and academic status.  I definitely think the new rules will help slow down the recruiting process for sure and take away a lot of third party involvement.  There was so much pressure on kids to commit as 8^th and 9^th graders and they truly have not even had time to develop into great players.  Coaches were projecting their talent level simply based on athleticism and size.  Athletes need to learn the game of softball, not just play.  I think the early recruiting rules will help athletes focus on developing more, specifically in position play, knowledge of the game, and making long term commitments to programs. 

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?

McFalls:  I hate the fact that athletes have the freedom to up and leave a program just because they are unhappy with playing time, coaching decisions, or simply not getting their way.  Whatever happened to the word COMMITMENT?  It is way too easy for players to quit or transfer just because things get hard.  Leaving programs midyear is absolutely unacceptable in my opinion.  It puts coaches and programs in a really difficult position as they are trying to prepare for the upcoming season. I believe that the way the rules are currently, it opens the door for a number of unethical conversations and tampering that effects athletes transferring. I am hopeful that the NCAA will put an end to mid-year transfers.

Dobbins: Softball (Collegiate Game particularly) 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? 

McFalls: I think that it is amazing that we can see the game of softball as much as we can on TV and multiple social media outlets.  I think it has impacted so many young players and their interest and love for the game.  In addition, it is incredible that family and friends can follow games on social media even when they are not televised.  I do believe it has impacted programs and media relations to promote teams any way possible on the social media platform.  I think that it becomes ridiculously competitive at times between programs to solicit their teams, but definitely a positive avenue to continue to promote our sport and the amazing athletes that we have playing our game.  In addition, it has opened several doors for former players to pursue their career in commentating and promoting our sport.  It is awesome to see women promoting women and creating new career avenues for female athletes because of the success of fastpitch softball.