East Carters Montana Fouts verballs to.....

[ManitouDan]

The Alabama Crimson Tide. Not an Ohio kid but close, Played for an Ohio Travel team. Cant wait to see her throw this spring. Ms Fouts threw for the Birmingham Thunderbolts this pat summer. Shes going to be a freshman this year I believe .

[Gopher]

That's an awesome accomplishment for a serious young player. I believe she will be a 2018 grad. But also goes along with "what does your daughter want out of this game and what lengths are you willing to go to". This girl lives in W.V., goes to school in KY, and played for a summer team out of Alabama to get recruited, now plays for the Beverly Bandits based in Illinois.

Here is a list of players that have been recruited from the Birmingham Thunderbolts and they obviously have the college coach connections. Pretty impressive list of D1 schools.


Kindrick, Andrea
P
2015
Alabama

Dykes, Reagan
C
2015
Alabama

Statman, Tamara
P/2B
2015
Arizona

Beshears, Taylor
C
2015
Arkansas

Fornis, Bree
OF
2015
Auburn

Veach, Kendall
C/UT
2015
Auburn

Podany, Morgan
OF
2015
Auburn

Sugg, Libby
C/INF
2015
BYU

Smith, MaeLeah
OF
2015
Jackson State

Lewis, Lauren
OF
2015
Kentucky

Dunn, Kailyn
OF
2015
Mississippi Valley St.

Nelson, Morgan
MIF
2015
Northwestern

Van Schaik, Sarah
C/3B
2015
Ole Miss

Bishop, Madi
3B
2015
Oregon

Lane, Haleigh
1B/OF
2015
South Alabama

Williamson, Halie
UT
2015
Tenn. Chattanooga

Jones, Amber
UT
2015
Troy

Amerson, Jordan
C/UT
2015
UNC Charlotte

Ward, Kennedy
SS
2016
Auburn

Swindle, Ashlee
P/UT
2016
Auburn

Greenwood, Carmyn
OF
2016
Auburn

Crocker, Kaitlyn
MIF
2016
Auburn

Perry, Justus
MIF
2016
Auburn

Horton, Kaylee
UT
2016
Mississippi

Dorsett, Maddie
MIF/UT
2016
Mississippi St.

Sanders, Ashlee
MIF/UT
2016
Mississippi St.

Murphy, Bailey
P/UT
2016
South Alabama

Sides, Kendall
OF
2017
Alabama

Olszewski, Jenna
OF
2017
Auburn

Nutt, Mackenzie
INF
2017
Auburn

Tissier, Abby
C/1B
2017
Auburn

Page, Josie
UT
2017
Florida

Morrow, Dakota
SS
2017
Mississippi St.

Wilcox, Alex
P
2017
Mississippi St.

Roberson, O’Neil
INF
2017
Mississippi St.

Shurbutt, Timberlyn
3B
2017
North Carolina State

Mayfield, Mekhi
OF/2B
2017
Samford

Tedder, Mary Katherine
SS
2017
Texas

[ManitouDan]

serious teams produce serious players !

[fbnut]

Just curious, which do you think would be more expensive, traveling all over country playing softball and all the other stuff that goes along with playing top level travel ball or the cost of paying for 4-5 years of college? Congrats to the young lady.

[Gopher]

Just curious, which do you think would be more expensive, traveling all over country playing softball and all the other stuff that goes along with playing top level travel ball or the cost of paying for 4-5 years of college? Congrats to the young lady.

Fbnut,
There is way more to it than just getting a scholarship. That is the bonus. These girls that play at this level do it because they are passionate about the game. As far as the travel, these girls make lifetime connections with other players around the world that share the same passion, have seen more historical sites than most people 3-4 times their age, and have a better understanding of different cultures out there in the real world.

Yes, you can figure that you are going to pay about 6-10K / year to play at this level(fees, plane tickets, hotels, etc.), but if you play at that level for the important years (14u-18u), that's a 24-40K investment on a potential 100K return (based on a full ride at a 25K / year tuition school). Banks don't pay that kind of interest.

But keep in mind that all scholarships are NOT 100%, they can vary from as little as paying for books - 100% of everything based on marketing, skill set, and need.

[ManitouDan]

Gopher pretty much nailed it . The handful of players I know personally that went out and played a national travel schedule did it for the reasons mentioned above . And none regretted it . Also for these elite few there isn't much other way to get it done . No coach from the big ten or SEC is going to offer a player that only stays near home and competes . With the cost of college these days the investment is worth the risk , but they all do it because the embrace the challenge and want the competition.

[DiamondWatcher]

Take it from me, it is a HUGE commitment, for both the athlete and her parents. Not to mention, expensive! BUT, in the end look at what lifelong memories you are making and the experiences you are having!: facing the absolute top level teams in the country/world, all of the people you get to meet travelling the country, the big D1 colleges coming just to watch YOU, the bonding time on the long car rides with your parents :122245, AND you get to be around people that share the same goal as yourself (without the jealousy or school politics). To me, it's SO MUCH MORE than travel ball, it's Life Lessons. The positive attitudes, building each other up, and having fun all at the same time...PRICELESS!

I love that my daughter gets to do this. But I realize that it's not for everyone. It all comes down to what her goal is. If it is to play at the highest level of softball and to some day play for a D1 college, then there is no other way than to play with a team that puts her in the tournaments that will get her there. And as far as the expense, it's DEFINITELY an investment that pays off big time in the end!!