NOVEMBER 29 2007 UPDATE
NFCA CONVENTION DAY TWO
While the policy and legislative recommendations of NFCA often capture the spotlight, the essence of NFCA as an organization providing services to fastpitch softball was on full display at the second day (Thursday) of the 24th annual convention.
This year’s convention, at the Las Vegas Hilton, has attracted a preliminary estimate of 1300 participants, a reported record. Seemingly, there are many more DII, DIII, JC, NAIA schools in attendance. The 27 Division I conferences are well represented as usual at a conference where college ball remains the primary focus. Travel ball constitutes the largest membership group – about 800 members – but only 50 are registered.
While there were preliminary policy discussions, voting does not occur until Saturday’s closing business session. As always, the concentration was on the Division I caucus, which met first in conference groups, then split up into six discussion groups to consider the various issues which fall under three topical headings: the fall calendar; umpires; and NCAA rules.
Each of these topics will be more fully explored in SPY’s convention wrapup; at this point, the discussions were more of a sounding board. Suffice to say that fall ball recruiting is one of several concerns of college coaches. Eg, the lobbyist who represents NFCA interests at NCAA explained rules governing the 56 & 8 college competition days, and the new interpretation of time spent at tournaments – colleges have 50 days but each day of a tournament counts. A three day tournament attended by two coaches (which some said was not enough for the large tournaments) counts as six days. So, there was also discussion of whether 50 recruiting days are enough.
There were obvious splits on the calendar issue, some favoring a longer test of the four week window for at least another year, some wanting to scrap it entirely, and some wanting a compromise (SPY’s motion for an eight week window comes up for a vote on Saturday). All of the various problems were aired: loss of school time for players; loss of coaching time for colleges; the size of tournaments (all seemed agreed that the major fall tournaments are too large); and the inability to see players and their inability to be seen at many multi-complex tournaments. Given that there were six groups, and obvious differences of opinion, SPY will not attempt to discern Saturday’s outcome.
The participants filled the cavernous hall to capacity for the technical discussions, led by the Arizona coaching staff. Mike Candrea, Larry Ray and Dave Feinberg gave very detailed presentations on their strategies and tactics in winning the last two College World Series.
They were followed by Catherine Osterman and Monica Abbott, the two pitchers on Team USA who set national strikeout records in college. Cat focused on conditioning for pitchers, while Monica explained the dozens of strength building exercises she uses – the goal is to be somewhere in between Arnold Schwartzenegger and Paris Hilton. You had to applaud what these stars do to be prepared, as Cat said, year-round to be ready to pitch 7 or more innings – including off season and holiday training. One bit of cogent advice: doing nothing for 7 days over a holiday can cost you all that you gained over 6 weeks of work.
The Alabama coaching staff, led by coach Pat Murphy, gave a detailed presentation on the art and science of hitting.
Awards
A well-attended and much appreciated part of every meeting is the honoring of coaches at all levels who have reached milestones, starting with 100 victories and progressing by hundreds. At the top, Mike Candrea of Arizona was honored for 1,300 victories. Allan Schwarts of the Calahoo Erins had 1,200 victories. Gayle Blevins, Iowa; Joyce Compton, South Carolina; and Yvette Girouard, LSU, each have 1,100 wins. At 1,000 wins were Chris Belloto, Florida Southern College; Carol Hutchins, Michigan; and Robert Maglione, Sacramento City College.
Other Meetings
Individual conferences met late Thursday; more caucus meetings will be held Friday morning, including travel ball.
Team USA
The 2007-2008 team which will compete at the Olympics in Beijing were in attendance, including Olympians Lisa Fernandez, Jennie Finch, Catherine Osterman, Stacey Nuveman, Jenny Topping and Kelly Kretschman, as well as players chosen this year: Monica Abbott, Vicki Galindo and Lauren Lappin. Former Olympian Amanda Freed is here as an assistant coach at Virginia.
COMMITMENTS
Corona Angels Marty
2009 Pitcher Kamerin May, and twin sister Kristin May C/3rd to San Diego State Aztecs.
The Texas Elite Sports Association is pleased to announce a few more Early Signees from the Class of 2008. From Texas Elite Easton Gold-Kwasnick Erica Le Flore (Forney HS) and Kara Karr (Frisco HS) have both signed National Letters of Intent to play for Division One, University of Texas-Arlington and Alica Wright (Wylie HS) has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for East Texas Baptist University.
NOTRE DAME,
Ind. University of Notre Dame head softball coach Deanna Gumpf
recently announced the signing of four high school players that are set to
join the Irish in the fall of 2008. California¹s Kristina Wright and Danielle
Miller will join Alexa Maldonado of New Jersey and New York¹s Kasey O¹Connor for
the 2009 softball campaign.