Dates You Should Know For NCAA Division I Fall Recruiting

With the 2019-2020 academic year off and running at most colleges and universities around the country, fall softball recruiting is just around the corner. Before the official end of summer after Labor Day and the start of fall ball, take some time to digest the dates that prospective student-athletes (PSAs) and Division I softball coaches should keep in mind this fall.

September 1

This is the heralded date for Division I softball coaches and PSAs alike. For high school juniors, this is the date that recruiting communication is able to commence with Division I coaches. On Sept. 1, softball PSAs are able to speak over the phone and via email with college coaches about recruiting, begin taking official and unofficial visits to college campuses and have conversations about recruiting at college camps and clinics.

Before Sept. 1, however, Division I softball coaches are only able to express their interest in PSAs by simply telling travel ball coaches or team liaisons that they are interested. Any additional communication before Sept. 1 between PSAs and Division I coaches is prohibited by the NCAA.

Travel Ball Evaluation Dates

Below are the dates that Division I softball coaches are able to attend fall ball tournaments and evaluate PSAs.

October 19-20, 2019
October 26-27, 2019
November 2-3, 2019
November 9-10, 2019
November 16-17, 2019
November 23-24, 2019

Dead Periods

The dead period in college softball is when Division I coaches are not permitted to have in-person communication with college-bound student-athletes and/or their families. They are prohibited from watching student-athletes play and from visiting them at their high schools. College coaches are allowed, however, to write to and/or speak with future student-athletes and their families on the phone during this time.

November 11-14, 2019
December 4-7, 2019

Quiet Periods

The quiet period in college softball is when Division I coaches are only able to have in-person communication with college-bound student-athletes and/or their families on the college campus. They are prohibited from watching student-athletes play—unless the event occurs on the college campus—and from visiting them at their high schools. College coaches are allowed, however, to write to and/or speak with future student-athletes and their families on the phone during this time.

November 25-January 1, 2020

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