Extra Inning Softball Interviews NFCA Executive Director Carol Bruggeman

NFCA Executive Director Carol Bruggeman had already been up and done a number of meetings by the time she sat down Friday morning at 7:30 to chat over a cup of coffee and discuss a number of things–from the 2018 NFCA Convention to bat checks in college games and a lot in between.

“Once the final numbers are in, I believe this year’s convention, our 35th anniversary, will be one of the best attended convention in our history” said Bruggeman, who added, “It doesn’t matter where we go… our members invest, attend and enjoy the event.”

She said the goal of every convention is to provide something for everyone.

“Our mission is to embrace and provide support and programming for all levels from college to high school to travel ball to recreation league coaches. Our topics and clinics are designed to help them provide better training for their players.”

One of the main reasons the NFCA conventions are so well-attended is for the networking opportunity. Every couch and chair in the lobby and bar areas are always full of members connecting and reconnecting. It’s a very friendly crowd and everyone is approachable from the legends to the first year attendees.

STATE OF THE GAME

“Softball has never been healthier,” according to Bruggeman, who added, “The players are more athletic. There is a lot of action. The rules have improved the game over the last 10-15 years – moving the mound back to 43 feet and changing the ball to yellow are just two good examples that have made the game more enjoyable to watch and play.”

“The result of these changes has generated a product that people want to watch. At the college level, the number of televised games has increased dramatically. Many of the games that aren’t on TV are streamed online, as are many of the high-level travel tournaments and even high school games. Our members are very good stewards of the game and take their responsibilities seriously.”

NFCA CONVENTION

When asked what one of her favorite moments of the convention had been, Bruggeman mentioned listening to Holly Rowe give her keynote address.

“Her message was inspirational,” the Executive Director explained. “She spoke passionately about some of her life lessons. Of course she also spoke about her fight with cancer.”

Bruggeman also proudly included the mentoring sessions as another highlight of the convention.

“No other sport would have a thousand coaches show up to a mentoring session where hall of fame legends interact with rookie coaches and rotate groups every 30 minutes. Softball coaches are a close-knit community of caring and loving people. It’s events like this that connect us all.”

“Of course I am looking forward to the Hall of Fame induction as well, but that’s tonight, and we’ll have to talk about that later. We have three very deserving inductees.”

D1 RECRUITING RULES CHANGING AGAIN?

Bruggeman also passionately spoke about the potential for the recent D1 recruiting rule to be changed yet again.

“The NCAA would like to have the majority of sports follow the same contact period. It’s a little frustrating for the softball community because in April, 2018 we found a way to slow down early recruiting by adopting a Sept. 1 date and now that may change once again.”

[Editor’s note: this is in reference to the October meeting of the Division I Council where ideas were discussed such as allowing communication between a college and a recruit to start on June 15 after the sophomore year of high school and the moving up of the Sept. 1 date for the start of campus visits to Aug. 1 before the athlete’s junior year. For more information on this, click HERE.]

TWO INITIATIVES FOR 2019

Bruggeman said they are hoping to see the NCAA approve a couple of items in 2019.

The first is adding a fourth paid coaching position. This will be voted on in April and is a joint baseball/softball initiative.

“It’s great to be able to work with the baseball coaches on this. It’s not often we get to do that, and this is one of those times. It makes sense to have a fourth paid coach given how much the sport has grown.”

The second is advocating for an increase in the number of full scholarships that can be allotted in DI.

“This is another one that makes sense to us as coaches and keepers of the sport, but it’s ultimately going to be an NCAA decision.”

Bruggeman also talked about safety issues she’d like to see addressed from facemasks to bat inspections and equipment changes.

At this point, however, it was 8 am and the alarm went off on her phone. Just like that she was off to the next meeting.

Her schedule was packed with non-stop meetings the rest of the weekend and there was a lot of ground to cover before she could finally slow down and catch her breath…

— Kevin Long

Kevin Long is a correspondent covering travel teams, high school ball and other assignments for Extra Inning Softball.  He can be reached at [email protected], www.twitter.com/KLEXINSB, and www.facebook.com/KLONG50extrainningsoftball