College Camp Overload – What’s the Limit?

College Camp Overload – What’s the Limit?

College softball camps are an integral part of the recruiting process, offering players the opportunity to showcase their skills, connect with coaches, and learn more about potential programs. But how many camps are too many? In a recent poll conducted by Extra Inning Softball, we asked our readers: How many college camps do you think is too many for a player to attend in one season? The results highlight a variety of perspectives, showcasing how personal goals, schedules, and resources influence this decision.

For more about this topic, listen to our Voices from the Field Podcast – EP 14: College Camps and Recruitment

Poll Results: What Our Community Thinks

Jimmy Pipkin shared his perspective on the number of camps a player should attend, emphasizing balance and purpose in the recruiting process:

“Attending 3-5 camps is plenty for a player. First, consider where she has an interest in schools and academics. Is the focus on education first, then softball?

Nowadays, camps often seem more about the money than the player’s development, so it’s important to focus on 2-3 schools of real interest while remaining open to other opportunities. Where has she emailed, texted, or spoken with coaches and received genuine interest and strong responses? Is the camp truly showcasing her skills, or is it just repetitive drills designed for younger athletes who aren’t yet ready for college?

As a parent, communication with my daughter is key when discussing which camps and programs hold the most value for her. I believe that attending 3-5 camps helps prevent burnout. I hate seeing young athletes exhausted and unable to give their best to their teams because they spent the week jumping from camp to camp, city to city.

Her health and well-being come first. As parents, we will find a way to provide financial support, but we also can’t compromise our family’s financial stability to attend every camp available.”

Here’s how our readers responded:

• 3-5 Camps: A good balance to showcase skills without overdoing it (42.13%)
  Most voters believe that attending 3-5 camps strikes the perfect balance. This range allows players to showcase their abilities without risking burnout or overextending themselves financially.
• It depends: Every player’s needs and goals are different (32.49%)
  The second most popular response emphasized flexibility. Many voters pointed out that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as every player has unique circumstances and goals.
• 1-2 Camps: Keep it focused and manageable (13.20%)
  For some, less is more. Attending only 1-2 camps can help players focus their efforts on specific schools and avoid unnecessary stress.
• 6-8 Camps: Maximizes exposure but can still be reasonable (8.63%)
  While less common, some respondents felt that attending 6-8 camps is a worthwhile strategy for maximizing exposure, particularly for players aiming to reach a wide range of programs.
• 9+ Camps: Too many—it can lead to burnout and financial strain (3.55%)
  A small percentage of voters expressed concern that attending more than 9 camps in one season could be excessive, potentially leading to physical, emotional, and financial strain.

A College Coach’s Perspective

To provide more insight, we spoke with a college coach about the topic. Here’s what she had to say:

“I don’t think the amount of camps a player attends matters, they can attend as many camps as they want. However, I do think it is important for players to attend the camps of schools that they are currently emailing. Coaches that receive emails from players are able to connect a name with a face when they come to camps & it gives them the assurance the player is actually interested in their program.”

Her perspective reinforces the idea that camp selection should be strategic, prioritizing programs where players have already expressed interest. This approach ensures that attendance has a meaningful impact on recruiting efforts.

Appreciating Your Feedback

At Extra Inning Softball, we value the opinions and experiences of our readers. Your participation in polls like this helps us spark important conversations in the softball community. It’s clear from the results that there is no universal answer to how many camps are too many—it depends on the player, their goals, and their resources.

If you’d like to weigh in on future topics, be sure to visit our Dugout Discussions Polls. Your feedback plays a vital role in shaping the content we share and the discussions we foster within the fastpitch softball community.

Final Thoughts

While the “right” number of camps may differ for everyone, one takeaway remains consistent: quality over quantity. By choosing camps strategically—such as those hosted by schools of genuine interest—players can make the most of their time, energy, and resources. Whether attending one camp or ten, the ultimate goal should always be personal growth and meaningful connections.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our poll. Your insights are invaluable, and we look forward to hearing more from you in future discussions.

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