Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com

Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com
[ Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com ]

Just dropped another episode!

Posted by Softball Recruiting podcast on October 4, 2025, 10:14 am

When I started the College Softball Recruiting Plan podcast a few weeks ago, my goal was to talk to coaches from all college levels - and to very simply talk to the actual people doing the recruiting and have them share specifics that could help future and potential college softball players. Every coach I have spoken to is incredibly accomplished - and this week is no different. Oregon Tech (NAIA) head coach Greg Stewart is coming up on 800 wins in his 22nd season. I'm telling you - don't sleep on the advice from coaches outside of DI, they are grinding just as, if not even harder. This episode has some incredible tips - here's the link - and be sure to become a subscriber as more coaches are being interviewed this week!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0qVB9A9SWN3KuZY0t3WRw1?si=AugxZrxIRHaaVri7anKfqw

Re: Just dropped another episode!

Posted by Softball Recruiting podcast on October 6, 2025, 2:13 pm, in reply to "Just dropped another episode!"

If you're on X/Twitter, be sure to follow The College Softball Recruiting Plan - every day I post 1 minute clips from different coaches with their perspective on different topics we discuss!

Re: Just dropped another episode!

Posted by @Softball on October 5, 2025, 12:32 pm, in reply to "Just dropped another episode!"

Wow .. great use of 30 minutes of your time.

Re: Just dropped another episode!

Posted by Dave Betcher on October 4, 2025, 4:21 pm, in reply to "Just dropped another episode!"

Great idea. Thank you for sharing

Re: Just dropped another episode!

Posted by @Dave on October 5, 2025, 12:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Just dropped another episode!"

I have a new one. The youngest daughter has shown some interest from Mid-DI and DII, but has no interest in pursuing a college degree. Wants to get into trades, and there seems to be some education paths at the JUCO level. She would love to continue playing, but I don't come across many with knowledge/experience in these athletic programs. Wants to enter construction/welding. Any insight is appreciated.

Re: Just dropped another episode!

Posted by @@DAve on October 5, 2025, 8:24 pm, in reply to "Re: Just dropped another episode!"

Just a recommendation. If your daughter wants to get into the trades she would be better off signing up with one of the local unions for a paid apprenticeship. Her softball career would end if she started an apprenticeship through a local union.

IBEW Local 134 is your biggest electrical union in Chicago.

Pipefitters Local 597 would be your Chicago Pipefitters union. Some pipefitters do a lot of welding. She could get her Med Gas card also which is very useful and Med Gas is pretty easy on the body.

Plumbers Local 130 is your Chicago local for plumbers. Not sure I would recommend my daughter go into plumbing. The material used in plumbing is pretty darn heavy and hard on the body.

Re: Just dropped another episode!

Posted by Dave Betcher on October 5, 2025, 1:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Just dropped another episode!"

It’s easy now with ChatGPT and other search engines. Junior Colleges that I have known succeed on the field include Heartland and Parkland

Candidates That Need Verification (Welding + Softball)
These may offer one or both, but I couldn't fully confirm both for some. Good to check directly.
Waubonsee Community College, Illinois – Has a strong welding technology program.
Waubonsee Community College
+1
It appears in NJCAA softball schedules.
njcaastats.prestosports.com
But double‑check that the softball program is current.
Heartland Community College (Lincoln center, IL) – They are expanding / have classes in welding via Lincoln‑land Technical Education Center.
heartland.edu
They have athletics/softball? I did not find a clear confirmation for whether their softball team is active at that particular center or campus.
Grand Rapids Community College / Mid Michigan College & other MI schools – Appear in NJCAA Region standings for softball.
NJCAA - Region 12
But I did not check whether all of them have welding majors. If you’re willing to travel into Michigan or Wisconsin, there may be some good ones.
Summary / Recommendations
If I were you, and wanted a balance of program quality, softball, and travel, here are the top picks from the ~300‑mile radius:
Olney Central College (IL) – strong welding program, active softball, good trade labs.
Lincoln Land Community College (IL) – strong certification path, known athletics.
South Suburban College (IL) – very nearby, solid program + softball.
If you like, I can build a full list of all community colleges within 300 mi of Chicago that meet both, map them, and show things like cost, lab quality, softball competitiveness, etc. Do you want that deeper list?

Attach

Search

Study

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Re: Just dropped another episode!

Posted by Triton on October 6, 2025, 1:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Just dropped another episode!"

They offer many programs which will help them get into a union. Had a former who went there and is not an apprentice with the electricians union.

Re: Just dropped another episode!

Posted by @Triton on October 6, 2025, 3:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Just dropped another episode!"

It's nice to see kids understand that the trades offer great opportunities in life.

Re: Just dropped another episode!

Posted by @Dave Betcher on October 5, 2025, 2:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Just dropped another episode!"

I have a subscription to Gemini, but I forget to use it on non-business issues. I appreciate your help; I will research it from here. Thanks again for your response.

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[ Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com ]