Because I periodically get inquiries and/or input from parents or players about social media, I would like to give you my 2 cents worth. It can be confusing, distressing or both to see a travel team (or even an individual player) with (what seems to be) a massive social media presence. They may have an elaborate website (some organization sites list dozens of teams), and you're encouraged to follow them on Facebook/Meta, Twitter/X, Instagram and so on.
Wow! Surely, college coaches will be impressed by that! all, many, if not most college teams have detailed websites, and they too invite you to check out their social media platforms. But let's examine this from a logical (and sensible) perspective.
I'll start with a few positive observations so you know I'm not really a Luddite. (Google the word.)
Social media can be fun and informative. It’s an effective way to stay in touch with friends you can’t see in person. It can also help you learn skills that may be useful in your adult future. And of course, where would you be without YouTube for your skills videos or streaming services for games that coaches/friends/family can't attend?
Having said that, let's analyze social media components as they might apply to softball and recruiting. College coaches want you to follow their teams (and schools) on Facebook/Meta, Twitter/X and Instagram. This is a great way for them to market their brand and to build a fan base. And there's no reason you shouldn't follow your favorite teams as they move through the year.
However, this is not necessarily a reciprocal relationship. College coaches (and their staffs) are extremely busy running their programs, especially during the softball season. If a coach has narrowed his/her prospect list down to say, half a dozen players, someone on the staff may (and let me stress may) be responsible for following these particular girls on social media and for communicating with them via Twitter or Instagram as part of the "courting" process. NOTE: A different staff member might also follow these girls as part of a "vetting" process to make sure the athletes are not doing things on social media that could come back to bite them--or the school--in the butt at some point!
HOWEVER, there is absolutely no way that your average college coach has the time to follow hundreds of players who are hoping to be recruited. So, let me give you the bottom line on this:
All the social media promotion in the universe will not convince a coach that you are a clutch player or have a deep understanding of the “mental” game. Social media might show your lighter side or your kind side, particularly if you do a lot of community service or go out of your way to help others. It can, unfortunately, also show your not-so-smart side if you--while being a typical teenager--post something that could be misinterpreted or is simply inappropriate. Believe it or not, I have seen players dropped by colleges (both as students and as athletes) because of social media postings or because of their friends' social media postings. It may not be fair, but it is what it is.
So, if you truly feel it's important that your social media "voice" be heard, post away. But do not assume that a Tweet or Instagram post will get you recruited. And PLEASE, for the sake of your future softball and academic efforts, think twice and maybe three times about (and read and reread) anything you write, show, link to, etc., BEFORE you hit that POST button!