By position
Final year = seniors and grad students at four-year colleges, sophomores at junior colleges. Some come back for another season; most move on.
Infielder
420 programmes
666 / 2,770
in their final year
Pitcher
421 programmes
532 / 2,315
in their final year
Outfielder
421 programmes
543 / 1,982
in their final year
Catcher
415 programmes
284 / 1,363
in their final year
Utility
326 programmes
174 / 852
in their final year
DH
3 programmes
2 / 3
in their final year
By division
D1
NCAA Division I
271
programmes · median roster 23
0.4% of players from outside the US and Canada
D2
NCAA Division II
240
programmes · median roster 23
0.1% of players from outside the US and Canada
D3
NCAA Division III
312
programmes · median roster 21
0.1% of players from outside the US and Canada
NAIA
NAIA
85
programmes · median roster 24
0.8% of players from outside the US and Canada
JUCO
Junior college (NJCAA)
48
programmes · median roster 19
1.3% of players from outside the US and Canada
Where players come from
0% international, 1% Canada, 99% US (players with a listed hometown).
- 1CA2,146
- 2TX1,582
- 3PA1,107
- 4IL1,091
- 5NY1,078
- 6FL827
- 7OH746
- 8NJ737
Find your spot
Calldup matches you with women's softball programmes in your divisions and regions, shows how many players at your position are in their final year at each one, and gives you the coaches' published contacts with an email drafted for you.
- ✓ Programmes ranked by turnover at your position
- ✓ Coach contacts exactly as each school publishes them
- ✓ Contact dates and eligibility for every division
What coaches look for, by position
Pitcher
- Command of pitches and ability to throw strikes in counts
- Movement and spin on the pitch mix (for example rise, drop, curve, screw, change-up)
- Pitch speed, measured and reported honestly
- Mechanics and repeatability
- Fielding the position
- Composure and competitiveness with runners on base
Catcher
- Receiving and framing
- Blocking balls in the dirt
- Throwing: arm strength, footwork, transfer and accuracy (pop time)
- Game calling and handling pitchers
- Leadership and communication
- Hitting
Infielder
- Glove work: hands, footwork and range to both sides
- Arm strength and accuracy from different angles
- Double-play turns and pivots (middle infielders)
- Instincts and positioning
- Hitting: bat speed, approach and contact quality
- Running speed
Outfielder
- Reads and routes on fly balls
- Speed and range
- Arm strength and accuracy to bases
- Hitting: bat speed, approach and contact quality
- Base running
Utility
- Ability to play several positions at a college standard
- Hitting, since versatility is most valuable with a productive bat
- Arm, glove and footwork at each position played
- Coachability and game awareness
Sources
- 2026-27 NCAA Division I Manual - NCAA
- 2026-27 NCAA Division II Manual - NCAA
- 2026-27 NCAA Division III Manual - NCAA
- NCAA Recruiting (Eligibility Center) - NCAA Eligibility Center
- Becoming an NCAA Student-Athlete as an International Student - NCAA Eligibility Center
- High School Students (Prospective Student-Athletes) - NAIA
- International Students (Prospective Student-Athletes) - NAIA
- PlayNAIA - NAIA Eligibility Center - NAIA
- NJCAA Handbook - Bylaws 2026-27 (9-9-26) - NJCAA
- 2026-2027 NJCAA Sports Procedures Chart (9-9-26) - NJCAA
- Guide for Two-Year Transfers 2025-26 (published December 2025) - NCAA (linked from njcaa.org)
- Recruits FAQ - University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Athletics
- College Recruiting and Club Tournaments - USA Volleyball
- 2026-27 Division I Softball Recruiting Calendar - NCAA
- Softball Recruiting Seminar - NFCA
- NFCA Camps - NFCA
- 2026 NFCA Convention - NFCA
Counts from each programme's latest varsity roster on the schools' own sites. Not rankings. Latest rosters as read on 2026-10-15. A programme with players in their final year isn't a promise of a spot - coaches decide.