Nicole Mendes, a 2016 pitcher/outfielder who plays for the Diamond Sports Hotshots – Davis and has committed to Oklahoma, is rated as the No. 11 prospect overall in the 2016 Hot 100 and is writing for Full Count Softball on a frequent basis.

Today she shares ideas for those like her who would like to work in softball when their playing days are over…

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Is there softball after college?

As a young girl growing up I repeatedly heard the chances of playing ball in college are slim, receiving a scholarship is even less likely and staying in the sport after college… well, forget about it.

Where does that leave those who are passionate about softball?

The idea of abandoning your involvement in softball for financial gain seems to be in conflict with what successful people have achieved who have prospered from following their passion.

Softball is rapidly growing and it is not only possible to continue in the sport after college, it’s also possible to earn a living while remaining in the sport. Sadly, numerous young girls are misguided and give up their dream without fully knowing the opportunities available.

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Here are six major categories where former softball athletes can look to earn a living in the sport once their playing days are over:

1. Instructors

Instructing is probably one of the most commonly known jobs in softball. It provides the funds to have a stable income while teaching catching, pitching, hitting, and fielding.

As time passes coaches are able to become more selective in their lessons while increasing their rates. This enables them to be more flexible with their time while still supporting themselves.

Examples of former college athletes who know teach various softball-related skills are Tammie Davis (HBU), Jen Schroeder (UCLA) and Jill Wolsorth (Nebraska). Not only are they continuing their love for the game, these former college athletes are able to share their knowledge with the next generation.

2. Corporate Jobs

Careers at corporations such as Louisville Slugger and Worth are an excellent way to still be involved with softball. Jennie Ritter, who was a former Women’s National team member, is now the Fastpitch Business Manager at Louisville Slugger. Chelsea Wilson who also played at the college ball level is a Marketing Manager at Worth.

It is possible to combine softball in the corporate world. In fact, companies like Worth prefer former experience on the softball field. Getting involved takes a proactive personality and, similar to earning a starting position on the field, you need to show the company that you can take on anything. One of the best ways to get a foot in the door is to start off as an intern (paid or unpaid) and prove your value by taking on a responsibility and making yourself so indispensable, the company has to hire you!

3. Event Producers

Event producers like Triple Crown Sports, Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF), ASA/USA Softball, USSSA and Diamond9 Events are businesses too and need qualified and capable people able to help them execute they do, from national tournaments to camps, qualifiers and showcases.

Growing exponentially across the country, girls fastpitch softball is adding more and more events every year. Those businesses need people with experience and expertise in the sport and this input is invaluable to improving the quality of the sport.

Ally Morgenstern (Colorado State), Chelsea King (Tennessee), Stephanie Klaviter (Minnesota, now with National Pro Fastpitch) are all former athletes and all work for Triple Crown Sports based in Colorado.

Emily Allard, who was a standout slapper at Northwestern, now works with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) which also runs events like the recent national NFCA Convention held in Las Vegas where close to 1,500 coaches attended.

Having a degree in sports marketing or sports management greatly increases your chances of getting a job at an event company. Internships or volunteering at events are also a great entry point for getting into an event company (or any company). Researching a company’s website is an easy way to find internship information.

4. Media

One of the fastest growing arenas in softball is media. From blogs to tutorial videos and everything in between softball job opportunities are at an all-time high.

Why?

Because the dynamic action of the sport is drawing not just participants, but also the casual sports fan. On ESPN, for example, softball is the third most watched sport!

Amanda Scarborough, who was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame at Texas A&M, perhaps encompasses more than anyone the vast opportunities available in media. A sports analyst for ESPN’s Longhorn (oh, the irony!) and SEC Networks, she’s also a member of the fast-growing instruction company The Package Deal and even does instructional videos and has a highly popular blog.

Jessica Mendoza, Jennie Finch, and Taylor Thom are other examples of ex-college players involved in the different aspects of media as well.

5. Pro-Leagues

Though professional softball leagues aren’t nearly as visible or expansive as professional leagues in other sports, there are more opportunities here than you might initially think.

The National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league is relatively small with four teams but is growing and getting sponsors like Bownet. Players such as Rachelle Fico (LSU alum), Nadia Taylor (Texas), and Stephanie Tofft (Florida) are continuing their playing careers, making some money and building relationships in the sport.

Pro-leagues in other countries are also options. Lexi Bennett, former starting shortstop for the University of Texas, is playing in the ISF league (Italian Softball Federation). Oklahoma superstar Keilani Ricketts plays in Japan as well as in the NPF.

Breaking into the pro-leagues is hard and usually takes knowing someone to get a tryout or chance to play. Not surprisingly, college coaches are a great resource to get a foot in the door as many are in contact with the right people in the pros to get considered. Word of mouth – knowing a player, coach or someone working at the team or league level – is how most of these opportunities are discovered.

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For those who want to make a living in softball once the uniform is put away, there are ways to make it happen. The anticipated return of softball to the Olympic Games could even open up more opportunities.

If you have the same passion in finding a career in the sport as you did when playing on the field, there are ways to make it happen!