One of the most frequently asked questions for softball coaches are, “how many players do you like to keep on your roster?” If you're not asking this question, you should be. The answer to this question varies from coach to coach. The National Scouting Report states that the average college softball roster consists of 25 players, but the coaching style influences how many and what types of athletes coaches will recruit.
Related: 4 Types of College Coaches
“Depending on what the coach's philosophy or structure is… some coaches recruit to a system, so they know exactly what they're looking for. Other coaches are more so ‘I'm going to get the best players possible and figure it out later.' If I have two recruits that are both really good in the same position, if I'm a good coach I like to think I can find a way to make it work.”
Bill Battaglia, former DIII Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
Despite coaching style, all NCAA coaches still have to follow NCAA roster limit regulations. For Division I, a softball team must have 9 eligible players on the field. Coaches typically keep several players on the bench for backup pitchers, utility players, and designated players.
Related: 3 Ways to Become the Best Softball Utility Player
The NCAA allows Division I softball teams to give out 12 scholarships a year (if the university's budget allows). The 12 scholarships can amount to more than 12 players; they can be divided in half and partial scholarships. This does not include potential walk-ons that try out each year.
Many coaches keep their rosters between 15 and 19. 15 is on the very low end; you will rarely come across teams with 15 people or less. These teams will have less depth, but you will also likely get more playing time on a smaller team.
Many coaches lean toward the middle-high end of this scale because they want depth in their roster without over-stacking their teams.
Related: 3 Main Factors to Consider When Choosing a College
Understanding the average college roster, in addition to the coaching styles at schools you're looking at, is crucial during your recruiting process so you can understand whether a coach needs you, if you will be playing, and what you need to work on.
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* Originally published on January 24, 2022, by Madison Machado
