Julia Rice

Marketing Manager at @SoftballFactory. Former Division I College Softball player. Purdue and Mercer University Alum. CA born and raised.

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

Ladies, when looking into majors pick the one that best fits YOU. If you want to be a doctor, engineer, teacher, etc... find a school that is encouraging you to major in what you want and wants the best for you outside of softball! Your degree is your ticket for the future!

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

It’s the new year, which means it’s time to set some goals!

Start out by short term goals such as hitting off the tee three days a week. Then build up to long term goals such as making your HS Varsity team, or hitting a new max arm velo.

Give yourself something to chase!

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

Your performance on the field this year will mean nothing if you don’t succeed in the classroom! Coaches look at academics FIRST when recruiting. Your grades always need to be your number one priority. You are a student THEN an athlete.

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

Ladies, with the new year approaching, make sure you are setting goals for yourself EVERY day. Make this YOUR year to get better in the classroom, with your mental game, being a more positive teammate, etc... all of these things you can control and get better at!

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

When sending recruiting videos to college coaches, make sure it is short, sweet, and to the point! Too many times I see players with 10-15 minute videos with music and special effects. Keep it as simple as possible, and one to two minutes is a perfect amount of time!

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

Ladies, It’s important to take a step back and reflect on why you love playing so much. Make sure to always ENJOY the game, and not take it so seriously. Softball is a game that is supposed to be FUN, not a job!

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

Ladies, cherish all the memories and friendships you have with your teammates and coaches. It’s true that as you get older you forget scores of games, but you’ll always remember the great times you had with your team. Don’t take this time for granted. ❤️🥎

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

If you are going to a showcase, make sure you email college coaches what team you are on, your number, position, and schedule. A lot of times players think that just because they are in a showcase, coaches will be at their games. YOU have to reach out, they don’t just appear!

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

Ladies, pay attention to how you present yourself when you’re getting to the fields. Make sure your uniform is tucked in, shoes are tied, etc... Look professional from the moment you get out of your car to when you leave the fields at night!

[Katie Lelei Beck @KatieBeck2024]

#ThrowbackThursday
Thank you @SoftballFactory for working with me! And thanks @SoftbalAmerica for the shutout!
@MercerUSoftball @CoachPatrick_
@UVASoftball @MSU_Softball @AlabamaSB @GatorsSB @CoachRice_SF @EastCobbBullets

[Softball Factory @SoftballFactory]

Here are some great recruiting tips to kick off the weekend!

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

Ladies, having a negative attitude is contagious. However, having a positive one is too! Stay positive and lift other people up. It goes a long way. 👏🏽

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

When emailing coaches, make sure you are specific on why you are interested in their program. Coaches want to know WHY you like the school other than just because of softball.

Ex: The majors offered, geographic location, size of school, close to home, etc!

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

AGREED! It’s so hard when players have no clue who the BEST players in the game were. It’s all about educating them!

[Rhiannon Potkey @RPotkey]

@CoachRice_SF Amen. Every college and high school program in all women's sports should set aside a day to provide lessons on Title IX and the great players of the past.

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

It is very important to know who came before you and the greats of the sport. ex: Lisa Fernandez, Sheila Cornell Douty, Dot Richardson, Stacey Nuveman, Natasha Watley, etc... Take some time and learn about who came before you and paved the way!❤️🥎

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

Ladies, make sure you are taking stretching before practices/ games seriously & icing after as well! Players sometimes think their bodies are invincible, and that they can play without properly warming their bodies up. It is important to take care of yourself to avoid injuries!

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

With the weather starting to get colder and practice time outside becoming limited, it doesn’t mean you can’t work on your game. You can do dry cuts in your garage, practice your fielding or hitting stance in a mirror, roll up socks and throw them against the wall, etc...!

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

If you aren’t playing in the game, make sure you are still being productive and staying focused. You can track pitches, try to pick off the other teams signs, try to figure out the sequence of the opposing pitcher, etc... try to constantly learn and get better!

[Softball Factory @SoftballFactory]

"We are here to help out with college lists, academic interests, and answering recruiting questions."

This is an example of how the Factory differentiates from other organizations. PDC's are here so that families know they aren't going through the recruiting process alone!

[Julia Rice @CoachRice_SF]

Ladies: the recruiting process isn’t something that you can just focus on “when you want.” I always tell players to treat recruiting like another subject in school.
Take 20-30 minutes every night whether it’s researching schools, emailing coaches, filling out questionnaires, etc!