Ball State Softball
Ball State University · Cardinals
MAC · Muncie, IN
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$11K
In-state tuition
Out-of-state: $29K
Up to 25
Scholarships
allowed under 2025 roster-limit rules (funding varies by program)
63%
Graduation rate
Room & board: $12K
2023-2024 data via IPEDS
Ball State softball at a glance
Where the program sits and what a year here costs. How athletic aid works in D1.
- Conference level
- Mid-Major
- Est. in-state year, all in
- $22,822
- Est. out-of-state year, all in
- $40,830Tuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid.
- Debt as a share of year-10 pay
- 45%Median debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back.
- Total enrollment
- 20,440
Cost, debt and enrollment: IPEDS 2023-2024 and College Scorecard. Conference level: CommitBound.
Program Info
- Division
- D1
- Conference
- MAC
- Location
- Muncie, IN
- Scholarships
- Up to 25 (2025 roster rules)
What Ball State Coaches Look For
Recruiting benchmarks for Mid-Major programs. Min = on the radar, Competitive = solidly in the pool, Elite = stands out.
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Try CalculatorBenchmarks compiled from recruiting services. Individual programs may have different expectations based on roster needs.
Quick Fit Check
Enter your top metrics to see how you compare to Ball State's Mid-Major standards.
Recruiting Timeline
D1 contact rules for Ball State. Select your graduation year to see personalized deadlines.
Class of 2028 — currently a Junior
When Coaches Can Contact You
1 p.m. Central on September 1 of junior year — coaches can call, text, email, and DM on social media
Campus Visits
Official and unofficial visits are allowed from 1 p.m. Central on September 1 of junior year, but a dead period usually covers the first days of September (August 28–September 3 in 2026-27), so visits start once it ends. Walking a campus on your own is allowed anytime.
Offers & Commitments
No recruiting conversations, so no verbal offers, before 1 p.m. Central on September 1 of junior year; verbal offers are not binding. A school can't put an aid offer in writing until August 1 of senior year. Softball has one signing date (the second Wednesday of November of senior year) and no separate spring period; each school sets its own final deadline. (The written offer of athletics aid replaced the NLI in October 2024.)
Key Dates
- 1 p.m. Central, September 1 of junior year — calls, texts, emails and DMs open; visits follow after the early-September dead period
- August 1 of senior year — a school may put an aid offer in writing
- Second Wednesday of November, senior year — signing opens (no spring period)
Updated for 2026-27 NCAA rules
Ready to start your recruiting journey?
Create your accountCoaching Staff
Helen Peña
Head Coach
h•••@bsu.eduAaron Longenecker
Assistant Coach
a•••@bsu.eduJackie Barley
Assistant Coach
Something wrong? Report a coaching change
Ball State softball roster outlook
Ball State carries 27 players on its 2026-2027 roster. 7 seniors and graduate students leave after this season, the most at catchers (3).
| Position | Leaving | Returning |
|---|---|---|
| Pitchers | 2 | 5 |
| Catchers | 3 | 1 |
| Infielders | 2 | 8 |
| Outfielders | 0 | 5 |
| Utility | 0 | 1 |
From the program's published 2026-2027 roster. “Leaving” counts seniors and graduate students; juniors who transfer or leave early are not included, and players with remaining eligibility can return.
Camps & Clinics
Camp dates not yet available for Ball State.
Search for "Ball State softball camp" for the latest information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get recruited by Ball State University softball?
Start by filling out the Ball State University recruiting questionnaire, then email the coaching staff directly. Attend camps and showcases where Ball State University coaches are present. CommitBound can help you track your outreach and build recruiting habits.
Does Ball State University offer softball scholarships?
Ball State University is a D1 program. Up to 25 scholarships are allowed under the 2025 roster-limit rules, though funding varies by program.
Who is the head coach at Ball State University?
The current head coach is Helen Peña. Verified coach email access is available with a free CommitBound account.
Follow Ball State Softball
Location
Recruiting Difficulty
This is a competitive D1 program. Strong travel ball and academic credentials are expected. Start reaching out to coaches early.
Graduate Outcomes
- Median earnings (10yr)
- $51,833/yr
- Median earnings (6yr)
- $44,394/yr
- Median student debt
- $23,250
- Admission rate
- 86%
Good Value — 10-year median earnings vs. four years of published tuition
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard; tuition from IPEDS.
Academic Profile
- Avg. net price
- $14,940/yr
- Students on Pell Grant
- 35%
- SAT range (EBRW + Math)
- 1080–1260
- ACT range
- 20–24
Avg. net price is the actual average cost after aid — not sticker tuition. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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Quick Facts
- Division
- D1
- Conference
- MAC
- State
- IN
- Camps Listed
- Coming soon
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Ball State Recruiting Questionnaire
Direct link to the official questionnaire and what to have ready
All Recruiting Guides
Step-by-step guides for every stage of recruiting
We work hard to keep all data for Ball State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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