“I want a team that feels like family” sounds good, but recruits need to know what they actually mean by it. Here are the questions you should ask yourself: Do I want teammates who spend most of their free time together, or do I need space and independence? When I’m struggling, do I want someone to push me, sit with me, give me space, pray with me—or some combination? Do I want a team that is loud and energetic or calm and steady? How important is it that my teammates share my faith and values? Do I want coaches who feel parental, coaches who are more businesslike, or something in between? How do I want conflict handled? Directly and immediately? Privately? With coaches involved? What does accountability look like to me? Is being called out uncomfortable but valuable, or do I respond better to private conversations? Do I want a team where upperclassmen actively mentor younger players? How important are team traditions, meals together, Bible studies, community service, or other activities away from softball? Do I want close friendships with everyone, or am I comfortable having a few close relationships within a healthy team? What behavior from teammates would make me feel supported? What behavior would make me feel isolated? Can I celebrate a teammate who wins the position I wanted? Do I want teammates who challenge me to compete every day, even when that creates some tension? What does trust actually look like to me—in the locker room, dugout, classroom, and outside softball? When things go badly, what kind of people do I want standing beside me? The big question might be: When you say you want a family, are you looking for constant closeness, emotional support, shared values, accountability, belonging—or all of the above? Because a recruit can’t identify the right culture if she hasn’t defined what the right culture looks like for her.