9and7dad posted:Ivy admission without some sort of hook is exactly a lottery as Goosegg suggests. The admission numbers at all the Ivy schools are staggering. The number of spots available is minuscule and if you deduct the admits for likely letter athletes, as well the spots taken by other kids who have some sort of hook that separates their application, the opportunities at Ivy schools for straight admission is extraordinarily small.
2019Dad also makes an excellent point in terms of financials. Ivy financial aid is fantastic compared to others. As many kids scramble to get a 25% baseball scholarship and hope to possibly add a little merit money if their grades and scores are good, the Ivy money is still likely a lot better, in many cases way better, and has nothing to do with whether you continue to play or not. If you get hurt, you still go to school with your finances intact.
For those talented enough, there is plenty of opportunity for professional baseball after the Ivy. As they say - velocity is velocity, no matter where you throw it.
I know of an Ivy pitcher throwing 96+ as a closer this year. Yeah, "velocity is velocity, no matter where you throw it!"