Many of the low level D1’s only have six scholarships to divide up. A lot of the players aren’t receiving baseball money. So then it comes down to is it the right place academically.
In the past I talked to several NESCAC parents whose kids had lower level D1 offers. But the kids knew they were unlikely to go past college ball. So they took the best academic route and played D3 ball.
Sure, if the options are Whatsamattah U in D1 or Bumblefart State in D3 you go D1 if you can compete at the D1 level.
i can’t imagine passing up the best academic opportunity just to claim playing D1 ball. A lot of NESCAC (and similar) graduates end up in the same Wall Street firms and grad schools as Ivy graduates.