Tagged With "typical"

I'm a senior in high school who just signed to a D3 progam in VA (USA South) and based off of attending a few D3 games and speaking with some D3 players and Coaches I'm confident that I will be able to compete at this level. However, I'd like to get more insight into what I can expect going into my freshman year both on and off the field. Is their typically a drastic difference in the quality of pitching? Is the players schedule completely booked throughout the week? What would a typical day...

A drastic difference in pitching? Compared to what? You will have two primary jobs in college; academics and baseball. You are about to find out how much you like/love baseball and how much you want it to be a major part of your life. Academics and baseball will fill most of your time.

Congratulations on your college acceptance! I'll echo RJM, college baseball is like a second job. Second to college academics. Hopefully, you'll really like your jobs. My sons have played D1 and D3 baseball. Schedule wise, the most substantive difference between the two is the number of Spring games and the impacts (travel, missed classes, etc.) that occur. Fall (while technically a shorter practice schedule at D3 than D1...in reality, not so much) and Winter are pretty similar. And they are...

Terrific summary by Branson. But since the picture he paints is a bit bleak, I'll try to brighten it with a few upsides: 1 - You'll be spending A LOT less time in class, as much as 50% less. (If you're STEM it will ramp up later) 2 - Many kids who took AP or IB classes in HS report that college is actually easier. 3 - You'll be busy, but when you do have free time you'll be surrounded by great friends. 4 - College girls! 5 - No parents!

All of the above, but doing it on 4-6 hours sleep...

The thing about playing any sport in college is that it is a full time job. I hope your parents are generous and understanding. Most college kids can hold down 2-3 jobs and bust their butts in the summer, you can't. Summer will hopefully be playing with a summer league and winter you will likely be taking courses to make up the light load of credit you take during the fall and spring so you can keep up with baseball. 12 credits is a "full time student", but 12 credits won't allow you to...

When I played I sometimes felt owned. I felt like I had very little time to myself. But I would do it all over again. My kids felt the same way. Most who play feel this way. Fortunately I had a girlfriend who thought a good time was hanging out at games with other girlfriends. Dont skip classes. Keep up with your homework/reading. Being up to date is half the battle. Never make the mistake of telling yourself you will catch up next week. Hopefully you have such a good time with college...

Just because they can doesn't mean you can. Stay focused. If you want to plow a straight row don't look where you have been but where you want to go. Be thankful for the opportunity. Earn it every single day. Good Luck

Go into Fall in the best shape of your life. Be the Guy who comes in in shape and ready for the physical activity required. This will benefit both your academics and athletics. It will be much easier to study if you are not completely beat from workouts or practice. Stay in shape between fall and winter/spring work outs. When going home for the holidays do not slack or let up. stay in shape. Be ready to roll when you come back from winter break. I saw a lot of freshman come in out of shape...

Generally, every player that enters the college baseball environment is initially surprised at how competitive it is, regardless of level, and at the extent of time commitment. That said, if my deduction is correct, the school you are going to probably gives you the best chance at competing for playing time sooner than later. So, do everything you can between now and then to be prepared academically and athletically. The small average class size and school size will be in your favor when it...

All the above have great answers and suggestions. I would add this. As a freshman work your butt off in everything, especially practices. If you assume everyone's talent is basically at the same level, if you give that extra effort (110%), that may make you stand out in coaches eyes. It may not happen on opening day but work hard, practice hard, be a team player with encouragement, and something good will come of it.

Outstanding posts by all...2018 is headed to a top regional D3, so I am going to redirect him to this thread for him to read.

time management, time management, time management...you will have plenty of time to do everything if you use your time well. If you don't...it is going to be a problem. My son is a what would be considered a competitive D3, they are serious, they recruit kids who they feel have fallen though the cracks a typical fall ball week besides classes is 5x a week lifting / conditioning - this started around week 2 or so of school and is the whole school year. Finals week I believe they have off for...

I am not sure if anyone mentioned it in this thread (it seems like the message is how tough the experience is) but I thought I would like to mention something uplifting as well. If you apply yourself and keep your nose to the grindstone, all the hard work and effort will have seemed well worth the effort when you find your way on to the playing field. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is more exciting or thrilling than that. My son's dream was to win a championship in both high school and college...

I think you've gotten a pretty good idea on the biggest issue - time management!! My son struggled his freshman year with the time issues and had actually decided to quit baseball after the spring. He was about 12 hours from telling the coaches when a friend (former player, coach, etc) took him out to lunch and basically told him "hey, everyone feels that way after their freshman year". He stayed and is happy that he did. With regard to pitching that you'll see....answer these questions and...

This is so true. It may seem like a Slog at times but the reward is so worth it. Baseball will end for everyone sometime in their lives. Just never let it be for lack of effort, in academics and athletics.

This concept may seem odd entering college baseball. It will make sense afterwards. A few years after finishing playing you will remember far more about the smiles and laughter on your teammate’s faces than the play on the field. You don’t play baseball forever. Some of your teammates will be friends forever. You won’t talk about someone’s great catch. You will talk about the shaving cream pie he took in the face.

Spot on. I played beer league hockey with two college teammates last night. We talk about our kids, our jobs, our deteriorating bodies, how bad we played... If someone brings up the 1978 MACHC championship, it's time to call an Uber.

I love the positive posts in this thread. CD and RJM or so right.

Here is a an article regarding a D1 baseball player. I would guess that other divisions aren't much different. This was posted on this site last year and I found it interesting. https://www.theodysseyonline.c...ball-the-16-hour-day

In answering the OP's question - the link JLC posted is a good indication of what to expect. My son's experience was similar. I've always maintained it's not just one full time job, but actually two - one as a student and one as an athlete. Though my son was not a pitcher (played 1B), that schedule was about what he had at JuCo and D2. Each day started a 5 am and he did not go to bed until after 10 pm. Spring was worse with an average of 4 games per weekend (a doubleheader each day) and at...

A few comments on D3 pitching. My son finished high school last year, did summer ball with other college players -- D3, JuCo, and some D1 -- and it went well. It was not a big adjustment for him. His high school team was not particularly good, but they played against some of the top teams in the area. He faced a few pitchers who were hitting 90mph. Most were not. Same with the summer league. Most of the pitchers were in the low to mid 80s. Control still an issue for many of them. The fall...

Good thread, but going back to this question in the OP: Is there typically a drastic difference in the quality of pitching? I took a look at your league's stats from last year. The champion averaged 7.6 runs per game! Even the 8th place team scored 6.8 runs per game. Win your spot in the lineup and be prepared to mash!

FWIW, over Thanksgiving weekend I saw two 2017 HS grads (a PAC12 player and an Ivy player, home for the long weekend) at my son's baseball game. I asked them a version of the OP's question: "Is college baseball super intense?" The answer I got [from the PAC12 player] were that the lifting is way more intense. Not even close. The baseball work (at least in the fall) was described by both as not more intense [perhaps due to NCAA limits on fall practices?]. Maybe that will change in the spring?

This is a great thread and the one thing I see missing (at least I missed it) was the importance of mental toughness. My son who just got home for Christmas and I were talking about his time playing and he said the major difference to the guys who performed well throughout the season were their mental toughness. He said one of his teams top pitchers had nowhere near the stuff of some others, but he was a mental giant. No matter the situation he would control himself mentally and he was...

So true BOF. While speaking to some former players the other day who are now in college they spoke about the importance of mental toughness.

Couldn't agree more. Start off by understanding the game, learn the game and this is part of the building blocks for mental toughness.

Mental toughness is always being prepared. Never shift into “Woe is me, I’m getting screwed, I’m better than him,” mode. Shift into “Stay mentally and physically prepared to deliver when you get your chance” mode. Successful spot appearances can turn into bigger opportunities.