Baseball and Football

quote:

Originally posted by Allstar91:
I'm being recruited by several schools to play football and I have received some letters from some colleges including the one I might verbal to play football at. I don't know many people who have played both sports. So I was just wondering if anyone knows how hard it is to play both sports.

It depends on the school. In any case, it is very difficult to play two sports in college. Nearly impossible at a D-1 unless you are the best athlete in the country.

Football coaches will want you to participate in spring workouts, as well as year-round strength and conditioning. In baseball, you need to participate in fall ball, year-round strength and conditioning, spring season, and summer ball. One sport alone is nearly a full time job. With academics thrown in, you will be up to your neck with just one sport. It's not high school sports anymore. College is an entirely different beast.

It is possible to play two sports in some DIII programs, but still very difficult. Speak to both football and baseball coaches at your target schools to find out if it is possible to play two sports, and still keep everyone happy. Best of luck.

If you are being recruited from a school for both sports you can tell both coaches the situation.

If it is a D1 school, you would become a counter for football only. If you are not a major recruit for football or baseball (one that would play in every game) you might be able to get by until the time comes that you have to make a decision.

This also depends on the program and the coaches. When my son came to Clemson one of the players played football, did not participate in fall but spring practice and played as a sub ion season. However, by his sophmore year, his role changed in football from minor to major role and he was not able to do both.

Not uncommon at all at DIII to play football and baseball. Some chose DIII for that very reason.

D III's are now allowed limited spring football workouts, but it's nothing like spring practice at D I's. At D III's that have fall baseball, which is most of them, coaches will tell players bluntly that positions for the spring are earned in the fall. If you're a pitcher that throws gas, you will have an easier time earning playing time in the spring-there are simply more opportunities for pitchers. For a position player, it's tougher as the coaches have been watching your competition for the few weeks of fall ball.

Two sports is tough at any level as college sports pretty much require a year round commitment, and its hard to serve two masters. Not impossible, just tough. Any sport takes away free time, so don't forget the need to maintain the academic side of life.

Believe it and achieve it!

It won't be easy, but it can be done.
I have sent you a pm.

quote:

Originally posted by KnightTime:
It depends on the school. In any case, it is very difficult to play two sports in college. Nearly impossible at a D-1 unless you are the best athlete in the country.

I think that maybe they are more prevalent than you realize. I was just watching a college football game and the QB (???) was a 3B (???) for the baseball team.....can't remember which school though.

My point is that I do agree they're rare but not as rare as "best athlete in the country".

The only player I can think of that has played both D1 football and D1 baseball was Jeff Smarzdja from Notre Dame....complete stud, plays in the Cubs system.

That's the only player you are familiar with because he was a high draft pick. Andrew Brackman played basketball for NCState and 30th pick in the draft.

I am sure that there are a few more, we just don't know about them.

Not baseball, but Jordan Kent played THREE sports at D1 University of Oregon. (fb, basketball, track). He started in all three, and in the end was picked by the Seattle Seahawks. He is now on their practice roster (I think that's what it's called). My point is, if you love both sports, and are good enough that you're getting interest from colleges for both, go with what your heart tells you.

well tpm I am only familiar with Smarzjda because of the title of the thread- FOOTBALL and BASEBALL

Allstar 91: Upon further thought, I realize that in
fact there have been quite a few college baseball/football players that have come up through the minor league team in our town. I remember them because they always seemed to be the guys willing to take on a catcher at the plate! One whose name I recall is Mark DeRosa, who is playing 2b with, I believe, the Cubs. (Yep -- MLB)

Best of luck making your decision. This will be an exciting year for you!

It's hard to do in High School, with coaches demanding players participate in off season workouts. Kids are often eventually forced to choose.

At the college level, both coaches would have to be very willing to comprimise, then you have the academic part, as mentioned. I'm sure it is done, but obstacles for sure.

Very recently, Matt Jones was the QB for the Razorbacks and also played basketball for them. He is now playing professional football.

Barry Lunney Jr. was also the starting QB for the Razorbacks and was in the starting rotation as a pitcher for them. He played in the minors for awhile.

They were both "studs" though. I would think you would also have to be somewhat of a stud in the classroom, as well to keep up with it all. Good Luck.

Ryne Robinson - Miami University: WR / LF Currently plays for the Carolina Panthers.

Kyle Hudson University of Illinois WR in football and OF for baseball.

I'll go old school on the multi-sport D1 players and add Dave Winfield. Drafted in basball, basketball and football even though he didn't play FB at Minnesota.

We have a kid from our HS who is playing D3 football and baseball this year. His dad said his schedule is unbelievable.

My only suggestion is to remember you only have one body and you will be in college only once in your lifetime. Carefully weigh what you are giving up to play two sports. There is a lot more to life than sports, so talk to some people you trust in your decision. If possible go to the campus and just walk around and talk to some of the students and student athletes, think through the decision carefully.