California Junior Colleges

A very wise decision. We have a tournament in Sonoma County and one of the SRJC coaches will coach our SSK team. If you complete a profile on our web site, I can direct you to a college coach to assist you
further. <www.goodwillseries.org>

In the Fall, each California JC will have 100 players try out for the team.

Many players maybe asked to "redshirt", however it is best not to think of this option.

Bob Williams

One resource is Spincostats. They list a lot of stats, but also have links to each team's website.

If you're not a "D1 guy", you may want to look at teams that are a little below the top in RPI.

Also take a look at the CCCAA website.

Generally speaking I am not sure any JC has a huge facilitie advantage over others. Some fields are better taken care of then others. You'll have to see that on your own. Generally speaking the weather in SoCal is much better then Norcal so if you are looking at two outdoor hitting facilties one in Norcal the other in Socal the Socal faciltiy will be available alot more often then the Norcal facility. If you're a pitcher I am not sure it really matters. Some schools have newer equipment etc.... however the most important thing to consider is how much you trust the coach and whether or not you have a good chance to play at the school.

There can be a significant difference in housing costs from JC to JC. i.e. houseing in Santa Barbara might run 700-900 while 40 miles to the south it might be 400-500.

You should arrange to let the coach see you play while in the area. JCs have geographical recruiting limitations unless a player contacts the school first. (i.e. its a waste of a JC coaches time to attend an out of area showcase if they can't talk to anyone).

There are some schools that don't have a 100 kids trying out, I suspect many of these schools are in Norcal and are not members of the Big 8 league which is generally the most competitve league top to bottom in NorCal. Obviously most of the kids trying out are not D1 players including the starters. Before visiting the college I'd ask the coach how many kids he has to evaluate to come up with his roster and redshirts.

That looks like a great website, has all the standings and stuff so I can see all the schools on there. I'm a Pitcher and position player, and when I say facilities I meant like hitting facilities and stuff like that. I'm a 2012, and I was wondering in CA I know there aren't scholorships for JC's but is there any written gurantee or anything like that where you know you've made the team before enrolling, like at a D1 where if you got a 40% scholly you pretty much know your on?

Thanks!

No guarantees except the coaches word, everyone is a walkon.

Like all colleges there are only so many starting spots. Most of the positions are recruited from the local HS's. We have had JC coaches at many of our games now and they are out recruiting kids to fill in their expected departures. There are some very skilled ball players playing JC ball in SoCal so don't assume you can show up and make the team. If you are serious you should be in contact with the coaches and let them know your interest and give them an honest assesment of your skills. It is quite usual to have at least 1 D1 drop down and maybe another pitcher who gave up a D1 scholarship so he could be drafted earlier. My son has several D1 offers and he has been recruited by a couple of the local JC's and they both have told him he would get the number 3 spot in their pitching rotations. I am not saying he is going there, but they are out talking to other kids so in reality their starting rotation will be set before the end of the local high school season. Now they will have lots of other pitchers to fill in, but hopefully this will give you a good idea what you are up against.

The reality is that unless you are special, coming from out of the area you will have a difficult time making the roster. Again it really depends on your ability. If you are serious you should be in contact with the coaches now to really know what the situation is at the school. Like CPNM said there are no guarantees and you could even be slotted for a starter spot and if Johnny flame thrower drops down from a D1 then you could be on the pine. I am not trying to scare you away, just give you a realistic assesment of JC ball in So Cal.

Good Luck.

JC's in Florida recruit from all over the country and do provide scholarships. A player with a 100% scholarship will have very little out of pocket expenses. Florida JUCO's offer 50% and 100% scholarships. Pitching is always in demand.

Northwest, our son plays at Southwestern College in Chula Vista. PM me if you want more information. A great facility and program.

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If CA JC is the option you seek...

Then do not go in cold...too many players, and too much talent not to have some good contact and a real invite from a coach and a program...

And it IS the same as narrowing down the options the same way you would a school without the baseball…baseball is a big part of the selection but only one part…since there are no baseball guarantees or JC baseball $ in CA, you had better research well, and choose a school that you would be happy at even if you end up without baseball..

Go to Spinco Stats as suggested...get a list of the programs...and see where they finished...State rankings as well, as the top JC's are full of DI drops and some very high calibre players...and will have 70-100 kids out for fall tryouts…visit some team and school Websites...look at the facilities as best you can there...review the rosters...and bios if they have them....see how many kids come from out of state, some have pipelines….Google the kids at your positions and review their HS backgrounds...Are they like you statistically and in accomplishments?...Could you reasonably be expected to compete? Look at the coaches...and the statistics...then think geography (city? Country? Mountains? Beach? Central valley?)...and weather (different by region)...and cost (housing in CA ain't cheap)...and if you’re an 18 year old will you be OK in an apt and you’re your business done? Because few of the CA JC's have dorms (Yikes!)...Then review make an honest assessment as to which programs you might fit into...and what schools wold work f baseball doesn’t happen….then send out some feelers to coaches and programs expressing an interest, let them know that you have done you homework and think you might be a good fit and be able to say why you think so...get a video of you playing or practicing...Bullpens or BP...offer it...get your travel coach to get involved if you have one…keep working at this...eventually you should find a few programs that have an interest...be prepared to come to CA and do a tour...meet the coaches, look at the schools and the facilities and the towns and the housing...you do this and you do this and the picture should begin to clear some.

Socal is exceptionally tough due to the #'s of players...so is norcal in the more populated areas. Really depends on your geographical sensibilities but if baseball were a major factor and I was "not a DI prospect" or a given to make a team I would look into it all, but as a "safety" I might look to the norCal schools off the beaten track...in more rural areas...less expensive to live and often, in some years and some places, less baseball competition to make a team...Napa Valley College, Siskiyou's, Shasta, Mendocino (I've got a contact there), Redwoods, Yuba, Maybe, West Hills, Gavilan.

Good Luck!

44
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Central California is a great place to play ball, but like O44 said, you must do your research and promote yourself, do all your homework just like if you were approaching a D1. It's big time (perhaps not as big as SoCal, but you can't expect to get anywhere just showing up day 1).
Reedley has a new coach this year from UCLA - Steve Pearse and I know one of the assistants there, Josh Labandera. This program had a losing record for years but with new blood is an exciting option. Reedley has dorms but I think most football players occupy them. It is not too far from Fresno/Clovis. COS is a good program too. West Hills and Porterville are fine programs, but they are in fairly remote areas.
Above all, start contacting the coaches.