Catholic University, D.C.

I believe Catholic is a NCAA Division III school...not sure of quality or record, but those would be good questions to ask Coach Natoli. They have a home game on April 21st........

Many are under the assumption that since it it DIII baseball, they can walk-on. However, that is a misnommer. Most DIII programs actively recruit, some more than others. Some use a shotgun approach, not noing how will actually show up, and others try to recruit their needs.
In any case it is still competetive baseball.

I would take piaa_umps advise and make contact with the coach and see if their is an interest.

As far as playing ball and keeping up with your studies, that depends upon the student.

I am with PIAA

Touch base with Coach Natoli--I have found him to be a no "BS" kind of guy

I also agree with Pirate Fan-- Division III schools do recruit just like Division I and II programs-- yes they may have 70 kids come out in the fall but if you are "recruited" by them and they have seen you play you have "one leg up" so to speak.

We have many kids from our program play Division III and at the high Div III levels--it certainly does not hurt if the coach or his asst coaches have seen you play and know of your interest in their program

As for coupling academics and baseball that is entirely up to you-- no matter where you play you will have to make that work--it is no easier at one Division or another-- you still need to mainatin a certain GPA to remain eligible-- college is not like HS--- you have two things to worry about in college--academics to remain eleigible-- baseball to play regularly--and it can happen

My son came out of HS with a 2.2 GPA , played major Division I baseball and graduated with a 2.7 GPA and his degree--I am here to tell you that if he made it work anyone can

Go for it son !!!!

Ross Natoli has worked hard building his program and has achieved remarkable success. I would highly recommend both him and his program. As far as the studies go, I truly believe that for most students the discipline required for baseball has a meaningful and measureable impact on classroom performance, and in a positive direction. Without the discipline, though, forget it.

Link to their web site-they are in the CAC (Capitol Athletic Conference)

http://athletics.cua.edu/spring/baseball/

Also TR- besides keeping the academics to remain eligible- keeping the GPA (3.0 in our case) to renew the academic portion of the scholly.

Even if the athletic were to go away due to a myriad of reasons, the academic remains intact as long as the GPA meets the school standards.

Quite a powerful motivator!

Ross Natoli is a super guy and does a real nice job. Brian Pietryka played there a few years ago. 4 yr. starter at SS, engineering major...loved the school and the baseball. Has a bright future ahead of him. If your son is serious about his studies and baseball, he will be fine!