Is Club Baseball a good option for those with demanding academic majors but with a desire to continue playing ball? Is it competitive or more comparable to intramural sports? http://www.clubbaseball.org/
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From the feedback I've heard from kids who have played for or against club teams, they can't compete against decent D3 teams. Sometimes the teams have coaches. Sometimes the captains are the coaches. I get the impression it's advanced rec ball for former high school players who want to keep playing. Check it out. If it's fun, why not play rather than not play?
Like everything, the quality of the team will vary on school by school basis. It has been said many times on this forum, if you want to play there is always a place. Club baseball is another option.
I am sure that no different than college ball, club ball comes in various "sizes and colors." Last year I was in Santa Barbara and went to a club game between UCSB and USC.
What I saw was college kids playing a hard fought game. They played hard and had a positive experience.
After the game I spoke to one of a couple of kids that I knew. This one was one of the last that was cut from his college team. I had known him in high school, he had offers at both D1 and D2 level. He choose to got to the local JC where he performed well but no great opportunities presented themselves.
He is happy at his school, playing club baseball, which keeps him active and envolved.
I watched the game. The play was solid, the teamwork was that of any other team. Most of the kids on the field could have found a team at some level where they could have played. However, they choose their school and as the kid that I saw and spoke to he was very happy with his decision.
Club ball is an option, some schools have programs that are rather impressive. For the kids that I saw play, they got the academic experience that they wanted and are able to enjoy a game that helped get them where they are today.
What I saw was college kids playing a hard fought game. They played hard and had a positive experience.
After the game I spoke to one of a couple of kids that I knew. This one was one of the last that was cut from his college team. I had known him in high school, he had offers at both D1 and D2 level. He choose to got to the local JC where he performed well but no great opportunities presented themselves.
He is happy at his school, playing club baseball, which keeps him active and envolved.
I watched the game. The play was solid, the teamwork was that of any other team. Most of the kids on the field could have found a team at some level where they could have played. However, they choose their school and as the kid that I saw and spoke to he was very happy with his decision.
Club ball is an option, some schools have programs that are rather impressive. For the kids that I saw play, they got the academic experience that they wanted and are able to enjoy a game that helped get them where they are today.
Well it depends on the club team you are playing. This weekend in Cary, NC at the US Olympic Complex there will be a great tourney. The club teams from Clemson , UNC , Wake , Maryland and a couple of more schools will be playing some top level showcase teams made up of 09 players. There are several former D1 players on the club team rosters as well as former players at these schools that decided to just play club baseball. There are several former D2 and JUCO players that are playing on these club teams as well.
I will post the results of the games after this weekends action. Believe me some of the club teams are very good. Many of these players are quality baseball players. It should be alot of fun to watch and see them compete.
I will post the results of the games after this weekends action. Believe me some of the club teams are very good. Many of these players are quality baseball players. It should be alot of fun to watch and see them compete.
Coach May, I look forward to your report. Club baseball is looking more attractive to my son. He can keep playing ball while pursuing his major at a large state university where the Top 40 D1 program is realistically beyond his ability.
I am looking forward to it also.
BTW, there were two players at Clemson who were club players there and earned roster spots one year when players were needed (due to injuries and draft).
I think if where you go to earn your degree is more important than playing D1 ball, it's a good way to continue.
BTW, there were two players at Clemson who were club players there and earned roster spots one year when players were needed (due to injuries and draft).
I think if where you go to earn your degree is more important than playing D1 ball, it's a good way to continue.
My son plays for Penn State; the fall season is pretty disorganized and not very competitive, but in the spring it's serious business. They usually play in the club world series.
I know a very good player who chose to play club ball at UNC Chapel Hill this year as a freshman because he decided he wanted to attend UNC for academics (even though they didn't offer him a roster spot on the school team) rather than play college ball somewhere else that wasn't as good an academic fit. So far he's having a great time and doesn't regret his decision at all.
