College Baseball Workouts

One thing I'll tell you about their workout routines that will differ GREATLY from your high school days is that you'll be in the gym at around 6:00 or 6:30 in the morning for weight training before going to class. Most of the college players I know start their day way earlier than their high school days, and begin with weights, then classes, then out to the baseball field. They end up with a very full day.

sounds like a long day! NCAA rules state that you can only practice for 4 hours a day. these practices sound like 6 hour practice days. man I am missing out!

slugger97,
I do beleive Walawala posted practice from 2:30-6. That's not 6 hours.

Conditioning and working out in the gym is on players own time.

And every program does things differently during their practice time

You will also be expected to spend time in the weight room on your "own"

As posted above--it aint HS anymore Toto

Everything posted here is true. My son during his college career said it was like having 2 full time jobs, school and baseball. He also said that one foolproof way to tell which of the freshman would succeed was to wait and see who was willing to do extra work instead of partying.

VaDad

Very true--they party goers do not last long--no way

quote:

He also said that one foolproof way to tell which of the freshman would succeed was to wait and see who was willing to do extra work instead of partying.

It's quotes like these that make me glad I've never touched alcohol.

Anyone know what JUCO workouts are like?

I'll chime in here too. I talked to a dad of a division II player and his day looks about like what Wallawalla said for division I. It sounds like military bootcamp would be easier than all of this. How do these coaches think the old time pro players ever made it when they didn't do all of this work and yet threw and hit harder than most of their players? I would think that all of this work would also encourage steroid usage to help with recuperation. Does anyone know of a college that doesn't try to kill the kids on the team? Lifting 2-3 times a week and daily practice of 3 hours should suffice unless practice consists of a lot of standing around time. If a person lifts,swims, and practices 5-6 days a week - how does anyone with any intelligence expect the player NOT to have shoulder problems?
I would like to find a college for my son that does not believe that working long hours on top of practice is the answer to a winning team. If you know of any, I would like to hear as we are starting our search now. Thanks.
Tim Robertson

good luck finding a program that doesnt work hard.
these programs have professional strength/conditioning coaches and trainers. they know what they are doing.

Tim,
When you go to play at college, the only thing you are required to do is show up for practice and class. No one can make you work out. Working out does not make you a more skillful player, it makes you a healthier one.

You are expected that you will get your body into the best physical shape that you can to avoid injury, because if you are injured, you are of no use to the team. Proper conditioning is essential for strength and endurance and each player should have a program designed for him. The program has to consist of aerobic exercise and weight training.
The smart coach incorporates his philosophy on physical training to improve one's overall well being. My son's coach believes in long runs, something my son never really cared for. However he has found enjoyment in running this past year. He gets a chance to do a lot of mental thinking while running and has enjoyed each time he decreases his 2, 3 mile run time. It's called being challenged. It's about committment. When practice and season begins, longer workouts become more stretching and aerobics. If a player wants to hit the weight room at 6am, that's up to him.

As a starting college pitcher you need to pitch a certain amount of innings for a win and you are expected, by your second year, to be able to go as far as you can in a game.
You can't achieve that just with long toss and bull pens. As a HS pitcher my son could complete a game if his pitch count was low. Last year he only had two games where he could go over 5-6 innings. It's not HS ball.

Coaches do not believe that working out 24/7 builds a winning team. Having a team that is in their best physical and mental condition does contribute to a teams success.

I do think that the above workout is a bit extreme for one day. JMO.

so what is it like when yall have a game? whats the schedule like and do you usually miss class and if so how does that go?

cub1jon

Most colleges have the academic program geared to being free in the afternoons--my son was out of class by 1 PM every day---

If you miss classes they are excused abscences but the work MUST be made up---if the trip is a long one you most probably see tutors on the trip with you

trhit
so you really dont miss nothing on the days where you are away from school? and how does the team travel such as by bus, train, plane, etc.

cub

Didnt say you didnt miss anything by being away--what I said is that you have the make the work up--a student is always missing something when not in class

As for travel it all depends on the school and the distance involved

Walawala is dead on.

My son said guys were passing out in the fall workout. These are great athletes trying to get to the next level and it ain't easy.

Tim I am having a hard time envisioning how the call to a coach would go when you tell himyou are looking for LazyU. I would like to see thye coaches face.

I have come to the conclusion after reading some posts on the HSBBW my son is very fortunate that we did our homework before son made his choice.
During our visits we visited the athletic facilities (Clemson has two facilities one for general population and one for sports) and we had visits with the trainers with a question and answer period. We asked how they achieved results for team fitness and given great answers that made sense.
An effective athletic program and coaches practices shouldn't be desinged to kill the kids before they get to play actual games. You don't get to the next level overnight.

If you really want to play - you will do what is required - plus some.

If not - you will be gone quickly.

In the grand scheme of things - the decision is a pretty easy one to make IMO. Much easier than future choices.

mic, in answer to your question about JUCO work outs, there isn't much difference between the JUCOs and the universities.
The practices are intense and the rules are strict. Those unwilling to commit are gone.
At my son's school, not only are missed practices/workouts a no-no, any missed classes also result in punishment.

The guys that make it to the college level have to be serious about the game and their education.

With the freedom of college life comes responsibility to one's team as well as oneself.

My son is having the time of his life....he's playing baseball every day.

I think some are missing my question. I was wondering if there are schools that lift weights 2-3 times a week, run maybe 3-4 times a week and have ball practice each day as opposed to lifting 6 days a week, running 6 days a week, swimming 6 days a week and having practice 6 days a week. In my time with lifting if a person is doing weights 6 days a week, without all the other activity, then they are either lifting light weights and not progressing, a genetic marvel (very few of these around), or they are using steroids. Take your pick. Maybe this is how steroids came into MLB. I knew years ago that Canseco used them if his workout was what he said it was - the human body can only withstand so much. A person can be put into "breakdown mode" if too much is given that the body can't handle - this is how injury comes to many.
Tim Robertson

It will depend largely on the University or College that you attend. Some programs have very strict and demanding S & C programs, some are middle of the road and some are a complete joke.

Remember, what you get out of this game is directly related to what you put into it.

Bobble Head is also right on. I mean, your'e getting "paid" (-Look,I know they aren't getting paid, paid, but c'mon, if you have good academics, then you can deff have a nice package...)to go to class, and play baseball. That's it. And as far as 4 hour practice days- well, let's just say that for some of the workouts they are, shall we say, "optional", but, hell, if you want to be on the team, your goin'...

You know, if you're worried about the rigors of having to go through a regimented and strenuous college workout, just think about the alternative.....You could be working at a job.

If you don't realize how lucky you are to be a baseball player, go out at 6:30 in the morning and watch all the unfortunate people driving down the freeway to work, many to jobs they don't like but need. How many of them would trade places with you in a heartbeat if they could?

My son is now a freshman at a very good DIII school.

When he was in high school he lifted and ran every day. He did this on his own because his school did not have organized conditioning for baseball players. His coaches commented on how hard he worked and how dedicated he was.

He got to college (DIII), and wished he had done more in High School.

Point being, if you want to succeed in college Baseball, develop great work ethics and start working your butt off...... NOW!

And this work ethic will serve you very well for the rest of your life!

I would add to the idea of developing a good work ethic. I would add that you have to work hard and SMART. At the beginning of this year (I'm a freshmen), I lifted every muscle group every sigle day, doing 3 sets of 8 and then maxing out(I did the maxing out for football season). I realized that while I was working hard, I was actually being conterproductive after a month or two.