College Summer Ball Question

Positions do open, usually in April and May as injuries occur, pitchers pile up innings, classes are flunked, etc.  Pitchers have an easier time finding spots as most teams carry 15 or more pitchers.  A good time to find a spot is mid to late May. If you have good credentials, shoot out emails to general managers of teams in  desired leagues, don't be bashful, compose a good message, and include your coach's contact info.   A typical roster carries 16 pitchers, 2-3 catchers, 4 mif's, 4-5 outfielders, 2-3 1b/3b. Guys that play of/if but can catch in a pinch are valuable. Freshman position players are the hardest to place. Bringing a car with you is a plus as organizing rides to ballpark, functions, workouts, etc.  can be tricky when several players don't  have wheels. 

I have seen roster moves on teams that my son played on for lots of different reasons. I would suggest you have your coach place on a team that will allow you max playing time to better yourself. If waiting for roster spot to open is your only shot to get on those teams, that tells me you should looking elsewhere. Summer ball is about development. Plenty of good teams out there.

Son wound up  having hip surgeries the summer between FR-SO years, so that opened up a spot.  FWIW, his league refunded 75% of the summer fee and listed him on the roster as injured.

The summer between SO-JR year there was  a LOT of coming and going of players all summer long on his team.  They need temporary players at the beginning until players playing in their regional/super regionals arrived.  The draft took a player or two, and a player that they were pretty sure was going to be drafted, didn't, which loaded up the IF.   Injuries, and other symptoms, sent some players home early.  A catcher came very late (mid July) since he was overcoming a concussion.  The roster and lineup was always changing.   The team even pulled in a local D3 player midsummer.

Keewart, welcome to my world.... no summer roster looks in July like it looked in October.  We have had summers where the ending roster of 28 players had 12 guys not originally signed. The key is not where you start but how well you can replace, and a whole lot of replacing happens. 

2013 OF posted:

I have a question about the process of college summer ball. Several of the teams that my college coach has contacted for me have said that they're rosters for the summer are full, but that they will get in touch with me if something changes (injuries, players deciding not to play, etc). My question is how often does this happen and what are the chances that a spot opens up on one of these teams during the spring? I don't want to be left without a high quality league to play in this summer, but I also don't want to commit to play in a lower level league when I could play in a better league if I wait for a spot to open up. 

What year are you in college?

I am a redshirt junior. Just to clarify, I have played the last 3 summers: Twice in local leagues and last summer in the NYCBL. My coach is trying to get me in a higher level league this summer, but several of the teams have said they don't have room for me right now, but that they would likely take me if a position player spot opens up. My question is how likely is it that this happens?

I just asked that question because it is my understanding that the higher level leagues that are more competitive look for younger players. 

I might be wrong, maybe HOKIEONE can weigh in on this.

Being a redshirt junior won't hurt your chances; being a position player will, just because the numbers are stacked in favor of pitchers. While that seems odd, with rainouts and makeups, often a team might play 14 nights in a row or more, and with pitch count limits in effect, a boatload of arms is needed.  If you had a good summer in the NYCBL, that will help. Be pro-active and send out e-mails. Some will be ignored but you never know until you try.  PM me if you have more specific questions ( I am a summer league team president).