Just curious what the difference in talent across the 3 is. Is Naia right around the same as D3 or better or worse? How much better is a D2 team compared to D3. I know there would be alot of variance but overall how does each compare to each other.
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It's only worth comparing the top tier of those divisions, because there's way too much variance otherwise.
If you compare the top, then Elite D2 >> Elite NAIA > Elite D3, generally speaking. Many of the historically great NAIA schools are moving to NCAA D2 however, which complicates things. LC State is a big holdout and is the anchor for NAIA, unquestionably.
I agree that NAIA is closer to D2. Interesting factoid, NAIA has 12 scholarships in baseball rather than 11.7 (if fully funded).
CaCO3Girl posted:I agree that NAIA is closer to D2. Interesting factoid, NAIA has 12 scholarships in baseball rather than 11.7 (if fully funded).
11.7 for D1, 9 for D2. None for D3.
NAIA can also give athletic and academic money to a player, NCAA you generally only get 1 package unless it is merit aid available to all students. NAIA can also invite HS players to work out with them at their practice, free of charge. Work out w the team players and see how they blend. Here in the west coast, some schools do play D2 and NAIA almost interchangably. But at the same time, there is a lot of similarities to D3 schools. It is hard to categorize in our region. There are some very strong D3, D2 and NAIA programs. But some VERY weak ones in each category as well. Menlo College this year hit 80 HRs as a team. Thats a lot of power for a lil NAIA. They do well waiting and looking for those kids that fall through the D1 cracks. The kids that are "too slow, too short, and arms aren't strong enough."
In our region most of the top NAIA programs have moved to D2. The few that are left compare well with the D3's in this area and some of the D2's. Even though they do not compare to some of the southern/ western elite D3 programs, the Mid East region has some very good D3 programs. Marietta, historically has been very good. While the Mideast is not Elite there are some very good Schools. A year or two ago they sent 4 teams to the regionals. and the NCAC usually is a 1 bid conference. (Pool A) But this year had a C as well. And has been in the conversation quite often.
How good schools are in different divisions, can often be very regional. We have few NAIA schools left, and the NAIA schools range from very good to very bad. SOme of the newer programs in our area go NAIA until they can meet the requirements to go D2 or D3. Some of them are in the NAIA because they only offer a few sports.
I recognize the opening post asked for a comparison of the talent level among D2, D3 and NAIA. But to me, it has very little to do with the talent level and everything to do with the education and what it will cost. So there is some relevancy to the equation of D2 and NAIA where some athletic money may be available to reduce costs.
But at the end of the day, if your son is not playing D1, then it is highly likely they are not playing professionally, so the talent level of the baseball competition should not really matter. Compare the strength of education, the out-of-pocket cost, the campus atmosphere, and then find the best fit. Then hope that baseball can be a part of it and that the team experience is a plus to the education.
Backstop, while I agree about the decreased likelihood of playing professionally if not D1, I largely disagree with "the talent level of baseball competition should not really matter". Yes, there is even more reason to put more emphasis on the school, education, fit, costs, etc. (which I realize is your main point). But these student athletes still will face a significant time commitment to baseball, with their teammates, at workouts, practices and at games. It matters quite a bit to most of them how competitive they are, if they have a chance to contribute, what the facilities are like, what the coaches and teammates are like, etc. This is their new family and their new house, possibly even more so than the school itself is. It matters.
sunwalkingvalley posted:Menlo College this year hit 80 HRs as a team. Thats a lot of power for a lil NAIA."
I hired that guy away 
Kyle Boddy posted:sunwalkingvalley posted:Menlo College this year hit 80 HRs as a team. Thats a lot of power for a lil NAIA."
I hired that guy away
Kyle, thats funny.
Keep in mind folks that pitching isnt as good in D2, D3 and NAIA and therefore they are known as hitters leagues.
Menlo (this year) does not really fit this discussion too well as a contrast base for D2, D3 and NAIA. 43 of the 80 HR's hit this season were by UC Berkeley transfers, one of whom was, perhaps, the best player at Cal but who did not make it academically. (the papers reported he had to take a full class schedule at Menlo in the Fall and make up 24 more units to be eligible in the Spring and he did. He ended up a 2nd round pick).
Also, the LF fence at Menlo is about 310 with tree branches hanging over the fence into the playing surface.
In general, I think Kyle has it right when we look at the top D2, top NAIA and top D3. Since Menlo College is right down the street, I have seen them when they were D3 and now NAIA. Take out the UC transfers and the quality of play is not meaningfully different from D3 to NAIA. I also saw Trinity, TX (D3 CWS champion) play this year. There was no meaningful difference in Trinity and Menlo (including their UC guys) from the games I saw of each.
TPM posted:Keep in mind folks that pitching isnt as good in D2, D3 and NAIA and therefore they are known as hitters leagues.
My son's D3 averaged 10 runs per game. Unfortunately, they also gave up 7.5. They didn't make it out of the Regionals.
To me, it can be tough to compare talent levels unless you are examining the same general region/geographic area. For example, I would take the talent level of the D-II Sunshine State Conference over that of the D-1 America East Conference.
Doctor Joe posted:To me, it can be tough to compare talent levels unless you are examining the same general region/geographic area. For example, I would take the talent level of the D-II Sunshine State Conference over that of the D-1 America East Conference.
Thats good to hear. Dont know much about the sunshine state conference but learning. Do you have any experience with any of those programs?
Ok, I am a bit biased - I played in the conference many years ago , eschewing D-1 opportunities in my native mid-Atlantic region for the warmer weather and a much better financial/scholarship package. While no longer closely connected, I do try to follow a bit from afar. Now as then, there are a couple a few programs that are consistently very good, consistently ranked, consistently sending guys to the pros. As just one example, there were 6 eventual draft picks on the roster my freshman year - that is... uh, that is pretty good for one college team regardless of level. So, while no slight was intended towards the other conference I mentioned above, I am going to stick to my original comment that geography is a factor in comparing across divisions of play.
My son will begin his coaching career at one of those D2 programs and yes part of the decision was based on geography, warmer vs. colder smaller D1volunteer opportunity.
My son transferred to Lander Univ a D2 in the Peachbelt Conference. It is considered one of the best D2 conferences in the nation. He graduated a couple of years ago. This year they had 5 guys drafted. A couple more signed as FA's. The Peachbelt has more players drafted each year than many D1 conferences. Would you rather play for a bottom feeder D1 or a top tier D2? Are your chances better to get drafted at a bottom dweller D1 or an elite D2? Are your chances of getting drafted better sitting at a power house D1 or playing at another program regardless of level of play?
Of course there are more players drafted from D1 programs than any other level of play. But that doesn't mean YOUR chances are better at a D1 than a D2 or D3. Each situation is different depending on the players situation. I can tell you this I have seen numerous guys transfer from D1 programs to top tier D2 programs and find that the bench is the same size. You better be able to play the game. And one thing's for sure if your not on the field actually playing you have no shot.
TPM your son is going to be coaching in an outstanding conference. Extremely competitive. He is going to love it. There is a tremendous amount of talent in that conference every year.
