D3 offer v. D1 tryout

The chances of making a D1 team as an un-recruited are slim to none.  

Take the bird in the hand. Walking on is hard now with roster limits unless it's a late bloomer high velocity pitcher.

IMHO it may be the difference between playing baseball and not playing baseball. In my son's 4 years at a D1 school there were only 2 times that a unrecruited walk on made the team. One was a lefty pitcher (as a junior he still mops up and occasional faces a lefty/lefty match up) and the other is extremely fast (as a senior he pinch runs). 

 

Every year there were 30-40+ that tried out and by the end of the first day almost everyone is gone. It is a long shot at best.

D1 "Preferred Walk-on" is tough enough, however un-recruited (was not on their radar...zero communication) is next to impossible.  Go where they want you!

My son had the option to gobto several d3's, some of them Nationally prominent teams in the mid east. Or go to big state u as a walkon. Coach at big state U knew who he was butbwas not offering scolky money. 

Son declined. Henis very happy he did. He is getting ready to graduate. If asked if he regrets not trying big state U, aftervthe success he has had at his d3 and summer teams pitching against players at other big D1's. Guess what, he didoes not regret it for a second. He probably would not have same opportunities at the state school. His d3 coach worked very hard to get him in quality wood bat leagues. Most walk ons at the state school played in local leagues. 

I would sugesst going to the D3, IF the school is a good fit. Does it have his intended major? Is it in a location he likes. Is it far enough/not too far away? Is it affordable? There is no point in going to the d3 school if he wont be happy there. There should be other things that go into the decision besides baseball. 

 

Kid we know decided to go the RECRUITED  walk on route.  The coach gave him a pretty hard sell.  He had been headed to a local JC.  Instead he buys the hype and goes to the D1.  Fall comes, he gets cut after three days.  He's now playing club baseball and looking to transfer.

Decisions like this are rarely made in a vacuum.  It is never just that easy, because there are no guarantees he'll play at either level.  If there is one thing people most often over- project it is playing time.  They may be able to evaluate their son's talent but don't know what other talent the coach has on the bench, transferring, or enrolling in the Fall.  The coaches job is to find the best players he can get every year and provide competition for starting jobs.  His job is to try to replace your son the following year. 

 

It is very competitive to earn playing time at a top-tier D3 as well as just about any D1.  I would watch some games, research how they get their players and how many players stay with the program.   In addition, I'd visit campus, sit in on some classes in son's intended major, and then sit down (or talk on phone) with the coach about their baseball program and school.  I'd listen very carefully to what the coach says and don't say.   Then I would research it some more and possibly track some people down on HSBBWeb who have direct or indirect knowledge of the program and school.   I would be very surprised if some of our posters didn't know much about either colelge.   This is a huge decision/investment (like buying another house!), and shouldn't just hinge on baseball unless he is going professional after college.  JMO.

If as a player you view college primarily as a vehicle to extend your playing days, for heaven;s sake, try to find the least tenuous, most stable baseball situation you can for yourself. Walk-on at a DI would rarely fit that picture.

 

If. on the other hand, the college education is up there with baseball on the priority list, recognize that even in the best of situations stuff happens on the baseball front. Coaches change, injuries occur, etc. Do enough research on the colleges you're considering to have a pretty good idea that, if some unforeseen event alters the baseball scene, the remaining part of the college experience will fit you and your aspirations. 

Thanks for all the good responses so far. The D3 is on a slightly different selectivity level but comes with exceptionally generous academic support, financial and otherwise. The D1 is more selective, and though affordable, does not include any academic honors/designations.

Why not juco?  See if he has D1 offers out of the juco.

It looks like the D1 and D3 have very good academics. Baseball might not be the top priority. Son's HS coach strongly urged son to go Juco, A chance to get bigger and another chance at D1. Son did not consider it, if it was is only baseball option he may have taken it, but he had plenty of 4 year schools that he really liked  and that baseball was also an option.

I am not against Juco, but if the OP's son has good opportunities at a D3 or D1 he may not be interested in JUCO.

Go where you are wanted.

Go to the place that you like the most that wants you the most.