d3 polls

1000% agreed, PIS. Have watched some great D3 ball over the past couple of years. Some of the better schools around, too. There are a lot of factors involved in a HS player's choice of a school, and I would say that whether or not a school's baseball program is D1, D3, whatever, should be relatively low on that list.

quote:

Originally posted by berryberrygood:
...and I would say that whether or not a school's baseball program is D1, D3, whatever, should be relatively low on that list.

While there is some good baseball played at all levels, D1 is significantly better than D3. I am all for the "little guy" but let's be realistic. The classifications are justified.

agreed, the top d3 teams can play with low and even mid tier d1 teams, but I would bet that any kid on the CNU or Shenandoah roster would jump at a spot to play for UVA in a heartbeat.

Clearly you're correct, Redbird, and tcw, you're largely correct also. If playing baseball is the #1 overriding factor in a player deciding where he wants to attend college, then it's obvious that he would prefer to go to a D1 school.

The point I was trying to make, without spelling it out in a long message, was that there are many factors involved in a student/player's choice of colleges. Baseball is going to be part of that decision for most of the kids that we know. But in most cases there are a lot of other factors that need to be considered that are, in my opinion, more important. Things like: size of the school, location, programs they offer (remember, most of these kids are really going to college to get an education after all), urban vs, rural, and on and on.

After all for the vast majority of college players, the baseball is an important part of their college experience, but not necessarily the most important part.

Many of the d3 schools are private and VERY expensive....you are not going to pay their retail price but you will pay to play. CNU is the exception as it is one of only two public d3 schools.
There is good baseball,football,basketball to be played...especially in the ODAC.
Big decision for any family to make...if you are strong academically you can shave off some significant cost.
I. Also think if you are strong academically you can also get in to UVA or W&M but not play ball you have to consider the value of the degree you could end up with...an employer may think more of a candidate with a UVA sheepskin that didnt play ball than one whjo did with a degree from VA Weslyan?
After all...this is about preparing to compete in the job market more than playing ball IMHO.
A family has make these considerations and advise their kid appropriately.

I'm biased, but Mary Washington is also very inexpensive (at one point the "cheapest" public school in Virginia, but I don't know if that's still true). Also very good baseball program and a very good school. After all, it's a "best buy" according to the billboard I drive by each day

I hear a lot of people talk about D3 Private schools being expensive. That is true, sort of.

Lets look at Hampden-Sydney for example.

Retail price - $32,500 per year (expensive by any measure)
But if you look here you will see that if you have a 3.5 GPA and 1100 SAT you will get the "President's Scholarship which is $15,000. Suddenly you are at "state school" price. Not bad.

http://www.hsc.edu/Financial-Aid/Academic-Awards.html


That is without even breaking a sweat. You sit down with admissions, financial aide, and the coaching staff and you are VERY LIKELY to find some more money. Obviously the better the student, the more money. Sometimes, the better the athlete, the more money (though not called athletic money).

Any parent that is crossing fingers for a baseball scholarship because they need the money would be better served getting their kid a tutor. Private schools have plenty of money to give to good students.

If 3.5 and 1100 get you that much, imagine what a 4.0 and 1250 gets you!

The toughest school to get into and the toughest school to get money from in this state is Washington & Lee.

Rich
www.playinschool.com

...yes, to continue, there are MANY factors involved in this very important decision. Cost is one that I didn't mention, but it's obviously very high on most families' lists.

I disagree that just because a school is D3, you can automatically assume that it is going to be more expensive. There are many exceptions to that on both sides, not only here in Virginia but also elsewhere. PIS's example is a good one. If baseball is still your top priority, note that the two D3 VA schools mentioned in this thread, CNU and Mary Washington, are both ranked in the top 25 D3 baseball programs nationally. Pretty impressive. And, no to mention that Shenandoah is ranked #3!

Let me also mention another factor: there are a lot of players that are good enough to be recruited by D1 programs that will not get as much playing time, especially as a freshman or sophomore, as they would in a D3 program. So for those athletes that are good enough to play college ball, but want to play as much as possible, and aren't realistically looking to go to the next level, it might be more attractive to go somewhere where they have a better chance to play more innings, especially as an underclassman.

Now, before I hear the responses, let me say that I know that everyone has a shot to make the team and log significant playing time, especially if they have been recruited. Technically, even the walk-ons have a shot as well. But realistically, a decent player (not a 1 in 1000 superstud) will have a better shot at more playing time in a smaller program. Personally, I don't think this is a top reason why a HS student should choose his college, but it certainly is a part of what they should consider.

Agreed. Baseball can be e big motivator to go to school and stay in school, behave, etc. I have seen that in my own son and in dozens of other players I know.

D-3 baseball in Virginia is alive and very well thanks to a couple of factors.

1. No D-II programs to speak of in Virginia
UVA-Wise is the closest thing to D-II and they
are NAIA, but your diploma looks just like the
from Charlottesville.
2. Where is the JUCO system in Virginia? I think
Patrick Henry and Rappahannock CC are only
JUCO, maybe 1 more?

So there are a lot of very good ballplayers that are staying in-state and playing D-III in Virginia as a result of the above factors.

I think VA Union has a D2 program? Danville Community College...are they juco? Bluefield College...NAIA?
Very true to be a collegge. Athlete at any level a student gets lots of direction and someone keepi gg an eye on them

Alot of kids work hard in school to be on the higgh school team...a big motivator. Without it many may not even go to college

Thomas Nelson CC in Newport News also has a JC baseball team

The spread of JuCo baseball through our community college system is still relatively new and something we can only hope will continue to grow. It's a darned shame that we've had to send so many kids to NC to get a good JuCo opportunity.

Looking at the NJCAA offical website, there are 3 JUCO recognized programs listed for Virginia which is part of Region 10 which includes Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia.

They are :
Danville Community College - Baseball II
New River Community College - Baseball II
Patrick Henry Community College - Baseball II

quote:

Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
The spread of JuCo baseball through our community college system is still relatively new and something we can only hope will continue to grow. It's a darned shame that we've had to send so many kids to NC to get a good JuCo opportunity.

Amen to that, Midlo!

I completely agree with the JuCo topic. Our son is looking into JUCO's and primarily looking outside of VA becasue of the limited number of options in state. Limited in the context of new programs or variations of scholarship they can offer.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hsbasballfan:
I think VA Union has a D2 program?

Va. State University is D2
Va. Union does not have a baseball team.

This is why I like this site....a healthy back and forth with good information. Keep it coming.

Here is some food for thought that might be appropriate in this discussion....

I talk to many, many players and parents and even coaches that say that they (the player) is definitely a D1 player. I always ask them if they have ever seen college games (in person) and you would be shocked at how many have not.

How can you compare if you dont know what you are comparing to?

I've seen 10 different college teams in action so far this year. I encourage every kid, family, and coach to use their weekends to go see games at all levels and honestly compare themselves against what they see. That is also a great way to see some different campuses!

Rich
www.playinschool.com