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There has been a lot of comments on this board regarding making the choice of what division to play. "Fit" of course is the main factor as TRHit has explained. However, there is one factor that has not been discussed that was a significant factor in my decision. Some of the DIII schools I looked at will not redshirt players. This is particularly disappointing when you have a freshman that gets into three games during the entire season and consequently loses the entire year of eligibility. I looked at stats from top acadmice DIII's like Pomona, JHU and Emory and they have freshman players that appear to be wasting their freshman year with less than five apperances. One DI coach (Patriot League) told me that they don't redshirt because since they do not give "academic" scholarships an additional year of money would come from the general fund and that will affect non-athletes. Nevertheless, this was one factor in my decision. No one goes in wanting to redshirt, but it's nice if there's an option if it happens.
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Hit, the NCAA precludes DIII programs from redshirting players for other than medical reasons. Part of a series of changes made within the last 2 years.
Also, the issue of redshirting at a DI is usually not the players' choice. The fact that you do not play at all does not guarantee it will be considered a redshirt year. As I understand the way this works, the school needs to apply to the NCAA on the player's behalf.
Last edited by infielddad
Hit and Run

Nice post--- yes nobody goes in wanting to "redshirt" but at least it is an option and keeps the player with 4 years of eligibility while at the same time getting 32 credits out of the way in the first year.

Many kids go the D-III route because they the confidence in their ability to make the team--we have a number of players who went to JHU Emory and Mary Washington and they had limited play time in the frosh year but then limited time for frosh at solid college programs is not uncommon regardless of the division.

Let me say this--- any player/parent who thinks they are a "stud" in their frosh year is in for a rude awakening-- yes it happens on rare occasion but as general rule of thumb the frosh will either redshirt of see minimal time

Think back to HS--how many frosh in HS are varsity starters or even on the varsity team.

Ladies and Gentlemen: college baseball is not HS baseball and you better be aware of it going in--college baseball is a business--HS baseball is an activity
Good points everyone. When I looked at some of the DIII schools I previously mentioned, my thought was if I am not going to be able to contribute on a regular basis, I don't want to be used as a pinch runner a half dozen times and come back my second year as a sophomore. While there is no guarantee at a DI school, as pointed out, that even if you do not play you will be allowed to redshirt, the "bottom line" is that it is an option that is not available at the DIII level or in some DI leagues. To me, this was a very important factor as I had narrowed down my choices between to very good "fit" schools - one a DIII and the other a DI. When I go back and look at the stats at some of the DIII schools today with the seasons nearly over, I feel I made the right choice.
Yes, I can. However, it hasn't been posted on the school's website yet, so as soon as they post it and make it public, I'll do the same. Thanks for your interest. I will tell you I looked very closely at the schools I mentioned in my previous posts and the sporadic use of freshman was a big factor in my decision. Again, not that the freshman had limited playing time, but the fact that that if such was the case in DI I would most likely not be used as a pinch runner or late inning DH and be able to return the following year as a freshman. Another factor was summer ball - while many DIII players do play summer ball, it's a lot easier getting placed from a DI school. The irony is you can be a phenominal DIII player and an average DI player, but even the summer teams tend to favor the DI players.
Hit and Run, interesting thought on summer ball. Not sure I completely agree with you. Certainly if a coach from a top 25 DI program calls, they have credibility and can get their kids placed. Also agree that the Cape really is suspect of other than DI players. Otherwise, I think it is the belief by the DIII coach that summer ball is important and the effort and credibility of the DIII coach. My son's DIII coach has a fabulous track record for summer placement including getting one into the Cape. Part of that is his effort and part of it is the fact that his players have done very well in the summer leagues with several making All Star teams and some being selected for All league awards.
Last edited by infielddad
Again it's a matter of maximizing one's opportunities. A lot of summer ball is based on coaching relationships and the "name brand". I know of a player who isn't even hitting .200 in his first year at a Pac-10 school who was signed to play in the Cape in November. Another player I know was an All-American last year and will be once again this year as a junior and cannot get a bite from the Cape. When you take the politics out of summer ball, I felt I would maximize my chances of playing on a good summer team coming from a DI program.
Hit and Run, I absolutely agree with you that coaching relationships and name brand are everything in the Cape..also true in the Alaska League. After that, my son's experience suggests that a motivated DIII coach with good players can be very successful in summer league placement. My son's junior year, the coaches placed 11 in summer leagues including one in the Cape, 3 in the NECBL and two in the Coastal Plains. My concern with your post is the sense that you paint with too broad a brush that DI vs DIII opens doors other than in the Cape and Alaska. Our experience is different.
I re-read my post and I can see how my comments can be interpreted the wrong way. If a coach (as your son's coach) has solid relationships with summmer teams, DI, II or III means nothing. For some coaches when the placement call is a "cold" call, DI could have an advantage. This, of course can be unfair as I pointed out the example of the DI player who can't hit his weight and he's signed with the Cape. The Cape and Alaska are allegedly the best, but there are some players who are given a shot simply because of where they play, not how they play.
If you look at the purpose of college as the chance to grow as an individual, meet new people, learn new skills and new concepts, rather than the chance to play a game more, your freshman year won't be a such a waste.

It will be a waste though if you are only there to play baseball regardless of how much or how little you play.
Last edited by ghouse
Hit and run,
I agree with your point regarding coaching relationships between "brand schools' and the teams at the cape or in Alaska. These relationships are also developed between the coaches because many have worked together and trust each others judgments on players, and you do not have to be THE BEST to go play. There are many other factors involved that you may not realize for a chance to go or not go.

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