Differences between D2 and D3 baseball?

Athletic Scholarships

Athletics scholarships in Divisions I and II are initially awarded for up to one academic year.

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Division III institutions do not award financial aid
based on athletics ability, but you may be eligible to receive academic scholarships or need-based financial aid.

The differences are most apparent in the quality of the pitching. D-1 then D-2/JUCO then D-3.

Redshirting and Juco transfers are very common at DII.

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Originally posted by TDad:
Redshirting and Juco transfers are very common at DII.

Add to that players transferring from D1 programs.

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Originally posted by floridafan:
The differences are most apparent in the quality of the pitching. D-1 then D-2/JUCO then D-3.

This is more along the lines of what I was inquiring about.
If that is an accurate assessment of the differences in pitching, then presumably given a choice, you would choose a D2 over a D3? I know you son plays for a D2, but did he have equivalent D3 opportunities, but you decided to go the D2 route for better competition?

Son had D-1 and D-2 offers, no D-3, I don't think they felt they were a fit for him. My guy chose the program that showed the most "love" with what he felt would be the best opportunity to reach the next level.

Seems to me if one is going to be using the very best DII's like the University of Tampa types, then those posting and reading might need to be comparing them to top 20 DIII's, along the lines of Marietta, Heidelberg, JHU, and others, if this is to be valuable as a discussion.
And then as the discussion proceeds, someone might pop in and discuss a DIII pitcher at Oglethorpe throwing 94-96 who was picked in 2009 by the Astros or the DIII school which had 4 players picked last June.
Just one person's view on this, but TPM has done such a good job of constantly reinforcing that so much of the core issue here is coaching and development, not DI vs DII vs DIII.
One kid going to Tampa is going to be very well coached, but he might not play based on the quality and depth of talent.
That same player could be at JHU, Millsaps or others, and be equally well coached, and improve a ton because he will be playing every day.
My judgment is that the quality of coaching at the top DII's and top DIII's will be similar.
The top DII's better have more depth of quality since most are scholarship baseball players. If you are not in the top 11 or so position players and top 8 pitchers at the DII, you are not likely to see much action.
Those players who are filling spots 20-35 at a top DII won't be as talented perhaps as the top players at the top DIII's.
However, they are very likely to play far more if they attended the top DIII's because a primary factor and issue in comparing the levels isn't done by looking at the players at the top.
It is the depth of talent and who gets on the field at each level that is the difference.
Top DII's have talented and very skilled players and pitchers at the top end of the staff and batting order.
Top DIII's have talented and skilled players and pitchers at the top end of the staff and batting order.
The depth in the pitching after the top 2 at DIII and in the batting order after 2-3 hitters at DIII is where distinctions can be made that might be measurable and meaningful.

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Originally posted by floridafan:
Son had D-1 and D-2 offers, no D-3, I don't think they felt they were a fit for him. My guy chose the program that showed the most "love" with what he felt would be the best opportunity to reach the next level.

I imagine the great student to teacher ratio didn't hurt considering how small Tampa's enrollment is.
I'd like to get up there and see one of your sons games because you all have such an unusual field. If feels like you are standing on a field with a huge fishing net surrounding everything.

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Originally posted by infielddad:
Seems to me

Thanks for the insightful post.

I wish people would forget about levels and think about what infielddad has said as it is so on the money.

Baseball is a sport that lends itself to numbers but numbers are not as powerful as they may seem.

PG may rate the top 500 players in the nation but is the 500th player 500 times worse than the #1 guy? Is a D1 player 3 times better than a D3 player? Is a D2 player twice that of a D3 and so forth. That is not how baseball works. I would throw out level and focus on the experience and I am talking about academics, social settings, location, and baseball. There are dozens and dozens of D3 opportunities that blow away many D1 opportunities out there. Focus on the opportunity not the level. In some cases, as infielddad points out, the coach will provide the opportunity. Many of them are not in it for the money or the notoriety. These are very important people for your son's to be associated with. Now go out and find them. Throwing numbers or levels out there is a meaningless analysis imho without understanding the "context."

and isnt d2 all wood bat? or is that just some leagues in d2 because i know the ne10 is wood. So that is a difference

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Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
Focus on the opportunity not the level.

All the D-2's that I am aware of play with metal. And to be clear, D-3 was not a route for my son, none recruited him. He is a B/C student, so academic scholarships were not a consideration.

You know, we are really poor parents...the teacher student ratio was not really on our radar. He wanted to play at Tampa for Coach Urso.

Infielddad and Clevelanddad have it nailed. It is all about a good fit and coaching.

floridafan,
let's not sugar coat this. University of Tampa is really good. They will be on par with the vast majority of DI programs nationally. Not necessarily U of F and FSU, but drop down one level, and Tampa is going to battle any at the next level on pretty even terms with very equal skills and talent.

Another strange thing about DII is that there are some former professional players playing as there is one on my son's team. He lost two years eligibility but is now able to play this year and next. I think this is allowed at DII only. He is Canadian and that might enter into it also.

Like others said:

1. Athletic Scholly at D2 and those are annually reviewed.
2. D3 can offer some pretty decent academic money that can be guaranteed for 4 years provided you maintain a set GPA.
3. College baseball is pretty competitive from what I have been observing this year. I have been tracking the 2010 college grads from our area that went D1, D2, D3 and very few are in a starting role as a freshman. Many have only one or two at bats this year and this is across all divisions D1,D2,D3. These are all good ball players - all conf, district, state awards. At least five players that went D1 from a big time HS championship team and only one of those players has a starting role and that is pitcher only(and he was a darn good position player). These are all Freshman I am referencing.
4. So if you want to play, like others said look for the opportunity. Talk to the coach. Look at rosters. How many starting seniors are graduating? What positions did seniors play? Look at the players "below the line" - the ones with the most at bats - are they Juniors,sophomores? What position do they play? Those players might be getting groomed as starters for next year. I call this "roster stalking"....
5. Look at the makeup of rosters. Are they all over 6 feet? Some coaches just like bigger players. And you might not fit that mold and are already at a disadvantage. More roster stalking....
6. Don't get hung up on the division. A team with 2200 student body enrollment just lost to a big D1 state school by one run. There is competitive baseball out there at all levels.
7. Get an honest evaluation of what your skill set is. We did - told son he was borderline D1 - he ended up D3 and is starting - only Freshman starting also and at a very average D3 baseball school. I tell you this because that is how hard it is to crack a starting lineup as a freshman and that is D3 so imagine D1 and D2. And he worked his tail off. Hope this helps.

Baseball_ Fever, You have a PM

good post Fever

Bottom line: You only have four years. Pick schools that look to best prepare you for life, are a good social match, and then narrow based on baseball opportunity. The goal IMHO should be to play as soon as possible, not ride the bench as a senior in the college world series.