DIII HS Stigma

Is your son in high school? D3 usually refers to college.

We have Divisions in our state (MA). Son's varsity team was DIII in his soph and jr years, moved up to DII his senior year. Not exactly sure what the formula or criteria is that defines the divisions, but they do exist.
By the way, I don't think what division your HS team competes in matters to a college coach. So I don't think there's a stigma. In fact, I don't think college coaches put much stock in your HS stats at all, unless a kid is really setting the world on fire, like Jack McGeary for Roxbury Latin did this year, or Jeff Allison in Peabody a few years back. Kids like that though are seen in other places like major tournaments, showcases and top-notch summer teams. What they do during their spring HS season is just gravy.
Sorry to make this a Massachusetts oriented post, but I was just trying to relate to my fellow Bay Stater!

I am Sorry. Mass has their schools also divided into divisions based on school sizes. Bascially a div3 HS is the equivalent of a d3 college as far as clout the have in sports above the level they are at. Lets just say the scouts dont hang out at our games unless a derek jeter caliber player is there.
So I am looking for advice to get my son noticed.,

You aren't going to see a lot of college coaches at your HS games because most are busy with their own seasons at that time. Again, showcases, camps and high-level tournament teams (summer and fall). Trust me, we've been through this already. Or ask the experts like TRhit or PG Staff.

Lets just put it this way, we had a pitcher/short stop on our team that batted .565 pitched a no hitter and had no errors on short stop and the only reason he got even a glimps from UMASS Boston was because of the way he played in legion ball. The div are based on school student body size. We actually had 2 football players get scholarships 2 years ago and that was because one of them shattered every central mass rushing record his final year and we went 12-0 and won the super bowl and that is what it takes.
Tom

I have been getting him alot of exposure at Franklin Pierce college through their camps. This actually new to me. It didnt become obvious to me that he had something until this year and that is because he has never seen anything more competitive then he has been used too. He has yet to compete for a starting catcher position. It was always assumed that if he was on the team he was catching. I hate that fact and I think it will hurt him in the long run if we dont persue other avenues.

Upsguy,
High school and legion ball may not be the exposure he needs.
We here always suggest trying to go above and beyond without breaking the bank.
College camps are a great way to get exposure. However, I recommend a showcase on the national level that provides a data base and gives honest evaluations and points out areas in which to improve.
You might want to look over at the PG website at www.perfectgame.org.
TRhit is also a great source of information and not far from you, you might give him a shout in an email or pm.

You don't seem to be listening. You've gotten some good advice. What more can be said?
By the way, Coach Eygabroat at UMass Boston is a pretty cool guy and a good baseball man. He was very interested in my son and pursued him pretty vigorously. He was very gracious when my son decided to go to another school. He needs catchers, or did at the time.

You are right on all counts and this forum is very helpful. I guess I have a habit of doing too much too fast. This is all new to me. I hear Umass bosotn has a good program. I have had alot of new stuff brought to my attention and I am pursuing a few of them. Hopefully one of them will be a showcase in a few weeks.If anything I hope to gain a prospective on where my son stands. I just have to learn to be patient. I do appreciate the help.
Tom

Upsguy...given your location you might want to PM TRHit and get his advice.

Did that yestersday. He is doing a check on my son because he was just evaluated and he knows the coach that did it. If it pans out, he will probably get an invitation. It will be 4 1/2 hrs away but I am sure it will be worth it.
Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Upsguy:
It will be 4 1/2 hrs away but I am sure it will be worth it.
Thanks

Wow 4 1/2 hours in Mass, that is unfortunate.

If your player can play, he can be noticed no matter what school he goes to, but there are a lot of players in Calif. that play in small school leagues that have great stats, but can not hold their own to other players in other leagues with stronger players.

Don't get caught up in thinking that the size of the school will hurt you if you get the correct exposure in the summer, also don't get caught up in think that your player is great because he has great numbers in a weak league.

That is the stigma I was talking about. A player should try for as far as his abilities will let him no matter if he had good stats in a weak league. I just dont want the mention of a DIII school cause someone to think any less if he was going against someone from a DI school. I think the showcase will eliminate that. I dont think I mentioned him being a superstar in a weak league. His assessment was done at Franklin Pierce College. It wasnt the best I have seen either. He would like to play at an elite baseball school like franklin pierce but would be just as happy to play anywhere as long as he can continue through college even without scholarships. I hoping doing the showcase early will give him something to work. And Yeah I wouldnt be wasting his time if his evaluation wasnt as good as it was. Thanks for the advice.

Here in my state, school divisions (or as we refer to the term "class") are only measured by the size of the school, not talent.

As far as a regional or national showcase, the greatest value I see particularly important is how the player is evaluated to other players. My son did two showcases, one here where most of the players were from Florida, the other out of state with players attending from all over the country. This gave him an idea on how he compared himself to his peers within our state and across the country.
The importance of playing in actual game situations outside of school, is about the same, a way for him and others watching to gage his ability with those his own age.
Both experiences will add exposure, but more importantly will give you and him an opportunity to work on the skills he may be lacking to be able to be recruited where he wishes to go to school.

I do not like the term stigma for any level of hs ball---if the player has talent and gets himself seen in the right places with the right events and travel teams he will be noticed--there is no stigma if you have the talent---TALENT IS TALENT---remember college coaches are looking at what you are doing on the field in front of them,not reading your press clippings

point well taken. Take it as a grain of salt from the rookie dad. I think I am more worried about it then my kid. I am really glad I happened on this forum. It will definately be a treasure tove for information. Thanks alot for the input!!!
Tom

upsguy


you have a PM

Upsguy,

Our small high school has now sent 4 guys on to play college ball in the past 4 years, including my two sons. No stigma, just get out to showcases, etc. to be seen. Lots of great advice on this site and a tremendous cross-section of experience from across the baseball world-parents, high school coaches, college coaches, scouts.

trhit you have a pm