How to get placed in Summer College league

It depends on the school, the coach and what other players that have come and gone from his school. The starting point is for your son to talk with the coach. He needs to let the coach know that he wants to play in a summer collegiate league, ask the coach what his plan and expectations for your son. Also, ask if it is feasible in the coaches eyes.

My son came out of a Texas D3, he did not get his summer placement until the spring of his freshman year.

Thanks very much. I'll have him ask the coach to see what the best options are. I wasn't sure if the coaches would place a younger player who is new to the program.

I was wondering about this too.  t would be great to hear more from parents of D3 players about their players summer league experiences.

The local team here you have to contact the coach and he will place you on the team.  

They play most of their games on a field with a 300' fence....300' all the way around with metal bats....launching pad.  A bunch of big era's.  

My son is a freshman at a D3 in the Mid-Atlantic. The coach told everyone to send him their summer league preferences in October. My son wanted to play in the highest level league possible, but in the end decided to just ask the coach "Where do you recommend?". Coach has relationships with a kind of local lower level league (mostly D3 kids), and arranged for son to get a contract. Not the best baseball, and no housing provided, but he knows he'll play and the lower league coaches will be references for better leagues for his sophomore summer. I like it because some of his other options were risky (first year leagues... playing time...) and I should get to see a bunch of games.

I have heard some leagues are better than others. I think a couple of the seniors on the team may have played in Coastal Plains league. Anything to be wary of?

It has been our experience that underclass D3 players that have an opportunity in the lower level Summer Collegiate Leagues generally play more and have a great experience. My son played in the Great Lakes League the summer after his freshman year. He had a great time, played a lot, made the all-star game. His sophomore summer he played in the Atlantic League which for him was horrible. There were several reasons, but it was awful. After his junior year he had a good track record and was placed in the New England League. He loved the league and the experience but didn't like the program that he was placed in.

My advice, know what your son is committing to. Know what the financial obligations are. He needs to know if they are using D3 players to fill a roster or will they play. Generally, programs that have been around for a while (i.e. more that 3-4 years) are better run. New programs can be good if well funded. Don't worry about whether the team wins or losses, it is about the experience and playing with kids from all over the country.

I appreciate the great advice!