HS to College comparison

Coach, I think you've just answered your own question. Too many variables involved for anyone to be able to give you an honest answer.

My son is home from college this weekend and just told me of a HS friend (another HS) of his that was cut after his freshman year because of attitude/behavior problems apparently (what we "hear" anyway). This kid had the body and the skill to be drafted and I fully expected he would in a couple of years. So, regardless of the ability of a player, there are many intangibles involved in playing college ball.

CoachVictory,
Welcome!
Most likely if your son is a good pitcher he most likely will be able to play in college. A lot will depend on his abilities as to the level of play and of course, how he does academically.
Encourage him to do as well as he can, on and off the field.

Yeah, I knew it was a tough question.

My son has some work to do as a pitcher but should be fine as a student. Honor roll freshman and sophomore year, 1200 on SATs as an 8th grader, etc.

Now that Junior year has started, we're beginning to think about college and trying to determine whether playing baseball will be a possibility. We'll know more after this spring I guess.

Coach, welcome to the HSBBW. I think your job is to support your son if he decides to pursue college baseball. If he decides not to pursue college baseball or if he doesn’t make the college roster, YOUR job of support remains the same. While you call yourself “Coach”, with your son you have to be “Parent first – Coach Second”.

Back to your original question. As you well know there is no clear-cut answer to the question as to whether or not your son will play college baseball but most will agree your son can play college baseball IF he has the desire to do so. However, you (or your son) can’t leave this to chance. Your son has to make this happen. Help HIM define his goal and help HIM map out a plan to achieve that goal. An almost magical thing happens by setting a goal. This goal setting and planning will stir a strong work ethic and once your son establishes a good work ethic and stays focused toward his goal, the sky’s the limit. This may read like a motivational speech (and may be) but in my opinion your son has to be focused and motivated toward his goal of playing college baseball in order for this to happen. If he doesn’t want to play college baseball then that’s OK too.
Fungo

Thanks Fungo,

<<While you call yourself “Coach”, with your son you have to be “Parent first – Coach Second”.>>

Absolutely! I haven't actually coached him in a few years. I'm trying to be the parent by getting ahead of the college curve and helping him determine whether baseball can be part of that experience. ie, should he look at Div. 3 schools because he might have a chance to play there, etc.

Thanks again,
CV

With his academics as strong as you indicate the boy should be able to choose nearly any school that he wants and the baseball should take care of itself based on his talent on the field

I am of the belief that if someone wants to play college ball, there is a place for him. Whether it be DI, II, or III, there is a place. I think it depends on what someone wants to get out of their career, their goals in college. Keep in mind their are 130,000 sr baseball players and only 7,300 make a roster position hence the many variables...

http://www.ncaa.org/research/prob_of_competing/

Thanks VJC.

7,300/130,000 is less than 6%. Not great odd.

CV

The odds are what make playing college baseball, for that matter just making the college team, a great accomplishment

CoachVictory,

As others have posted, you partially answered your own question when you mentioned "so many variables". But you are also being a smart parent by starting to help explore what level your son might be able to play at in college.

I wanted to make a comment about D3 baseball. My son is starting his junior year at a small D3 in Minnesota, and his conference demonstrates the huge variations in level of competitiveness among D3 programs.

At the bottom of their conference are 1 or 2 teams each year that his old HS team would have a good chance of beating. Almost any player who had won a starting spot for their HS team would likely make it on the roster at those schools, and would have a good chance of being a starter as a college freshman.

At the top of their conference there usually are several strong teams including one that has repeatedly been ranked as high as 4th or 5th in the nation among all D3's, and has a history of players being drafted. Obviously much tougher to make the roster there, and of course to earn playing time.

Even at my son's D3 which is about 3rd in this conference, typically every player who earns playing time was the "star" on his own HS team. My son was the ace of his HS pitching staff and earned all-conference and higher honors, but has found it a huge step up to compete at the college level. He earned only about 10 innings freshman year and a little more than 20 innings soph year, and has worked his butt off to try to earn a bigger role this year (junior). There are approximately 50 players competing for a spot on his team this fall - over 20 new players including JUCO transfers and freshmen. He is still very happy with his school and the baseball program, but it has been at times a surprising journey.

My point is, I agree that most HS starters could find a spot on SOME D3 roster, but D3's vary tremendously in the competition level. If your son decides that playing college baseball is extremely important to him, it will help a lot to do your research, as you obviously have started to do.

Best wishes to your son, and CONGRATS on his great performance off the field, in the classroom!

Julie

Julie,
Well said, research the programs and the coaches, and find the right fit...it's out there!!

VJC Baseball,

Very good advice to "research the programs and the coaches" and it made me think of another comment.

The following has been said many times here, but bears repeating at least a few times per year: Choose a college that you would be happy at even if the unthinkable happened and baseball was out of the picture!

We got that advice here several years ago, and my son factored it very heavily in his college choice. But his second priority when choosing a baseball program was the coach - he found a head coach who he really liked and respected, and who liked him and was very enthusiastic about his future contributions to the team. Son also factored in that this coach had been leading the program for something like 8 or 10 years and would definitely be staying for a long time.

SURPRISE! Head coach resigned for personal reasons (non-baseball related) after the first pre-season game freshman year. The baseball program has landed on its feet and looks very positive, but this is just something for players (and their parents) to remember - baseball changes happen that are out of your control, but the school will still be your home, most likely for 4 years or more.

Victory,
Julie has given you a very accurate perspective on DIII baseball. It applies even more accurately in New England where there are a proliferation of DIII programs.
With your son enterring his junior year and just starting this process, I would recommend visiting several of the DIII programs in your area and doing it this Fall. Many will soon be having their Fall ball. Find out when they will will be playing and take your son to watch. If he really wants to play in college, it can get your son very enthused about baseball and can also help give you an idea where his talents might fit.
Good luck. Keep asking questions as there are a lot of very knowledgeable and helpful folks on this site who will provide very good assistance.

InfieldDad,

Thanks for the outstanding suggestion. I will try to get my son to some D3 fall games.

CV

When I see just D1,D2, and D3 mentioned I have to shout: "Don't forget NAIA."

There are a lot of good baseball programs in the NAIA all across the country. A lot of the NAIA ball is competitive with many D2 programs.

Some of the NAIA schools are better-funded in terms of scholarships than their D2 counterparts. At least that was the case in our part of the county.

quote:

There are a lot of good baseball programs in the NAIA all across the country. A lot of the NAIA ball is competitive with many D2 programs.

Good point Bizazz! I would say that there are some that are competitive with many DI programs as well! University of the Cumberlands took UK to 10 innings season before last I believe! You are right about this area as there are quite a few NAIAs that are nationally ranked and play very good baseball.

Not only are many of them better funded scholly wise, but many have better sponsorship and facilities than some DIs and DIIs!

Also, you probably have seen this suggestion in our forums before, but consider getting your son to at least one reputable showcase sometime soon. Your son and you can see how he compares with other players who hope to play in college at various levels.

And if you also do your homework to choose a reputable showcase (such as Perfect Game on a national basis, or College Select in the Northeast), you should be able to get some feedback from very experienced baseball people about what level your son's skills project to play at. That feedback should not be looked at as the final ruling - after all, they might see your son having a good day or a bad day on the field - plus, different college coaches could focus on different strengths or weaknesses. But these experienced coaches and baseball people have seen thousands of players through the years and then have seen what level those players went on to, and succeeded at. So their insight will be very useful to you.

Best wishes,
Julie