My son played the Northwoods League last year and it was a grind. Got there May 31st and didn’t get to come home until August 12th (had to be back in campus the 17th). Long bus rides. Got home anywhere from 12-4am. Played everyday except 4-5 days all summer. As a pitcher, his team had a LOT of pitchers on the team.. He ended up pitching every 7th day but was still required to attend all games. He was not with a great host family and mentally it was a tough summer. He said it was supposed to be and he was going to lean in to it. That said, I know it was hard. His team was good. Won the division, lowest team ERA in the League, went to the championship. I think he values the experience but said he won’t go back. He just signed a contract for next summer in the Cape Cod league. Less games, no more than an hour or so drive to games and they finished earlier.
@baseballhs posted:My son played the Northwoods League last year and it was a grind. Got there May 31st and didn’t get to come home until August 12th (had to be back in campus the 17th). Long bud rides. Got home anywhere from 12-4am. Played everyday except 4-5 days all summer. As a pitcher, his team had a LOT. He ended up pitching every 7th day but was still required to attend all games. He was not with a great host family and mentally it was a tough summer. He said it was supposed to be and he was going to lean in to it. That said, I know it was hard. His team was good. Won the division, lowest team ERA in the League, went to the championship. I think he values the experience but said he won’t go back. He just signed a contract for next summer in the Cape Cod league. Less games, no more than an hour or so drive to games and they finished earlier.
My pitcher son had very nearly the exact same kind of summer one year in the Valley League. First time away from home. End of May to beginning of August. Bus rides were not real long, but bus broke down a couple times. Was a huge grind. He got in tremendous shape. Turned out was probably good for his baseball development but would not do it again. He probably only made it through because he did have a great host family - with basically his own floor in a home on a golf course.
@baseballhs posted:My son played the Northwoods League last year and it was a grind. Got there May 31st and didn’t get to come home until August 12th (had to be back in campus the 17th). Long bus rides. Got home anywhere from 12-4am. Played everyday except 4-5 days all summer. As a pitcher, his team had a LOT of pitchers on the team.. He ended up pitching every 7th day but was still required to attend all games. He was not with a great host family and mentally it was a tough summer. He said it was supposed to be and he was going to lean in to it. That said, I know it was hard. His team was good. Won the division, lowest team ERA in the League, went to the championship. I think he values the experience but said he won’t go back. He just signed a contract for next summer in the Cape Cod league. Less games, no more than an hour or so drive to games and they finished earlier.
My son had a similar experience with long and frequent bus trips in the Coastal plain League, and it took a toll on him. Situations can vary tremendously based on the team, the division, the schedule, and the home town of the team. It’s best to do some research before you commit - that is if you have that luxury. Playing summer ball can really help a player develop but if pro ball isn’t your goal (or isn’t realistic) then you should be looking for the best fit and not the most high profile league you can get into.
Adbono Good Night
every family, players has decisions to make with the help of his College Coach. When the first summer league were started, the options were limited to two leagues. Playing with 4 future MLB provided a level of confidence building. Summer Leagues are more than bus rides. They are stopping the bus shoot a rattle snake in the road.
experiences one never forgets.
Bob
The grind of the Northwoods League convinced my son he wasn’t signing unless he was a high level pick. He didn’t expect to be. When told he was projected to go in rounds 27-32 he told his coach he would be back the following year. On questionnaires he admitted he wasn’t interested in signing unless taken in the top twenty rounds. He went undrafted. With five to play four he had his BA in three years and two years of eligibility remaining. He stayed for baseball and his MBA.
And whatever coaches tell you now may not come to fruition later. Freshman year, son was supposed to go to Northwoods league. Two days before he was supposed to leave, coaches decided to keep him out and work on his motion. Sophomore year, he was supposed to to Cape Cod. I had my east coast vacation all planned when Covid hit and he ended up in Waterloo, two hours away. Played there again last year. it was a ton of travel, and he's a pitcher, so he often was on the road for days, knowing he wouldn't play.
Team started using him to do color commentary with their radio broadcast during those trips. It was fun for him and honestly I think it's something he might explore career wise down the road.
Any feedback on the Maryland College Baseball League?
I am very high on the Valley League, ranked #3 on the list that's linked to some of the posts, with a slight bias-I am League Vice President and President of the Strasburg Express. We just sent off our order for our 2021 Championship rings. 
We always receive great comments from the MLB when we meet with their rep at the ABCA meeting. Just speaking for our team, we've had 35 guys drafted in our 10 year existence and most other teams have had similar results. Compared to other leagues, our travel is fairly light, especially for teams located in the center geographically. For the gentleman whose son played at New Market where the bus broke down occasionally, a former coach (Moe, known as "The Legend of the Valley") left the team a nice inheritance, so they have a newer bus, new outfield wall, new sound system, etc. Rosters fill pretty quickly every year so if interested, don't sleep on it.
"hokieone"
please continue your "outstanding" hard work with the Valley League.
My son played for Waynesboro in 1990. His Manager was a former Pro Minor League Manager and Player.
"A great learning experience".
Bob