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I am a HS junior. I want to play college ball. I have been told that I am capable of D1. My family is limited with how much we can spend on camps and showcases. I see on this site how so many players go to all these events and it seems to pay off - they get seen and get offers. I did go to the Stanford camp this year (yes, my grades a very good). I had a good evaluation. But we can not afford all the tourneys and showcases. How can I get a fair chance to be recruited with limited funds and only choosing a few events?
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BBrocker,
Welcome to the site. You picked a good place to ask this type of question. You can also do searches here and come up with tons of info and advice. I'm going to ask a few questions that may help other members provide good guidance...

Where in CA do you live?
What do you want to major in?
Are you primarily pitcher or position player?
Do you have a list of schools you would like to attend?
Have you been playing summer/travel ball and if so, what types of tourneys?
If position player, what is your official time for the 60 and what type of hitter are you?
If pitcher, what is your "sits at" velocity?
Last edited by cabbagedad
Thanks cabbagedad. I am looking for any advice I can get. I live in southern CA. I was a varsity starter this past year as catcher and 1st base (I am 6 ft - 205 lbs). I played in a Connie Mack League this past summer as the main catcher. I was hitting around .450. My 60 is 7.7 but I am working with a conditioning coach to try and bring it down. Both HS and club coach use me as a relief pitcher also. In school I am taking AP/Honors courses - not sure what I want to major in but I do well in math and science. Looking at colleges here in the west (CA, OR, WA, AZ) and a few Ivies also. Only thing is, I can't afford to fly out to a lot of school camps to be seen.
You're in SoCal and played Connie Mack that should get you some good exposure. If you aren't getting the calls perhaps your skills need some development before you can get to D1? You are very fortunate to be in Socal because if you don't get to D1 out of HS, you have the opportunity to play at any number of JCs that will give you excellent exposure to numerous D1s around the country.....without having to pay a lot of money for the school and exposure.
CollegeParent, good advice on the JC route.

bballrocker, go look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself this question: "Am I going to college to keep playing baseball and get drafted, or as a way to fund my education"? I would bet my bottom dollar that 95% of son's team mates went to play ball. Once you've answered that question then go where playing is more likely or the program that pays the most and get your degree.

I would be wary of trying to go D1 as a catcher, too specialized of a position, and trust me, some programs are willing to pony up a total of 100% for a back up/bullpen catcher. If you are willing to accept that role, then good for you. D1 is the big leagues of college ball, travel, exposure, etc. Many want to have that experience but never get the opportunity.
Keep your grades top priority. This will keep more college doors open for you from a baseball standpoint as well as an academic standpoint.

When you don’t have a more clear idea as to which major or what schools you may want to attend or where, this is a tough task regardless of what the family budget is. Get together with your family and maybe school counselor and try to start getting more direction for a major. It’s OK if you aren’t able to come up with something definitive there but also start figuring out more specifically what you are looking for in a college – climate, big or small, public or private, near home or not, etc. Study up on the differences between in-state vs. out-of-state and which states and schools may offer proximity discounts.
If many of these options are ruled out due to budget, that's OK. That is the case for most of us. Don't let that deter you with your goal. I agree that JC might be a great route, particularly if you don't have a specific major in mind - very affordable way to get your GE classes done and very competitive baseball. You would be amazed at how many 4-yr colleges across the country have California JC kids on their rosters. Also, most California State schools are still a reasonably affordable option to residents.

If you graded well at Stanford Camp, you may have some schools to follow up with from that.
Many of the better academic schools in the west are D3. While there is no athletic scholarship money, there is usually good academic money and you may also qualify for needs based money. Between the two, you may be able to get a significant portion of your schooling paid for at a top academic institution. At that point, it may be worth taking out loan for the balance, knowing that a great education will reasonably ensure quick payoff. Of course, this is another topic to discuss with your family.

Once you have narrowed school choices, try to get some dialog with the coaches. From there, it may make sense to attend a few specific school camps where there is mutual interest. These are usually fairly inexpensive.
As you did with Stanford Camp, select the few other camps with best bang for the buck, perhaps a PG event or a Trosky event where several West Coast colleges are in attendance. If you are truly hard-pressed to afford any of these, contact those folks and tell them your situation. They may be willing to help.

Look into the SoCal Fall Scout league. You may be able to get hooked up this year, if not then next. Very competitive, decent exposure, some teams don’t charge a whole lot and you play just about every weekend, all in SoCal. They should just be getting cranked up right about now. If you are D1 talent, someone will likely be willing to pick you up. These coaches are generally well connected and can help put you in touch with the schools they see you fitting with.

You are working with a conditioning coach – very good. Keep working hard on your game.

Best of luck and keep us posted.
Last edited by cabbagedad
Hi bballrocker, you are getting some good advice from the baseball folks. Let me add an academic thought or two....


On the academic side of things, as a good student, be sure to also focus on the ACT /SAT scores.

Prepare well for the PSAT / (or PLAN), then have a study plan for taking the real thing fairly early in the new year (or even a December ACT if you are ready), so that you can have a solid score to show off to a coach this winter. Look at what subject test(s) you may need or want to take this spring as well. It is a busy time as a ball player but you will probably be taking some tests in May and June.

Good free / cheap test prep is available through the College Board, and at Khan Academy.com.

Top scores can offer some terrific merit scholarship opportunities, and even boost the need based aid.

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