NCAA rules help

Contact the NCAA for a definitive answer.

rhp18mom

The rules are changing almost annually, but I know what they were a year ago. We've been juggling the hockey-baseball combination for 10 years. My oldest chose baseball his junior year in high school and is finishing this third year in college. My next one played two years of junior hockey and starts college next year.

If you spend more than X hours (either 48 or 72, can't remember) in any major junior hockey camp, or play in one game (exhibition or otherwise), you lose one year of NCAA eligibility. It will not impact your eligibility in baseball.

But that said, few college baseball coaches will look kindly on the combination, unless you are a wonderkind pitcher, because of the overlap of seasons.

My son's college hockey coach to-be made it pretty clear that he'd not have enough time to play both sports, especially given the prep time necessary to contribute in baseball. The coach also doubles as the school's AD.

Your better option probably would be to play hockey in the USHL, the top junior amateur league in the U.S., which you can start in sooner if he is that talented, and buy a couple of years. If you really want to go the major junior route, you can always start as a 17-year-old.

If you serious about wanting into the WHL, I did hear a western junior league (maybe the WHL) at one point was willing to pay a year's college tuition for every year you played in the league.

You can contact the NCAA, but they won't give you very much help when it comes to hockey. You're better off talking to some USHL people, some NCAA coaches (given your location, Colorado College and North Dakota immediately come to mind) and somebody from the WHL. Then compare what they have to say.

Good luck.

Oldvaman,

Thank you for your response. We are somewhat overwhelmed at the moment and just want to make sure that we don't do anything that would affect his elgibility down the road.

While we are extremely proud that he was drafted, we realize that this really means nothing long term. They can always drop him off their protected list at any point. And we are not really sure that the WHL is the way to go. One positive is that they are the league that offers a year's tuition, books and fees for each year you play in the league.

The overlap between baseball and hockey seasons is a real bummer. It will force him to make a choice too soon. We have always thought he was more talented at baseball - but that may no longer be the case. I would just like to keep him playing both sports as long as possible.

With a 14-YO 8th grader you still have a little time. I'd really look and talk to some USHL folks ... that league is getting younger all the time. Another huge thing will be if he can get into the USA Hockey age-group summer tourneys. That makes him eligible for the NDP teams as a 17- and 18-year-old, if he's good enough.

Almost every kid who plays in the NDP gets a D-I full scholarship or a pro shot.

That said, if he's good enough for the WHL, 2-3 years in the league and, if he isn't a pro, he can go to school with a pretty good deal AND play baseball.

There are a lot of parents on these boards who would kill to have two or three years of college "in the bank" before the senior year of high school.

Including the writer.

So enjoy the ride and make sure he keeps his grades up, wherever he goes. Either place is a pretty good destination.

He actually was put on a "watchlist" for next year by a scout from the NDP. But he did not get chosen for the District player development camp. The one thing he is being told over and over is that he has to work on his feet. He has the size (6'2" 195)and good puck handling skills.

He has already been told that he has a good chance of making the varsity baseball team next year as a freshman. Tryouts here start in early February for baseball - but the hockey season isn't over until at least March and sometime April if you advance.

The thing I dislike the most about hockey is the idea of sending your child away to billet with another family. I want my boys at home until they are out of high school!

Thanks for your thoughts on the subject!