Not sure what to do

bballpitcher32, if you can answer a few questions perhaps some of us can help you.

1. What is your height and weight?
2. What's your velocity (fastball and off-speed)?
3. Have you contacted any schools to let them know of your interest?
4. Have you attended camps at any schools?
5. Have your travel team or high school coaches contacted any schools on your behalf?

Let us know the answers to those questions and we'll take it from there.

im 5'7", 155
RHP
fastball is 82-84,(velocity is still increasing)
my curve, change up, and sinker all vary 74-76

i havent contacted any schools because i thought my size would not get me anywhere, but i get hitters out and get a lot of strike outs.

i went to the ucla camp just to get some experience, my parents now want to find colleges that would be in my range, considering my size

No my coaches havent contacted any schools

Everyone tells me im too small but im a very consistent pitcher with lots of movement on my pitches

pitcher:

No doubt there is a place for you to play and do very well, especially if you consistently get guys out. Your size will make it harder to get the chance, but there are lots and lots of schools in CA. Don't know if you care what level, but in addition to the JCs, there are some great opportunities at Redlands, Point Loma, Occidental and many others. The main thing you must do is give them a chance to see you. Get in contact with them, see if you can establish a line of communication, get on campus to a camp if that is possible and get them your schedule.

Hopefully, those who are especially knowledgeable about pitching and Southern California recruiting can chime in. I'll add my two cents, for what they're worth.

With your size and velocity, you have the chance to play for a lower level of college baseball. That said, you have a LOT of competition in Southern California. There are quite a few NAIA programs in California that you might want to contact and you might also want to look at jr. colleges outside of the major baseball hotbeds of California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, and Georgia. If you are willing to go out-of-state there may be several schools who are interested in you. The key is contacting them right now and arranging a tryout on their campus. Jr. colleges can do tryouts, so that would be a possibility.

As a matter of fact, I believe NAIA schools can hold tryouts also. They might not be held until early next summer, so you may need to be patient in order to find a place to play.

It all depends on how badly you want to play after high school.

Like I said, hopefully others will chime in with their recommendations.

Best wishes!

Thanks everyone for the help! At this point i dont care what division, i just want to get as much playing time as i can. Now should i email the coach or call them and do i need to have a video or my stats included. Also how do i know what level I could play at?

Thanks again Jemaz and infield08, I really appreciate the help

Pitcher, if I were you, I would email the coaches. Your stats are only mildly important, but your video could be quite helpful to them. Is there anyway you can post your video on YouTube and then include a link to YouTube in your emails? That would make it really easy for the coaches to see your stuff.

Regarding your possible level of play, only college coaches can determine that. But most likely, given your size, you're looking at D3, NAIA, and JUCO. If you want to gauge your potential, you could do a Perfect Game showcase. There is a West Uncommitted Showcase for uncommitted seniors in Mesa, AZ on Nov. 7-8, which could serve a number of purposes. First, you would receive a rating which corresponds to the college level you're best suited for. Second, you would get seen by coaches still looking for players. Lastly, if there are specific schools you are interested in, you could notify them of your upcoming participation in the showcase so they could come and watch you play. If you're interested, you can request an invite at this link:

http://www.perfectgame.org/eve...committed/index.aspx

Hope this helps!

bballpitcher32 - welcome to the hsbbweb!

I am confident there is a place for you at the next level if you are willing to work to find the opportunity. Do not wait for the phone to ring. Start contacting every coach in your area or within reasonable driving distance and see if they would be willing to give you a tryout or alternatively come see you pitch this fall. If that does not work, expand your search. Also, attend any camps or showcases that your have the resources to attend. Use the feedback from any event you attend to refine your search list. jemaz and Infield08 offer good advice. Also, each coach you speak to, ask them if they are aware of any other opportunities that might be available.

Here is a story I have told before but I like telling it so....

Jeff was on my son's high school team and did not make varsity until he was a senior. He was 5'6" tall and 150 lbs. He was left-handed but threw in the low 80's. When I talked to him that spring, I asked his plans after high school and he told me he had already signed up with the Air Force. As the season went along, our team started to go deep in the high school playoffs. Jeff all of a sudden started to get calls and offers from colleges to come and play baseball at the D3 level. He tried to get out of his Air Force commitment but it was too late. He said in hindsight, he wished he would have had more faith in himself.

You have plenty of time, now get busy.

bballpitcher32 - Welcome to the hsbbweb!

As you mentioned, several individuals have indicated that your height is an issue, what are they saying about your skill set, are you a regular starter at your high school or travel team will help you determine where you sort out against the competition you are playing with and against. You also need to be realistic as to the HS league and type of events your travel team plays. Playing for teams like SGV or ABD will have different recruiting results than those teams they routinely bet up.

I certainly would make a plan and proactively contact the schools that you are interested in. Being realistic of your ability will be the key to your success, if you look at current rosters, you can determine if the coaching staff has a history of recruiting 6' + pitchers or are they looking for results vs. height.

You say you are also on a travel team, let the coaches know what events you are going to with the travel team during the fall so they can see you. Going to a Perfect Game showcase is great but if you are going to an event where they can see you throw against competition will also be effective way of getting real interest.

There is the AZ fall classic coming up that will have hundreds of coaches and scouts; the key is having them know when you are pitching so they can see you.

As others have mentioned, there are many colleges in CA D1, DII, DIII, JC's and NAIA, but there are also many schools across the country which love to have CA players who are interested in coming out, you have to chose what you and your family is interested in, what your financial situation can tolerate (private, public, out of state cost) and most important, does the school support your academic interest if the baseball route does not work out, it is not fun to transfer from one 4 year school to another.

If you look to the recruiting tab there are some suggestions on format of a profile you can send the coaches.

The JC route is always an alternative, you may also want to contact them and some are starting up their fall program, you can go to visit and see the level of play they have and that would help you determine where you stand in terms of skill set.

Good Luck and enjoy the ride.

bballpitcher32, please first ask yourself why you are going to college, and what you can afford.

If you can afford a finer college, I would recommend you either give up the baseball or walkon. Just being realistic given the size/velocity you stated. If you cannot afford a top college, you should focus on some local JC's where you might develop, add some height/weight/strength/velocity.

BTW, height is not the serious issue in your case, but the COMBINATION of RHP/lower velocity/smaller size is definitely a tough draw. Just being realistic. On the other hand, don't let anyone--including me--tell you you can't do something. Good luck.

(Note to Homerun04: The Arizona Senior Fall Classic is a dud compared to the Junior Fall Classic. The scouts are at the Jr. event. The senior event is mainly pro scouts and some JC's. Been there, done that.)

Bum - your advice is disappointing at best. What is the whole purpose of kids showcasing and trying out in front of college recruiters if we can just analyze them by their posted stats?

Maybe this kid is the best 82-84 mph pitcher in the country and there might be someone out there who would value that "if" they can actually "SEE" him play. He is also a Southern California ballplayer and that carries a lot of "weight" (pun intended) with recruiters across the entire nation.

Maybe we can shut the website down and refer all inquiries to a simplistic computer program. Kids can e-mail their height and weight, their 60 times, their velocities, etc, and the program can let them know if they are qualified

quote:

Originally posted by Bum:

(Note to Homerun04: The Arizona Senior Fall Classic is a dud compared to the Junior Fall Classic. The scouts are at the Jr. event. The senior event is mainly pro scouts and some JC's. Been there, done that.)

I agree that the Jr event tends to have a lot more college coaches in attendence (have not been there for a few years) but this is not too bad of a showing of schools looking at players for the Nov signing and those schools who might not be the top D1 schools looking for players who still might be avialable. There are DII, Mid Major D1, DIII, academy, Juco (non-Calif), and NAIA schools, not a bad selection for this recruit.

AZ Sr Classic Coaches and Scouts

You have plenty of time to select a JC if you decide to go that way or have no other options (end of spring) The scout coverage of So Cal JC ball is very good. Many kids move on from CA JCs to various levels of pro and college baseball. THis link will take you to a lists of CA JC kids playing at 4 year schoolshttp://www.spincostats.com/Com...ll/Professional.html. Its a long list but more importantly it gives you an idea of the schools that recruit from the So Cal JCs. You should check out several different JC coaches in your area during the season (some of which may know who you are), especially if you arent sure what direction you will go.......Many 4 year schools have a significant number of JC transfers.

Depending on your location, grades and finances you may want to contact Coach Slimak at Cal Lutheran, a very good coach at a very good D3 school. If you've got some pitchability my guess is you could fit in there.

Great idea CADad and I would also check out all of the NAIA and Div III schools to determine a match. You can always go to a JC and you don't really need to do anything other than contact the coach and let him know your interest. Cal Lu tends to be at the top end of the Div III and NAIA so others may fit better. (they have a number of guys throwing in the 90’s)

For DivIII and NAIA schools.

http://www.baseballresource.com/college/links.php

Regarding the AZ Classics I may be at both this year as we are already committed to the Jr but just got invited to the Sr so we may go to both.

heyy thanks everyone for the advice, ive been looking into some of the local JCs around here and i think that might be my best option. Anyone know anything about orange Coast community college?

quote:

Anyone know anything about orange Coast community college?

They won the state this year. One of the best conferences in So. Ca. Big 8 in N Ca. Out of all the JC in Ca. last season the final 8 were all from those two conferences.Orange Coast gets a lot of really good players.

you might want to contact this coach as well:

http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/f...61036681/m/853100032

You should talk to several coaches about their programs. If you go to http://www.spincostats.com/index.html you will find the JC standings for the last year and at the bottom of the page is a link to a directory of CA JC coaches. Many of the So Cal leagues are very competitive, don't assume that the 4th or 5th place team in any particular league isn't worth looking into. The key is to find a coach that is interested in you as a player on his team.

bballpitcher32, your interest in OCC is commendable but you really need to understand where your skill sets are. Do you play for and against one of the top high schools in So Cal? If not, you may have a tough time at a high powered program. That is why I suggested in one of my previous post that you go out and see where you stand in the fall.

Ca JC's don't offer scholarships like some JUCO's around the country, so you may has 120 players looking to continue their dream, obviously there are better programs and not so good program, shoot to be the best and play the best, but it won't help your dreams to go to a JC to find out you can't compete.

JC's have fall programs, you most likely not be able to see them in the spring, because you will be in season as they will be. Coaches don't scout much during their season.

Also check their websites as there are first contact forms that you need to complete if you go out of your local area for a CA JC.

Good Luck and enjoy the ride.

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
Bum - your advice is disappointing at best.

I'm not trying to discourage the kid, but let's get a dose of reality. He's 5'7", RHP, with sub-D1 velocity. The kid's top priority should be SCHOOL. Forgoing a good school to pursue baseball, in his case, doesn't seem right. On the other hand, if he thinks he can go to a good school and walkon and make the team (e.g., he's the best in the country), why not? I'm not his coach, so I don't know how good he is, but if I were--given the stated facts--I would be honest with him and tell him get an education first. Baseball would be a bonus in his situation, not the main priority.

I am not sure if I would settle for a walk on spot. If the young man is willing to play in colder climates at a D-2, D-3 or NAIA he could very well find a wonderful college baseball experience.
I know nothing of California JUCO's and College programs other than that they are hotbeds of talent.
I would head east and look for a quality education at a smaller school that could use a pitcher.

quote:

Originally posted by Bum:

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
Bum - your advice is disappointing at best.

I'm not trying to discourage the kid, but let's get a dose of reality. He's 5'7", RHP, with sub-D1 velocity. The kid's top priority should be SCHOOL. Forgoing a good school to pursue baseball, in his case, doesn't seem right. On the other hand, if he thinks he can go to a good school and walkon and make the team (e.g., he's the best in the country), why not? I'm not his coach, so I don't know how good he is, but if I were--given the stated facts--I would be honest with him and tell him get an education first. Baseball would be a bonus in his situation, not the main priority.

Bum,
I am really having a problem understanding your posts and what you are trying to communicate.
Are you equating "good school" with DI?
Are you equating good coaching with DI?
Are you saying he should give up baseball if he isn't at a good DI "good school?"
In reading and rereading your posts, that sure is what it sounds like.
Let me give you some schools.....really good schools, maybe even "finer" schools at the DIII level that had players drafted: Pomona Pitzer, Cal Lutheran, Trinity U(Tx.), UT-Tyler. I assume getting players drafted regularly would mean they are good players. Other great schools where this young man might compete, if he has the grades include Rhodes, Millsaps, Southwestern, Hendrix, Willamette, and about 20 other DIII's I would be more than happy to list.
Bum, there are some "finer" schools where this young man might play and get a great education. Many have great coaches, I mean really great coaches who love what they do and could do it at any level.
Maybe I just don't understand what you mean in your posts. I hope I am wrong in the message you are conveying.

I said no such thing; many DIII schools have superior academics. Just stated a fact that he had sub-D1 velocity. So what? So do 99% of high school players. No shame in that. His size, velocity, and handedness all indicate his priority should be SCHOOL. If he can mix in baseball as well, that's great, but my point is don't sacrifice his school choice for baseball!

Maybe we go at this differently, but if my son was 6'4" and threw 95mph, and was headed to college, I would think/hope/empahasize his priority as still being school.
Being the parent of a former Milb player, who graduated with his degree from a DIII, and who was competing with the very best and excelling, before one throw resulted in labral damage, I would encourage every player and parent, to realize how tenuous it is to put baseball as the priority, no matter what your level of college play.

And then there are some whose kids wouldn't be in college at all if it weren't for baseball....

Or, if they were in college but did not have baseball to give them structure and academic accountability, perhaps they would implode from too much partying and other distracting activities....

Players are not all cut from the same piece of cloth. They have different intellects, talents, priorities, and interests. The player who first posted in this thread indicated that he doesn't care what division he plays in, he just wants to continue playing baseball, and he asked for our advice. I, for one, don't feel it's proper to shoot down someone's goals and desires and tell him what he should be doing with his life.

Just to clear some things up, school is definitely my first priority. Going to a JC would definitely save my famiy a lot of money, thats why i have been leaning towards that direction.

I figured i might as well see how i like playing baseball at the next level and if anything goes from there than great but if not, im still going to finish college and move on.

Also what is the average speed of JC college pitchers, cause ive seen some smaller guys (around my size) on the rosters.

Yes, he asked for advice and I gave it. Based on the facts as he presented them, he should prioritize school over baseball. And what's not solid about that advise, Infield08? So as far as your garbage about me shooting down some kid's dreams, that is pure nonsense. I have done nothing but help kids get into college baseball. I'm telling the kid what is right, and what is the truth. If you want to pick a fight when none exists, start with the ex-wife and get off my case.

bballpitcher32, if you are 82-84 you're right where you need to be as far as JC velocity. The average JC velocity is about that. I've seen JC guys as low as 75, as high as 93, but on average 83-85, depending on the area. I know one kid exactly your size and velocity who dominated in JC ball.. was the #1 guy. Your velocity is fine for JC ball.

bballpitcher 32,

Never let someone tell you you don't throw hard enough. I was told that all summer but have now committed D1. Movement and location can trump velocity for many coaches.

Lefty22, the difference is, you're a lefty. Congrats on your commitment.

One big question: what is the academic situation? This can help determine the decision

Personally I have an affinity for pitchers who throw in the mid to uppper 70's , if they know how to pitch---the clear fact is that real good hitters hate to face the "junk"---it throws their timing off

FACT: we finished tied for first in pool play two weekends ago with three pitchers who never broke 80 and one of them was a RHP


Son--go for it--you have a shot

Younggunson had a small frame lefty this past year at his former JUCO who MIGHT have broke 82 on a good day. It was amazing how good he did! The other teams just couldn't hit him.

I agree with TR. You have a great shot at baseball.

I admire your efforts in wanting to save your family money during these economic times. You are to be commended young man.

Good luck in your search!

bballpitcher,

Truth is no one can give you good advice without actually seeing you perform. Surely there is someone who you know and seen you play that can give you some good information.

I think what "Bum" is saying is the truth if everything were based on the information you provided. It sounds like you already have your priorities in order.

Personally, you don't seem to be overly confident. Most kids who would be considered undersized and still make it big, seem to have extreme confidence and outstanding ability. I think that is needed to overcome obstacles, but maybe even more important for those that might be small RHPs.

If you are talented and want it, there is a place for you in college baseball. It could be at a JUCO, but I would look closely at a good academic DIII. You might be surprised at what some DIII programs are able to offer to offset the cost. Financial aid, academic scholarships and institutional grants often make DIII much less expensive than DI on scholarship.

Same holds true for Juco baseball where many go to save money. Juco baseball at the higher levels is very much like DI baseball when it comes to talent. At the lower levels it's very much like DIII.

Same for NAIA... Some are extremely high level, some are extremely low level.

You might want to expand your search to include the whole country, unless you're set on staying in a certain area.

In the end, most important is that degree and sounds like you have that figured out. College baseball at any level is a "great" experience. I would never give that up without a try.

One more thing... that 84 you're topping out at might be upper 80s or better as you get older and stronger. And if you're really good, you could have a good college career without the higher velocity.

I would find someone honest in your area who you respect as a knowledgable baseball person and ask for thier advice. These type of people exist everywhere in the country, especially a large number of them in Southern California.

Best of luck

PS. TR, you have three pitchers that don't throw 80 on your team?

If you love the game and you want to continue to play why should your velo or your size have anything to do with that? There are a ton of low 80's smaller guys pitching in college. They are doing what they love to do at the same time getting a college degree. And sometimes those 5'7 low 80's guys stay in the game long enough to grow into top level pitchers who play alot longer than the guys who went in throwing harder at other schools.

Its not where you start or how you start its how you finish and what you accomplish. I am glad John Picora from Northern Vance HS didnt hear or take some of this advice given. At 5'8 140 lbs he got no offers to play in HS. He walked on at a D3 here in NC. He grew a couple of inches in college. Worked his butt off in college and put on 30 lbs. Made All American and got drafted and now plays MILB.

There are many just like him.

Your a small kid who throws low 80's. There are tons of guys just like you pitching at the Community College , D3 levels of baseball. They are getting the same opportunity that guys at the D1 level are getting. A chance to compete and play the game they love to play while getting the opportunity to get a college degree. They dont deserve anymore than you do. Go for it!

PG
yes we did in your first Qualifer two weekends back---we won 4-2. 4-2 and lost in the bottom of the 7th 2-1----the first games saw 2011 arms do the job---the final game was thrown by a LHP that is #1 on a major D-III programs list of recruits and admissions---they spoke to me about the young man just yesterday---I don't worry about MPH as long as they young man knows how to pitch---I will take knowing how to pitch over velocity any day in the week

BOF,
I haven't heard of CLU having a 90+ guy since Jason Hirsh. I find it very difficult to believe they've got multiple guys throwing 90 this year. The ones I know of who are going there are a mid to upper 70s lefty and a low to mid 80s righty who has a good curve. A few of the others I looked at off the roster looked to be low to mid 80s types.

The only one I'm aware of that looks like he can throw 90 is Tigert, but I'm don't know most of the others so I guess it is possible.

Tigert and Durham both throw in the low 90's.

They may work in the high 80's and pop 91.

quote:

Originally posted by bballpitcher32:
im 5'7", 155
RHP
fastball is 82-84,(velocity is still increasing)
my curve, change up, and sinker all vary 74-76

i havent contacted any schools because i thought my size would not get me anywhere, but i get hitters out and get a lot of strike outs.

i went to the ucla camp just to get some experience, my parents now want to find colleges that would be in my range, considering my size

No my coaches havent contacted any schools

Everyone tells me im too small but im a very consistent pitcher with lots of movement on my pitches

The people telling you that you are too small may be the ones who just don't recruit smaller players. This is a tough process and it's all about finding the right fit, and I agree that the first priority should be about going to school and earning your degree. But if going to play baseball where ever you attend is also a priority, that's fine. You live in an area where it is very competitive, so if you are a senior, you have alot of work cut out for you.
First you have to sit down with your folks and decide where you can go, that includes finances, can you go play out of state or do you wish to remain close to home, those are things you have to figure out before you begin your seach. And yes, it is very hard to give advice over the internet without ever seeing someone play.
One thing, you do have to know how to pitch, regardless of your velocity, but you need to seek out those who need what you have to offer, regardless of size, velocity, etc.
Best of luck.

PG said it best: College baseball is a great experience at any level. You just have to find your level. Dirtbags nailed it as well. Don't give up or get discouraged if you really want to play collegiately. You just need to understand that instead of a school recruiting you, you may have to go recruit a school and sell it on yourself. If that means walking on at a place that you believe matches your skill sets, then give it your best shot. But go get in front of some college coaches at these fall camps and let them know you're available and what you have to offer. Contact them by email as well. Just make sure you're realistic about where you think you can play. Good luck.