Playing college baseball after minor leagues?

MN-Mom,

I seem to remember reading something similar to this here a while back.

What I had gotten from the discussion was that if you have never attended or perhaps it was never played college ball you can go back and play for certain colleges. It would have to be a college that was not governed by the NCAA rules (like a NAIA Colleges) and the years of pro ball would count against you. Such as, if a player has played two years of pro ball then he would only have two years of eligibility left of college ball.

However, I really can’t remember all the details, so maybe one of the experts here will be able to answer this.

If the college you are talking about is under NCAA rules, then I am curious as to how he could play there, also.

Can I presume (MN) you don't mean playing pro in one sport, and then playing amateur in another?

HowUbe is right. Even the NAIA regulations prohibit someone who has signed a professional contract from being eligible to play at an NAIA member school.

I'm curious. Which college is it? That might help solve the issue.

It looks like he plans to play two sports: football and baseball.

The announcement

It's a private (Lutheran) college that plays against public D2's and it has the NCAA logo on the baseball page. The blurb does say the coach "announced the addition of six players", but from what you are all saying, I can only guess that maybe he is joining them as a student assistant coach. Just a guess.

I recall the NCAA changed their rule allowing partipation of former professionals with remaining eligibility, 4 years in 5, at the D2 level. I'll post a link if I find it.

Dad04,

Love your new Joe Dirt avatar!

From Momentum Media:

http://www.momentummedia.com/articles/cm/cm0906/bbamateur.htm

Must read from Moc1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Moc, amazing how one learns something new everyday!

I think I might be able to clearify some of the confusion on this link. First of all, the NCAA is a web of rules that can drive you nuts. Here's the deal for DIII--A player after playing professional baseball can return to play NCAA college DIII baseball as long as he did not sign with an agent, they must spend a "year in residency" before becoming eligible and would have 3 yrs of eligibility remaining. Next question does everyone have an agent? Answer: The MLBPA only allows those that make more than league minimum to officially hire an agent to take part of their cut. If a player is drafted lets say round 25 or lower, they usually do not have an agent and if they were to get released, they would have the option to return to DIII. Yes, a friend of mine is on a major league team, playing everyday, rookie, making league minimum believe it or not sets up everyone of his own interviews and showings because he is not allowed to hire an agent, go figure. As for DII, I know there are provisions to play pro and return to DII as well, however I am guessing they are different than what we have at the DIII level, which by the way was instituted Aug 1, 2006. So ifyou know anyone in a similar situation, please email me or call me, I'd be more than happy to talk to them about my opportunity on the east coast :-)

Here is a bio of him from his Minor League team.

Joseph Anthony Abellera

I know of a player that was drafted after he graduated in '03. He spent 2 years, I think, playing minor league ball. He was then released.

He is now at a D2 school. After sitting the '06 season out, he now has 3 more years of eligibility.

I talked to him this summer about it and he told me that he is not eligible to play D1, D3, or juco baseball. We did not discuss NAIA. He said he had to sit out a full year of organized baseball, which included summer ball.

ASU RAM,
He's dead on, except the ruling for DIII changed on Aug 1, 2006 therefore he would now be eligible to play at the DIII level. It is a pretty cool rule that not many know about.

MLB is a business and can be cruel world, the NCAA has "partially" recognized that kids sometimes get caught up in the hype and has given them a way to still enjoy somewhat of a college life...

Thanks everyone for your input on this question. It has been very surprising to learn the facts on this topic!

VJC,
Thanks for the clarification. I see that you are a Head Coach at a D3, great to know, we can come to you for clarification or direct any D3 questions to you!

One thing though, I am not understanding why the MLBPA prohibits some players in regards to hiring an agent, even with your explanation.

Tiger Paw Mom,
I'm not sure of the answer to that? I was talking to my buddy who plays for the O's and he didn't know why either. I think it is because when you are in the minors, and didn't sign a nice contract there's not a whole lot of money to be made and MLBPA is trying to protect them from giving it away to agents when their not needed at that point because the team owns them. This is purely my take, who knows if its right but it adds up in my mind?

I believe that when this rule first came to be for DII, the number of seasons played in the minors was counted against college eligibility. For example, two years in the minors....only two years of DII eligibility remain, after sitting out one season.

VJC ...

quote:

MLBPA is trying to protect them

Tho I am not aware of the rule, I am pretty sure that the MLBPA is not doing much to protect the minor league players. The minor league guys are not protected by, and generally don't benefit from much of anything the MLBPA does. The only exception I could think of who might benefit from the MLBPA would be players who signed major league contracts after they were drafted, but those are few and far between.

JMHO

As I said, it was purely my take, the rule is the rule...they are unable to have agents...that was purely my take. What other reasons would they not be allowed to have the agent.

Q: Does the Association limit the percentage an agent can earn from negotiating a client's salary?
A: Just as the Association endorses a free market system for its players in negotiating contracts with Club owners, the agent fee is negotiated freely between the player and his agent. The only stipulation is that the agent cannot charge a fee unless the player's salary negotiated exceeds the Major League minimum (currently $327,000). If the salary negotiated does exceed the minimum, any fee charged may not, when subtracted from the salary negotiated, produce a net salary to the player below or equal to the minimum salary. Bonuses constitute salary only if earned.

http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/pa/info/faq.jsp#agent

I think that you are a bit confused. You are talking MAJOR League now, not MINOR League, which by the way, monthly salary is, what 1250.00 now? The player you know most likely is making minimum minor league salary, unable to find someone to represent him or does not want to give up some of that 1250.00 a month (for 6 months).
No one forbids anyone not to have an agent, it is the players decision. For minor league players, a good agent will stick with the player through the long haul and help him to make decisions about his career, possibly card and equipment deals, etc. You will also find that most of them will only take a percentage that he helps you negotiate (if you hire him) above slot money when one is drafted. Many won't take anything.

I should hope that, if my player get s chance to make the minimum major league salary, he's gonna have an agent cause I'll be darned if I understand all those rules!

TPM,
I understand what you are saying, however as the MLBPA states, an agent cannot be paid unless they are making above the min salery. What often happens, is the "hang around" help out the individual until he makes it and then they already have a relationship forged with that person! According the guy I know, Agents are like HAWKS at the minor league camps just trying to get in so when something happens they are the person that is thought of. Many have "advisors" but are not paid unless they make that minimum number. Even though they are in the minors they are still governed by the the major league rules even though you need such as when a player gets drafted and signs are large bonus or sometimes any bonus. The point is if some one gets drafted in the 40th round, signs for a 10k signing bonus, plus the minor league contract, he cannot hire an agent. Hence the word "advisor" who is an agent many times, but they are not contractually bound, nor does any money change hands. Either way, I wouldn't mind finding some ex-minor leaguers who didn't have agents and want a degree!! :-)

Ok, let me get this straight. A minor league player, whether he signed for 2 million bonus (he still will make the minimum correct) or 10K is forbidden to have an agent because he is making minimum salary?
I can see electing not to hire an agent, but can't understand why it is forbidden.

quote:

The point is if some one gets drafted in the 40th round, signs for a 10k signing bonus, plus the minor league contract, he cannot hire an agent.

VJC, Don't they get paid on the bonus?

VJC,
I think I'm missing something here. I have never heard of a minor league player NOT being allowed to have an agent.

quote:

The point is if some one gets drafted in the 40th round, signs for a 10k signing bonus, plus the minor league contract, he cannot hire an agent.

My son had an agent (not an advisor) prior to getting ANY signing bonus. Matter of fact the agent negotiated the signing bonus in addition to equipment contracts etc.

The player pays the agent a % of his signing bonus and then the agent is not paid again until the player makes the minimum MLB salary. However, that agent is still acting as the player's agent and is under a contract with the player. Many times college and high school players use unpaid agents acting as advisors (no contracts) during the HS and college years to assist them through the pro draft. Obviously these "advisors" are anticipating a contract with the player at a later date. You might say this is free advice in hopes of becoming that players agent when he turns pro.
Fungo

FYI
Major League Baseball Players Assocoation is a seperate entity and those rules stated do not apply to or protect minor league players.

Also, there is no such ruling for minor league players that players are not allowed to have agents, it is at their discretion.

That information comes directly from a certified players agent, not a scout or a agent "hawk" who hang at the minor league ballparks.

My intent was not to stir up feathers here, and I will readily admit that I am not the expert. I am telling you what a current major leaguer says, what a pro scout said, and what is written on the mlbpa website. It does say the "bonus constitutes salary."

No problem, no feathers ruffled. And I can understand why you felt you were getting correct information.
What's written in the ML website is for major league players. And yes, an agent cannot take money in the rule you cited. An agent can however make money from player endoresments, appearances, and have his firm handle player's affairs, is so desired. I do believe the word bonus in the sentence you refer to is for MLB which comes in the form usually of incentives (rookie of the year, all star attendance, etc.) Does not mean signing bonus, that came when the player was drafted and signs a minor league contract.
We have a lot of people coming here asking about advisors/agents before the draft. I just wanted to set the record straight, anyone can have an agent, it is not prohibited.

agents don't have to be paid to be agents.i agree that any one can have an agent.for a lousy 3 or 4% it makes understanding the mumbo jumbo easier.that's my opinion,it has made things a little easier to understand.