Do many players from DIII schools get the opportunity to play in summer leagues? There are some DIII schools I would be interested in attending but that is my only concern.
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An NYCBL team I am familiar with has had a number of DIII players play for them. Even Juco schools have been represented since the players themselves are "hometown" kids who have come back for the summer. If you have interest in specific schools, that is a great question to ask the coach too, since obviously opportunities differ from program to program.
The D3 and some lower level D1 coaches that I've had the privledge to speak with say they do not push summer ball to their players. Will they accomodate their players and try to get them into a college summer league if interested? Yes, I'm sure they will. But there's a big difference between 2 coaches I spoke with.
One [a Mid level D1] said: "We assume everyone in our program has aspirations of playing pro baseball, so is there a big difference in playing 95 games a year versus 55? Yes, we push each player to play every summer (with an extra eye on pitchers and their innings)".
The other coach [a d3 coach] said that "We encourage our players to explore other opportunities that they cannot during the school year: like internships, or a job, or if summer baseball is what they want to do, we'll try and accomodate that too. It's not required though."
Most importantly, it depends on the program. So just ask. Good luck
One [a Mid level D1] said: "We assume everyone in our program has aspirations of playing pro baseball, so is there a big difference in playing 95 games a year versus 55? Yes, we push each player to play every summer (with an extra eye on pitchers and their innings)".
The other coach [a d3 coach] said that "We encourage our players to explore other opportunities that they cannot during the school year: like internships, or a job, or if summer baseball is what they want to do, we'll try and accomodate that too. It's not required though."
Most importantly, it depends on the program. So just ask. Good luck
Thanks. I was just wondering if the summer teams will take a position player from a DIII school on their team or if they usually just take DI,DII, and JUCO's.
Your assumption is correct. It is a bit more difficult for the DIII player. It varies for DIII programs. Some will be able to help you in the area of where the school is, or where their contacts are. You may have to find a team on your own and ask your coach for a recommendation or call, and you may have to find a independent type league if all else fails.
OF Jim Wood from DIII Trinity was the MVP of the New England Collegiate Baseball League last summer. It can happen for DIII players depending on the coach. Its definitely a question you should be asking.
There is plenty of opportunity for DIII players. It's probably fair to assume that all DIII players aren't interested in giving up their summers to baseball, but there are plenty of passionate, commited guys who are....and the opportunities are certainly there. You might not have a shot at the Cape, but my son, a DIII pitcher, played in the Coastal Plains league....successfully. Did well, got lots of innings, selected as an All-Star.....and he wasn't the only DIII player on his team. They went and grabbed one of his teammates mid-season when they needed a replacement. Across the CPL, there are DIII players on many teams. (But not many......)
Coaches have connections, sometimes openings come up towards the end of the season, as other players who were signed to summer teams in the fall, get hurt, need to go to summer school, etc. Son's college team placed 4 guys on CPL league teams and a couple others in another NC league....so there are places for the committed to play.
Ask the coaches at the schools you are considering what there views are on summer league participation....and where their connections are.
Good luck.
Coaches have connections, sometimes openings come up towards the end of the season, as other players who were signed to summer teams in the fall, get hurt, need to go to summer school, etc. Son's college team placed 4 guys on CPL league teams and a couple others in another NC league....so there are places for the committed to play.
Ask the coaches at the schools you are considering what there views are on summer league participation....and where their connections are.
Good luck.
