Who are they ?
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Emory and Trinity(TX) are definitely two of the top baseball programs in the south and always in the top 25 in D3. Academically they are also some of the best in the nation.
Bob15....southeast or southwest?
Im looking for the best programs in texas, oklahoma, arkansas, louisiana,
In the states you describe, the top DIII's have consistently been Trinity, Southwestern, McMurray and Hardin Simmons. Trinity has been in the regional 2 of the last 4 years where they reached the championship game each time. Southwestern and McMurray have each been once. Not aware of any DIII's in Oklahoma. You are looking at schools in the SCAC and ASC so I would recommend getting on those websites and the schools listedto get a better idea. Only DIII independent is U of Dallas who's program has dropped some since 2000. I am pretty familiar with the SCAC schools so would be happy to answer any specifics you might have.
is DIII baseball pretty competitive ? Never actually seen a game but been getting some interest from some D3 so im just looking into it.
Bob, I assume you are asking whether the top DIII programs are "pretty competitive?"
Actually, these players compete just as "hard" as DI teams compete. There is no difference between DI and DIII in terms of the effort and committment required. In the Fall, you will be lifting at 6am, be running the mile under 6 minutes and be on the field 3-4 hours several days per week. Are they DI? The answer is no. Will you find pitchers who throw 90? Occasionally you will. Will you find DI players at this level? Occasionally. Top DIII's such as Southwestern, McMurry, Hardin Simmons/Trinity play the game with as much intensity/competition as you will find anywhere but it is not Texas vs Rice in terms of overall skills from top to bottom. If you are not fully committed and very talented, chances are you will not have much success at the top DIII programs in TX and your teammates and coaches will let you know that right away.
A major difference from DI is the fact you are not entitled to anything different that every other student. So, you are expected in class, no tutoring or special academic treatment and many times you may end up running from class to practice, which has already started.
Actually, these players compete just as "hard" as DI teams compete. There is no difference between DI and DIII in terms of the effort and committment required. In the Fall, you will be lifting at 6am, be running the mile under 6 minutes and be on the field 3-4 hours several days per week. Are they DI? The answer is no. Will you find pitchers who throw 90? Occasionally you will. Will you find DI players at this level? Occasionally. Top DIII's such as Southwestern, McMurry, Hardin Simmons/Trinity play the game with as much intensity/competition as you will find anywhere but it is not Texas vs Rice in terms of overall skills from top to bottom. If you are not fully committed and very talented, chances are you will not have much success at the top DIII programs in TX and your teammates and coaches will let you know that right away.
A major difference from DI is the fact you are not entitled to anything different that every other student. So, you are expected in class, no tutoring or special academic treatment and many times you may end up running from class to practice, which has already started.
appreciate the help
First of all, great post by infielddad. My son plays D-111 and that post pretty much sums it up. Just to add, my son plays in the Southern California Interscholastic Ath Conf and the compeition there is pretty tough. Guys get drafted every year. I see a scout or two or three at most every game.
Not sure if they were mentioned above, but in the region you're talking about, you might want to consider Emory, Washington & Lee and I think I saw Trinity mentioned. All great places from what I hear.
Not sure if they were mentioned above, but in the region you're talking about, you might want to consider Emory, Washington & Lee and I think I saw Trinity mentioned. All great places from what I hear.
Again, infielddad gets it right. DIII players can & do compete.
Hardin-Simmons Univ.(DIII) at Texas Tech Univ. (DI)
Apr 13, 2005 at Lubbock, Texas (Dan Law Field)
Score by Innings R H E
-------------------------------------------
Hardin-Simmons...... 004 020 000 - 6 10 1
Texas Tech.......... 203 211 10X - 10 14 1
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I had the opportunity to watch this mid-season game for both schools. Each team worked many starting & relief pitchers, while sticking with position starters. I believe the HSU 6 to TT 8 score after 6 innings is a direct reflection how the non-athletic scholarship small school players competed hard for their university & personally against the scholarship big school.
You have to be impressed by the small school (no financial reward) players that compete hard for their universities & more for LOVE-OF-THE-GAME.
Hardin-Simmons Univ.(DIII) at Texas Tech Univ. (DI)
Apr 13, 2005 at Lubbock, Texas (Dan Law Field)
Score by Innings R H E
-------------------------------------------
Hardin-Simmons...... 004 020 000 - 6 10 1
Texas Tech.......... 203 211 10X - 10 14 1
-------------------------------------------
I had the opportunity to watch this mid-season game for both schools. Each team worked many starting & relief pitchers, while sticking with position starters. I believe the HSU 6 to TT 8 score after 6 innings is a direct reflection how the non-athletic scholarship small school players competed hard for their university & personally against the scholarship big school.
You have to be impressed by the small school (no financial reward) players that compete hard for their universities & more for LOVE-OF-THE-GAME.
I'm sorry if this seems off but isn't Trinity of Texas a NAIA school?
tegid, Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas is one of the very top DIII athletic programs in the nation. Last year they were ranked 4th in the nation in the DIII Sears Cup competition.
Another top D-III is Texas Lutheran in Seguin, Texas (near San Antonio). They are a member of the American Southwest Conference. They finished the 2005 season ranked 10th in the post season poll (after finishing as runner up in Western Regional tournament). The pre-season poll for 2006 has them ranked 11th in the country.
Texas05,
I concur with your assessment of Texas Lutheran University of the ASC. The #11 Pre-season ranking is deserved. With UT-Tyler winning the East, but unable to compete in last season's Conference Tournament, TLU proved to be the best conference team of 05. They again look to be the team to beat in 06. In the ASC Conference Tournament, I watched as TLU earned a 9th inning, come-from-behind, victory over a talented East Texas Baptist University at ETBU's home field in Marshall, TX. This game, along with the late inning come-from-behind victory over Hardin-Simmons University in the Championship, propelled them into the Regional Tournament with play-until-the-last-out confidence. A pair of wins in the Regionals before falling earned them an 05 end-of-season #10 ranking & 06 pre-season rank.
I concur with your assessment of Texas Lutheran University of the ASC. The #11 Pre-season ranking is deserved. With UT-Tyler winning the East, but unable to compete in last season's Conference Tournament, TLU proved to be the best conference team of 05. They again look to be the team to beat in 06. In the ASC Conference Tournament, I watched as TLU earned a 9th inning, come-from-behind, victory over a talented East Texas Baptist University at ETBU's home field in Marshall, TX. This game, along with the late inning come-from-behind victory over Hardin-Simmons University in the Championship, propelled them into the Regional Tournament with play-until-the-last-out confidence. A pair of wins in the Regionals before falling earned them an 05 end-of-season #10 ranking & 06 pre-season rank.
on division 3 schools competing against d1 schools i believe illinois wesleyan beat illinois state last year for inter city bragging rights
