Walking On

Nate,

DI schools, by rule, are prohibited from having any sort of tryout. I'm not sure why this would be the case, but that's the way it is.

DII schools, along with JUCO and NAIA schools are able to individually work out a player to determine their suitability for the program. I don't know what the rule is for DIII.

Because of the scholarship limitations, there are many walk-ons at DI schools, but chances are they are not quite the same as you are thinking. They are recruited walk-ons that the coaches have seen play (or had recommended to them by sources they trust) and they are just as much a part of the team as the scholarship players, they just do not receive any athletic financial aid.

The "true" walk-on is probably rare, but it does happen. Just know that the cards are stacked against you and you would really have to stand out in order to make the cut.

Does anyone know the rationale for why DIs are prohibited from working out an individual player?

Son had 2 schools D1 NCAA and NAIA who had no money left invited him to walk on. No money unless fund bacame available at the beginning of 2nd semester. Would have to pay 1st semester out of pocket.

Most D1's will hold a walk on try out in the fall.

Recognition of your talent will come if you get yourself the proper exposure in showcases and with a top flight travel team--you have plenty of time to make it happen

Alright, thanks for the help guys.

Corky,

Of course you are correct about tryouts in the fall. I was referring more to a DI's ability or rather inability to conduct a private workout for a player prior to matriculation at that school. (prior to becoming a student at that school)

Nate

Look at the recruiting timeline on the website. It works. I know. Follow it. If you do, you will be recruited, and land where you are supposed to land. Good Luck.

http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/recruit_timeline.htm

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DII's can work players out as well. During fall recruiting and official trip, older worked out with DII, got roster offer.

44

Don't forget camps! While DI programs are prohibited from holding tryouts before players enroll, they DO have camps.

The camp gives the coaches an opportunity to see you play; and, frequently, they'll give you an evaluation of your level of play. Meanwhile, it gives you the chance to get a feel for the coaches, the players who are working the camp, and the facilities.

While only a fraction of a DI camp's participants will end up playing there, some will. And, even if that particular program isn't the "right" one, the camp is still a great opportunity to measure your progress as a player and discover ways to improve.

Best of luck to you!

Natedawg,
Let me say two things. First, I agree with Prepster that if everything else fails the camp is probably one of the best ways for you to be seen by a single D-1 coach. But don’t look to a camp to solve this anticipated “problem” you have concocted in your mind. You ain’t there yet! Don’t panic and look for a “new” way to make your dream of playing college baseball happen. Go back and re-read TRHit’s post.

quote:

Recognition of your talent will come if you get yourself the proper exposure in showcases and with a top flight travel team--you have plenty of time to make it happen

You have to have faith in yourself and the proven methods of getting exposure. It will happen!
Best of luck.
Fungo

I hope it does happen. I realize that a lot of it is just about getting seen by the right people at some of these camps, and I'm looking into some college camps and showcases.

I'll follow that recruiting timetable as well. I should probably have my coach write some letters this week, before the season is really in gear.

Again, thanks for the help.

When we left Tucson several players that son had played with or against.....were going to try a walk on at the UofA......talented players..... who had offers at others schools......but wanted to stay local.....

We just checked the UofA 2006 roster.....not one made the team.

Think if you really want to play baseball at the next level.....you might not want to depend on just walking on.......

quote:

.....you might not want to depend on just walking on.......

I do believe that NCAA requires that each D1 school have tryouts in the fall.
My son has a team mate that was a walk on this year, unusual circumstances, but coach gave him a shot. And I met a parent last year of a graduated 5 year player who was a walk on, not a starter given a nice scholarship after his first year and went on to become on of the teams captains.
It DOES happen.

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Would echo TPM...it does happen...

But IF I were going to go as an unrecruited walk on...

I would do a great deal of research into the walk on process at the specific school you were interested in and might walk on to...A walk on means different things at different schools...

For some schools, the walk on process is just a formality...players simply don't make the team in this manner.

For others, the walk ons have shot...a slim one, but a shot. Went to a JR day last year at a DI in a top conference where the coach claimed to have two scholarship players bumped by walk on's. Said his system was completely performance based.

One more reason to do your homework....

44

Alright, thanks guys. I’m just thinking ahead. Hopefully I get recruited, but if I don’t get the recognition I want, I’m just going through every option…and obviously walking on is not a preferable option. Junior college for a year or two would be better than walking on, in most circumstances, I would think.

Natedawg: Don't underestimate the competition at the JUCO level.

Regardless of the level of play from D-I through juco, NAIA or D-III; I think you'll find that unless you're an "invited" walk-on you face extremely long odds of making a team. Many schools invite players to walk on because they don't have scholarship money to give them, but want the player on the team. If you're one of the other type, the type that just shows up hoping to earn a roster spot, you face very tough odds, and usually have no chance of making it.

There is a recruited walk on on my sons team and he is one of their top players.
I aree the odds are too high unless you are recruited..

My sons D1 team has a bullpen catcher who walked on in the fall of 2004. He's still there, no scholly, little if any game time, but is a great kid, he understands his role, is always prepared, supports his team regardless of pt, and is respected by his teammates and coaches.

It takes a special type person to walk-on. IMHO every team should have 1 walk-on as the "rabbit", because they beat the odds and usually display mental intangibles that the other players did not have to face. Some great team and individual qualitities can be learned by this type player.