Totally agree with you... Many JUCO programs can compete with and even handily beat many D1 programs... And it has changed. D1 is not allowed to have Junior Varsity programs, they are allowed to play 56 varsity games...and that's it.

 

 

Yes, plenty of ways to get there, as in any sport. Scottie Pippen wasn't a D1 player. Neither was my favorite Bengal Kenny Anderson. That said, odds are much better. In the 2014 MLB draft, only D1 and HS players were taken in the first two rounds. Many kids at the D3 level give up the game, can't afford it. Yes, coaches can get "creative", but many D3 schools are very expensive, and still leave a very large bill left even after the aid. At a state school in Ky, which are all D1 baseball programs, the college bill can be very minimal after athletic, academic, grants, and KEES $. Little tougher over here in Ohio, but still there. JUCO is used for kids that either didn't have the grades or didn't like their draft status, and there are no obligatory wait years that route. A lot of D1 programs also use JUCO as a farm system, and there are some great programs. One or our kids, Zach Shannon, went that route--he didn't have the grades to fulfill his Ohio State commit. At any level, making it to the show is a WAY long shot, but recent history shows the big programs can offer a better % and for cheaper.

Definitely true... In our region, D3 schools tend to cost more...sometimes 3x more than a lot of D1 schools. Basically, we're all in agreement on this: players all need to follow the path that's best for them.

I just feel like some people have the impression if they don't play D1, they're somehow less successful.

Baseball is a game of failure...but if you get to play college ball, at any level, you're a winner in my book.

Yes, plenty of ways to get there, as in any sport. Scottie Pippen wasn't a D1 player. Neither was my favorite Bengal Kenny Anderson. That said, odds are much better. In the 2014 MLB draft, only D1 and HS players were taken in the first two rounds. Many kids at the D3 level give up the game, can't afford it. Yes, coaches can get "creative", but many D3 schools are very expensive, and still leave a very large bill left even after the aid. At a state school in Ky, which are all D1 baseball programs, the college bill can be very minimal after athletic, academic, grants, and KEES $. Little tougher over here in Ohio, but still there. JUCO is used for kids that either didn't have the grades or didn't like their draft status, and there are no obligatory wait years that route. A lot of D1 programs also use JUCO as a farm system, and there are some great programs. One or our kids, Zach Shannon, went that route--he didn't have the grades to fulfill his Ohio State commit. At any level, making it to the show is a WAY long shot, but recent history shows the big programs can offer a better % and for cheaper.

 

Unfortunately the NCAA doesn't allow D3 schools to give athletic scholarships. However, they do allow them to give "awards." Which is basically a substitution for a scholarship. How it differs is a starting pitcher or your starting catcher or whomever it may be can't get anymore of an award than say a chelo player. They allow certain people to hand those out but they're very strict on making things equal when it comes to that. All extracurricular activities are on a level playing field. This does kind of hurt them talent-wise, but they can get money. Personally I think they are on the bottom tier when it comes to competing and idk how I would even rate them? Maybe look something like this just off the top of what I've seen over the years.

1. Division 1

2. JUCO

3. Division 2

4. NAIA

5. Division 3

 

**I THINK DIVISION 2 AND JUCO ARE VERY CLOSE. IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE PROGRAM. I know many JUCO teams that could beat D1 programs, but I also know many NAIA programs that could beat D1 programs as well and I also know JUCO teams that could get beat by D3 schools. I'm not sure if you could rate it?

IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE PROGRAM. I know many JUCO teams that could beat D1 programs, but I also know many NAIA programs that could beat D1 programs as well and I also know JUCO teams that could get beat by D3 schools. I'm not sure if you could rate it?

Very well thought out...and this quote in particular speaks to the heart of what I've been saying.

This is especially true of college baseball: the competitive balance at each level is all over the map. Sure UK and Louisville would beat the snot out of Thomas More (D3) and Georgetown College (NAIA).... But would NKU or Morehead State dominate Georgetown College? I'm not so sure. So again, if I were a kid coming out of High School... I'd rather play right away at Georgetown than sit a year or two at a D1 school... Unless, as Malibu pointed out... The D1 school ended up being more affordable and/or better academically for my major.

It's a tough decision, but I just caution a kid to choose D1 because of "status" or ego reasons. Make sure it is the best fit academically, financially and athletically. And that's really tough to figure out sometimes.

My fault. I meant TCU.

 

Per Twitter, Nick committed to Louisville today, another big get for Cards.

I heard Stringer is playing for the Evoshield Canes out of NC this next summer. Has anyone else heard this?

I heard Stringer is playing for the Evoshield Canes out of NC this next summer. Has anyone else heard this?

 

Ethan and Brayden Combs are both Redskins. For now, only THawk position players offered skins slots.

Absolutely. But also, many D1 prospects choose D2, D3 or NAIA because of the scholarship money. If a D1 program has a full roster of 35 players...it means at least 8 of them must be walk-ons by NCAA rule. They are only allowed 11.7 scholarships to use however they choose between 27 players.

That's why many great "D1 talent" players will go D3 or NAIA.... Because in many cases, they will receive much more scholarship money... Not too mention, their chances of getting playing time are better as freshman. D1 schools are not allowed to have JV squads for instance. Sometimes it's just a numbers game and D1 schools are not always the best choice for the player. I just wanted to discuss some of these issues, because for months I've read tons of posts saying "D1 this and D1 that". Again, nothing wrong with D1 schools... But I believe many people are uninformed when it comes to the other options out there.

There are highly competitive D3 and NAIA schools out there. Many are better "baseball programs" than several D1 schools.

Baseball is weird that way, because baseball is not a money making sport like basketball or football.

It gets confusing, I know. Lol!

 

Just to let you know D3 get zero scholarships in baseball.

Just to let you know D3 get zero scholarships in baseball.

D3 gets zero athletic scholarships... They have tons of academic scholarships available for baseball players... And academic scholarships are by far the most important for baseball players at every level of college baseball.... Because it is very rare for any player to receive even a 50% athletic baseball scholarship.

D3 gets zero athletic scholarships... They have tons of academic scholarships available for baseball players... And academic scholarships are by far the most important for baseball players at every level of college baseball.... Because it is very rare for any player to receive even a 50% athletic baseball scholarship.

So, to further clarify... Many kids choose a D3 baseball program that covers most, if not all, of their tuition through academic scholarships...... Versus a D1 school that is splitting 11.7 scholarships among their entire roster. D1's will usually do their best to throw in academic as well... But D3 schools historically "find" academic scholarship opportunities more easily.

So, to further clarify... Many kids choose a D3 baseball program that covers most, if not all, of their tuition through academic scholarships...... .

 

I don't think that's true as a rule.

I don't think that's true as a rule.

Okay, well... I had a cousin that coached at 4 different D1 programs for years and an Uncle that coached at D3 programs... I know it's true...

I don't think that's true as a rule.

 

Both of you are correct. Division 3 is oddly enough the largest division of the NCAA. They do not offer athletic scholarships, but they have what they call, "Academic Package." Most of the money in this package is made-up of "need-based" financial aid. This is generally based off your parents income. D3 schools also have access to other scholarships and grants that other divisions don't have access too. These grants and/or scholarships are in a variety of areas. If the kid took theatre in high school, they could get an "arts grant." There are hundreds of different areas they can access to get more money in that package. The biggest one they use for athletes is called a "Leadership Grant." They consider playing sports in high school as a leadership role. If they were in any clubs in high school? That is also a possibility. D3 schools know their biggest marketer is sports. So they tend to match or beat any athletic scholarship. Take Mount Union for example. Their football program has several D1 and 2 athletes in which their packages beat the athletic scholarship they got from another school.

Well said Baseballinmyblood. That's what I meant by saying D3 schools tend to "find" more academic money for kids. Even though D3 schools do not have athletic scholarships... In many cases, the bottom line offer actually is a better deal than many D1 offers. That's all I was saying. I know of several guys that turned down a D1 school that had lower tuition, but a 25% athletic scholarship left them owing more money than a more expensive D3 school... Because, as you said, the D3 school had offered a lot more help in grant monies.

Well said Baseballinmyblood. That's what I meant by saying D3 schools tend to "find" more academic money for kids. Even though D3 schools do not have athletic scholarships... In many cases, the bottom line offer actually is a better deal than many D1 offers. That's all I was saying. I know of several guys that turned down a D1 school that had lower tuition, but a 25% athletic scholarship left them owing more money than a more expensive D3 school... Because, as you said, the D3 school had offered a lot more help in grant monies.

 

 

As a whole though, the "best" high school baseball players are not turning down D1 offers to play D3 baseball. I do agree it's a viable option for many, if not most.