American Scholarship

[Robbie_L]

I figured someone here would know something about American university baseball.

What's the best way for a Canadian player to go about getting a scholarship? I'm taking the SATs, since I have to, but I don't know how to actually get schools to know me. I want to play in the southeast (UF has been my dream), but I can't really go down there for a tryout. What should I do?

[Go Cardinals]

I figured someone here would know something about American university baseball.

What's the best way for a Canadian player to go about getting a scholarship? I'm taking the SATs, since I have to, but I don't know how to actually get schools to know me. I want to play in the southeast (UF has been my dream), but I can't really go down there for a tryout. What should I do?

Apply, call them, visit the school, get good grades, and have alot of extra-curicular activities.

[TG Coach]

With the exception of absolute studs everyone knows of colleges tend to recruit very regionally. To gain exposure out of your area you need to do showcases. Perfect Game http://www.perfectgame.org/ are the best showcases. You would need to do their showcases in the southeast. You'll need to show something as to why you're a more important recruit than a local player.

You can also participate in the showcase camps colleges have. They often invite lower caliber programs who won't steal the best prospects but can pick up the ones they don't want. Another avenue would be MLB tryout camps. Then hope the scouts know coaches of colleges you're interested. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Baseball/Canada/home.html If you're a position player, you have to run the 60 yard dash in 7.0 or less to continue at the camp unless you're a catcher or a huge masher.

D1 collge rosters typically have thirty-five players (the NCAA rule as of 2009). Last year Florida had fourty-five. Imagine the competition. All-state players on third string. Florida has to dump a lot of players in the next couple of years not only to get to thirty-five, but room for new recruits beyond attrition. I'm not saying you can't do it, but understand the opportunities and the odds. Florida is in arguably the toughest conference (SEC) with the highest recruited players in the country.

Do you know how many scholarships a D1 school offers? If it's fully funded it's 11.7. That's 11.7 rides for twenty-seven players who must recieve a minimum of a 25% ride. Stud pitchers get more than 25%. Why twenty-seven and not thirty-five? The last eight players on the roster don't get any part of a ride. They're recruited walk ons. There are also academic and financial need rides. The problem with your Florida dream is Florida high school students with B averages get free tuition to the state university system. That's a great deal for the athletic department over an outsider.

You can write to the schools, but that usually includes "You can see me in xxxxxx at the xxxxxxx Showcase.

Wherever you want to play you're going to need exposure in that area. You need to go to the NCAA Clearinghouse and get registered. https://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/NCAA/common/index.html

This site provides recruiting guidelines. While it's not cast in stone, it's the norm. http://www.ncsasports.org/student-athletes-families/baseball/recruiting-guidelines/

This site is a list of all the baseball programs in the US. http://www.ncaa-baseball.com/

Now that I've been nice, let's try some reality. What position do you play? How good are you? What level of competition do you play at? What year of high school are you? Then I can tell you if you're behind schedule for these things. Please don't tell me you're a senior.

Can you throw a 90+ fastball? Can you hit a 90+ fastball? This what D1 schools are looking for. But there are other options. How fast do you run a 60 yard dash? Let's get an idea for your talent level.

[TG Coach]

Apply, call them, visit the school, get good grades, and have alot of extra-curicular activities.

Not even enough to get on the radar screen. College baseball coaches don't give a crap about extra curricular activities. They care if you can play baseball and your grades are good. If the college really wants you the athletic department handles your admissions with the admissions department. The coach can get marginal candidates accepted. You don't apply through admissions (except D3).

[cosmo34]

Start by contacting as many coaches as you can. Email, phone call, have your coach call, whatever. I know many, many juco's are always looking for bodies, and most are always on the lookout for Canadian and Latin players on the premise that not too many coaches have seen them and snapped up the good ones.

[TG Coach]

Start by contacting as many coaches as you can. Email, phone call, have your coach call, whatever. I know many, many juco's are always looking for bodies, and most are always on the lookout for Canadian and Latin players on the premise that not too many coaches have seen them and snapped up the good ones.

Let's get a scope of his ability and his academics before we make suggestions.

[Robbie_L]

Now that I've been nice, let's try some reality. What position do you play? How good are you? What level of competition do you play at? What year of high school are you? Then I can tell you if you're behind schedule for these things. Please don't tell me you're a senior.

Can you throw a 90+ fastball? Can you hit a 90+ fastball? This what D1 schools are looking for. But there are other options. How fast do you run a 60 yard dash? Let's get an idea for your talent level.

I'm a junior (as you call it. We just call it grade 11), I'm a pitcher (lefty), I'm playing on an elite team (I don't know the American equivalent, but it's basically a high level team in the province. We go to the States quite a bit over the summer). I'm graduating I guess June '09.

I don't know if it matters, but I'm 5'9/160lbs. No, my fastball is nothing higher than mid-70s, but I'm only 15, so I know that will go up in the next few years. I have good control with my fastball and curveball. I'm starting to throw a change-up, but it's not perfect yet (it bounces 10 ft. in front of the plate sometimes). I can't really explain to you my talent level any more than that.

I don't know, maybe I'm way out of line in thinking I can get into a D-1 school, but if I don't try to get into one, I'll regret it much more later in life.

By the way, thanks for the help.

[TG Coach]

...........

[TG Coach]

I'm a junior (as you call it. We just call it grade 11), I'm a pitcher (lefty), I'm playing on an elite team (I don't know the American equivalent, but it's basically a high level team in the province. We go to the States quite a bit over the summer). I'm graduating I guess June '09.

I don't know if it matters, but I'm 5'9/160lbs. No, my fastball is nothing higher than mid-70s, but I'm only 15, so I know that will go up in the next few years. I have good control with my fastball and curveball. I'm starting to throw a change-up, but it's not perfect yet (it bounces 10 ft. in front of the plate sometimes). I can't really explain to you my talent level any more than that.

I don't know, maybe I'm way out of line in thinking I can get into a D-1 school, but if I don't try to get into one, I'll regret it much more later in life.

By the way, thanks for the help.

It would have been good to get on the radar screen this past summer. Next summer is THE summer. You'll be making college decisions heading into senior year. You need to get some exposure. At 5'9", 160, throwing mid 70's you're not D1 material. The good thing is you're a lefty. Between now and next summer you would need to get up to at least 85+. The 90+ I suggested earlier is for righties. The bad news is you're young for your grade and physically developing later than most of the players you're competing against. The good news is you're young and there's still potential for physical growth. There are 5'10, 180 lefties throwing 85 in D1.

As I mentioned, the difficult part of getting noticed at a D1 is most tend to recruit locally except for studs. Also don't get hung up on D1. There are D1's that are not great baseball programs. They idea is to get a chance to play. With a little physical growth you would have the potential to be a very good D3 pitcher. Another option is attending a Junior College (2 year school), physically developing and then moving on to a four year school for the last two years.

How are your grades? Use baseball to get an education. But don't get used by baseball and not get the education you will need. Does this make sense?

If you're hiding you have a dream of playing pro ball, while it's much less likely from D3, if you grow and dominate, your college coach will get you into a college summer league with D1 prospects.

Here are some offseason programs for arm and strength development:

ASMI Thrower's 10, ASMI founded by Dr James Andrews, leading sports ortho surgeon in the world
http://www.asmi.org/SportsMed/throwing/thrower10.html

Alan Jaeger's Long Toss, used by pro pitchers
http://www.baseballtips.com/longtoss.html

John Doyle's Strength Training, used by pro players
http://www.baseballtrainingsecrets.com/pages/home.htm

Read this book. HA Dorfman works with professional and Team USA athletes.
http://www.amazon.com/Mental-ABCs-Pitching-Performance-Enhancement/dp/1888698292

[Robbie_L]

It would have been good to get on the radar screen this past summer. Next summer is THE summer. You'll be making college decisions heading into senior year. You need to get some exposure. At 5'9", 160, throwing mid 70's you're not D1 material. The good thing is you're a lefty. Between now and next summer you would need to get up to at least 85+. The 90+ I suggested earlier is for righties. The bad news is you're young for your grade and physically developing later than most of the players you're competing against. The good news is you're young and there's still potential for physical growth. There are 5'10, 180 lefties throwing 85 in D1.

Well, my dad said he had a 6 inch growth spurt at 18-19, so I can hope for that. And based on my lack of body hair, and inability to grow a full beard, I doubt I'm done growing.

As I mentioned, the difficult part of getting noticed at a D1 is most tend to recruit locally except for studs. Also don't get hung up on D1. There are D1's that are not great baseball programs. They idea is to get a chance to play. With a little physical growth you would have the potential to be a very good D3 pitcher. Another option is attending a Junior College (2 year school), physically developing and then moving on to a four year school for the last two years.

I would like to go a good D1 school, but if I can only get into to something lower, I wouldn't hesitate to take it. I just want to play baseball, even if I have no chances of going pro.

How are your grades? Use baseball to get an education. But don't get used by baseball and not get the education you will need. Does this make sense?

I had a B average in grade 9 and 10. I'm going to try a bit harder this year and next though.

If you're hiding you have a dream of playing pro ball, while it's much less likely from D3, if you grow and dominate, your college coach will get you into a college summer league with D1 prospects.

Of course I have a dream of playing in the majors. :laugh

Here are some offseason programs for arm and strength development:

ASMI Thrower's 10, ASMI founded by Dr James Andrews, leading sports ortho surgeon in the world
http://www.asmi.org/SportsMed/throwing/thrower10.html

Alan Jaeger's Long Toss, used by pro pitchers
http://www.baseballtips.com/longtoss.html

John Doyle's Strength Training, used by pro players
http://www.baseballtrainingsecrets.com/pages/home.htm

Read this book. HA Dorfman works with professional and Team USA athletes.
http://www.amazon.com/Mental-ABCs-Pitching-Performance-Enhancement/dp/1888698292

Thanks, I'll check these out.


My responses in bold.

[TG Coach]

While this isn't 100% defining, what are your father's and mother's height? Do you have older siblings? If so, what are their ages and heights?

A B average is decent for recruiting. If you want to be in control get it up to 3.5. College recruiters assume the demands on playing and the travel will knock a full point of your gpa as a worse case scenario. They don't want to see you near 2.0 in college. In recruiting they go by unweighted gpa, not what your high school adds for honors and AP. The reason for unweighted is not all schools handle high level course grading the same.

You really need to get some exposure where the schools you wish to attend are located. They're not going to find you in Canada unless you're a can't miss him, stud.

Make sure you attend a college for academics, not baseball. Chances are in the long run, the education is going to do a lot more for you than the sports. The odds against earning a living playing baseball are staggering. Only 1% of all minor leaguers make it to the majors and stick for a career. Then the average career is six years. To quote the D'backs GM on minor leaguers making it, "It's a bad career choice. And all of them think they're going to make it. 99% are wrong."

When choosing colleges ask yourself: Is this a good school for me academically, socially and distance from home. If baseball is taken away (don't make it, cut, injured) will I still be happy here?

Don't get sucked into the walk on concept. Almost all walk ons are recruited walk ons, not tryout walk ons. Everyone makes a big deal about David Eckstein being a walk on. He said no one wanted him. No one wanted to give him a scholarship. He was invited to be on the Florida team at his own expense. He was all-state. He was just small for D1. Then he did the rest. He beat the odds.

Note: I'm fairly sure you know the difference, but just in case. In the US universities and colleges are four year programs. Junior colleges are two year programs, sometimes referred to as JuCo's. After attending a JuCo you still have two years of eligibility remaining at a four year school. You enter the four year school as a junior. JuCo's can be a good solution for students with grade issues or athletes who are physical late bloomers. If you choose a four year school and transfer, you have to sit out a year of playing starting in 2009.

For anyone wondering, Canada refers to universities and colleges differently than the US.

Idea: Off the top of my head I don't know how to go about doing this (maybe start with emails after you find the right sources), but you should try to find a travel team in the US to play for next summer. It would need to be a team that does showcase/high exposure tournaments. It also means finding a family to live with for the summer.

[TG Coach]

Contact:

Ken Joyce
c/o
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
1 Line Drive
Manchester N.H. 03101

Ken, err Mr Joyce to you, is the manager of the Fisher Cats (Jays AA). He's also been involved with Baseball Ontario. http://www.baseballontario.com/2007_BEC/Ken_Joyce/ken_joyce.html Explain you're a Canadian who wants to play college ball in the US. Ask him how you go about it.

You could call the Fisher Cats (603-641-2005) and try to get his email address. I want you to put some effort into this. If you don't hear from him over about six weeks PM me. I'll call him. Keep in mind a letter would need time to be forwarded to his winter home. I'm not giving you his address and phone number.

[Go Cardinals]

Ai.........

[Robbie_L]

While this isn't 100% defining, what are your father's and mother's height? Do you have older siblings? If so, what are their ages and heights?

My dad is 5'10, my mom is maybe 5'4. My two sisters (22, and 20) are both around 5'6.

A B average is decent for recruiting. If you want to be in control get it up to 3.5. College recruiters assume the demands on playing and the travel will knock a full point of your gpa as a worse case scenario. They don't want to see you near 2.0 in college. In recruiting they go by unweighted gpa, not what your high school adds for honors and AP. The reason for unweighted is not all schools handle high level course grading the same.

My goal is to get A's in almost everything this year. Except for English, it's going pretty good.

You really need to get some exposure where the schools you wish to attend are located. They're not going to find you in Canada unless you're a can't miss him, stud.

I'm going to a showcase in Florida next March break with my team, and a few others. I hope my workout plans will make me ready by then.. My team practices 3 times a week over the winter, and I'll try to get a longtoss session at the end of each of those. I try to go to the gym 4 times a week.

Make sure you attend a college for academics, not baseball. Chances are in the long run, the education is going to do a lot more for you than the education. The odds against earning a living playing baseball are staggering. Only 1% of all minor leaguers make it to the majors and stick for a career. Then the average career is six years. To quote the D'backs GM on minor leaguers making it, "It's a bad career choice. And all of them think they're going to make it. 99% are wrong."

That's interesting... I currently have no idea what I want to major in. I know what I'm interested in, but I'll have to think about that. And yeah, I'm not planning my life on making the majors. It would be nice :laugh , and if I ever even get a chance to play in the minors, I can't see myself passing on that. As long as I finish university first.

When choosing colleges ask yourself: Is this a good school for me academically, socially and distance from home. If baseball is taken away (don't make it, cut, injured) will I still be happy here?

I guess I'll have to consider that.

Don't get sucked into the walk on concept. Almost all walk ons are recruited walk ons, not tryout walk ons. Everyone makes a big deal about David Eckstein being a walk on. He said no one wanted him. No one wanted to give him a scholarship. He was invited to be on the Florida team at his own expense. He was all-state. He was just small for D1. Then he did the rest. He beat the odds.

I can't say that I know what that even means.

Note: I'm fairly sure you know the difference, but just in case. In the US universities and colleges are four year programs. Junior colleges are two year programs, sometimes referred to as JuCo's. After attending a JuCo you still have two years of eligibility remaining at a four year school. You enter the four year school as a junior. JuCo's can be a good solution for students with grade issues or athletes who are physical late bloomers. If you choose a four year school and transfer, you have to sit out a year of playing starting in 2009.

Can you still get a good education there? What division to these school play in?

For anyone wondering, Canada refers to universities and colleges differently than the US.

Idea: Off the top of my head I don't know how to go about doing this (maybe start with emails after you find the right sources), but you should try to find a travel team in the US to play for next summer. It would need to be a team that does showcase/high exposure tournaments. It also means finding a family to live with for the summer.

Now that would be cool, but it can't be done. I don't know anyone to live with...

Responses in bold.

[Robbie_L]

Contact:

Ken Joyce
c/o
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
1 Line Drive
Manchester N.H. 03101

Ken, err Mr Joyce to you, is the manager of the Fisher Cats (Jays AA). He's also been involved with Baseball Ontario. http://www.baseballontario.com/2007_BEC/Ken_Joyce/ken_joyce.html Explain you're a Canadian who wants to play college ball in the US. Ask him how you go about it.

You could call the Fisher Cats (603-641-2005) and try to get his email address. I want you to put some effort into this. If you don't hear from him over about six weeks PM me. I'll call him. Keep in mind a letter would need time to be forwarded to his winter home. I'm not giving you his address and phone number.

Yeah, I've heard of the Fisher Cats. I'll call them sometime this week (I don't think I should on a Saturday.)

[TG Coach]

If your dad is 5'10" and your mother 5'4", chances are you're going to be between 5'10" and 6 feet. You beat these odds by having taller uncles, with having them on your mother's side making the odds better for more height.

A couple of months before attending this showcase, find out what colleges will be attending, decide which ones you might be interested and contact the coach explaining you will be at the showcase along with a profile of yourself ahead of time. When you're ready to do this I'll tell you what needs to be in your profile.

Walk ons are non scholarship players. As of 2009 college rosters will consist of 27 scholarship players and 8 walk ons. A recruited walk on is someone the coach wants there but didn't have scholarship money. A tryout walk on is some who tries to make the team after he gets to the college. The odds on making it as a tryout walk on will probably be slim and next to none when the new roster rules start (2009).

Personally I wouldn't want my kids attending a JuCo first for my own reasons, but I don't want to create a debate with others over a point not that relevant to the entire discussion. But I know people who have who became successful adults. Once you're at the four year college for your final two years where you went to Junior College becomes irrelevant. If JuCo becomes a consideration then I'll explain why not and hook you up with someone who will explain why it doesn't matter.

[TG Coach]

Another resource for Canadian players:
http://www.collegebaseballconnect.ca/home/default.asp

[TL_Dad]

TG

What would be a schedule for a Freshman. We will be playing travel ball for a large organization this summer. I would be satisfied with a scholarship to a good school. Here are some stats 5'6", 130lbs, RH, Pitcher/Catcher, 14 1/2 years old. He is not fast (running medium speed), but he is smart on the bases. At the end of the summer his fastball was 78 mph, curve 55 mph. He was throwing faster at the beginning of the year. His grades are B+.

[TG Coach]

TL check your PM's.

[Jake Patterson]

TG

What would be a schedule for a Freshman. We will be playing travel ball for a large organization this summer. I would be satisfied with a scholarship to a good school. Here are some stats 5'6", 130lbs, RH, Pitcher/Catcher, 14 1/2 years old. He is not fast (running medium speed), but he is smart on the bases. At the end of the summer his fastball was 78 mph, curve 55 mph. He was throwing faster at the beginning of the year. His grades are B+.

TL, The only thing you should be concerned with is your son having fun. While his numbers seem Ok it puts him in a very large pond. He is not as big and as fast as kids I have helped into college ball. The best advise I can offer is the freshman year is not as important as the junior and senior year with his junior year being most important (IMO). His freshman and sophomore years (Ages15-16) are the years that will determine whether or not he has a shot at ball after HS. As a HS Coach this was where I saw the largest amount of fall-out and the largest amount of disappointed parents. Get through his freshman year before worrying about scholarships - few - very few get them.

[Robbie_L]

Out of all the high school players, what percent of them get to play baseball in college?

[Jake Patterson]

Out of all the high school players, what percent of them get to play baseball in college?

Throughout the country? less than 10% Each school is different. There were threads that discussed this in the past you may want to do a search. The number is low..

[TG Coach]

Out of all the high school players, what percent of them get to play baseball in college?

It depends how you define college baseball. There's major conference D1 where a team may have 35 former high school all-state players. Then there's the D3 that doesn't recruit. Any former high school starter may make the team and enjoy going 0-40.

[Jake Patterson]

It depends how you define college baseball. There's major conference D1 where a team may have 35 former high school all-state players. Then there's the D3 that doesn't recruit. Any former high school starter may make the team and enjoy going 0-40.

TG,
I just don't get your negative twist to everything. D3 ball - depending upon where you play and for what coach you play for can be a springboard to a baseball life after college.
Here - Eastern CT State University is one of the best programs in the country and Hollowaty is highly spoken of among the college and professional ranks. To always paint everything with such a broad brush helps no one.

Here's some of Eastern Stats:

Coach Hollowaty 1200 wins
30 players signed with MLB (MiLB) teams since 1969
79-36 in Post season D3 Play offs
4 NCAA D3 National Titles (No Others have more than 3)

Here's the site if you want to learn more:
http://www.easternct.edu/depts/athletics/spring_season/bb-records.htm

Robbie there are great Juco and DII and DIII programs out there.

[TG Coach]

TG,
I just don't get your negative twist to everything.

There wasn't an attempt to place a negative twist on anything. I explained the range of college baseball in an attempt to point out the question was too vague. It ranges from the best D1 programs where an all-state player can be a bench warmer to the worst D3 where a mediocre high school player can make the team. That's the best to the worst. There's a lot in between.

When a player defines his skills and what he's looking for, a more definitive discussion can take place. In the case of the poster's son, like my son, he's too young to be more definitive. I've been PM'ing with the poster in question. So, we don't need to have this conversation.

I don't have any issues with D3's. One of my former teammates is an extremely successful D3 coach, has sent players to the pros and has been offered several D1 jobs. I expect he'll take one as soon as his youngest graduates from high school. He doesn't want to move his kids during high school.

Before other baseball opportunities came up, I was considering a NESCAC D3 to play baseball and football. My daughter played at a NESCAC D3 before transferring to a D1. One of the benefits of D3's (given the odds of becoming a MLB player are so slim anyway) is a good player can start for four years. If a pitcher hits 90mph it doesn't matter what level of competition he's doing it at. He's going to get drafted. One of the advantages of attending a NESCAC school is they are all top academic colleges.