So, you want to play baseball in college but not sure about  applications, scholarship and the recruiting process ?

Here are the top ten Frequently Asked Questions (and yes, some answers to them) to help you hit your chances of playing baseball in college. 

1. What do college coaches look for when they are recruiting players?
   First things first, you have to have good enough grades to get into school. If you don’t meet the school’s minimum requirements for admissions, don’t expect to hear from the school–no matter how many homers you can hit.
2.  How does the recruiting process work?
   When you are in your junior year in high school, apply for approval to play NCAA Division I sports from the NCAA Clearinghouse. Colleges are only allowed to start writing letters to candidates during your junior year and personal contacts can take place after July 1st, following your junior year and once per week phone calls are also allowed then.
3. What are the new rules concerning college baseball recruiting?
   Under new rules recently approved by the NCAA’s Division 1 Board of Directors, starting in 2009, baseball transfers will have to sit out a year, like in football and basketball. Also, the new requirement is that all scholarships have to be at least 25 % of the equivalent of a full ride. The number of players on scholarship is limited to 27 with a maximum squad size of 35 and all incoming players are certified to be eligible in the fall semester. Also, schools whose baseball academic Progress Rate average is below 900, for a four year period, will have to reduce the number of games they play from 56 to 50.
4. Does playing for college mean that I will be elligible to play for major league baseball?
   Compared to college football and basketball, college baseball doesn’t cultivate as many professional players—the minor league seems to be more responsible for that. But it is still possible.
5.  Does playing at a top 25 school- increase my chances of getting drafted?
   Scouts are looking for players with major league talent, it can be a small division III school or a nationally ranked division I school. Attending a top ranked baseball program will increase your chances of being scouted because you will be playing many teams that have previously drafted players on their roster.
6. Where do baseball recruiters find talent?
   The most popular place for college baseball recruiters is the Blue Grey Classics, Team One showcases, Junior Olympic Tournaments, Perfect Game Baseball America Wood Bat Championship, Eastern Professional Showcase, and the Area Code Games, which could draw up to 200-400 scouts, college recruiters and player agents.
7.  Do letters and phone calls from colleges mean they are going to offer me a scholarship?
   Sorry to burst your bubble but many schools send out hundreds of letters to potential recruits. Don’t assume you have a scholarship until you signed an agreement and there is money in your hand.
8. Which is better? A small offer from a big school or a big offer from a small school?
   If a school offers you a lot of money, they are planning on playing you right away—which is pretty much the way to go. You wanna get out on the field, right?
9.  Can a scholarship be taken away if I am injured or the coach is not satisfied with my playing ability?
   Scholarships are renewable each year. So just because you got a scholarship this year, doesn’t mean you are guaranteed one, or the same amount next year. Most coaches will still renew your scholarship if you are injured, but they don’t have to
10. What is a good scholarship offer?
    Division I baseball schools are allowed a maximum of 11.7 scholarships while  division II schools have 9 full scholarships . They are usually split up by 25 players with the highest percentage going to the pitchers, then catchers, then short-stop. Anything over 50% is a great offer.

To find out more on college baseball check out our blog on how college baseball works.