A Field of Dreamers

#4 Understanding the Levels of College Baseball

Division 1 Programs

297 Teams

10,228 total players (freshman-senior classes)

2,557 open spots each graduating year (10,228 total players divided by 4 –years).

Kent began: "Knowing that Division 1 Baseball has just 297 teams -and 10,228 players represents all players playing D1 baseball; if you were to take the total number of players and divide that by 4 for the number of years in a 4-year program, there are approximately 2,557 open positions to become available at the Division 1 college baseball level each year.

So my point here is that due to the small number of openings at this level of college ball, not everyone gets to play D1 – there's just not enough openings to meet the demand.

But your recruitment isn't just to find a Division 1 school to play for – your effort is to become recruited to play college baseball, at any level, right?"

Austin nodded.

"Good. So the purpose of this card is that if you're willing to consider the other levels of baseball - your opportunities are not only greater, but you'll likely find a school and a baseball program that best fits your needs as a student-athlete – regardless of whether it's a Division 1 program or not.

In fact, when you consider playing college ball at any level, the odds of being successfully recruited to play college baseball is as great as 1:1.35. That means there's practically a spot for every high school baseball player who wants to play college ball.

The problem here though is this: Lots of players never consider these other levels below Division 1. Maybe they think they're better than these lower levels, so they never give themselves a chance to learn more about the significant benefits these lower levels of college ball afford many players. These players say they're going to play D1 or nothing - and when nothing happens, their Dreams die.

So to help you with your next assignment; I want you to remove those next 6 cards, as they will educate you on the numbers of each division of play.

"Got 'em? Good. Please read to me the first card:"

Austin began:

-"NCAA DIVISION 1-There is currently 297 teams, and 10,338 players playing Division 1 baseball.

Each team typically rosters an average of 35 players.

The NCAA limits the amount of baseball scholarships extended to the equivalent of 11.7 players, so the maximum number of scholarships available nationally at the Division 1 level is 3,475. In considering financial need, although there is a limit to the number and distribution of available baseball scholarships, there is no limit to the number of academic scholarships and aid extended to qualifying student-athletes. This means that if you find yourself a good student with good grades, remember that your academic ability-and playing ability makes you a more desirable candidate as your ability to receive academic scholarships to offset the cost of tuition can help the program use their available athletic scholarships to field a more competitive team.

-NCAA DIVISION 2

There are currently 267 teams, and 10,164 players playing Division 2 baseball.

Each team typically rosters an average of 38 players.

At the Division 2 level, the NCAA limits the amount of baseball scholarships extended to the equivalent of 9 players, so the maximum number of scholarships available nationally at the Division 2 level is 2,403.

Similar to the rules of Division 1, there is no limit to the number of academic scholarships and aid extended to qualifying student-athletes, so if you find yourself to be a strong performer academically, you can often receive academic grants and scholarships that can offset your own costs of tuition - while also helping the program field a more competitive team.