| I continue to see and hear both high school baseball | | | | baseball at a junior college when you transfer to a |
| players and their parents have an "I've got to play | | | | Division I baseball college the final degree you receive |
| (NCAA) Division I baseball" mentality. At the same | | | | says "Texas", "Clemson" or "Arizona State", and says |
| time I see these players end up extremely unhappy | | | | nothing about the junior college. |
| because Division I baseball, wasn't right for them. | | | | Another issue when considering where to play your |
| When Junior College (JUCO) might be the better | | | | college baseball may be dollars. Most Division I |
| choice for you: | | | | baseball schools (who have 11.7 scholarships for |
| 1. You are not a great student in high school. Many | | | | baseball) are forced to split the money between |
| 2.5-3.0 GPA high school students find the transition to | | | | 30-35 players, leaving the player a large portion they |
| a junior college is much easier. | | | | are obligated to pay. With lower tuition costs and |
| 2. You are a drafted player who wasn't drafted high | | | | more scholarships (24) many times a junior college |
| enough to sign, but would like to play professional | | | | baseball program can offer two years free. |
| baseball (possibly a draft-and-follow). The junior | | | | Two years free and then two years at 50. That |
| college route allows the added flexibility of either | | | | 25% per year can easily save you $20,000 or more |
| signing or being re-drafted after both the freshman | | | | during your baseball playing career. |
| and sophomore seasons. | | | | Another reason to choose a JUCO is the potential for |
| 3. You are a potential draft pick, not drafted out of | | | | additional playing opportunity. As a Freshman you will |
| high school who wants the additional two years of | | | | also be competing against players more your own |
| draft eligibility. This can allow you to continue to work | | | | age. |
| certain aspects of your game that may need | | | | While Junior College is a good option for many |
| improvement. | | | | players it is not right for everyone. The 3.5 - 4.0 |
| 4. You have a dream of playing at a Texas, a | | | | student who is able to attend a Duke or Notre Dame |
| Clemson or an Arizona State, but your only offers | | | | would be foolish to consider a junior college, as these |
| are from lessor Division I schools. By going to a junior | | | | top academic schools usually do not have many junior |
| college and proving yourself you may get the | | | | college baseball transfers on their rosters. |
| opportunity at the college or university you really | | | | Whatever your choice the one thing you need to |
| wanted to play at. | | | | remember is that you need to make the right choice |
| The one thing that both the player and the parent | | | | for you. |
| needs to understand is that after two years playing | | | | |