Aspiring student-athletes must maintain strong academic credentials if they have any hope of playing collegiate baseball. Some college head coaches won't look at players if their grades are not in order. As early as possible after beginning high school, players should meet with their guidance or careers counselor to discuss college course requirements to meet NCAA Academic Clearinghouse prerequisites. The NCAA Official Web Site has a terrific resource, "Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete," that details everything students and their parents should know about the transition to college.
A strong work ethic and consistent practice habits are of the utmost importance when seeking a collegiate baseball scholarship. NCAA Division I schools give out only 11.7 scholarships, and Division II schools hand out just 9 scholarships, meaning the competition for partial, let alone full scholarships, is intense. College baseball programs have rigorous demands balancing up to 20 hours of mandatory practice between classes. Polishing your fundamentals at an early age will not only improve your chances of getting a scholarship, but prepare you for the workload that will follow.
Since college coaches are limited in the number of times they can evaluate prospects, they often are more likely to show up during summer showcases and events including highly acclaimed players or programs. Players can increase the likelihood of earning a scholarship by participating on teams such as the American Legion or Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). Both programs have local chapters nationwide and are tremendously popular with strong competition. Coaches of these programs will usually assist players in contacting college baseball programs.
Players should also market themselves with letters of recommendation, a brief bio and both short and full-length highlight or game tapes sent to college programs of their choice. Usually, information to contact the coach or recruiting coordinator will be found in the directory section of the school's official athletic website. Professional scouting services will produce and distribute tapes, manage a custom website and market the student to coaches, though the cost can range from $100 to $5,000.
In addition to summer baseball and scouting agencies, attending baseball camps can drastically increase the chances of being seen by a coach. Most programs hold camps during the summer, usually for a fee ranging from $20 to $500. These camps run from one to several days. They are a valuable source of training and knowledge even if they don't yield any quality scholarship leads.
Motivated baseball players seeking an advancement of their career should also consider pursuing the Major League Baseball Draft. Each season, MLB clubs and the MLB Scouting Bureau hold tryout camps for young adults, usually ages 18 to 26. The draft, held annually in early June, is 50 rounds and more than 1,500 players are drafted. If a player is drafted and begins competition in minor league baseball, a college scholarship plan is available upon completion of his playing career.