The Breakdown
Just OHIO with college baseball programs: Total 53.
13 - DI schools
7 - DII schools
20 - DIII schools
8 - NAIA schools
5 - NJCAA schools
The majority of players (about 85%+) stay within a 3hr radius of their home
town. So what does that mean? Look at these numbers:
Colleges within a 3hr radius of Dayton, OH (if a little over 3hrs still counted as 3hrs)
DI – 21
OH – 10
IN – 4
MI – 2
KY - 4
WV- 1
DII – 14
OH – 6
IN – 1
MI – 0
KY – 7
WV – 0
NAIA – 18
OH - 5
IN - 8
MI – 2
KY – 3
WV - 0
DIII – 29
OH – 14
IN – 9
MI – 1
KY – 4
WV – 1
NJCAA - 2
OH – 2
I N – 0
MI – 0
KY – 0
WV - 0
The total is 84 schools within a 3hr radius od Dayton.
25% - DI
17% - DII
35% - DIII
21% - NAIA
2% - NJCAA
Now take in consideration the DI and JUCO are looking for the “cream of the
crop” using the stats above. A small percentage of players will be recruited for
these divisions. So the majority of players will fall into DII, DIII and NAIA. (This
doesn’t mean DII, DIII and NAIA teams don’t want top talent or have top talent
– they do. It also doesn’t mean if you go to one of those schools you aren’t going
to play top talent). But only 27% are DI and JUCO schools, 73% are the others.
So where do you think most players should focus their time if they want to be
recruited? DII, DIII and NAIA. Not to say the “borderline” excellent player
shouldn’t consider a DI school – but make sure it’s a DI school worth going to.
Meaning the program will continue to develop your skills. Remember, in the
professional ranks, they come from all divisions so don’t fall in love with a school
just because it’s a DI. Also consider a good two year program. When the four
year colleges go recruiting each new year they look for those players first.