NCAA Division I baseball programs will continue to be impacted by special NCAA rulings regarding their roster size and scholarship rules for the 2021-22 academic year in a somewhat similar manner to the way they were impacted during this season.
The previous sentence is especially important for baseball student-athletes who were on a multi-year scholarship during the 2020-21 academic year. In a “normal” time, DI baseball scholarship athletes must receive at least 25% scholarship.
If your Division I baseball athlete has been notified of a change to their scholarship for this next year and you desire detailed information regarding their options, schedule a confidential Scholarship Strategies consult online, contact us at rick@informedathlete.com or call 913-766-1235.
Walk-on baseball athletes at the NCAA Division I level should assess their chances to make the 35-man roster if there were more than 35 guys practicing with the team in the Fall practice period.
Some coaches will keep 36-38 guys practicing with the team and not make those final cuts down to 35 until the end of January.
I believe that’s unfair and unethical to keep a player “hanging on” in hopes of making the 35-man roster and then having no options for the Spring to go elsewhere if they are cut.
If you or your athlete are in this situation, we can discuss your situation, answer your questions, and provide transfer eligibility options for you to consider.
Schedule a confidential consult online, or by calling us at 913-766-1235 or sending an email to rick@informedathlete.com.
NCAA Division I baseball programs are restricted to a roster limit of 35 players once the season begins on February 15.
There may be some NCAA Division I programs that still have 36 or 37 guys practicing with the team as they prepare for the season, but those extra one or two guys beyond 35 will be cut from the team prior to the start of the season.
Once a player is told that they are no longer on the 35-man roster, they are prohibited from practicing with the baseball team or being involved in any team meetings or other activities.
On occasion, I have talked with parents who indicate that their son was told he is a “bullpen catcher only.” That is permissible as long as he’s on the 35-man roster for his university.
Also, if an athlete is serving in the role of “student manager” in the role of “student manager for an NCAA DI baseball program, he is forfeiting his eligibility to ever play baseball for that program. He would have to transfer to another university to have an opportunity to compete in college baseball.
If you have questions about the baseball roster limit or the impact on your student-athlete’s eligibility or scholarship opportunities and would like a private confidential consult, contact us at 913-766-1235 or send an email to rick@informedathlete.com
