| Are you a high school baseball star hoping to | | | | 3. Speed |
| make it to Division I baseball? If you are, I have | | | | Division I baseball is also a game of speed. Once |
| some good news for you and some bad news | | | | again, no matter what position you play, speed is |
| for you. | | | | a critical factor. |
| First, the good news. Division I baseball coaches | | | | 4. Bat speed/mechanics |
| will always need talented players. | | | | Coaches can teach hitting, but they need kids |
| The bad news: It is extremely difficult to make it | | | | who are already natural with the bat and they |
| to the Division I level. However, there are other | | | | can then coach them to become an even better |
| opportunities to play college baseball other than | | | | hitter. |
| Division I. | | | | 5. Grades |
| Players who make it to the top level of baseball | | | | If you don't have the grades to stay qualified to |
| level are extremely skilled and talented. These | | | | play, coaches will most likely look at the next guy |
| players are not only the best players on their | | | | and pass you up. |
| team, they are usually one of the top two or | | | | If your dream is to play division I baseball, keep |
| three players in their entire league, conference or | | | | working hard on the field, the weight room, and |
| even region. Let's take a look at some of the | | | | the classroom. All of these factors will determine |
| requirements of reaching the division I baseball | | | | if you can play at the top level of college baseball |
| level: | | | | or not. If you can't reach division I, don't forget all |
| 1. Size And Strength | | | | the other excellent opportunities to play college |
| It takes size and strength to play at the top level. | | | | baseball at the Division II, Division III, NAIA and |
| Don't let anyone fool you, these guys are true | | | | even junior college level. |
| athletes and they train very hard to become | | | | Once you reach your sophomore or junior season |
| even better athletes. | | | | in high school, start making contact with the |
| 2. Arm Strength | | | | coaches you think you could play for. Even if you |
| No matter what position you play, arm strength | | | | don't play for UNC, Rice, Arizona State or any of |
| will be critical. If you don't have great arm | | | | the other division I baseball power houses, you |
| strength, college coaches at this level will not | | | | can still play the game you love at the college |
| usually have any interest in signing you. | | | | level. |