Let’s get one thing straight: you do not need to be a varsity star to play college baseball.
We’ve seen it firsthand — players with fewer than 10 varsity at-bats still find themselves committing to D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO programs. Why? Because there’s truly a school out there for everyone.
It doesn’t matter where you’re starting from. If you’re serious about playing at the next level, it all comes down to fit, effort, and strategy. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Find the Right Fit
Before you even start messaging schools, ask yourself:
- • Do I want to play right away, even if it’s at a smaller program?
- • Or would I be okay sitting for a year or two if it means being part of a high-level, winning team?
- • Do I care more about being on the field or wearing a certain jersey?
There’s no wrong answer — just your answer. Once you’re clear on what you want out of your college baseball experience, you can target the right kind of schools.
2. Location Matters (But You’ll Likely Have to Travel)
Most players don’t end up staying close to home. If you’re dead-set on staying local, you’re going to limit your options dramatically. The truth is, your best opportunity might be in a different state — maybe even across the country.
Be open to going where you’re wanted, not just where it’s convenient. This mindset opens thousands of new doors.
There are over 1,650 college baseball programs across all levels — NCAA D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO. That means over 1,650 chances to find your fit, get on a roster, and keep playing the game you love.
3. How to Research and Find the Right Schools
A great tool to start with is NCAA.com/stats/baseball/d1. From there, you can access stats for:
- • Division I
- • Division II
- • Division III
You’ll be able to sort schools by:
- • Winning percentage
- • Batting average
- • ERA, and more.
This is a great way to find out:
- • Who the best teams are
- • Which teams hit well (and may need more pitching)
- • Which teams struggle to win — and may have open opportunities for freshmen
If you’re a hitter, maybe you find a team that hits poorly but still wins — they might be looking for offense.
If you want to play right away, look for schools lower in the standings that may have holes to fill.
This research gives you real data to target schools where you actually fit, rather than guessing.
4. Market Yourself Relentlessly
This is the one most players skip — and it’s the reason many don’t get recruited.
You should be sending emails to over 200 schools. Seriously. That means:
- • Emailing the head coach
- • Emailing the assistant coach
- • Emailing the pitching coach (even if you’re not a pitcher — it shows effort and gets more eyes on your email)
Use the same general email — just change the names and specific details. You’re not being lazy; you’re being smart. It’s all about maximizing the odds that someone on staff sees you.
We’ll write another blog soon to break down exactly what to say in these emails, so stay tuned.
5. Train Every Day — With Purpose
If you’re not getting reps in with your high school team, that just means you need to grind twice as hard outside of school.
If you’re not hitting every day and lifting 3–4 times a week, you’re not even scratching the surface of your potential. College coaches don’t care if you’re in the starting lineup right now — they care if you’re getting better and if you can help their program win down the line.
6. Eat Breakfast (Seriously)
This one sounds small — but it’s huge.
If you’re going to school without eating breakfast, you’re not going to put on muscle mass. Period. High school athletes burn through calories fast, and skipping even one meal can set you back days in your development.
Eat breakfast, snack smart, and consider protein shakes or mass gainers between meals and after workouts. Fuel matters just as much as your training.
Final Thoughts
College baseball isn’t just for all-state seniors with a wall full of trophies.
It’s for the ones who work, who stay consistent, and who refuse to give up.
If you want to play, you can.
Not everyone will play at LSU or Florida State — and that’s okay. There are over 1,650 schools that want players who are hungry, coachable, and willing to grind.
Just remember:
- • Find the right fit
- • Be open to traveling
- • Research programs using real data
- • Market yourself aggressively
- • Train with purpose
- • Fuel your body like an athlete
You don’t need 100 at-bats to prove you belong. You just need a plan — and the will to outwork everyone else.
Want help building your college baseball plan?
Reach out to us at Infinite Hitting — we’ve helped players from every background find the right school, and we’re ready to help you do the same.
