If you’re good, they will find you.

I just got back from a family vacation that took us into the Mount Vernon area of Ohio to visit relatives.  My wife is a high school guidance counselor who takes every chance she can to visit colleges and universities so that her students can be more informed about their college choices.  We went to a couple schools in the Mount Vernon area and strolled around the campus of each.  One university we visited was a small Christian school called Mount Vernon Nazarene.  

No matter where you are, if you are good, these guys will find you.  It’s their job.

Naturally, while walking around the campus, I had to check out the baseball field and try to get a feel for the program.  While doing so, I walked in the athletic center and saw a wall that was dedicated to former athletes and coaches that did very well while at the university.  All sports were represented but I was interested only in the baseball players.  A couple ball players were included on the wall but I stopped to look more closely when I saw a photo with the name Tim Belcher underneath.   My first thoughts were “That can’t be the Tim Belcher could it?  The 15 year MLB pitcher?  At this small school?”  But it certainly was.  


There is a good lesson here for all young players going through the college selection process.  Too many kids and their parents are enamored with the Division I level.  They mistakenly think that the D1 level is the only way to professional baseball.  That is far from the case.  It may be mostly true in sports like football or basketball but not in baseball.  The fact is, if you are good, a scout is going to find you no matter where you attend college.  It could be a small NAIA school like Mt. Vernon Nazarene or even a local community college in your area.  Scouts will travel far and wide for talent and many major league players have originated from schools you’ve probably never heard of.


Players should not worry so much about the level.  Players should pick a school where they can thrive both academically and as an athlete.  The rest will always be up to the player no matter where he goes.