We’ve shared all kinds of advice about how to increase your chances of playing college baseball. While all of our advice is free, following our advice will sometimes cost you money. How are you supposed to do that if money is tight? Can you get noticed and play college baseball even if you don’t have extra money to spend? Yes, you can!
If you find yourself in a situation where money is tight, don’t panic! You are still able to do a lot to increase your chances of being recruited. While money can help increase exposure, it is by no means a necessity in the recruiting process. In fact, there are inexpensive routes to every level of college baseball, and we are here to help you find them. Perhaps the most important thing to remember about your financial situation is that you are not alone. Most kids these days have to worry about how much things cost. Families are trying to make ends meet, and we know that sometimes cutting back on things includes money available for equipment, camps, and traveling to visit schools.
Here are five things you can do to get more bang for your buck and maximize your resources.
1. Use this website! This may seem like a shameless plug, but you will find lots of things you need to know about the recruiting process, playing in college, and more, right here on KPB. And, the best part: It’s all free and for players like you! All you need is an Internet connection. If you don’t have one that is fast enough or reliable at home, you can get access at your school or local library in most towns and cities.
2. Speak to trusted adults and coaches about your situation. There is often a way to earn scholarships or work off team, equipment, or travel fees. If money is going to prevent you from playing anywhere, speak with the coach or have an adult speak to the coach for you so that you can find a way to make costs more manageable. Seek help and advice, and don’t be shy about your financial situation. You are not alone.
3. Instead of attending expensive camps and showcases, focus your efforts on building a network of support. Having credible references to share with interested coaches is almost as valuable as having coaches see you play. If you build up a group of high school coaches or other baseball officials who can vouch for your talents, you may find that college coaches and recruiters will come out to your high school games to watch you play so that you don’t have travel or go to showcases.
4. Put the money you do have towards maximizing your exposure. The NCAA does not allow high school players to attend camps or showcases on college campuses for free so you won’t be able to get fee waivers for those events. If you have enough money to attend only one camp or showcase, choose the one that will give you access to the most college scouts. There is no substitute for playing year round, so make playing a priority whenever possible. Many travel teams or summer programs provide scholarships for players that need them, so don’t be shy about asking about ways to reduce or even eliminate the fees.
5. If you are concerned about the costs of attending college, remember that there are a number of ways to finance your education other than scholarships. For information on financial aid and other ways to pay for college, click here.
