Feb. 22, 2011

The State of College Baseball - Part 2
By Sean Ryan and Phil Stanton
CollegeBaseballInsider.com Co-Founders
 

In 2008, CollegeBaseballInsider.com conducted its first State of College Baseball. Back then, hot topics included new scholarship rules, the APR and an aging Rosenblatt Stadium.

Over the next few days, CBI will unveil the 2011 State of College Baseball. We surveyed 40 percent (121) of Division-I's 300 head coaches on a variety of topics concerning the game.

Today, CBI takes a look at some of the decisions made a few years ago and how they have influenced the game...

Scholarship Rules Still an Issue for Coaches

By Sean Ryan

CollegeBaseballInsider.com Co-Founder

RICHMOND, Va. - The uniform starting date instituted in college baseball in 2008 has impacted the game for the better, but Division I college baseball coaches still haven't embraced the scholarship changes according to the CollegeBaseballInsider.com State of College Baseball.

In a survey of 40 percent of Division-I college baseball coaches, nearly 90 percent of coaches said the uniform start date is good for college baseball with another 56 percent saying the start date has helped level the playing field for "Northern" schools. And 69 percent said that the start date doesn't make it more difficult to schedule.

However, the coaches still aren't sold on the scholarship changes implemented in 2008.

Sixty percent don't think the minimum scholarship level is a good idea, and nearly half (48 percent) said the scholarship rules changes have affected their program "for the worse." In addition, 56 percent said the rules have changed the way they recruit. When asked in 2008, 63 percent of coaches didn't think the minimum scholarship level was a good idea, and 69 percent predicted the new rules would change the way they recruit.

Regarding the number of scholarships awarded to college baseball programs, 86 percent of coaches agreed there should be more than the current 11.7 scholarships. Nearly half said the scholarship limit should be raised to 15, with 26 percent suggesting 18 scholarships. Only 14 percent believe scholarships should remain at 11.7 per program. In 2008, CBI asked more than 90 coaches for their thoughts on the scholarship limit - the average of their answers was 17.7 scholarships.

"It's been a few years, but college baseball coaches still aren't comfortable with the changes in the scholarship rules," said Phil Stanton, co-founder of CollegeBaseballInsider.com. "Half say the rules have hurt their programs, and the vast majority believe more scholarships are needed. It doesn't seem to be getting any better in the coaches' eyes."

The NCAA also implemented a rule that transfers must sit out a year, similar to football and basketball rules. Fifty-seven percent of coaches agree with the rule.

CollegeBaseballInsider.com State of College Baseball Survey Results - 121 Division I Coaches

The uniform start date is good for college baseball

*         Yes 107 (88 percent)

*         No 14 (12 percent)

The uniform start date has helped level the playing field for "Northern" schools

*         Yes 68 (56 percent)

*         No 53 (34 percent)

The uniform starting date makes scheduling more difficult

*         Yes 38 (31 percent)

*         No 83 (69 percent)

D-1 transfers should have to sit out a year

*         Yes 69 (57 percent)

*         No 52 (43 percent)

The minimum scholarship level (25 percent) is a good idea

*         Yes 49 (40 percent)

*         No 72 (60 percent)

The recent scholarship rules have affected your program

*         For the better 62 (51 percent)

*         For the worse 59 (49 percent)

The recent scholarship/transfer rules have changed the way you recruit

*         Yes 68 (56 percent)

*         No 53 (44 percent)

What should the scholarship limit be for D-I programs?

*         11.7 (current) - 17 (14 percent)

*         15 - 57 (47 percent)

*         18 - 32 (27 percent)

*         21 - 9 (7 percent)

*         More than 21 - 6 (5 percent)