Feb. 23, 2011

The State of College Baseball - Part 3
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 the new pitch clock, the end of Cal baseball and how recruiting is affecting the APR...


Coaches question need for clock in college baseball
By Sean Ryan
CollegeBaseballInsider.com Co-Founder

RICHMOND, Va. - College baseball coaches don't believe that baseball should be played on the clock according to the CollegeBaseballInsider.com State of College Baseball.

In a survey of 40 percent of Division-I college baseball coaches, more than 70 percent of the 121 coaches who participated in the survey said they are not in favor of the new pitch clock that has been introduced this year, and more than three-quarters of the coaches said there was no need for the pitch clock.

"Our guess is that there are likely a number of coaches who simply believe that clocks are better served for sports other than baseball," said Phil Stanton, co-founder of CollegeBaseballInsider.com. "But there also could be a number of coaches who believe that the new bats will help shorten college baseball games on their own, and the pitch clock wasn't necessary."

Coaches also were surveyed on their thoughts on Cal's decision to drop its college baseball program and the recent recruiting rules changes affect on the NCAA's APR standards.

More than 60 percent said the disbanding of the Golden Bears' program was a wakeup call for college baseball. But only 29 percent said they worry about the security of college baseball at their schools.

As for the APR standards, college baseball coaches are warming.

In 2008, two-thirds of coaches surveyed in CBI's first State of College Baseball thought the APR standards needed to be revisited. This year, about 35 percent said the standards need to be revisited, with nearly 50 percent saying that everything is working itself out (this choice of answers was not included in the 2008 survey). Coaches were split (48 percent yes, 52 percent no) when asked if the scholarship/transfer rules implemented in 2008 had helped their APR. And somewhat related, 76 percent of coaches believe there should continue to be two signing periods.


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

Are you in favor of the new pitch clock?

*         Yes 34 (28 percent)

*         No 87 (72 percent)

Was there a need for the new pitch clock?

*         Yes 28 (23 percent)

*         No 93 (77 percent)

Cal dropping college baseball is

*         A wakeup call for college baseball coaches 74 (61 percent)

*         Unfortunate, but doesn't have a large impact 47 (39 percent)

You worry about the security of college baseball at your school

*         Yes 35 (29 percent)

*         No 86 (71 percent)

The APR standards need to be revisited

*         Yes 44 (36 percent)

*         No 19 (16 percent)

*         Everything is working itself out 58 (48 percent)

The recent scholarship/transfer rules have helped your program's APR

*         Yes 58 (48 percent)

*         No 63 (52 percent)

There is still a need for two signing periods

*         Yes 92 (76 percent)

*         No 29 (24 percent)