In middle school I was a solid baseball player. Played for the all star, so I was pretty good. I didn’t play in high school because I thought working would be better. But, I’m going to a DII college and want to play. If I start training to get back in shape we’ll before the season what chances do I have to walk-on?
Coming from a baseball player…if you felt the need to ask on a college school board then there’s a very low chance. Unless you are an extremely talented athlete there is no way anyone could play at a college level (even d3 or JC) without even playing at a highschool level. If I were you I would go and check out an intermerial softball or baseball team.
Go watch a college baseball game and see if you think you could do what they are doing. College baseball is extremely difficult.
I’m just going to say what the other responders are too polite to say: your question is insulting to D2 athletes everywhere. Playing even for a D2 school is no joke–these are talented, seriously committed players, and they’ve played many years of high school and travel ball to get to that level. It’s not a grown-up version of rec ball at the community center. Intramural ball is where you need to look.
Baseball is not a sport you can just pick up or switch to from another sport.
Less chance than Michael Jordan or Tim Tebow playing in the MLB
I’ll come at you from the “glass is half-full” perspective.
What was your former position in the field? How tall are you? How out of shape are you? As you know, baseball is a spring sport, so you have about 8 months +/- to get your timing, strength and conditioning back. If you’re serious, then start hitting the batting cages and fielding your position, find a summer league team, start conditioning and strength training now, there’s always a possibility.
But time is ticking away. Fate loves the fearless.
Make sure your school even takes walk ons or has try outs. Many coaches do not.
I will be a dissenting opinion here. You MIGHT be able to play for a D3 that isn’t known for it’s baseball. Some of the teams out there aren’t very good. Caltech is one example. The catch to those schools, however, is that your academics have to be outstanding.
A lot of D2’s don’t have the best academics, but have good baseball.
Keep in mind that we know nothing about your baseball playing abilities. Are you a LHP that throws 82-84? A RHP who throws in the mid 80’s? A 6’3" 230lb. guy who can hit the ball 375’? A catcher who has a sub 2 sec. pop time? Can you run a sub 7 60 ?
If you have extraordinary physical abilities a coach might have his interest piqued, but the lack of time playing baseball between middle school and college is a turn off. While you have NOT been playing baseball, others have been working very hard both on and off the field improving their game.
Well, how insulting.
And the OP already selected his college. Going to Caltech or a different D3 or even a different D2 or D1 isn’t being discussed. He needs to know if if can make HIS college team.
I’m reminded of a guy named Rudy who hadn’t played football for something like 6 years and eventually made the college football team as a walk on.
How committed are to playing? Can you work out a few hours everyday until the season starts?
College baseball teams, assuming there is some sort of tryout, are made in the early fall, not in the spring before the season starts.