Informed Athlete: D-I Walk-ons

Rick Allen

www.informedathlete.com | rick@informedathlete.com

Reminders for NCAA Division I Baseball Walk-ons

Walk-on baseball athletes at the Division I level should be assessing their chances to make the 35-man roster if there were more than 35 guys practicing with their team during Fall ball.

While many Division I coaches will have one-on-one meetings with walk-ons after Fall practice ends to let them know where they stand on making the roster, some coaches will keep 36-37 guys practicing with the team and won’t make those final cuts down to 35 until shortly before the season begins in mid-February.

While there aren’t many coaches that do that, I believe it’s unfair and unethical to keep a player “hanging on” in hopes of making the 35-man roster and then leaving the player with no options to transfer to another college for the Spring if they are cut after they’ve already attended classes for a few weeks in the Spring term.

If a Division I walk-on finds themselves unsure of their roster status for the Spring, they should meet with their coach BEFORE they leave campus for the holiday break so they can at least learn as much as possible about where they stand. They can then decide whether they’re going to return for the Spring term with the knowledge that they might be cut from the team, or are going to transfer to a lower level of college ball to have a chance to play in the Spring.

If an athlete chooses to pursue an opportunity to play for another program in the Spring, he’ll need to follow all the steps in the transfer process and meet the academic eligibility requirements at his current school in order to be immediately eligible at another college or university.

It’s also important to remember that if you are cut from the team and are not retained on the 35-man roster but choose to stay enrolled there for the Spring term, you’re also prohibited from practicing or working out with the team once the season starts in February.

If you have questions about the 35-man roster and how it can impact you, contact Rick Allen at 913-766-1235 or at rick@informedathlete.com for a confidential 30 minute consultation. The cost is $75 and during our private call, I’ll answer any questions you have and discuss the best strategy for your particular situation.

For more information on recruiting, eligibility, and scholarship issues, visit Informed Athlete and sign up for our weekly email to stay informed and up-to-date on important issues.

About Rick Allen:
• 25-plus years NCAA rules expertise, including Director of Compliance at two major D-I schools
• Current member and former President of National Association for Athletic Compliance (NAAC)
• Conducts compliance reviews and audits at NCAA Schools throughout the U.S.
• Consults with NAIA schools transitioning to NCAA membership status
• Dad of a D-I and D-II student-athlete and Perfect Game alum

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