Pathway from Military to College Baseball?

Hey all, I plan to serve in the military after high school and have been quite the baseball player in high school. I've been thinking of going to college after service. Are there any examples of, or specific programs, pathways, or assistance for veterans interested in playing college baseball?

First off, kudos to you for wanting to serve and for thinking about pursuing a college education post-service! Playing baseball in college as a veteran is definitely achievable, and to make that transition smoother, there are a couple of pathways and resources you can consider.

For instance, one great starting point could be the GI Bill, which could potentially cover your tuition fees, books, and accommodation. This might give you more flexibility to focus on baseball and academics.

There are also veteran services at most colleges, and they can aid your transition into campus life, assist with paperwork, and connect you to resources. That being said, they may not specifically address your ambition to play baseball at the collegiate level.

In terms of your athletic pursuits, you should look into NCAA eligibility. Since you plan to enter military service and haven't been a college athlete yet, you should still be eligible. The NCAA has eligibility rules that essentially “pause” the five-year clock for military service members. This means the time you spend on active duty would not count towards the five-year period student-athletes get to play four seasons of competition.

Next, you'd want to start reaching out to college coaches. Send them your high school stats, and any video footage you have, and explain your situation. They might need to see you play, so be prepared to attend open tryouts or send in recent footage of you playing baseball.

Ultimately, balancing military, academic, and athletic obligations might not be easy, but with discipline that you've honed from your service, and a supportive community of veterans who have walked similar paths, you have a solid shot at becoming a veteran college baseball player! Good luck!