The Importance of Grades
by Rob Naddelman

We want to speak briefly about the importance of your grades and standardized test scores when embarking on the college search process.

At Baseball Factory, we have had the opportunity to work with thousands of players. Time and time again, the number one limiting factor for a player in his search for a college is his academic achievement. When we ask players where they want to go to school, the most common answer is “anywhere I can play baseball.” Unfortunately, if you do not have the grades to be admitted to a school, it is all for naught.

It is important to know that the NCAA will determine your eligibility for college baseball by determining your grade point average in your “core courses.” Your core courses consist of history, English, foreign language, math, and science. Unfortunately, your elective classes such as gym, art design, and art do not count towards your core course GPA.

In addition, your standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) are also a factor. The NCAA uses a “sliding scale” to determine your eligibility. The sliding scale goes up and down as it relates to GPA and SAT/ACT scores. With the recent addition of writing to both the SAT and ACT tests (optional for the ACT), the NCAA does not currently factor the writing section into this sliding scale.  Most universities factor it in during their admissions process, but to be officially eligible, it is not considered.  So, for example, if your GPA is higher, your SAT can be lower.  If you have a 3.55 GPA or above, you can be eligible with a combined score of 400 on the critical reading and math section of the SAT, or a score of 37 on the ACT.  However, if you have a 2.0 GPA, you must have a combined score of 1010 on the critical reading and math section of the SAT, or a score of 86 on the ACT.

Remember, NCAA eligibility does not ensure that you will be admitted to a particular university because each school has its own academic standards. Here are a few reasons why college coaches like to recruit players with strong grades:

1. They have fewer reservations about whether a player will be eligible to play in college.
2. They feel more secure offering a player a scholarship, if he will probably be eligible.
3. They feel that the player will be able to balance his studies and baseball responsibilities while in college.

The best thing you can do for yourself as you prepare for college baseball is to study and work hard in the classroom. A “full ride” in baseball is next to unheard of. If you can get some academic scholarship money, you will have a better chance to defray the cost of college for you and your parents.

For more information on the NCAA eligibility requirements, please visit ncaaclearinghouse.net