Six Tool Baseball News and Updates (November 14, 2025)

Summer Collegiate Baseball Coaches will begin to contact student-athletes with College eligibility and high school seniors to fill roster spots.  Everyone should evaluate the contracts offered for these teams very carefully.  When a contract is received you must ask for the teams roster size, player fees, and the refund policy.  It is recommended that you do this via email so the rules can't change as you have the answers in writing.  The best summer collegiate baseball leagues include,

1. Cape Cod Collegiate Baseball League

2. Northwoods Collegiate Baseball League (High number of games)

3. Valley Collegiate Baseball League (In the Virginia Mountains) 

4. Prospect Baseball League (Many States and extensive travelling)

The key is to find the league that is best for your talent level (potential playing time) as playing time in these leagues based on if you can win a starting position.  Pitchers are always utilized as every team always seems to end up looking for additional Pitchers as the summer season progresses.

Traditionally, when Coach Long coached in these leagues ( a distant past), roster size was limited to 25 players including 12-13 Pitchers.  In the past few years we have seen roster sizes balloon to nearly 50 in some cases.  This is an obvious "money grab" and these teams should be avoided at all costs.  Player fees of ~$500 + cost of housing appears to be the norm.  Learn who your Coach for the Summer will be.  Often you can tell the quality of the Coaching Staff by researching their current Collegiate job.  These leagues range from high quality Coaches looking to improve their resume to a person off the street that is helping the Team Owners who are in it "for the wrong reasons".  

Know the programs refund policy and get a copy in writing.  Some teams count on making money from the players who get little or no playing time by having a NO REFUND POLICY.  

Additional Questions to ask include,

1. Are the players "on their own" for food or do the teams provide a meal after games.  The best programs have a policy where the HOME team provides a meal after games for both teams.  Your not getting Lobster tails and steak, but more likely a few hot dogs and hamburgers with a side (The NORM).

2. Does the team offer you a workout facility locally or at the College Dorms where you may be housed. 

3. How many roommates are in each dorm or at each community housing situation (host families).  Some host families are great and often want a college baseball player to positivley influence their kids while other are looking for the players to do chores (Yes, this has actully happened).

4. What are the unexpected costs associated with the Summer Program you are considering?

5.  Know the transportation policy.  What games are you provided a team bus and when will you be required to drive yourself to away games.  This is the primary reason for a Player Fee.

Remember that playing time is based on your ability to produce on the field!  Any questions, feel free to ask.

HOT- Will start game or likely to Pitch

COLD- No chance of Pitching in game

HOT-

- Arrive at the ballpark an hour (or more) before gametime with a hoodie/Jacket, two baseballs, water, towel, and bands.

- Begin Stretching and Band work routine. Complete your Hip Circuit. Continue hydrating as needed.

- Run your poles and/or sprints. Remember that we warm up to throw, not throw to warm-up.

- Long Toss alternating four seam fastball and change to ~100 feet (Four seam Fastball after ~100 feet)

- Go for a jog and visualize success on the mound. Review game plan and notice upcoming weather and field conditions.

- Bullpen (begin with ROM and shorten as needed / wind-up and stretch / Over spin breaking balls then locate / review signs with your catcher / review game plan with your catcher and coach) Should have a good sweat going as you enter the game.

- GAMETIME (Sit in same spot of dugout / review upcoming batters and game situations / Hydrate as needed (Sip, not Chug)).

- After game, complete (ACTIVE RECOVERY) Sprints and or poles, complete shoulder circuit, Vitamin C and water intake as needed / prepare for Heavy Leg Recovery Day tomorrow (Day One).

- Review and visualize your success throughout the game. Enter notes into your notebook (What worked or didn’t work).

COLD-

- Complete Day Three, Four or Five as plan recommends.

- Spray Chart or Pitch charting during game.

- Delivery Drills pre-game if needed.