An "Anomaly" In College Sports

[DFW HOYA]

"Quinn Stewart sprints to his position in left field, pounds his glove and crouches into defensive position...
Stewart is an anomaly in baseball. He is a black man playing what has become a nearly all-white game - college baseball. Six percent of all college baseball players are black...

His singular status on LSU's 43-man roster says a lot about a sport that once boasted heroes like Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson. It says a lot about what has happened to the structure of the inner city black communities and how those communities have responded to the economic incentives and disincentives that accompany college athletics today."

www.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/uwire/050505aaf.html

[NoCleverName]

Interesting article. A few comments.

* While LSU has a tremendous program, I'm surprised a kid from California would attend any SEC school. The SEC baseball crowds are notorious for aiming derogatory comments at African American players. In particular, I can remember a regional a number of years ago played at UGA that there were some inappropriate jeers and comments at AA players.

* The article mentions the lack of leagues and opportunities in the inner city, which is accurate, however, fails to address that a significant number of African Americans live outside of the inner city. Why isn't this population interested in playing baseball? Is it because of a lack of interest in baseball in general or is there another reason?

* An explanation that I've heard concerning the lack of AA college baseball players is that most AAs who are good enough to play high level college baseball are also drafted by MLB out of high school. Most of these kids will choose to sign to play pro ball instead of going to college. A factor to consider for many of these kids is that due to the limit on college baseball scholarships they are most likely not receiving a full ride to college so they would have to come up with some money on their own to attend college.

* As mentioned in the article, the recruiting process for college baseball is a significant factor. The use of showcases, travel teams, etc have reduced the importance of high school baseball. However, in order to participate in these events you have to be aware of them and have the money to participate.

[TigerHoya]

NoCleverName said:

Interesting article. A few comments.

* While LSU has a tremendous program, I'm surprised a kid from California would attend any SEC school. The SEC baseball crowds are notorious for aiming derogatory comments at African American players. In particular, I can remember a regional a number of years ago played at UGA that there were some inappropriate jeers and comments at AA players.

S.C. had it happen at a hoops game a couple of years ago as well. The school had to apologize to the Kentucky athletic director over racial slurs directed at UK players.

* The article mentions the lack of leagues and opportunities in the inner city, which is accurate, however, fails to address that a significant number of African Americans live outside of the inner city. Why isn't this population interested in playing baseball? Is it because of a lack of interest in baseball in general or is there another reason?

Was it Wilbon that wrote a column espousing similar themes before opening day for the Nats?

* An explanation that I've heard concerning the lack of AA college baseball players is that most AAs who are good enough to play high level college baseball are also drafted by MLB out of high school. Most of these kids will choose to sign to play pro ball instead of going to college. A factor to consider for many of these kids is that due to the limit on college baseball scholarships they are most likely not receiving a full ride to college so they would have to come up with some money on their own to attend college.

This happens as much or more with white players too I'd say. If you recruit too heavily from among the top HS players you wind up seeing your classes decimated by the draft. The only consolation in that is the 3 year rule for the players you actually get to come to school after they sign.

* As mentioned in the article, the recruiting process for college baseball is a significant factor. The use of showcases, travel teams, etc have reduced the importance of high school baseball. However, in order to participate in these events you have to be aware of them and have the money to participate.

I don't know about any of the HS showcase events other than the one that was at Ripken Stadium last year but I'm sure there are numerous others. Baseball recruiting sees alot of west coast talent come east and you see some odd hometowns on many schools on the East Coast.