Baseball: Former Commit Zach Fish To Okie St.
Via the Kalamazoo Gazette:
In April, the Gull Lake all-state baseball player accepted a scholarship offer to the University of Michigan. Weeks later, he re-opened his recruitment.
Recently, Fish was invited to be the lone Michigan representative and labeled among the top 60 from the U.S. to partake in the Power Showcase International High School Home Run Derby Dec. 27-30 at Chase Field in Phoenix.
This afternoon in the main conference room at Gull Lake High School, Fish will sign a national letter-of-intent with Oklahoma State University.
It goes on to say they offered 70% scholarship, and that he was sold on the Big XII's ability to produce more pro players and the Big XII's 16-4 record against the Big Ten last year.
/slams-head-on-desk
Today was early signing day for quite a few Michigan sports. Baseball is yet to publish the list of early signees, but I expect it out in the next few days.
November 10th, 2010 at 11:15 PM ^
Ah, but the Big XII has no defense, and no Nebraska by the time he plays.
November 11th, 2010 at 7:54 AM ^
30% of out-of-state tuition to a not very academically strong school like Okie State.
November 11th, 2010 at 8:02 AM ^
From what I understand, he was offered 50% to attend Michigan. The price difference wouldn't have been huge. Oklahoma State's out of state tuition would been around $25k for the year. That's only about a $2k difference per year from half off in-state tuition at Michigan.
If his goal is to play in the majors, $2k extra per year over 3 years probably isn't a deterrent.
November 11th, 2010 at 8:45 AM ^
What's the standard w/r/t College baseball scholarships? I'm sure it varies by program but is a partial scholarship standard? Do sports like football have a similar structure in place?
November 11th, 2010 at 9:05 AM ^
Baseball is limited to 11.7 scholarships per team. Obviously, with a roster closer to 25, there are either more partials or fewer full scholarships. Not many of Michigan's players ever have more than 50% unless they are the "very special" types.
On top of that, there are also some schools that choose to operate below the 11.7 maximum. I've heard that Northwestern divides up something like 7 scholarships. Some of the New England schools don't even offer scholarships. With baseball being less of a money maker up north (several schools in the south make profit from baseball), the northern schools just offer opportunity and not scholarship.
November 11th, 2010 at 11:29 AM ^
FYI... Michigan offered Travis Maezes from A2 Pioneer a 100% scholarship a couple weeks ago after he started getting calls from all the SEC/ACC schools in the south. He just received an offer from Virginia and UNC wants to see him in person before offering him.
November 10th, 2010 at 11:26 PM ^
He looked like a really solid prospect. Too bad.
November 10th, 2010 at 11:43 PM ^
Wish him the best. Would have been great in blue, but can't blame him for wanting to go to a better baseball conference.
November 10th, 2010 at 11:58 PM ^
I played against him 3 years in high school...Never was really that impressed with him. Great hitter, but hasn't got the defensive skills to make him a superstar. It would've been nice to see him in maize and blue tho
November 11th, 2010 at 2:01 AM ^
As much as I would have loved to see him in the Maize and Blue, I wish him good luck. As long as the Big Ten is a "mid-major" conference, it will be tough to get high profile recruits regularly, although I have faith that we will be competitive regardless.
November 11th, 2010 at 8:35 AM ^
but this is really Crappie. He was a highly Trouted prospect, but hopefully there's another one coming down the Pike.
November 11th, 2010 at 10:16 AM ^
I'm also feeling Bluegill about this... He had a really good walleye for the ball. While he was still Ruffie on defense, but I thought he could take a Perch among our best offensive players.
Who knows, he may Flounder in college ball. I wish him the Bass of luck.
November 11th, 2010 at 10:34 AM ^
would have been good for two, Tuna half wins a season.
November 11th, 2010 at 10:43 AM ^
Cost $1000 and many others in Michigan were invited. Should have saved the money for school.
November 11th, 2010 at 12:39 PM ^
I would bet Oklahoma state has some crazy-great athletic facilities. And playing in the south, without the weather constraints we have up here? Also a draw. Wish he were going to be a wolverine, but I wish him the best.