Baseball scholarships in the U.S. for Latin American players
Updated: October 31, 2026
College baseball has programs in every division and scholarships in most. This guide summarizes what each level can cover, why to look at junior colleges, and how to build your video and contact coaches.
Scholarships by division
| Level | What baseball can offer |
|---|---|
| NCAA D1 | The limit used to be 11.7 scholarships per team, spread across up to 32 players. Under the House v. NCAA settlement, programs that opt in have a 34-player roster and no scholarship cap: awards can be full or partial. Schools that do not opt in still use the 11.7 limit. |
| NCAA D2 | 9 scholarship equivalencies per team. |
| NCAA D3 | No athletic scholarships; aid is academic or need-based. |
| NAIA | 12 equivalencies per team, according to NAIA documents. |
| NJCAA D1 | May give full athletic scholarships. |
| NJCAA D2 | Tuition, books, fees and up to $250 in supplies, without housing or meals. |
| NJCAA D3 | May not give athletic scholarships. |
Equivalencies are split into portions, so most players get a partial scholarship, not a full one. Rules change: confirm them on the official sites. More in our guides.
Why look at junior colleges
Junior colleges (NJCAA and regional associations) are two-year schools that recruit many international players, cost less and, in NJCAA D1, can give full scholarships. Transferring to a four-year university afterwards is common. It is a reasonable route if your video is not yet strong enough for the NCAA.
Eligibility and video
NCAA D1 and D2 require the Eligibility Center, and the NAIA has its own: see the eligibility guide. In baseball, video and numbers weigh heavily: pitch velocity, 60-yard or home-to-first time, catcher pop time, exit velocity.
Sources
- AP: College baseball future may see greater imbalance in competition
- Scholarships and Grants: Colleges for Baseball (NCAA, NAIA y JUCO)
Frequently asked questions
Can a softball player get a baseball scholarship?
He can try, especially as a fielder, but coaches will ask for baseball video. Pitching and hitting differ from softball.
How many scholarships does a baseball team have?
It depends on the division: 9 equivalencies in NCAA D2, 12 in the NAIA, none in D3, and in NCAA D1 a 34-player roster with no scholarship cap for programs that opted in to the House settlement.
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- Are recruiting showcases worth it for a U.S. scholarship?
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