If you or a baseball player you know of is looking for places to take their skills to the college level, these 5 Ohio schools should absolutely be on your radar. Not only do these colleges offer the best of a challenging academic environment and competitive baseball programs, but they also have fantastic athletic facilities and support for their student-athletes.
The reason we chose to showcase these NCAA Division III schools is that unlike other sports, namely football, D3 baseball is highly competitive and even outperforms much bigger and well-funded D2 and D1 programs. In addition, these college baseball programs are respected not only in Ohio but nationally as well.
Smaller D3 college baseball programs are a great way for players to advance in their baseball careers while simultaneously receiving a quality education. The close-knit community of a small school also has the benefit of a superior student-to-faculty ratio, networking opportunities, and a healthy social atmosphere.
Image Credit: Marietta College Athletics
1. Marietta College
Located in a small town on the Ohio River in Southeast Ohio, Marietta holds the record for the most Division III baseball world series championships with a total of 6. The Pioneers are without a doubt a top baseball program in Ohio but are also one of the best small college baseball programs in the United States. They have been known to beat D2 and D1 teams in scrimmages and are a fierce contender in their own conference year after year.
The small body of 1,200 students and the small town of Marietta results in a welcoming place to call a home away from home during the college experience. Marietta prides itself on fostering a community among its students and offering a challenging yet rewarding academic program.
Image Credit: The Daily Record
2. The College of Wooster
The College of Wooster is located in the town of the same name about an hour’s drive south of Cleveland. Wooster has a highly respectable baseball program worth considering for any prospective college player. The Fighting Scots are two-time semi-finalists in the Division III world series championship and still hold their own each year with 25 total NCAA D3 tournament appearances since 1976.
Wooster’s small population of 2,000 students is intentional to ensure close interaction between faculty and students. This results in a superior academic experience as well as a special close-knit bond among students. If you’re looking for a truly exceptional institution with a competitive baseball program, Wooster is hard to beat.
Image Credit: Otterbein University Athletics
3. Otterbein University
Located just north of Columbus in the town of Westerville, Otterbein offers a highly competitive baseball program and a long history of academic excellence and innovation among its students. Otterbein’s baseball team appeared once in the Division III world series championship, losing out to local rival Marietta. However, they continue to be fierce competition in their conference and produce quality players every year.
Otterbein is also recognized as among the top 10 regional universities in the Midwest. With plenty of majors to choose from, dedicated faculty, and plenty of student resources, Otterbein is clearly committed to their undergraduates. This makes this small school a great choice for baseball players on and off the field.
Image Credit: Oberlin College Athletics
4. Oberlin College
Oberlin College is located in the town of the same name just southwest of Cleveland. It’s well known for its academic excellence but also has a fantastic baseball program that rivals many others across Ohio and the U.S. They won the NCAC championship in 2015, but they have the players and coaching staff to do it again anytime.
Oberlin also has outstanding athletic facilities complete with an indoor field house and state-of-the-art training equipment. Oberlin’s baseball program can practice year-round so players can keep up with their skills, strength, and conditioning to be the best they can be.
Image Credit: Baldwin Wallace University
5. Baldwin Wallace University
Located in the residential community of Berea, Ohio, Baldwin Wallace is an up-and-coming star among Ohio D3 baseball schools. Of the 2,500 students, 1 in 4 are student-athletes, so you can be sure baseball players at Baldwin Wallace will have the tools, support, and resources they need to succeed on and off the field.
The campus of Baldwin Wallace gives students the best of both a quiet suburban setting and easy access to the bustling city of Cleveland for internship opportunities. Not only will baseball players be challenged on the field, but they will also be challenged academically and be given the tools for career development.
Conclusion
With Ohio’s rich baseball history and a track record for producing some of the best players and coaches in the sport, it’s no wonder why there are so many great small Ohio colleges for baseball. Luckily, great baseball programs aren’t limited just to the big Division I schools.
NCAA Division III baseball is no joke, so if you or a player you know is interested in competing at the collegiate level while still receiving an exceptional education, these are the best schools for it in Ohio. Just because a bigger and more well-funded school is in D2 or D1 doesn’t automatically make them a great team or a good fit for everyone. That’s why every serious baseball player looking to play college ball should consider one of these awesome D3 schools in Ohio.