Division I baseball means high competition, fast speed and elite talent.

Transitioning from the high school level to Division I standards is an adjustment that all Elon varsity athletes must make in their first year of college.

Thirteen new players will join the Phoenix baseball team this season, filling the shoes of recent graduates.

A combination of work ethic and ability along with experience that will come in the next few months will morph these young players into college athletes.

“They’ve got to grow up fast,” head coach Mike Kennedy said.  “They’re going to be in for a rude awakening in terms of the energy level that it takes to play at this level.”

Energy is only one factor that freshmen players must embrace at the college level.  They must also adapt to changes that come with differing practice methods, managing time off of the field and dealing with being a full-time student athlete.

“You can definitely tell there’s a transition from the speed of the game from high school to college,” said junior outfielder Niko Fraser.  “Sometimes it takes a little bit longer to adjust.”

Elon has been practicing for weeks in preparation for the upcoming season, working the freshmen onto the field. The new players come from seven different states along the east coast.

Competing for starting positions on the team, the new players have to work hard to make a strong impression early in their college athletic career.

“Quinn Bower and Casey Jones have really impressed me as far as just being a chameleon to the speed of the game,” Fraser said. “It’s really good to have them out there, it’s always fun to have their energy pushing everyone.”

Kennedy depends on the upperclassmen to integrate these new players into the system and teach them what it means to be a Phoenix.

“I know that when I was a freshman, the thing that helped me was having older mentors,” Fraser said. “They really do need a guide and, I’m not saying I know all the answers, but I’ve been here in the system for three years.”

There are currently ten juniors, nine sophomores and two seniors on the team.

“In terms of ability, we’ve got several freshmen who are going to be really good college players, it’s just a matter of how fast they grow up,” Kennedy said.

The new players will have their first chance to shine this Friday, Feb. 17 at Latham Park against Akron University in the Phoenix's 2012 season opener.