2007 was a bit of a "down" year for SEC baseball. Only Mississippi State made it to the College World Series. However, the Southeastern Conference still ended the year with five teams in the Rivals.com Top-25. That was more than any other conference. [Big 12 had 4; ACC - 4; Pac-10 - 3]
SEC Baseball Championship Tournament at Hoover Met/Regions Park.
Thanks to bjmillican at flickr.com for the picture .
In any event, 2007 - 2008 looks to be a great year for baseball fans of SEC teams. In fact we think three teams from the SEC will make it to the College World Series (South Carolina, Vanderbilt, and Ole Miss). We think the Gamecocks will win the 2008 CWS Championship.
Even including the disappointing 2007 season, Southeastern Conference baseball is clearly the best.
The SEC dominates college baseball as no conference dominates any other major sport. And, baseball is, after all, "America's Sport."
Certainly baseball is not the #1 fan sport. Football is. Basketball is second. But, baseball is third (of 12) and that makes it a major fan sport. So, the SEC's domination of the sport is a key reason the SEC is the top college sports conference in America..
OK, so you buy that baseball is important. Enough already. Why is baseball in the SEC #1?
Thanks to utsports.com for photos 1 and 9 above. Thanks to ukathletics.com for photos 7 and 8 above. Thanks to BJ Millican at flickr.com/photos/bjmillican for the rest of the pictures. All rights are reserved for these photos.
Here's why. Since 1990:
1. More Southeastern Conference teams have received bids to the NCAA Baseball Tournament (113) than any other conference.
2. More SEC Baseball teams made it to the College World Series than any other conference. It is not even close. SEC teams have appeared 34 times. Pac-10 teams have appeared 25 times. Big 12 -- 23 appearances. The ACC has 19; and Big West 13. No other conference has more than 6. The numbers are even more startling in recent years. In 2004, SEC teams played in 12 of 15 games in the College World Series. In 2005, SEC teams played in 8 of 15 games.
3. Since 1990, the SEC has won 6 NCAA baseball championships. Runners-up are the Big 12 with 4 and PAC 10 with 3. The SEC also came in second 3 times during the same time period.
4. Since 1990 the SEC has sent 9 of its 12 schools to the College World Series. Runners up are ACC with 7 and Big 12 and Pac-10 with 6 each. So, SEC Baseball is both stronger and deeper than anyone else.
5. Last year, as most years, the SEC ended the year with more teams in the top 25 (5) than any other conference.
SEC Baseball Tournament.
Thanks to bjmillican for this photo.
6. The SEC DOMINATES everyone else in college baseball fan attendance. Obviously, this is a key statistic at SEC Sports Fan. Last season (2006-2007), the top five college baseball teams in fan attendance were:
Arkansas
LSU
Mississippi State
South Carolina
Ole Miss
And, Alabama was ranked 9th and Florida 15th. Amazing fan support. At least compared to the rest of the college baseball world.
7. There are scores of other statistics that demonstrate the strength of SEC baseball. SEC players drafted (Vanderbilt pitcher David Price top pick last year); Price was also college baseball's Player of the Year in 2007. SEC players named to the All-America Team (many). Coaches named coach of the year (Kentucky's coach, John Cohen won it in 2006). But, these statistics are not definitive. The results on the field are.
8. One final statistic worth mentioning is recruiting. Once again Collegiate Baseball ranked an SEC school as having the top college baseball recruiting class. Last year (2006) it was South Carolina. This year, it is LSU -- for the second time in 4 years. 4 other SEC schools are in the top-20 in recruiting (more than any other conference). But, most impressive is that 11 (of 12) SEC schools were ranked in the top 40. And the last SEC school, was Tennessee -- ranked 44th. No other conference comes anywhere close to that. The SEC has incredible domination of the recruiting battle. Obviously this is just another reflection of the fact that SEC baseball is in a class by itself. And, will remain there, alone, at the top of the college baseball world, for the foreseeable future.
Based on the discussion above I rank the college baseball major conferences as follows:
Click on link below to go to each individual SEC baseball team page
Georgia Bulldogs -- It's been a tough couple of years. But, the Baseball Bulldogs are BACK!!
South Carolina Gamecocks -- Top recruiting class in the country 3 of last 5 years. Will pay off this year by winning the College Baseball World Series.
Ole Miss Rebels -- Will be hot on the Gamecocks tail during the regular season. Will make it to the College World Series.
Vanderbilt Commodores -- We underestimated Vandy last year. Won't make that mistake again. Although, some people have them ranked #1 in the SEC. We think you can't lose David Price and not suffer for it. Still, the Commodores will return to the CWS.
LSU Tigers -- Named top college baseball recruiting class in the offseason by Collegiate Baseball for the 2d time in 4 years. LSU is Traditionally the class of the SEC having won the college world series 5 times since 1990. More than any other college in America. This year, they will be on the bubble to make it to the College World Series.
Florida Gators -- We think new coach Kevin O'Sullivan will work out fine. But, this year there will be some adjustment. Still, a solid year looks to be in the cards for the Gators.
Tennessee Vols -- The Vols were a big disappointment last season, and really the past few years. As a result, their long-time coach Rod Delmonico was fired. They've got a new coach and a new attitude. But, this year will be a transition year for Tennessee baseball.
Arkansas Razorbacks -- Lost most of their pitching from last year. But, lots of fresh young talent will get stronger as the year goes on.
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