College Baseball

It is exciting to see baseball in the air again, but you don't have to go to either Arizona or Florida to see the nation's pastime in the spring. College baseball is a great product which is far overlooked by the masses. The College World Series has become a great event every year. Starting this weekend teams will begin working towards that penultimate moment. Up in the high country the Mountaineers will travel to Jacksonville State to start their slate. Jacksonville State was the Ohio Valley champion last year. The Mountaineers are trying to return to the regionals for the first time since they capped a 6 consecutive year streak with at least 30 wins in 1986. Matt Andress is the ace of the staff with 8 wins last year (the most for a Mountaineer in 19 years). They also return 5 players who averaged at least .300 last year.

But the season actually got started last night or this morning however you want to look at it. Central Michigan and Florida Gulf Coast threw their first pitch at 12:01 am on Feb. 20th in Fort Myers. Wichita State, Temple and Samford also played under the unusual format

Other highlights of the weekend include Oregon State playing for the first time in 28 years, and a Big East Big 10 challenge. Clemson and Charlotte play this weekend. It will be interesting to see if Clemson can bounce back from missing the postseason for the first time in 21 years. #11 Louisville is also up against #24 Florida.

It is great to hear the crack of the bat again even if it is metal (that is an argument for another day).