May 28, 2008

The State of College Baseball

College World Series, Omaha

Compiled by Patrick Hyde

Before the start of the 2008 season, CollegeBaseballInsider.com sent surveys to the nearly 300 college baseball head coaches in an effort to take the pulse of the game today. More than a third of the coaches responded. This week, as the NCAA College Baseball Tournament begins, we’ll reveal their final answers ranging from the uniform start date and recruiting to the top programs in the country and the College World Series. CBI presents The State of College Baseball.

The College World Series, Omaha and the state of the game have been hot topics over the past few years. Should the College World Series stay in Omaha? Should it stay at Rosenblatt Stadium? Just a few weeks ago, the NCAA announced that the College World Series would indeed stay in Omaha until 2030, and beginning in 2011, it would be played in a new stadium next to the Qwest Center downtown.

The coaches said (before the season):

      · 87 percent (83 of 95) said college baseball is better off now than it was 10 years ago

      · 58 percent (56 of 96) said they have been to the College World Series as a participant or guest

      · 96 percent (89 of 93) said the NCAA should keep the College World Series in Omaha

      · 51 percent (49 of 96) said the CWS should stay at Rosenblatt, while 19 percent (18 of 96) were undecided

      · 99 percent (95 of 96) said the shift from 48 teams to 64 teams for the NCAA tourney was good for college baseball

      · Only 26 percent (25 of 96) thought the NCAA should expand the tournament field

State of College Baseball, Part 1 - Uniform Start Date, Scheduling (4/22)

State of College Baseball, Part 2 - Transfers, Scholarships, APR (4/23)

State of College Baseball, Part 3 - APR, Signing Periods (4/29)