SouthernCollegeSports.com

SCS.com The conference tournaments have begun, and the stage is about to be set for one of the most exciting times of year in college athletics. NCAA baseball does not get the publicity that other sports such as basketball or football do, but it is certainly just as exciting.

In college baseball, teams are rewarded for good play with the unique opportunity to host postseason tournaments, something no other major college sport can claim. The atmosphere for postseason college hardball can be electric. Places such as Haymaker Park, Alex Box, and Baum Stadium can make a college baseball fan realize that this sport is bigtime. The publicity is lacking in college baseball, making it is the best kept secret in college athletics.

Some teams have established themselves as contenders for Omaha, while others are looking for enough magic to simply make the tourney. In my opinion, about 98% of the bids are locked up; there are only a few teams that can play thier way in or out this week.

I believe the SEC will get 9 teams in again this year, while the ACC will get 8 bids. Mid-majors such as the Missouri Valley and West Coast Conferences will get 3 bids each in 2006. Other lesser-known leagues, such as the Southern Conference and the Big South, will also get multiple bids.

This tournament season will be lots of fun as we see the march to Omaha. There will always be Cinderella stories like Missouri State back in 2003, as well as blockbuster upsets. College baseball is becoming a major player on the NCAA sports scene, and there is no better time to start following this great sport than right now!

Houston Regional (1)

1. Rice
4. Prairie View A&M

2. San Francisco
3. TCU

Stillwater Regional

1. Oklahoma State
4. Kent State

2. LSU
3. Wichitia State

Tuscaloosa Regional (8)

1. Alabama
4. Jacksonville State

2. Troy
3. Birmingham-Southern

Oklahoma City Regional (Bricktown Ballpark)

1. Oklahoma
4. Central Connecticut State

2. Mississippi
3. Michigan