Conference USA Has Sponsored The Proposal

In July, the Legislative Council sustained its approval of the proposal. The Board allowed the Legislative Council action to stand, sending the proposal to the Convention.

Intended to address concerns about the amount of missed class time for baseball student-athletes, the new baseball rule (Proposal No. 2008-46) would allow coaches to spread a maximum of 56 games over 14 weeks instead of 13. Conference USA sponsored the proposal.

The Championships/Sport Management Cabinet opposed the legislation because it detracted from the competitive equity between northern and southern institutions.

The institutions that requested the override are all located in the North, including all 11 institutions in the Big Ten Conference. The institutions cited concerns about having to travel South to begin their seasons and incurring increased expenses for the programs and additional missed class time for student-athletes.

Many of the institutions calling for the override indicated they would add an additional week at the end of the season, when spring classes are complete for many student-athletes.

The Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is split on the issue. Some members agree that the weather could put Northern schools at a disadvantage, but others believe that spreading the same number of contests over a shorter time (13 weeks) would likely mean more midweek contests and more missed class time. Others noted that a longer season, potentially including more travel, could take a physical toll on student-athletes. The SAAC will revisit the issue at its meeting next week before the override vote.

Extension At Huntington Park Will Run Through 2010 Season

Indiana won the 2009 Big Ten Tourney

ballpark in 2011 and 2012. Due to a facility conflict, the 2010 tournament will be held at Ohio State’s Bill Davis Stadium.

“The Big Ten Conference is excited to return to the city of Columbus for its upcoming baseball tournaments,” Big Ten Conference Commissioner James E. Delany said. “Last year’s event provided a fantastic experience for our coaches, student-athletes and fans, and we look forward to growing the event in the next three years.”

“We are thrilled that Columbus, Bill Davis Stadium and Huntington Park will host the Big Ten Baseball Tournament through 2012,” Greater Columbus Sports Commission Executive Director Linda Shetina Logan said. “Our community thanks the Big Ten Conference, its schools and coaches for making this commitment to Columbus, and we will work to build an atmosphere for this tournament similar to the College World Series.”

The 2009 Big Ten Baseball Tournament drew more than 12,000 fans, marking the tournament’s highest total attendance in the past decade. Indiana took home the program’s second tournament title, earning the Big Ten’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

OSU's Bill Davis Stadium will host 2010 Big 10 Tournament

“We were proud to host the Big Ten Baseball Tournament in 2009 and look forward to its return to Huntington Park in 2011 and 2012,” said Columbus Clippers General Manager Ken Schnacke, who also manages Huntington Park. “And we look forward to partnering with the Big Ten and the Columbus Sports Commission to grow the tournament every year.”

Prior to 2009, the Big Ten Baseball Tournament had been played at the site of the regular-season champion or the champion from a pre-selected division since its inception in 1981, with the exception of 1993 and 1994, when the tournament was held in Battle Creek, Mich. From 1981-99, the tournament field consisted of the conference’s top four teams. In 2000, the field expanded to include six squads. The Big Ten Baseball Tournament is a double-elimination event with the top two seeds earning first-round byes.

(Release)

Buckeyes will compete in Florida and Tennessee prior to start of Big Ten campaign

OSU Head Coach Bob Todd (Courtesy OSU)

Ohio State’s initial series of games on the road also includes trips to Port Charlotte, Fla. (March 5-7), Knoxville (March 12-14) and to Winter Haven, Fla., for a series of Spring Break games against opponents to be announced.

2010 Ohio State Schedule (PDF)

Big Ten Conference play opens the weekend of April 2-4 at Northwestern and the regular season will conclude May 20-22 in Columbus with a series against Minnesota. The Bill Davis Stadium home opener is set for 2:05 p.m. Wednesday, March 31 against Toledo. It will be the first of 21 home games for the Buckeyes in 2010.

A few notes about some of the 2010 opponents:

• North Florida (Feb. 19) – Defeated Florida State (No. 10 final Collegiate Baseball ranking), Florida (No.13) and Miami (No. 20).
• Notre Dame (Feb. 27) – Big East Tournament runner-up.
• Tennessee (Mar. 13) – Took 2-of-3 from CWS champion LSU.
• Michigan (April 30-May 2) – The series this year will be played in Ann Arbor.
• Louisville (May 4-5) – Finished 2009 ranked No. 14; Advanced to Super Regional before falling to Cal State Fullerton; returns to Columbus after the Buckeyes traveled to Louisville for a pair in 2009.
• Indiana (Apr. 9-11) – Big Ten tournament champion in 2009; teams did not play a Big Ten series in 2009.
• Minnesota (May 20-22) – Big Ten regular season and tournament runner-up; NCAA Regional participant.

(Press Release)