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NATIONAL COLLEGIATE BASEBALL WRITERS
NEWSLETTER
(Volume 43, No. 1, Feb. 10, 2004)
NCBWA President's Message
By NCBWA President Jeff Hurd
It may be a little cold and snowy from where you are reading this, but please be assured that the
2004 college baseball season is well under way.
First, let me congratulate a great friend of college baseball, John Manuel of BASEBALL
AMERICA, for reception of the 2003 Wilbur Snypp Award. John has devoted thousands of hours to
college coverage, major issues in collegiate athletics and extensive research, and he is a faithful member of
NCBWA.
If you are in the state of Hawai'i, you probably have some 20-25 college baseball games by now.
The Aloha State seems to be one of the few to miss the precipitation this time of year (and they do have an
occasional tropical shower there), but it is great to see the season get underway, read the early NCBWA
polls, and think warmer thoughts of spring.
Incidentally, for the media relations contacts in our group, please check CoSIDA DIGEST, ably
edited by North Alabama SID Jeff Hodges, for rules, deadlines and compilations of the annual
CoSIDA/NCBWA publications' contests. There is competition for both media guides and
programs/yearbooks, so jump in and send entries. With pending NCAA legislation, the future of media
guides is a bit vague at this juncture, so enjoy the guides and contests while you can as NCAA action
awaits in April, 2004.
Have a great year, and go to a college game soon !
Jeff Hurd - NCBWA President
The Western Athletic Conference
NCBWA Preseason Poll
The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association continues its tradition of NCAA Division I
polls for the seventh year with its 2004 weekly surveys. Weekly polls will continue from Feb. 2-June 30,
2004, following the NCAA World Series in Omaha, Neb.
The initial poll of the 2004 season has representation by eight different conferences and top
independents among the 287 baseball-playing schools in the NCAA Division I ranks.
Rank/School (2003 Record)
1. Rice (58-12)
2. LSU (45-22)
3. Stanford (51-18)
4. Georgia Tech (44-18)
5. Miami (Fla.) (45-17)
6. Texas (50-20)
7. Cal State Fullerton (50-16)
8. Long Beach State (41-20)
9. South Carolina (45-22)
10. Tulane (44-19)
11. Arizona State (54-14)
12. Wichita State (49-27)
13. Notre Dame (45-18)
14. Clemson (39-22)
15. Baylor (45-23)
16. Florida State (54-13)
17. North Carolina (42-23)
18. Washington (42-18)
19. Mississippi (35-27)
20. Arizona (35-23)
21. Nebraska (47-18)
22. North Carolina State (45-18)
23. Texas A&M (45-19)
24. Florida (37-21)
25. Florida Atlantic (47-16)
26. Ohio State (44-21)
27. UNLV (47-17)
28. UC Riverside (41-17)
29. Stetson (41-24)
30. Winthrop (35-22)
31. Southern Miss (47-16)
32. Virginia Commonwealth (46-13)
33. Mississippi State (42-20)
34. Southern (44-7)
35. Oklahoma State (34-24)
Also Receiving Votes: Auburn, Minnesota, Southern California, California, Alabama, Houston, Kansas,
Rutgers, Texas-Arlington, Oklahoma, TCU, Pepperdine, Coastal Carolina, Richmond, New Orleans,
Arkansas, Princeton, Vanderbilt, Illinois-Chicago, Tennessee, Missouri.
John Manuel Chosen as 2003 Wilbur Snypp Award Winner
Because of his commitment to college baseball, John Manuel, one of the leading experts as a
writer, radio commentator and television analyst, has been named as the winner of the 2003 National
Collegiate Baseball Writers' Wilbur Snypp Award. He is the third recipient to be honored from Baseball
America, following Jim Callis (2000) and Allen Simpson (1998).
"John is one of the most dedicated baseball writers, especially on the college beat, in America,"
said NCBWA Executive Director Bo Carter. "He has won many national awards, and this is just another he
can add to a well-stocked trophy case. John has been a great friend and adviser to NCBWA for many years
as well." Manuel, 31, has worked at Baseball America in Durham, N.C., since 1996 and took over the
college beat from former Wilbur Snypp winner Callis in the summer of 1997. He has covered the last six
College World Series for Baseball America magazine and has provided daily coverage of every game for
the last five CWS on BaseballAmerica.com. He started writing his twice-weekly web column in April
1999. He also has done television work for ESPN, College Sports Television and Comcast Cable and this
summer provided radio color commentary for Team USA's eight games in Durham. A North Carolina
native and UNC alumnus, Manuel is married to Becky Kirkland and lives in Cary, N.C.
"I'm very humbled and honored to have won this award for doing a job I love," Manuel said.
"College baseball is important to Baseball America magazine and BaseballAmerica.com, and I would not
have been in position to be considered for the award if not for BA's commitment to the sport. That
commitment is the main reason that three BA staffers have now won the Snypp, and we intend to maintain
that commitment with the help of players and coaches who shape the sport. Thank you."
Manuel is the 29th recipient of the annual award, which is presented in memory of longtime Ohio State
Sports Information Director and NCBWA founder, the late Wilbur (Bill) Snypp. Snypp was a noted
contributor to the writers' organization, which was initiated in 1962 (and celebrating its 40th year in 2001),
as well as an officer in the group. The NCBWA/Wilbur Snypp Award yearly honors a professional for
contributions to the sport of collegiate baseball. Voting is done by a panel of previous winners, who include
past NCAA World Series directors, College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame
members, decorated media members, and others.
Wilbur Snypp Award Winners
1975 Wilbur Snypp, Ohio State
1976 Bill Esposito, St. John's
1977 Phil Langhan, Cornell
1978 John Geis, Southern Conference
1979 Hank Schomber, Georgia Southern
1980 Bob Culp, Western Michigan
1981 Lou Pavlovich Sr., Collegiate Baseball
1982 Tom Price, South Carolina
1983 Bob Bradley, Clemson
1984 Robert Williams, Omaha World-Herald
1985 Jerry Miles, NCAA
1986 Larry Keefe, Seton Hall
1987 Tom Rowen, San Jose Mercury-News
1988 Fred Gerardi, KESY Radio, Omaha
1989 Jim Wright, NCAA
1990 Steve Weller, SIU-Edwardsville
1991 Bill Little, University of Texas
1992 Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman
1993 Bo Carter, Southwest Conference
1994 Lou Pavlovich Jr., Collegiate Baseball
1995 Steve Pivovar, Omaha World-Herald
1996 Gary Johnson, NCAA
1997 Dave Wohlhueter, Cornell
1998 Allen Simpson, Baseball America
1999 Alan Cannon, Texas A&M University
2000 Jim Callis, Baseball America
2001 Dick Case, USA Baseball
2002 Russell Anderson, Conference USA
2003 John Manuel, Baseball America
Western Carolina's Raleigh Named North Carolina Baseball Coach of Year
Western Carolina head baseball coach Todd Raleigh has been named 2003 College Coach of the
Year by the North Carolina Baseball Coaches Association. The organization, made up of high school and
college coaches as well as professional scouts, recognized Raleigh in late Dec., 2003.
"The committee was very impressed with what Todd has done at Western Carolina," said NCBCA
Executive Director Ronald Vincent. "Western Carolina had a terrific spring and could have easily gone to
the NCAA Super Regionals. Plus WCU had made great improvement over the past four years under Todd's
leadership." Last season, Raleigh led Western Carolina to both the Southern Conference regular-season and
tournament championships. The Cats posted a 43-21 record overall and were 22-8 in the SoCon. During
their impressive run, Western claimed wins over Clemson, who was ranked 10th at the time, and swept
Oklahoma State on the road. Western's 12-5 and 15-9 victories at Oklahoma State marked the first time
since 1974 (29 years) that the Cowboys had lost consecutive games at home to a non-conference opponent,
dropping a mid-week doubleheader to John Brown (4-21 and 4-5) on April 2, 1974. The last time the
Cowboys lost a two-game series to a non-conference opponent at home on back-to-back days was 1954.
Western, after winning the 2003 Southern Conference Baseball Championship, earned an
automatic bid to the NCAA Wilson Regional, hosted by North Carolina State. After going 15-38 and not
qualifying for the SoCon tournament in his first season at Western, Raleigh has directed the Catamount
program back to the top of the Southern Conference. In his second season, WCU finished third in the
league (18-11) and improved to 30-26 overall, which was the biggest single-season turnaround in SoCon
history (+14.5 wins over the previous season). In 2002, Western was 33-23 and was second in the SoCon
with a 20-10 record. That season Raleigh was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year.
Correction
For the LA Dodgers' fans out here, here is a correction in the Dec., 2003, newsletter NCBWA All-
America team copy. Jeff Weaver is now pitching with the Los Angeles Dodgers (traded from the New
York Yankees).
Tulane Chosen Preseason Baseball Favorite, ECU'S Lawhorn Named Preseason Player of the Year;
TCU'S Jerome Tabbed Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Coming off of its sixth consecutive NCAA appearance and armed with 17 returning lettermen,
Tulane has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2004 Conference USA baseball poll, chosen by
the league's 12 head coaches. East Carolina junior infielder/outfielder Darryl Lawhorn, who has hit 33
home runs in his first two collegiate seasons, is the Preseason C-USA Player of the Year. Clayton Jerome
of TCU, who was named Conference USA Pitcher of the Year last season, was selected to repeat that honor
this spring.
Tulane posted a 20-10 record in C-USA in 2003, finishing with an overall mark of 44-19, the
second-highest win total in the league. The Green Wave are represented by three players on the preseason
all-conference team. Sophomore LHP J.R. Crowell was the ace of a youthful Tulane pitching staff where
freshman produced 30 of the club's 44 victories. Crowel was 8-1 with a 3.40 ERA, tossing two complete
games and striking out 73 batters. Infielder Tommy Manzella earned a spot on the team as did Brian
Bogusevic, who is a preseason all-league choice as an outfielder, but is also a valuable pitcher. Manzella
hit .343 in 2003, tying for the team high with 20 doubles and ranking second on the club in RBI with 44.
Bogusevic's freshman campaign included a .321 average with 10 doubles, four homers and 36 RBI at the
plate and three wins and a 3.41 ERA in 34 innings pitched on the mound.
Defending regular season and tournament champion Southern Miss was chosen to finish second.
After setting a C-USA record for conference wins (23) and a school record for overall victories (47), the
Golden Eagles welcome back 17 letterwinners. Three of those returnees earned a place on the preseason
all-C-USA squad. Closer Austin Tubb received All-American honors after posting 10 saves and a 1.45
ERA in 30 appearances last spring. Infielder Jarrett Hoffpauir and catcher/designated hitter Brad Willcutt
also were named as all-league selections. Hoffpauir hit .307 with 13 doubles, 10 home runs and 53 RBI,
while Willcutt smacked 20 doubles with 12 round-trippers and 61 RBI, while batting .321.
Houston, coming off its third trip to the NCAA Super Regionals in the last four years, was picked
to finish third during the upcoming campaign. The Cougars return six starters and 18 letterwinners from a
club that was one win away from Omaha last June. Junior RHP Garrett Mock represents Houston on the
preseason team after posting five wins and 66 strikeouts in 15 starts last year.
USF, was picked to finish fourth, while East Carolina was tabbed fifth. The Bulls are represented
on the all-league team by a pair of junior infielders, 3B Jeff Baisley (.355, 18 doubles, 46 RBI) and SS
Myron Leslie (.338, 17 doubles and 16 stolen bases) and C Devin Ivany (team-leading .362 average, 18
doubles, 46 RBI). Lawhorn, who led ECU to their fifth consecutive NCAA appearance last while pacing
the team in batting (.332), doubles (15), home runs (14) and RBI (49), is the lone Pirate on the preseason
team.
TCU was chosen sixth, Louisville seventh and Charlotte eighth in the poll. TCU welcomes new
head coach Jim Schlossnagle, a former Tulane assistant who led UNLV to the NCAA Tournament last year
in just his second season in the desert. Louisville is hoping to return to the NCAA's as they did in 2002,
with senior OF Mark Jurich, a preseason All-American, leading the way. Zachary Treadway, who tied for
the league lead in conference wins with seven, is the ace of the 49ers pitching staff. Rounding out the
preseason poll are Cincinnati, Memphis, UAB and Saint Louis.
2004 PRESEASON BASEBALL COACHES POLL
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Tulane
2. Southern Miss
3. Houston
4. USF
5. East Carolina
6. TCU
7. Louisville
8. Charlotte
9. Cincinnati
10. Memphis
UAB
12. Saint Louis
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Darryl Lawhorn, East Carolina (Junior, Outfielder)
PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Clayton Jerome, TCU (Senior, Righthander)
Stanford Tops Pacific-10 2004 Prognostication
Defending Pac-10 champion Stanford was selected first in the coaches' Pacific-10 Conference
preseason poll and was followed by Arizona State, Arizona, USC and Washington to round out the top five
spots. The ASU Sun Devils enter the 2004 season ranked in the Top 10 nationally by Collegiate Baseball
(No. 7) and in the ESPN/Sports Weekly coaches poll (#10). Stanford returns from its 2003 NCAA World
Series runnerup slot to Rice while being ranked sixth in CB, sixth in BASEBALL AMERICA, fourth in
SPORTS WEEKLY/ESPN, and third in the NCBWA pre-2004 survey. Following the top five in the poll
were California, UCLA, Oregon State, and Washington State. Teams were awarded eight points for a first
place vote, seven for a second place vote, etc.
School (First Place Votes) Points
1. Stanford (7) 62
2. Arizona State (1) 54
3. Arizona (1) 47
4. USC 46
5. Washington 39
6. California 29
7. UCLA 21
8. Oregon State 18
9. Washington State 8
Texas Repeat Selection for 2004 Big 12 Race
2002 NCAA champion Texas, also chosen by Big 12 baseball coaches in a 2003 preseason poll for
top spot in the league, has been tabbed as the 2004 favorite for the Big 12 crown in balloting by the
conference's head coaches.
UT drew the 2003 nod and advanced to the NCAA World Series after tying Texas A&M in final
standings at 19-8 in loop play--just one game behind Big 12 winner Nebraska at 20-7--in one of the
tightest races for first place in the first seven seasons of diamond activity in this league.
The 2004 Longhorns again received nine of the 10 first place votes (coaches were not allowed to
vote for their own teams), and defending champ NU with 2003 Big 12 Coach of the Year Mike Anderson
earned the other top nod for nine of its 64 points in the voting. Baylor, a six-consecutive-year competitor in
the NCAA tournament and 2000 Big 12 titleist under coach Steve Smith, was second in '04 prognostication
with 67 points after earning that same pre-2003 distinction. Texas garnered a tally of 81 as the choice of
each mentor who was eligible to cast votes for the Longhorns.
Rank/School (First Place Votes) Points
1. Texas (9) 81
2. Baylor 67
3. Nebraska (1) 64
4. Texas A&M 63
5. Oklahoma State 49
6. Oklahoma 37
7. Texas Tech 32
8. Kansas 27
9. Missouri 21
10. Kansas State 9
(Points compiled on a basis of nine for first, eight for second, seven for third, etc.)
South Alabama Selected to Rule 2004 Sun Belt
Sun Belt coaches have predicted that South Alabama will win the 2004 Sun Belt regular season
crown in the preseason coaches' poll. The Jaguars, 42-19 in 2003, earned 71 points and five first-place
votes. Florida International was picked second with 66 points and a first-place vote, followed by UL
Lafayette in third with 56 points and one first-place vote. Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State and
Western Kentucky were selected fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively, separated by only six points. The
Hilltoppers, who due to recent history may want to be the No. 6 seed going into the tournament, picked up
the remaining two first-place votes after advancing to the 2003 tournament championship game against
Middle Tennessee. New Orleans, Arkansas-Little Rock and Arkansas State round out the voting in seventh,
eighth and ninth place. The 2004 Dodge Sun Belt Conference Baseball Tournament will be Wednesday-
Saturday, May 26-29, at Stanky Field in Mobile, Ala.
Preseason Poll -- South Alabama (71 pts. - 5 first-place votes; 2003 record: 42-19); Florida
International (66 pts. - 1 first-place vote; 2003 record: 36-23)
3. Louisiana-Lafayette (56 pts. - 1 first-place vote; 2003 record: 30-30)
4. Middle Tennessee (49 pts.; 2003 record: 33-27)
5. New Mexico State (48 pts.; 2003 record: 43-18)
6. Western Kentucky (43 pts. - 2 first-place votes; 2003 record: 43-22)
7. New Orleans (32 pts.; 2003 record: 23-32)
8. Arkansas-Little Rock (21 pts.; 2003 record: 30-26)
9. Arkansas State (19 pts.; 2003 record: 24-31)
Pepperdine WCC Choice in 2004
Winners of five straight West Coast Conference (WCC) divisional titles, the Pepperdine baseball
team has been tabbed by the conference's coaches to win a sixth divisional crown and capture the league's
title in 2004, it was announced by the conference office. The Waves received seven first place votes and
totaled 49 points to finish first in the voting ahead of defending WCC champion San Diego. The Toreros
received one first place vote and tallied 39 points.
Santa Clara (36) finished third in the voting and was followed by Loyola Marymount (33), San
Francisco (23), Gonzaga (22), Saint Mary's (13) and Portland (9). First-year head coach Steve Rodriguez, a
former Pepperdine All-American and assistant coach at Pepperdine, welcomes back 24 letterwinners,
including six starters from last year's team that posted a 36-25 record, captured the WCC's Coast Division
and earned the program's 20th NCAA Championship appearance when it received an at-large bid to the
Long Beach Regional. In addition to being tabbed this year's WCC favorite, Pepperdine is pre-season
ranked No. 34 by Baseball America. Heading the list of returning players for the Waves are senior pitcher
Jacob Barrack, sophomore infielder David Uribes and sophomore outfielder Brandon Daguio. Barrack and
Uribes both earned first team All-WCC honors, while Daguio was a second team pick. Barrack started 16
games and registered a 9-3 record, 3.44 ERA and struck out 82 batters in 99.1 innings pitched. Uribes made
an impressive collegiate debut, starting all 61 games and batting .330 with two home runs and 28 RBI.
Daguio started 51 games and hit .305 with two home runs, 15 doubles and 32 RBI.
After playing in the WCC's Coast Division last year, the Waves will compete in the conference's
West Division as the two divisions were realigned for 2004. The West Division will consist of Pepperdine,
Portland, San Francisco and Santa Clara, while Gonzaga, Loyola Marymount, Saint Mary's and San Diego
will comprise the Coast Division. The two division winners will play a best-of-three series May 28-30 to
determine the WCC's automatic qualifier to the 64-team NCAA Tournament. The Waves have appeared in
the league's championship series all five years of its existence.
2004 WCC BASEBALL COACHES PRESEASON POLL
Team Points
1. Pepperdine (7) 49
2. San Diego (1) 39
3. Santa Clara 36
4. Loyola Marymount 33
5. San Francisco 23
6. Gonzaga 22
7. Saint Mary's 13
8. Portland 9
Continuing the Top 250: Nos. 101-200
Updating the all-time list of Division I baseball records after the first two installments, the
following teams are Nos. 101-200 prior to the 2004 campaign:
101. Long Beach State 50 1,353-1,210-25 .528 598-434 .579
102. Memphis 54 1,347-946-14 .587 87-125 .410
102. Houston 57 1,347-988-15 .579 371-352 .513
104. Iowa State 110 1,346-1,412-17 .488 479-694 .408
105. New Mexico 86 1,341-1,256-10 .516 465-545 .460
106. East Carolina 52 1,340-693-8 .659 175-79 .689
107. Eastern Illinois 98 1,339-1,110-4 .547 96-58 .623
108. Sacramento State 45 1,331-1,019-19 .566 50-109 .314
108. Massachusetts 120 1,331-1,154-18 .536 63-45 .583
108. Georgetown 110 1,331-1,380-3 .491 98-268 .268
111. Birmingham-Southern 37 1,326-590-1 .692 88-30 .746
112. Cal State Northridge 44 1,325-1,007-19 .568 36-27 .571
113. Oral Roberts 37 1,324-693-4 .656 170-24 .876
114. Bowling Green 84 1,299-1,089-26 .544 454-500 .476
115. Northern Colorado 80 1,296-888-3 .593 92-63 .594
116. Brown 140 1,294-1,415-39 .478 309-396 .438
117. Cal State Fullerton 29 1,293-541-6 .705 381-158 .707
118. Western Michigan 56 1,290-934-13 .580 610-400 .604
119. Temple 75 1,284-995-31 .563 57-54 .514
119. Army 114 1,284-1,112-38 .536 49-49 .500
121. Connecticut 108 1,283-1,060-26 .546 205-206 .499
122. Old Dominion 71 1,277-957-13 .572 129-123 .512
123. UC Santa Barbara 54 1,228-1,178-16 .510 274-324 .458
124. Maryland 112 1,220-1,184-59 .507 313-485 .392
125. Kent State 76 1,215-975-10 .555 503-520 .492
126. Texas Tech 55 1,205-911-8 .569 378-431 .467
127. Ball State 82 1,200-1,135-14 .514 343-380 .474
128. Detroit 63 1,193-1,032-2 .536 26-68 .277
129. Portland 79 1,192-1,208-9 .497 513-762 .402
130. The Citadel 50 1,188-776-3 .605 516-304 .629
131. Eastern Kentucky 60 1,186-953-9 .554 311-261 .544
132. Northwestern State 92 1,183-1,145-14 .508 422-436 .492
133. Florida International 30 1,181-631 .652 164-107 .605
134. Southern Mississippi 75 1,165-1,019-10 .533 127-88 .591
135. UNLV 37 1,158-887-5 .566 355-373 .488
136. SMS 39 1,145-653-1 .637 395-214 .649
137. Lamar 51 1,144-853 .573 393-278 .586
138. Nicholls State 44 1,143-922-9 .554 331-299 .525
138. Akron 104 1,143-1,121-19 .505 170-243 .412
140. UNC-Wilmington 47 1,140-825-7 .580 61-43 .587
141. Providence 76 1,133-858-13 .569 177-133 .571
142. Murray State 64 1,129-947-16 .544 304-279 .521
143. New Orleans 34 1,119-781-1 .589 204-165 .553
144. Boston College 94 1,113-862-21 .564 163-238 .406
145. Southeastern 53 1,110-1,077-12 .508 45-85 .346
146. Cincinnati 93 1,102-1,172-16 .485 121-167 .420
147. UL Monroe 52 1,101-1,000-9 .524 418-319 .567
148. South Florida 38 1,099-847-5 .565 209-187 .528
149. Northern Iowa 104 1,094-1,140-10 .490 304-360 .458
150. San Diego 46 1,093-1,032-21 .514 326-373 .466
151. Illinois-Chicago 55 1,091-1,049-8 .510 60-36 .625
151. Pacific (Calif.) 55 1,091-1,287-9 .459 385-582 .398
153. McNeese State 52 1,089-1,054-8 .508 289-307 .485
154. Toledo 79 1,086-1,159-20 .484 385-575 .401
155. Rider 61 1,085-822-14 .569 71-61 .538
156. Creighton 40 1,072-837-7 .562 249-261 .488
157. Mercer 57 1,065-992-5 .518 45-67 .402
158. UCF 31 1,060-665-10 .614 100-46 .685
159. Gonzaga 39 1,057-896-5 .541 630-619 .504
160. Northern Illinois 104 1,058-1,141-25 .481 103-194 .349
161. Jacksonville State 34 1,057-517 .671 50-106 .321
162. Northeastern 83 1,052-975-14 .519 176-134 .568
163. UL Lafayette 58 1,040-725-3 .589 328-217 .602
164. Marshall 93 1,037-1,125-9 .480 256-433 .372
165. Davidson 109 1,030-1,581-14 .394 292-446 .396
166. Bucknell 116 1,028-1,194-20 .463 62-40 .608
167. Lehigh 119 1,027-1,241-22 .453 44-56 .440
168. Butler 92 1,023-1,146-11 .472 57-45 .559
169. Morehead State 63 1,021-955 .517 307-266 .536
170. Middle Tennessee 40 1,018-780-6 .566 363-246 .596
170. Portland State 52 1,018-900 .531 205-269 .432
172. Loyola Marymount 36 1,012-1,013-3 .499 489-445 .524
173. Wyoming 59 1,009-1,057-4 .488 184-233 .441
174. James Madison 35 1,008-588-7 .632 56-47 .544
174. Austin Peay 64 1,008-1,107-12 .477 265-299 .470
176. Dartmouth 136 1,005-1,122-10 .472 456-444 .507
177. Tennessee Tech 56 997-1,030 .492 260-326 .444
178. Long Island 65 996-665-16 .600 57-59 .496
179. Coastal Carolina 29 984-579-1 .630 65-28 .699
180. Centenary 57 980-1,045-6 .484 14-16 .467
181. George Washington 56 979-874-11 .523 181-133 .576
182. Evansville 61 963-933-13 .508 135-139 .493
183. George Mason 36 953-765-9 .555 145-167 .465
184. Nevada 34 951-797-5 .544 556-515 .519
185. UC Riverside 30 942-685-3 .579 23-19 .548
186. Texas-Arlington 34 938-848-1 .525 315-277 .532
187. William & Mary 105 932-1,066-13 .466 210-397 .346
188. New Mexico State 42 919-1,079-3 .460 160-368 .303
189. Dayton 82 906-1,121-11 .447 51-61 .455
190. Jackson State 31 900-632-3 .587 183-67 .732
191. Arkansas State 55 898-1,172-8 .434 334-459 .421
192. Southeast Missouri 44 892-673-10 .570 193-107 .643
193. Belmont 49 889-658-1 .575 28-34 .452
194. Air Force 47 888-962-3 .480 170-427 .285
195. Wright State 33 882-741-8 .543 47-57 .452
196. Youngstown State 49 881-796-3 .525 136-198 .407
197. Appalachian State 49 880-830-5 .515 280-298 .484
197. Furman 63 880-1,105-13 .443 357-442 .447
199. Rhode Island 93 866-1,064-17 .449 54-58 .482
200. Manhattan 97 860-1,142-22 .430 60-66 .476
A&M's Goertz, Staff Honored by ABCA, Turface for Groundskeeping Skills
Texas A&M athletic field manager Leo Goertz was awarded the 2004 American Baseball Coaches
Association/Turface Field Maintenance Award at the ABCA National Convention in San Antonio. "This is
a nice honor for my staff and we appreciate the ABCA recognizing the work of the countless number of
groundskeepers around the country," Goertz said. "The grounds crew at Texas A&M prides itself on giving
the student-athlete the best surfaces on which to compete and practice. We appreciate the athletic
department and coaches¹ dedication to the quality of the playing surfaces at Texas A&M."
Goertz and his four full-time assistants--assistant athletic field manager Craig Potts, Nick
McKenna, Brad Pace and Matthew Bartek, and five student assistants--are in charge of maintaining all of
the natural grass playing and practice surfaces used by the student-athletes at Texas A&M. Olsen Field, the
home of Texas A&M baseball, has long been recognized as one of the top baseball surfaces in the country,
at any level of competition.
In 1985 Goertz received the inaugural Diamond Dry Collegiate Baseball Groundskeeper Award
and was honored by the Beam Clay Company in 1987. More recently, he and his staff earned the National
Turface Softball Field of the Year Award in 1999 and the Soccer Field of the Year Award in 2000.
Cruz Named USA Baseball Head Coach, Howser Trophy Winner Weeks Finalist for Sullivan Award
Pending final approval from the United States Olympic Committee, USA Baseball announced
today that Frank Cruz of Loyola Marymount University will serve as head coach of the 2004 USA
Baseball National Team that will represent the United States at the 2004 FISU World University Baseball
Championships in Chinese Taipei, July 22-31. The 2004 USA Baseball National Team assistant coaching
staff, trainer, and press officer will be announced at a later date. "Coach Cruz has been an integral part of
our coaching staff in the past as an assistant, and we're very fortunate to be able to welcome him back as
our head coach for the upcoming summer," said Steve Cohen, USA Baseball Director of National Teams.
"Frank is highly respected in the collegiate coaching community and we appreciate him making this
commitment again to USA Baseball."
This will be Cruz's second tour of duty with USA Baseball but his first as a head coach. Cruz
served as an Assistant on the 2000 USA Baseball National Team that posted an overall record of 27-3-1
and captured a gold medal at the 2000 Haarlem Baseball Week Championships in The Netherlands. He
becomes the first-ever USA Baseball National Team Head Coach to be affiliated with the West Coast
Conference. "I am extremely humbled to be able to work with the finest athletes in the country," said Cruz.
"Working for USA Baseball is a tremendous opportunity and a great honor. I look forward to being a part
of a gold medal-winning team in the world championships and wearing the USA uniform."
In June, 2004, USA Baseball will invite 36 of the nation's top freshman and sophomore collegiate
players to the USA Baseball National Team Trials. After the team is selected, Cruz will guide Team USA
through their second summer of play at their new headquarters in the North Carolina Triangle Region. The
2004 USA Baseball National Team will play a pair of four-game series at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
against two different international opponents (TBD). Team USA will also travel to Japan for their annual
five-game series against the Japanese Collegiate All-Stars--the 33rd annual meeting of the two countries--
and then return to the United States to play approximately 10 more domestic games before traveling to the
FISU World University Championships.
On a related USA Baseball and NCBWA and Dick Howser Trophy subject, the Amateur Athletic
Union (AAU) has announced the names of 10 finalists for the 74th Annual AAU James E. Sullivan
Memorial Award, which recognizes the top amateur athlete in the nation. 2003 Dick Howser Trophy and
USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award winner Rickie Weeks of Southern University has made the Top 10
finalists list. Weeks is hoping to become just the second baseball player to make the Top 5 since Jim
Abbott won the Sullivan back in 1987 (Mark Prior of USC also received the Sullivan Award and Howser
Trophy in '02). The first round finalists are: John Fonseca (Karate); Paul Hamm (Gymnastics); Lebron
James (Basketball); Barbara Lindquist (Triathlon); Steven Lopez (Taekwondo); Chellsie Memmel
(Gymnastics); Apolo Anton Ohno (Speedskating); Michael Phelps (Swimming); Philippa "Phil" Raschker
(Master Circuit - Track and Field); Diana Taurasi (Basketball); Rickie Weeks (Baseball); and Jason White
(Football).
"This is one of our most diverse and talented group of nominees ever," said AAU President Bobby Dodd.
"Ten different sports are represented among the finalists and I'm very proud to be able to say that each
athlete is an exceptional role model to not only their respective sport but our countries youth as well." The
AAU Sullivan Award recognizes athletes who have achieved athletic excellence, exhibit leadership,
character, sportsmanship and the ideals of amateurism. It has been presented annually by the AAU since
1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the AAU, and a pioneer in amateur sports, James E.
Sullivan. A 10-member AAU Sullivan Committee selected the 12 finalists after reviewing each of the
athletes qualifications from over 30 who were nominated. Ballots to select the top five and the 2003 winner
were mailed to an 800-member voting body consisting of AAU Board of Directors, United States Olympic
Committee (USOC) Board of Directors, Select Media, and New York Athletic Club Select Members. The
top five finalists and the National recipient will be formally recognized and announced April 13th, 2004 at
the New York Athletic Club in New York City.
Florida International Retires Mike Lowell's Number
Former Florida International University and current Florida Marlins' third-baseman Mike
Lowell will have his college number retired as part of the FIU baseball program's annual Diamond
Dinner on Saturday, January 24. Lowell, who wore the number 15 at FIU, will become the third
Golden Panther baseball player to have his number retired. "It is a great honor because FIU was a
major stepping stone toward achieving my goals in academics as well as on the baseball field," Lowell
said. "To have [FIU] recognize my achievements with the retiring of my number is very rewarding and
very gratifying. This is a very special moment for me."
Danny Price, FIU's baseball coach, who coached Lowell between 1993 and 1995, said
retiring a player's number is the highest honor a team can bestow on one of its own. Gerry Hunsicker,
the Houston Astros' general manager will be the keynote speaker.
Hunsicker, who earned his master's degree in education from FIU in 1976, served as an
assistant baseball coach at FIU from 1975-1978. Hunsicker is credited with turning the Astros into one
of the most consistent teams in Major League Baseball, through careful player development in its farm
system and strategic trades.
Price said the attendance of a great such as Hunsicker is a tribute to Lowell's persistence and
dedication to honest work. That work led to a Lowell career .353-batting average, which is the fifth-
best in school history. Lowell was also the Trans America Atlantic Conference's Student-Athlete of
the Year in 1995, and earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors in 1995.
Wake County Allocates $4 Million for Team USA Cary, N.C., Complex
The Wake County Board of Commissioners has approved funding for six projects to benefit
organized sports and arts projects around the county, using $4 million from its portion of Occupancy and
Prepared Food/Beverage Tax proceeds over the next four years. USA Baseball, which relocated its national
headquarters here, will receive a $1 million portion of that funding to assist with the development of a four-
field national training center in Cary, North Carolina. "USA Baseball is overwhelmed that the Wake
County Government has decided to include our project in their funding," said Paul Seiler, Executive
Director and CEO. "This money will be directly dedicated towards the building of a national training center
that not only Wake County should be proud to have, but that people and USA Baseball players from all
across America will be able to enjoy."
In June 2000, the Board of Commissioners and the Raleigh City Council entered into an Interlocal
Agreement regarding the use of the Occupancy and Prepared Food/Beverage Tax. As part of the agreement,
each jurisdiction receives $1 million annually from the tax proceeds to use at its own discretion. In
allocating its funding, the Commissioners focused on projects that were countywide in scope and
considered those with a solid business plan for addressing ongoing operating expenses. "We welcome USA
Baseball to Wake County and consider our investment a homerun," said Wake County Commissioners'
Chair Ken Gardner. "Together, we'll attract visitors and boost our economy, provide recreation and training
for citizens here and everywhere, and contribute to an All-American sport and the quality of life in our
growing region." On December 12, 2003, the Board of Commissioners' Interlocal Committee received
presentations from the applicants and asked questions about the proposals. On Friday, January 16, the
Board's Interlocal Committee met again to discuss the proposals and made the funding recommendations.
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE BASEBALL WRITERS ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership
is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory,
newsletter updates and official votes in the Howser Award Player of the Year, Regional Player of the Year
and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-American awards,
publication and writing contests. Additionally, the organization will be launching a website this spring at
www.ncbwa.com. For membership, send annual dues ($15.00), along with mailing address, phone, fax and
e-mail address information to Russell Anderson, NCBWA Treasurer, c/o Conference USA, 35 East Wacker
Drive, Suite 650, Chicago, IL 60601.
NCBWA 2002-03 OFFICERS
President:
Jeff Hurd, Western Athletic Conference 303-799-9221 jhurd@wac.org
1st Vice-President:
Mike Montoro, Southern Miss 601-266-5947 michael.montoro@usm.edu
2nd Vice-President:
Todd Lamb, Ohio State 614-292-6861 lamb.8@osu.edu
3rd Vice-President:
Dave Fanucchi, USA Baseball 919-474-8721 davefanucchi@usabaseball.com
Executive Director:
Bo Carter, Big 12 Conference 214-753-0102 bo@big12sports.com
Secretary/Treasurer:
Russell Anderson, Conference USA 312-553-0483 rdanderson@c-usa.org
Board of Directors: Kip Carlson, Oregon State, 541-737-3072, kip.carlson@orSt.edu; Barry Allen,
Alabama, 205-348-6084 (ballen@ia.ua.edu); Mex Carey, St. John's, 718-990-1521 (careym@stjohns.edu);
Shamus McKnight, Nebraska, 402-472-7772 (smcknight@huskers.edu); Kyle McRae, Stanford, 650-725-
2959 (kyle.mcrae@leland.stanford.edu)
2004 MEMBERSHIP FORM
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MAKE CHECK ($15) PAYABLE TO:
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REMIT TO:
Russell Anderson
NCBWA Treasurer
c/o Conference USA
35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 650
Chicago, IL 60601