Houston College Classic

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Houston College Classic
Sport College baseball
Founded 2001
No. of teams 6

The Houston College Classic is an annual six-team college baseball tournament held in Houston. The 12th annual tournament was held at Minute Maid Park in March 2012.[1][2] It was initially called Astros College Classic from 2001 through 2002, and the Minute Maid Park College Classic from 2003 through 2007.[3]

The Classic is seen as the start of the college baseball season in Texas.[4] At the end of the tournament, a Most Outstanding Player and an All-Tournament Team are announced.[5][6]

Competitors

The Houston Cougars of the American Athletic Conference and Rice Owls of Conference USA who hold a rivalry, compete in the tournament annually.[7] The other four teams invited to the tournament alternate by year.

"The intensity level is higher in practice because you know you're going to play quality people. I don't have to do much motivation to get the guys up to play three teams like this and in Minute Maid Park -- it's a major league park and guys are excited."

– Rod Delmonico, coach of the Tennessee Volunteers[4]

Often, teams competing in the Classic are highly ranked. In 2002, the Classic involved three teams that ended the preceding season ranked in the top 25 of the Baseball Weekly/ESPN, Baseball America, and Collegiate Baseball year-end polls: the Rice Owls, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Baylor Bears.[8] The 2005 Classic included four top ranked teams: the #11 Baylor Bears, #13 Texas A&M Aggies, #19 Rice Owls, and #23 Oklahoma State Cowboys.[4] Collegiate Baseball ranked all six teams competing in the 2007 Classic: they ranked the Rice Owls the top team in college baseball, and also ranked the #8 Vanderbilt Commodores, #14 Arizona State Sun Devils, #21 Baylor Bears, and #33 Houston Cougars.[9][10] The Texas Longhorns and Rice Owls participated in the Classic when they won the College World Series championship in 2002 and 2003, respectively.[4] The Texas Tech Red Raiders have appeared in the Houston College Classic seven times: in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012.[11]

2014 tournament

For the first time since 2001, the Classic will feature six Texas teams. Sam Houston State will compete in the tournament for the first time, joining Houston, Rice, Texas, TCU, and Texas Tech.[12]

This year's tournament schedule: [13]

Friday, February 28 Saturday, March 1 Sunday, March 2
12:05 p.m. - Texas Tech vs. University of Houston 12:05 p.m. - Sam Houston State vs. Texas Tech10:05 p.m. - University of Texas vs. Sam Houston State
3:35 p.m. - Sam Houston State vs. TCU 3:35 p.m. - University of Houston vs. University of Texas1:35 p.m. - Rice vs. Texas Tech
7:05 p.m. - Rice vs. University of Texas 7:05 p.m. - TCU vs. Rice5:05 p.m. - TCU vs. University of Houston

Most Outstanding Players

Kelly Shoppach was the tournament's first MVP
Year Winner Team Position Ref
2001 Shoppach, KellyKelly Shoppach Baylor BearsCatcher[14]
2002 Hartshorn, TimTim Hartshorn Baylor BearsOutfielder[15][16]
2003 Griffin, MichaelMichael Griffin Baylor BearsOutfielder[17]
2004 Johnston, SethSeth Johnston Texas LonghornsThird baseman[18]
2005 Geer, JoshJosh Geer Rice OwlsPitcher [19]
2006 Lincoln, BradBrad Lincoln Houston CougarsPitcher[20]
2007 Spencer, MattMatt Spencer Arizona State Sun DevilsOutfielder[21]
2008 Seastrunk, DiegoDiego Seastrunk Rice OwlsCatcher[22]
2009 Berry, RyanRyan Berry Rice OwlsPitcher[23]
2010 Holaday, BryanBryan Holaday TCU Horned FrogsCatcher[24]
2011 Kubitza, AustinAustin Kubitza Rice OwlsPitcher[25][26]
2012 Stephens, JordanJordan Stephens Rice OwlsPitcher[27]
2013 Towey, CalCal Towey Baylor BearsThird baseman[28]

See also


References

  1. ↑ "Houston College Classic returns for 12th year | MLB.com: News". Houston.astros.mlb.com. 2012-01-18. Retrieved 2012-06-07. 
  2. ↑ "Fans’ guide to the 2012 Houston College Classic | Owls | a Chron.com blog". Blog.chron.com. 2012-03-01. Retrieved 2012-06-07. 
  3. ↑ http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/rice/sports/m-basebl/auto_pdf/0708-mg-section6.pdf
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Minute Maid field includes four ranked teams - College Sports - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2005-02-11. Retrieved 2012-06-08. 
  5. ↑ MLB.com. "2008 Houston College Classic All-Tournament Team announced". Houston.astros.mlb.com. Retrieved 2012-06-07. 
  6. ↑ MLB.com. "The University of Houston finishes undefeated at Houston College Classic". Arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com. Retrieved 2012-06-07. 
  7. ↑ "Houston College Classic tickets on sale Monday, Jan. 24 | astros.com: Official Info". Mlb.mlb.com. 2011-01-21. Retrieved 2012-06-07. 
  8. ↑ "Astros College Classic Returns in February — Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site". BaylorBears.com. 2001-12-13. Retrieved 2012-06-08. 
  9. ↑ By Alyson Footer / MLB.com. "Houston College Classic, FanFest on tap | astros.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved 2012-06-08. 
  10. ↑ "Houston College Classic returns in February | astros.com: Official Info". Houston.astros.mlb.com. Retrieved 2012-06-07. 
  11. ↑ http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/text/sports/m-basebl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/BB2012GameNotes030212.pdf
  12. ↑ "Bearkats to Play in 2014 Minute Maid College Classic". KBTX.com. 2013-03-04. Retrieved 2013-12-27. 
  13. ↑ "2014 Houston College Classic". mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved 2013-12-27. 
  14. ↑ "Baylor University || The Lariat Online || News". Baylor.edu. 2001-02-06. Retrieved 2012-06-08. 
  15. ↑ "Baseball Preview: Baylor vs. UTSA - Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site". BaylorBears.com. Retrieved 2012-06-08. 
  16. ↑ "By The Fans, For The Fans!". BaylorFans.com. Retrieved 2012-06-08. 
  17. ↑  Michael Griffin (1983-10-01). "Michael Griffin Profile - Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site". BaylorBears.com. Retrieved 2012-08-14. 
  18. ↑ (subscription required)
  19. ↑ http://thecypresstimes.com/2012/03/02/undefeated-owls-head-downtown-for-houston-college-classic/
  20. ↑ "#1 in College Sports". CSTV.com. 2006-02-13. Retrieved 2012-06-08. 
  21. ↑ "#1 in College Sports". CSTV.com. 2007-02-14. Retrieved 2012-06-08. 
  22. ↑ "Owls fly through Houston College Classic unscathed - College Sports - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2008-03-03. Retrieved 2012-06-08. 
  23. ↑ "Berry Named Most Outstanding Player of 2009 Houston College Classic - RICEOWLS.COM - The Rice Official Athletic Site". Riceowls.Com. 2009-03-01. Retrieved 2012-06-08. 
  24. ↑ Sports, Wfaa (2010-07-01). "Holaday Wins 2010 Johnny Bench Award | wfaa.com Dallas — Fort Worth". Wfaa.com. Retrieved 2012-06-07. 
  25. ↑ "Kubitza Named Most Outstanding Player At Houston College Classic - RICEOWLS.COM - The Rice Official Athletic Site". Riceowls.Com. 2011-03-06. Retrieved 2012-06-08. 
  26. ↑ Houston Astros. "Houston College Classic concludes at Minute Maid Park". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved 2012-06-08. 
  27. ↑ Duarte, Joseph (2012-03-04). "Stephens makes his case as Rice downs Tennessee - Houston Chronicle". Chron.com. Retrieved 2012-06-08. 
  28. ↑ http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130303&content_id=42240214&vkey=pr_hou&c_id=hou

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