College Baseball Front and Center This Weekend

Starting Friday at Minute Maid Park six of the strongest teams in college baseball will take the field to play three games each as they prep for their conference seasons.


The number includes representatives from the Big 12  (Texas and Texas Tech), Conference USA (Houston and Rice) and the SEC (Arkansas and Tennessee).  Three of the six are highly ranked and two others have outstanding records.

Arkansas is ranked highest by Baseball America at number four.  They entered the week with a 7-1 record.  Number five Rice is unbeaten after its first nine games.  Number 21 Texas is off to an uncommonly slow start and the only team currently under .500, but could come around this weekend.  Tennessee was unbeaten after seven games.  Texas Tech was 7-1 and Houston was running at .500.

This will be the 12th annual event hosted by the Astros and sponsored this year by Ticketmaster.  In the past future national championship teams and top professional draft picks have highligted the field.  Rice and Houston have played in all 12 series.  Texas and Texas A&M have traditionally alternated appearances with other Texas based Big 12 teams appearing alternately as well.

The first year the Classic was held it honored the baseball playing teams of the old Southwest Conference with an eight team field.  Since then it has been reduced to six with invitations granted to at least two out of state schools.

The tournament gives the teams an opportunity to make a road trip with games guaranteed thanks to the retractable roof at Minute Maid Park.  Plus the players have a chance to play on a real major league field and before much larger crowds than usual.

Astro season ticket holders are eligible for discounted tickets but the full passes are only $30 for adults for a total of nine games over three days.  Children can get a full session pass for only $15.

If fans can't make it into Houston the games will be available by television and/or online.  Check local listings for availability by market.

With the later start of the college season and major league teams already in spring training the event has lost some of its lustre when it was played in the heart of winter in early February.  But it still is a good way to get the baseball juices flowing again with some very good competition.