As spring weather rolls in, that means one thing for baseball fans: Opening Day is just around the corner. However, this year’s Opening Day will be a little—or maybe quite a bit—different. Due to the MLB lockout, the start of the season has been delayed. And with the MLB lockout in full swing, many baseball fans are starting to worry about what they will do without their favorite sport.
While it’s disappointing that we may not see any MLB action for a while, there is still a way to get your baseball fix. College baseball has many things that make it enjoyable to watch, including passionate fans and exciting games. Here are some of the reasons why you should check out NCAA baseball this season:
1. Passionate Fans and Exciting Atmosphere
College football and basketball are notorious for high-energy fans. But NCAA baseball fans are pretty incredible, too. The stadiums are packed with fans who are cheering on their team, mascots hype up the crowds, and the lower average age of the fan (think 20 years old versus 57) makes it a more upbeat affair than many MLB games.
The atmosphere at a college baseball game is electric. From the passionate fans to the band playing in the stands, you’ll be surrounded by excitement.
2. Great Games
Not only are the games highly competitive, but college baseball games also tend to be very well-played. The players are some of the best in the country and you’re sure to see some great action. For reference, in last year’s summer Olympics in Tokyo, the USA men’s baseball roster featured 11 athletes who had played collegiately at an NCAA school.
3. Unique Storylines
In addition to great games and an exciting atmosphere, college baseball also has some unique storylines this season. For example, former underdog Mississippi State is looking to repeat as national champions while old and newer programs alike such as Texas, Vanderbilt, and North Carolina State are looking to make a name for themselves.
4. Top Prospects
College baseball is full of the sport’s top prospects. You’ll be able to see the stars of tomorrow playing today. Top prospects to watch this season include a slew of position players. This tilt reflects several star pitchers from last season making the jump to pro ball, along with many other draft-eligible starting pitchers suffering serious injuries this offseason.
Players to watch include Cal Poly shortstop Brooks Lee and Stanford outfielder Brock Jones. Another top prospect is Texas Tech infielder Jace Jung, younger brother of former Texas Tech star Josh Jung, who is currently signed with the Texas Rangers’ AAA squad.
The NCAA transfer portal has kept things interesting, with infielder Jacob Berry transferring from Arizona to LSU. And last on our list but certainly not least is Arkansas second baseman Robert Moore, who is the son of Kansas City Royals baseball executive Dayton Moore.
2022 NCAA Men’s Baseball Preview
In case you’re a newer spectator to the sport, here’s what you need to know to be caught up for the 2022 season. The college baseball season runs from late February to early June. There are 299 Division I teams, which are split into conferences.
The top conference in baseball is the SEC, followed by the ACC, Pac-12, and Big 12. 64 of those teams make it to the NCAA Division 1 Baseball Championship, a tournament also known as the College World Series.
This season will be an exciting one with plenty of great teams and players to watch. Going into the season, the top five ranked teams, in descending order, were Texas, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Stanford, and LSU. And these are just a small sample of the teams to watch out for in the 2022 college baseball season. With so many great teams and players, it is sure to be an exciting year of college baseball.
Start Watching College Baseball Today
Now that you know some of the reasons why college baseball is great to watch, it’s time to start tuning in. The 2022 season is shaping up to be an exciting one and you don’t want to miss it.
If you’re looking for something to fill the void left by the delayed MLB season, college baseball is a great option. Be sure to check out some of the great games and storylines this season. You won’t be disappointed.