The President's Message
As we head for home on this college baseball season, this is truly the best time of the year. Conference tournaments have finished up, and we are starting the 64-team NCAA Championships Friday. As been the case in recent years, the champion could come from anywhere. The remarkable story of Oregon State over the last three years provides just another example that great college baseball is not limited to the Sun Belt.

I would like to give a tip of the cap to Mike Montoro for his work in creating our inaugural freshman All-America team. We hope that this work recognizes some of the top performers in the country, and takes its place among the other honors the NCBWA presents, including the Dick Howser Trophy and the Stopper of the Year. Don't forget to submit your votes by the deadlines listed below, and the Howser Trophy presentation will be in Omaha on Saturday, June 14.

Please also note that we have our annual NCBWA business meeting on Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at Tampa Bay Marriott, room TBD, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. (EDT) during the College Sports Information Directors of America national workshop at Tampa, Fla.

Shamus McKnight
NCBWA President

Upcoming NCBWA Award Dates
Here is a look at some upcoming dates for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Awards:
• Wed., June 4: NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award
• Thu., June 5: Eight Dick Howser Trophy Finalists Announced
• Fri., June 6: NCBWA Regional Players of the Year
• Mon., June 9: Division I Pro-Line Athletic/NCBWA Freshman All-American Teams
• Tue., June 10: National Freshman Pitcher and Player of the Year
• Wed., June 11: Div. I Pro-Line Athletic/NCBWA All-American Teams
• Thu., June 12: NCBWA National Coach of the Year
• Sat., June 14: Dick Howser Trophy Award

Media Advisory: Dick Howser Trophy Presentation at Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, June 14, 2008
2008 Dick Howser Trophy Announcement/Ceremony
• Who: Members of National, Regional Media
• What: National News Conference - Dick Howser Trophy
• When: Saturday, June 14, 2008 – 8:30-10 a.m. Buffet Breakfast; 10-10:30 a.m. (CDT) - National Announcement of Dick Howser Trophy – Division I Player of Year
• Where: Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Contact: Karla Ewert, 1301 Harney St., Omaha, NE 68102 (corner of 13th St. & Harney), ample downtown parking available; ph: 402-346-5000
• Why: To Announce the Winner of the Dick Howser Trophy Live Among Four Finalists

Trophy will be presented to one of eight finalists announced on June 5. Breakfast and refreshments will be served starting at 8:30 a.m. by sponsoring the Omaha Press Club and Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. For additional information, please contact: Bo Carter (972-556-1000, Ext. 213; bcarter@footballfoundation.com), Russ Anderson (214-774-1300, rdanderson@c-usa.org) or Mike Montoro (304-293-2821, mike.montoro@mail.wvu.edu).

16 Semifinalists Named for 2008 Whitney Bank Dick Howser Trophy
The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, working in conjunction with the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, has released the list of 16 semifinalists for the 2008 Dick Howser Trophy, given to the top player in collegiate baseball.
• Complete release

First-Ever NCBWA Freshman All-America Team Selection Process
For the first time, the NCBWA is excited about starting the process for nomination and awarding of the NCBWA Freshman All-America teams. The NCBWA will name a first and second team as well as a National Freshman Hitter and Pitcher of the Year. Each team will consist of four infielders, a catcher, four outfielders, a DH/utility player, four starting pitchers and three relief pitchers. For more information, please contact Montoro at at 304-293-2821 or mike.montoro@mail.wvu.edu.

2008 Pro-Line Athletic Players of the Week:
• Feb. 26: Dustin Ackley, North Carolina (Hitter); Lance Lynn, Ole Miss (Pitcher)
• March 4: Sawyer Carroll, Kentucky (Hitter); Barry Bowden, Southern Miss and Joey Seal, Norfolk State (Pitcher)
• March 11: Aaron Murphree, Arkansas (Hitter); David Coulon, Arizona (Pitcher)
• March 18: Tyler Kuhn, West Virginia (Hitter); Ricky Bowen, Mississippi State (Pitcher)
• March 25: Mike McKenna, Florida Atlantic (Hitter); Aaron Crow, Missouri (Pitcher)
• April 1: Alan Ahmady, Fresno State (Hitter); Brandon McClurg, Lipsomb and Josh Romanski, San Diego (Pitcher)
• April 8: Ryan Pond, N.C. State (Hitter); Nick Haughian, Washington (Pitcher)
• April 15: Jacob Priday, Missouri (Hitter); Stephen Strasburg, San Diego State (Pitcher)
• April 22: Dexter Fontenot, Louisiana-Monroe (Hitter); Christopher Manno, Duke (Pitcher)
• April 29: Ty Wright, Georgia Southern (Hitter); Chris Hernandez, Miami (Pitcher)
• May 6: Clay Whittemore, Jacksonville State (Hitter); Kenn Kasparek, Texas (Pitcher)
• May 13: David Anderson, Coastal Carolina (Hitter); Andrew Liebel, Long Beach State (Pitcher)
• May 20: Jeremie Tice, College of Charleston (Hitter); Scott Swinson, Maryland (Pitcher)

Related link:
• Pro-Line Athletic Player of the Week plaques

NCBWA Awards and Dick Howser Trophy Timeline
Thu., May 15: 16 Dick Howser Semifinalists Announced
Wed., May 28: Final Ballot e-Mailed to Membership
Wed., June 4: Deadline for Final Round of Voting
Thu., June 5: Eight Dick Howser Trophy Finalists Announced
Fri., June 6: Regional Players of the Year Announced
Wed., June 11: Pro-Line Athletic/NCBWA All-American Teams Announced
Sat., June 14: Dick Howser Trophy Winner Announced at College World Series
(Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, 1301 Harney St. in Warehouse Entertainment District)

NCAA Division I Championships Field for Fri.-Sun/Mon., May 30-June 1 or 2
Ann Arbor Regional
No. 1 Arizona (38-17) vs. No. 4 Eastern Michigan (25-32)
No. 2 Michigan (45-12) vs. No. 3 Kentucky (42-17)
Athens Regional
No. 1 Georgia (35-21-1) vs. No. 4 Lipscomb (32-28)
No. 2 Georgia Tech (39-19) vs. No. 3 Louisville (41-19)
Baton Rouge Regional
No. 1 LSU (43-16-1) vs. No. 4 Texas Southern (16-32)
No. 2 Southern Miss (40-20) vs. No. 3 New Orleans (42-19)
Cary Regional
No. 1 North Carolina (46-12) vs. No. 4 Mt. St. Mary's (21-32)
No. 2 UNC Wilmington (42-15-1) vs. No. 3 Elon (43-16)
College Station Regional
No. 1 Texas A&M (43-16) vs. No. 4 Ill.-Chicago (34-20)
No. 2 Dallas Baptist (37-17) vs. No. 3 Houston (39-22)
Conway Regional
No. 1 Coastal Caro. (47-12) vs. No. 4 Columbia (22-28)
No. 2 East Carolina (40-19) vs. No. 3 Alabama (34-26)
Coral Gables Regional
No. 1 Miami (Fla.) (47-8) vs. No. 4 Bethune-Cookman (36-20)
No. 2 Missouri (38-19) vs. No. 3 Ole Miss (37-24)
Fullerton Regional
No. 1 Cal St. Fullerton (37-19) vs. No. 4 Rider (29-26)
No. 2 UCLA (31-25) vs. No. 3 Virginia (38-21)
Houston (Rice) Regional
No. 1 Rice (42-13) vs. No. 4 Sam Houston St. (37-23)
No. 2 Texas (37-20) vs. St. John's (N.Y.) (41-14)
Lincoln Regional
No. 1 Nebraska (40-14-1) vs. No. 4 Eastern Ill. (27-28)
No. 2 UC Irvine (38-16) vs. No. 3 Oral Roberts (46-12)
Long Beach Regional
No. 1 Long Beach St. (37-19) vs. No. 4 Fresno St. (37-27)
No. 2 San Diego (41-15) vs. No. 3 California (33-19-2)
Raleigh Regional
No. 1 North Carolina St. (38-20) vs. No. 4 James Madison (38-17)
No. 2 South Carolina (38-21) vs. No. 3 Charlotte (43-14)
Stanford Regional
No. 1 Stanford (33-21-2) vs. No. 4 UC Davis (34-22)
No. 2 Pepperdine (36-19) vs. No. 3 Arkansas (34-22)
Stillwater Regional
No. 1 Oklahoma St. (42-16) vs. No. 4 Western Ky. (33-25)
No. 2 Wichita St. (44-15) vs. No. 3 TCU (43-17)
Tallahassee Regional
No. 1 Florida St. (48-10) vs. No. 4 Bucknell (29-22-2)
No. 2 Florida (34-22) vs. No. 3 Tulane (37-20-1)
Tempe Regional
No. 1 Arizona St. (45-11) vs. No. 4 Stony Brook (34-24)
No. 2 Vanderbilt (40-20) vs. No. 3 Oklahoma (34-24-1)

2008 NCBWA Division II All-America Team
The team is led by player of the year Emporia State (Kan.) catcher Keith Hernandez, the Player of the Year, and Pitcher of the Year Mike Adams of Franklin Pierce (N.H.).
• Complete release

USA Baseball Releases Initial 12 Invitees for Team USA 2008
USA Baseball has announced today its initial list of 12 collegiate players who have accepted invitations for the 2008 National Team Trials held June 11-23. Included among the first invitees is 2007 National Team member Mike Minor, a
sophomore left-handed pitcher from Vanderbilt. Minor posted a 5-2 record and a 1.64 ERA in nine appearances with the National Team last year.

Other sophomores on the list are Josh Fellhauer (OF, Cal State Fullerton), Kyle Gibson (RHP, Missouri), AJ Griffin (RHP, San Diego), Mike Leake (RHP/UTL, Arizona State), Andrew Oliver (LHP, Oklahoma State), Aaron Senne (OF, Missouri) and Jason Stoffel (RHP, Arizona). The four freshmen invitees are Christian Colon (INF, Cal State Fullerton), Kentrail Davis
(OF, Tennessee), Bryan Morgado (LHP, Tennessee) and Hunter Morris (1B, Auburn). Morgado is a redshirt freshman.
USA Baseball's 2008 National Team schedule includes a six-game friendship series against Chinese Taipei and a month-long trip to Europe where the team will compete in the Haarlem Baseball Week in the Netherlands and the IV FISU World Collegiate Baseball Championship in the Czech Republic.

Listed below is the 2008 National Team Trials Roster to date:
Christian Colon INF R/R Fr. Cal State Fullerton Corora, Calif.
Kentrail Davis OF L/R Fr. Tennessee Theodore, Ala.
Josh Fellhauer OF L/L So. Cal State Fullerton Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Kyle Gibson RHP R/R So. Missouri Greenfield, Ind.
AJ Griffin RHP R/R So. San Diego El Cajon, Calif.
Mike Leake RHP/UTL R/R So. Arizona State Fallbrook, Calif.
Mike Minor LHP L/L So. Vanderbilt Chapel Hill, Tenn.
Bryan Morgado LHP L/L R-Fr. Tennessee Miami, Fla.
Hunter Morris 1B L/R Fr. Auburn Huntsville, Ala.
Andrew Oliver LHP L/L So. Oklahoma State Vermillion, Okla.
Aaron Senne OF L/L So. Missouri Rochester, Minn.
Jason Stoffel RHP R/R So. Arizona Agoura, Calif.

The 2008 USA Baseball National Team will be led by Oral Roberts head coach Rob Walton, who served as an assistant coach for the 2005 National Team. Walton is joined on the 2008 staff by pitching coach Jerry Meyers (head coach, Old Dominion), assistant coach Nino Giarratano (head coach, San Francisco), and assistant coach Ritch Price (head coach, Kansas). In addition, current Baylor baseball media relations contact and NCBWA member Larry Little will serve as the 2008 National Team press officer; Little held the same position with the 2005 National Team.

Milestones/Coaching Notes
Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Tony Robichaux captured his 500th game 4-3 over Northwestern State in Lafayette on Apr. 16 … Texas Tech head coach Larry Hays announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2009 season and will be replaced by longtime Oregon State and current Tech assistant coach Dan Spencer … Chad Porter has been named head coach at Texas A&M-International … Scott Norwood has taken over the Arkansas-Little Rock program … Tom Slater resigned as head coach at Auburn.

Where Are They Now?
The NCBWA has an occasional feature in the newsletter with "Where Are They Now?" updates on a number of college coaches, student-athletes and programs. This issue's segment features several retired coaches and ABCA Hall of Fame members. These include coach John Winkin (three schools, notably Maine), recuperating from a stroke he suffered in Jan. 2008; Paul Nix, Auburn, 2004 inductee into the Alabama Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame; Jack Lamabe, Jacksonville and LSU, died on Dec. 21, 2007; Dr. Gene Hooks, Wake Forest, recently helped celebrate "Hooks Last Stand" at Gene Hooks Stadium as Wake Forest played its final game there. The Demon Deacons will move to Ernie Shore Field in Winston-Salem in 2009.

TOP 12 REGULAR-SEASON NCAA BASEBALL ATTENDANCE DATES (Updated May 28, 2008)
40,106: San Diego St. (4) vs. Houston (0), March 11, 2004, PETCO Park, Diego, California
28,836: Georgia Tech (12) vs. Georgia (5), 11, 2004, Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
27,673: LSU (9) vs. Tulane (5), April 10, 2002, Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
27,134: TCU (6) vs. Houston (4), Texas (5) vs. Rice (4) and Tulane (6) vs. Texas Tech (4), Feb. 11, 2006, Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
25,175: Long Beach State (5) vs. San Diego State (0), March 13, 2004, PETCO Park, San Diego
23,984: Vanderbilt (7) vs. Arizona (6), Texas A&M (3) vs. Houston (2), and (7) vs. Baylor (0), Feb. 10, 2007, Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
22,599: Georgia (3) vs. Georgia Tech (2), May 13, 2008, Turner Field, Atlanta
21,995: Baylor (3) vs. Tennessee (2), Oklahoma (3) vs. Houston (2), and (3) vs. Texas A&M (1), Feb. 12, 2005, Park, Houston, Texas
21,724: Texas (6) vs. Rice (3), Feb. 14, 2004, Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
21,620: Georgia (10) vs. Georgia Tech (7), April 24, 2007, Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
21,343: LSU (9) vs. Tulane (5), April 27, 2004, Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, La.
21,158: Nebraska vs. Creighton, May 16, 2006, Omaha

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 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, the Stopper of the Year Award, publication and writing contests. Additionally, the organization maintains a website at www.ncbwa.com. For membership, send annual dues ($20), along with mailing address, phone, fax and e-mail address information to Russell Anderson, NCBWA Associate Executive Director, c/o Conference USA, 5201 No. O'Connor Blvd., Suite 300, Irving, TX 75309.

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