DALLAS (NCBWA) The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association continues its tradition of NCAA Division I polls for the ninth year with its 2007 weekly surveys. Weekly polls will continue from Feb. 5 to June 26, following the NCAA World Series in Omaha, Neb.
The Rice Owls have returned to the top spot in the poll, which has representation by 14 different conferences among the 293 baseball-playing schools in the NCAA Division I ranks. Rice, ranked No. 1 in the preseason by the NCBWA, unseats Vanderbilt, which had been the top-ranked for nine straight weeks until losing in the NCAA regionals.
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 Dick Howser Trophy, Regional Players of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors the Pro-Line Cap Division I Players of the Week, the Stopper of the Year, and publication and writing contests.