DALLAS (NCBWA) The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association continues its tradition of NCAA Division I polls for the 15th year with its 2012 weekly surveys. Polls will be circulated from Feb. 20-June 28, following the 66th annual NCAA World Series in Omaha, Neb., at the second-year TD Ameritade Stadium.
Florida (eight times during the first 13 surveys, nine total, No. 1 overall seed in 2012 NCAA pairings) and Florida State (five times) have been No. 1 for the majority of 2012. Two-time defending NCAA champ South Carolina also held the No. 1 position for the first time this season on May 14. The ACC and SEC remain as the two conferences represented atop the poll in 2012. Forty-five of the 49 Top 30 or teams receiving votes received 2012 NCAA bids.
The poll voters come from 42 college baseball writers and related media persons from throughout the nation. This week's poll has representation by 12 different conferences among the 297 baseball-playing schools in the 2012 NCAA Division I ranks, and there have been 21 circuits and independents in the surveys this season. Last year there were 16 different leagues (from 30 in NCAA Division I) among the Top 30 polls.
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 Athletic Division I Players of the Week, the Stopper of the Year, and publication and writing contests.