DALLAS (NCBWA) The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association continues its tradition of NCAA Division I polls for the 16th year with its 2013 weekly surveys. Polls will be circulated from Feb. 20-June 28 following the 67th annual NCAA World Series in Omaha, Neb., at the second-year TD Ameritade Stadium.
Arkansas (preseason), North Carolina (next 10 surveys), Vanderbilt (April 29-May 20), and LSU (May 27) have been No. 1 for during 2013. The ACC and SEC remain as the two conferences represented atop the poll in 2013. Forty-four of the 55 Top 30 or teams receiving votes have received 2013 NCAA bids. The latest survey also includes 15 conference regular- or postseason champions and 15 of the 16 NCAA Regional host schools. Defending NCAA champ Arizona received votes this week but did not obtain an at-large berth in the NCAA brackets.
The eight No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Championships 64-team bracket are NCBWA No. 4 North Carolina, No. 2 Vanderbilt, No. 5 Oregon State, No. 1 LSU, No. 3 Cal State Fullerton, No. 6 Virginia, No. 10 Florida State, and No. 7 Oregon.
The poll voters come from 44 college baseball writers and related media persons from throughout the nation. This week's poll has representation by a season-most 14 different conferences among the 298 baseball-playing schools in the 2013 NCAA Division I ranks, and there have been 18 circuits and independents in the surveys this season. Last year there were a record 22 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.