DALLAS (NCBWA) The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association continues its tradition of NCAA Division I polls for the 22nd year with its 2019 weekly surveys. Polls were circulated from Feb. 18-June 27 (weekly through June 4). Vanderbilt sits atop the final NCBWA Division I poll of 2019.
Vanderbilt, the preseason No. 1 selection, sits atop the final poll of 2019 after winning its second national title in six seasons. The Commodores came back from 0-1 in the College World Series title game to defeat Michigan for the CWS crown.
Teams ranked No. 1 this season included Vanderbilt (preseason, March 4-March 11, June 27), LSU (Feb. 25) and UCLA (March 18-June 5).
Michigan finishes No. 2 in the poll, jumping up from No. 13 after an incredible run to the College World Series final. Florida State also jumped up 11 spots to finish No. 6 after a CWS run in Mike Martins final season. Auburn also jumped up seven spots to No. 8 after their first College World Series appearances since 1997.
Overall, there are four SEC schools, two Pac-12 programs, one Big 12 and one Big Ten team in the top 10.
The 2019 poll voters come from among 35 college baseball writers and related media persons from throughout the nation. After a preseason Top 40 listing, the remainder of the polls feature a national Top 30.
The final 2019 survey has representation by 10 different conferences among the 299 baseball-playing schools in the 2019 NCAA Division I ranks. For more information or to join the NCBWA, please go to ncbwa.com.
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 Division I Players of the Week, the Stopper of the Year, and publication and writing contests.