College Baseball Fun Facts

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We’ve created this list of 50 fun facts about College Baseball!

In addition to over 50 fun facts about College Baseball, learn more about the history of the game, the best players and teams, legends, traditions, and so much more!

College Baseball Fun Facts


Table of Contents – College Baseball Fun Facts

Fun Facts About College Baseball – About College Baseball

College baseball is a form of baseball played by student-athletes at colleges, universities, and junior colleges across the United States. It is a popular sport in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), the main governing body for college athletics in the U.S., as well as other collegiate organizations.

College baseball typically follows the same rules as professional baseball, with a few minor differences such as a smaller ball and slightly different bat regulations. College baseball seasons typically run from February to June, with the NCAA tournament occurring in June and crowning a national champion.

Many college baseball players go on to play professionally in Major League Baseball (MLB), and college baseball has a strong following among fans, alumni, and students at many universities across the country.

Fun Facts About College Baseball – History of the Game

College baseball has a long and rich history in the United States, dating back to the mid-1800s. The first recorded college baseball game was played in 1859 between Amherst College and Williams College in Massachusetts.

Over the years, college baseball has evolved and grown in popularity, with many universities establishing baseball programs and joining various college baseball leagues. The NCAA began sponsoring a national championship tournament for college baseball in 1947, and the tournament has since become a major event in college athletics.

In recent years, college baseball has seen increased media coverage and attention, with more games being televised and streaming online, and with more players being drafted into Major League Baseball. Many college baseball programs have also invested in state-of-the-art facilities and training programs to help their players succeed both on the field and off. Overall, college baseball has become an important and exciting part of the college sports landscape in the United States.

College Baseball Fun Facts

Fun Facts About College Baseball – 50 Fun Facts

Here are 25 fun facts about College Baseball:

  1. College baseball was first played in the United States in the 1850s.
  2. The first college baseball game was played between Amherst and Williams College in Massachusetts in 1859.
  3. The College World Series, the annual championship series for college baseball, has been held since 1947.
  4. The first College World Series was won by the University of California, Berkeley.
  5. The current format of the College World Series includes eight teams playing in a double-elimination tournament.
  6. The championship game of the College World Series is known as the “national championship” of college baseball.
  7. The College World Series is held every year in Omaha, Nebraska at TD Ameritrade Park.
  8. The fastest pitch ever recorded in college baseball was thrown by Ryan Riga of Texas Tech in 2014, at a speed of 100.2 mph.
  9. The highest-scoring college baseball game on record was played between Louisiana-Monroe and Northwestern State in 1971, with a final score of 50-48.
  10. The longest game in college baseball history was played between Texas and Boston College in 2009 and lasted 25 innings, lasting over 7 hours.
  11. The most home runs hit in a single season by a college baseball player is 48, set by Pete Incaviglia of Oklahoma State in 1985.
  12. The highest batting average in a single season by a college baseball player is .583, set by Robin Ventura of Oklahoma State in 1987.
  13. The most strikeouts in a single game by a college baseball pitcher is 27, set by Steve Dalkowski of New Britain Teachers College in 1958.
  14. The most strikeouts in a single season by a college baseball pitcher is 238, set by Mike Loynd of Florida State in 1986.
  15. The most stolen bases in a single season by a college baseball player is 98, set by Vince Coleman of Florida A&M in 1983.
  16. The most hits in a single season by a college baseball player is 162, set by Rickie Weeks of Southern in 2003.
  17. The most wins in a single season by a college baseball team is 73, set by Arizona State in 1972.
  18. The most consecutive wins by a college baseball team is 34, set by Texas in 1977.
  19. The most consecutive losses by a college baseball team is 51, set by Prairie View A&M from 1997 to 1999.
  20. The longest winning streak by a college baseball team in a single season is 58 games, set by Miami (FL) in 1999.
  21. The most championships won by a college baseball team is 12, held by the University of Southern California.
  22. The most consecutive championships won by a college baseball team is 5, held by the University of Southern California from 1970 to 1974.
  23. The most All-American selections by a college baseball player is 4, held by several players.
  24. The most All-American selections by a college baseball coach is 31, held by Mike Martin of Florida State.
  25. The most home runs hit in a College World Series game is 4, set by Dave Kingman of USC in 1971.

Fun Facts About College Baseball – 50 Fun Facts

Here are another 25 fun facts about College Baseball:

  1. The most hits in a College World Series game is 7, set by two players: Jim Paciorek of Michigan in 1981 and Willie Randolph of Arizona State in 1973.
  2. The most RBI in a College World Series game is 8, set by Scott Spiezio of USC in 1995.
  3. The most strikeouts in a College World Series game is 16, set by Ron Perry of North Carolina State in 1978 and Jim Abbott of Michigan in 1987.
  4. The most stolen bases in a College World Series game is 5, set by Wally Backman of Arizona State in 1977.
  5. The most wins by a pitcher in College World Series history is 9, held by several pitchers.
  6. The most saves in College World Series history is 6, held by several pitchers.
  7. The most appearances in the College World Series by a player is 8, held by Adam Davis of Florida.
  8. The most appearances in the College World Series by a coach is 16, held by Ron Fraser of Miami.
  9. College baseball players are not eligible to be drafted until after their junior year.
  10. The NCAA limits each team to a maximum of 11.7 scholarships for baseball.
  11. The longest hitting streak in college baseball history is 58 games, set by Robin Ventura of Oklahoma State in 1987.
  12. The most consecutive games with a home run in college baseball history is 13, set by Travis Garcia of New Mexico State in 2003.
  13. The most consecutive games with an RBI in college baseball history is 56, set by Phil Stephenson of Wichita State in 1981.
  14. The most consecutive games with a hit in college baseball history is 60, set by Damian Costantino of Division III Salve Regina in 2001.
  15. The most consecutive games with a run scored in college baseball history is 65, set by Rusty Staub of Tulane in 1962.
  16. The most consecutive games with a stolen base in college baseball history is 69, set by Tim Raines of Seminole State College in 1977.
  17. The most consecutive shutouts by a college baseball team is 7, held by two teams: Fresno State in 1959 and Texas in 1970.
  18. The most consecutive complete games by a college baseball pitcher is 23, held by Jim Abbott of Michigan from 1987 to 1988.
  19. The most consecutive no-hitters thrown by a college baseball team is 3, held by St. Joseph’s (IN) in 1991.
  20. The most consecutive games without a loss by a college baseball team is 45, held by Florida State from 2011 to 2012.
  21. The most consecutive games with a hit by pitch by a college baseball team is 50, held by Vanderbilt from 2004 to 2005.
  22. The most consecutive games with a double play turned by a college baseball team is 27, held by Rice from 2003 to 2004.
  23. The most consecutive games with a stolen base by a college baseball team is 104, held by Jacksonville State from 2007 to 2009.
  24. The most consecutive games with a home run by a college baseball team is 13, held by Louisiana Tech in 1987.
  25. The most consecutive games with a run scored by a college baseball team is 104, held by Arizona State from 1971 to 1973.

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about College Baseball!

College Baseball Fun Facts

Fun Facts About College Baseball – 25 Fun Facts for Kids

Here are 25 fun facts about College Baseball that kids might enjoy:

  1. College baseball has been played in the United States since the mid-1800s.
  2. The NCAA Men’s College World Series has been held annually since 1947.
  3. The championship game of the College World Series is played in Omaha, Nebraska.
  4. The longest game in college baseball history lasted 25 innings.
  5. The College World Series has been won by teams from California more than any other state.
  6. The College World Series trophy is called the “Omaha Trophy.”
  7. The College World Series has been won by the same team in back-to-back years 10 times.
  8. The highest-scoring game in College World Series history was in 1998 when USC beat Arizona State 21-14.
  9. College baseball players use aluminum bats instead of wooden bats like in the major leagues.
  10. The distance between bases in college baseball is 90 feet.
  11. The pitcher’s mound is 60 feet, 6 inches away from home plate in college baseball.
  12. College baseball games typically last around three hours.
  13. The University of Southern California has won the most national championships in college baseball history with 12.
  14. The University of Texas has made the most appearances in the College World Series with 36.
  15. The first College World Series was won by the University of California in 1947.
  16. College baseball is played in the spring, from February to June.
  17. The Ivy League has its own baseball conference.
  18. The University of Arizona has the most consecutive NCAA tournament appearances with 36.
  19. In college baseball, each team has nine innings to score as many runs as possible.
  20. College baseball players wear stirrup socks as part of their uniform.
  21. The fastest recorded pitch in college baseball history was thrown by David Berg of UCLA in 2013 and was clocked at 98 mph.
  22. College baseball teams play around 56 games in a regular season.
  23. College baseball games can end in a tie if the game is called due to weather or other circumstances.
  24. The University of Miami has the most consecutive 40-win seasons in college baseball history with 44.
  25. The oldest college baseball stadium in the United States is at the University of Georgia, built in 1886.

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about College Baseball!

Fun Facts About College Baseball – Rules of the Game

In addition to the fun facts about College Baseball, here’s a brief overview of the rules of college baseball:

  1. Number of players: Each team fields nine players at a time.
  2. Duration of game: A college baseball game consists of nine innings. If the game is tied after nine innings, it can go into extra innings until there is a winner.
  3. Scoring: The objective of the game is to score more runs than the opposing team. A run is scored when a player hits the ball and makes it around all four bases to home plate before the ball is caught or retrieved by the opposing team.
  4. Pitching: The pitcher throws the ball towards the batter from the pitching mound, which is 60 feet, 6 inches away from home plate. The pitcher can throw different types of pitches to try and get the batter out.
  5. Batting: The batter tries to hit the pitched ball with a bat and then run around the bases in a counter-clockwise direction to score runs.
  6. Fielding: The defensive team tries to prevent the offensive team from scoring runs by fielding the ball and making outs.
  7. Outs: There are three ways to get an out in college baseball – by striking out, by hitting the ball in the air and having it caught by a defensive player before it hits the ground, or by making a force out at one of the bases.
  8. Substitutions: Players can be substituted in and out of the game freely, but once a player is taken out, they cannot re-enter the game.
  9. Equipment: College baseball players use aluminum bats, wear gloves, and wear uniforms that include a cap, jersey, and pants.
  10. Stealing bases: Runners can attempt to steal a base once the pitch has been thrown by the pitcher, but they must reach the base before the defensive team makes a play on the ball.

Fun Facts About College Baseball – Where It’s Played

College baseball is primarily played in the United States, where there are over 1,000 universities and colleges with baseball programs. The games are typically played on campus at college baseball stadiums or fields.

The pinnacle of college baseball is the NCAA Men’s College World Series, which is held annually in Omaha, Nebraska at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. The College World Series is the final stage of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship and features the top eight teams in the country competing in a double-elimination tournament to determine the national champion.

Other NCAA regional tournaments and super regionals are held at various college baseball stadiums across the country leading up to the College World Series. Additionally, many college baseball teams participate in non-conference games and tournaments throughout the season, which can be played at various locations both in and outside the United States.

Fun Facts About College Baseball – Best Players

In addition to the fun facts about College Baseball, here are a few notable players who have had exceptional college careers:

  1. Robin Ventura – Ventura played at Oklahoma State University in the late 1980s and was a three-time All-American. He hit .428 with 302 runs batted in (RBI) and 80 home runs in his college career. Ventura went on to play in the major leagues for 16 seasons and was a two-time All-Star.
  2. Mark Kotsay – Kotsay played at California State University, Fullerton in the mid-1990s and was a two-time All-American. He hit .405 with 226 RBI and 44 home runs in his college career. Kotsay also played in the major leagues for 17 seasons and won a World Series championship with the Florida Marlins in 2003.
  3. Will Clark – Clark played at Mississippi State University in the mid-1980s and was a two-time All-American. He hit .391 with 61 home runs and 198 RBI in his college career. Clark went on to play in the major leagues for 15 seasons and was a six-time All-Star.
  4. Phil Nevin – Nevin played at California State University, Fullerton in the late 1980s and was a two-time All-American. He hit .371 with 213 RBI and 38 home runs in his college career. Nevin also played in the major leagues for 12 seasons and was an All-Star in 2001.
  5. Barry Bonds – Bonds played at Arizona State University in the early 1980s and was a two-time All-American. He hit .347 with 45 home runs and 175 RBI in his college career. Bonds went on to play in the major leagues for 22 seasons and was a seven-time MVP.

These are just a few examples of some of the best college baseball players in history. Many other players have had exceptional college careers and gone on to successful careers in the major leagues.

Fun Facts About College Baseball – Best Teams

There have been many great college baseball teams throughout history, but it’s difficult to determine a definitive list of the best. In addition to the fun facts about College Baseball, here are a few teams that are often considered among the best:

  1. 1971 USC Trojans – This USC team is widely considered one of the greatest in college baseball history. They finished the season with a 46-11 record and won the College World Series. The team featured future major league stars such as Fred Lynn, Roy Smalley, and Steve Busby.
  2. 1996 LSU Tigers – This LSU team finished the season with a 52-15 record and won the College World Series. They were led by future major leaguers such as Todd Walker, Brad Cresse, and Brett Laxton.
  3. 1981 Arizona State Sun Devils – This Arizona State team finished the season with a 55-13 record and won the College World Series. The team featured future major leaguers such as Alvin Davis, Hubie Brooks, and Mike Sodders.
  4. 1975 Texas Longhorns – This Texas team finished the season with a 59-6 record and won the College World Series. The team was led by future major leaguers such as Keith Moreland, Calvin Schiraldi, and Rick Bradley.
  5. 1998 Miami Hurricanes – This Miami team finished the season with a 50-13 record and won the College World Series. They were led by future major leaguers such as Pat Burrell, Aubrey Huff, and Jason Michaels.

These are just a few examples of some of the best college baseball teams in history. Many other teams have had exceptional seasons and won championships, and the debate over the greatest team in college baseball history is ongoing.

College Baseball Fun Facts

Fun Facts About College Baseball – Greatest Records

In addition to the fun facts about College Baseball, here are some notable college baseball records:

  1. Most wins in a season: The record for most wins in a season belongs to the 2019 Vanderbilt Commodores, who finished the year with a 59-12 record.
  2. Longest winning streak: The record for the longest winning streak in college baseball history is held by the Florida State Seminoles, who won 34 consecutive games in 2017.
  3. Most career wins by a pitcher: The record for most career wins by a pitcher belongs to Taylor Clarke of the College of Charleston, who recorded 43 wins from 2013-2015.
  4. Most career strikeouts: The record for most career strikeouts belongs to David Berg of UCLA, who recorded 496 strikeouts from 2012-2016.
  5. Most career hits: The record for most career hits belongs to Pete Rose of Miami University, who recorded 419 hits from 1960-1963.
  6. Most career home runs: The record for most career home runs belongs to Pete Incaviglia of Oklahoma State University, who hit 100 home runs from 1983-1985.
  7. Most career stolen bases: The record for most career stolen bases belongs to Rickey Henderson of Oakland Technical High School, who stole 100 bases from 1976-1976 at the collegiate level.

These are just a few examples of some notable college baseball records. There are many more records, both individual and team-based, that have been set throughout college baseball history.

About College Baseball – Legends

There have been many legendary college baseball players over the years. In addition to the fun facts about College Baseball, here are a few notable examples:

  1. Jackie Robinson – Robinson played baseball at UCLA and was a four-sport athlete, excelling in baseball, basketball, football, and track and field.
  2. Dave Winfield – Winfield played baseball and basketball at the University of Minnesota, where he was an All-American in both sports.
  3. Barry Bonds – Bonds played baseball at Arizona State University and was a two-time All-American.
  4. Roger Clemens – Clemens played baseball at the University of Texas and was a two-time All-American.
  5. Nomar Garciaparra – Garciaparra played baseball at Georgia Tech and was a two-time All-American.
  6. Mark McGwire – McGwire played baseball at the University of Southern California and set a school record with 32 home runs in one season.
  7. Robin Ventura – Ventura played baseball at Oklahoma State University and was a two-time All-American.
  8. Frank Thomas – Thomas played baseball at Auburn University and was a two-time All-American.
  9. Dustin Pedroia – Pedroia played baseball at Arizona State University and won the Golden Spikes Award as the best amateur baseball player in the country in 2006.
  10. Stephen Strasburg – Strasburg played baseball at San Diego State University and was the number one overall pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball draft.
College Baseball Fun Facts

About College Baseball – Traditions

College baseball is steeped in tradition, and many of these traditions are unique to the sport. In addition to the fun facts about College Baseball, here are some examples of college baseball traditions:

  1. The Wave: Similar to the wave at football games, the wave is a popular tradition at college baseball games. Fans stand up and wave their arms in unison around the stadium.
  2. The Seventh-Inning Stretch: During the seventh-inning stretch, fans stand up and sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” while stretching their legs.
  3. The Rally Cap: When a team is behind in the late innings, fans will often wear their hats inside out or upside down in an attempt to rally the team to victory.
  4. The Home Run Trot: After a player hits a home run, he will often take a slow, exaggerated trot around the bases while his teammates cheer him on.
  5. The Dugout Dance: When a player hits a home run, his teammates in the dugout will often perform a celebratory dance, complete with high-fives and chest bumps.
  6. The Pitching Rubber: At the end of each inning, the pitcher will often step on the pitching rubber and give it a quick tap with his glove as a sign of respect.
  7. The Postgame Handshake: After the game, the teams will line up and shake hands with each other as a sign of good sportsmanship.
  8. The Omaha Hype Video: Before the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, a hype video is shown featuring highlights of the teams that have made it to the tournament.
  9. The CWS Walk: Fans and players alike take a walk around the Rosenblatt Stadium, the former home of the College World Series, to pay tribute to the history of the event.

These are just a few examples of the many traditions that make college baseball such a unique and special sport.

About College Baseball – Movies

There are several movies that feature baseball as a central theme. In addition to the fun facts about College Baseball, here are a few examples:

  1. “The Rookie” (2002) – This movie is based on the true story of Jim Morris, a high school science teacher and baseball coach who becomes a professional pitcher at the age of 35. Before becoming a teacher, Morris played college baseball at Brownwood High School in Texas.
  2. “The Perfect Game” (2009) – This movie tells the story of the 1957 Monterrey Industrials, a Mexican Little League baseball team that went on to win the Little League World Series. The team was coached by Cesar Faz, who played college baseball at the University of Arizona.
  3. “Million Dollar Arm” (2014) – This movie is based on the true story of sports agent J.B. Bernstein, who goes to India to find cricket players who can be trained to become Major League Baseball pitchers. The movie features scenes that take place at the University of Southern California’s Dedeaux Field, where Bernstein holds tryouts.
  4. “Everybody’s All-American” (1988) – This movie is based on the novel by Frank Deford and tells the story of Gavin Grey, a college football star who struggles to find success in his professional career. The movie features scenes that take place on the LSU baseball field, where Grey also played.

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about College Baseball!

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College Baseball Fun Facts

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about College Baseball!

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