Does Arizona State Have a Baseball Team?
The answer is yes, Arizona State does in fact have a baseball team. The Arizona State Sun Devils baseball team is a part of the NCAA Division I Pacific-12 Conference, and has consistently been a top-tier competitor in the conference. The Sun Devils have won 5 College World Series titles, including two in the last five years.
History of the Sun Devils Baseball Team
The Arizona State Sun Devils baseball team was founded in 1959 and they have been an NCAA Division I program since 1965. In the early years, the Sun Devils were an independent team and did not join a conference until 1978 when they joined the Pac-10 Conference. In 2011, the Pac-10 expanded and became the Pac-12.
The Sun Devils have won five College World Series titles, in 1965, 1967, 1969, 1977, and 1981. The team has also made eight trips to the College World Series, the most recent being in 2018.
Sun Devils Coaching Staff
The Sun Devils currently have a three-man coaching staff, with Tracy Smith as head coach, Ben Greenspan as pitching coach, and Mike Gilleran as hitting coach. Smith has been the head coach of the Sun Devils since 2015 and has led the team to two College World Series appearances in the last five years.
Greenspan came to Arizona State in 2017 and has been instrumental in the development of the pitching staff. Gilleran has been with the program since 2013 and has been an integral part of the Sun Devils’ success.
Sun Devils Players
The Sun Devils have had a number of standout players over the years, including All-American players such as Andrew Romine, Ike Davis, and Ryan Schimpf. The team also boasts a number of current Major League Baseball players, including Jake Lamb, Trevor Cahill, and Ryan Burr.
Sun Devils Facilities
The Sun Devils play their home games at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona. The stadium has a capacity of 5,000 and is regarded as one of the best college baseball stadiums in the nation.
The Sun Devils also have access to the ASU Baseball Stadium and the ASU Player Development Complex. These facilities are used for practice and training, and are considered some of the best college baseball facilities in the country.
Sun Devils Schedule
The Sun Devils play a 34-game home schedule during the regular season, and they also participate in several tournaments throughout the year. The team typically plays in the NCAA Tournament in the spring, and in the Pac-12 Tournament in the summer.
Sun Devils Rivals
The Sun Devils have a number of rivalries, including the annual Territorial Cup Series against in-state rival Arizona. The team also has rivalry games against other Pac-12 schools, such as UCLA, USC, and Oregon State.
Sun Devils Fanbase
The Sun Devils have a passionate and loyal fanbase that follows the team to every game. The team has a strong following in the Phoenix area, and the games are often sold out.
Sun Devils in the MLB Draft
The Sun Devils have a rich history of producing high-quality players that go on to have successful careers in the Major Leagues. The team has had over 100 players drafted, including 11 first-round picks. Players such as Dustin Pedroia, Willie Bloomquist, and Trevor Cahill have all gone on to have successful careers in the Majors.
Conclusion
The Arizona State Sun Devils baseball team is one of the most successful programs in the country. The team has won five College World Series titles and has a history of producing top-tier players. The Sun Devils also have a passionate and loyal fanbase, and the team plays its home games in one of the best college baseball stadiums in the nation. The Sun Devils are a force to be reckoned with and are sure to remain a top contender in the Pac-12 for years to come.