Introduction to DII Baseball Teams
DII baseball teams are collegiate teams that compete at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Division II teams are generally smaller than those at the Division I level and compete in a smaller number of games. The number of teams playing at the Division II level varies from season to season, as some teams join while others drop out of the competition.
How Many DII Baseball Teams Are There?
As of the 2020-21 season, there are 243 DII baseball teams in the NCAA. This figure includes teams that are currently playing and those that are in the process of transitioning to Division II. The majority of the teams are located in the United States, with a handful located in Canada.
Division II Baseball Conferences
The 243 DII baseball teams are divided into eight different conferences. These conferences are the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), the Gulf South Conference (GSC), the Lone Star Conference (LSC), the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), the Northeast-10 Conference (NE-10), and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
DII Baseball Teams by Region
Below is a list of the DII baseball teams broken down by region:
- Northeast: 43 teams
- Midwest: 59 teams
- South: 81 teams
- West: 60 teams
DII Baseball Championship
The NCAA Division II Baseball Championship is an annual event that determines the national champion of Division II baseball. The tournament is a double-elimination event and is held each spring. The winner of the championship earns the right to compete in the Division I College World Series.
DII Baseball Teams in the US
The majority of the 243 DII baseball teams are located in the United States. The states with the most teams are California (13 teams), Texas (12 teams), and Florida (11 teams). Other states with a large number of teams include New York (9 teams), Pennsylvania (7 teams), North Carolina (7 teams), and Ohio (7 teams).
DII Baseball Teams in Canada
There are four DII baseball teams in Canada. These teams are the University of British Columbia (UBC), the University of Calgary (U of C), the University of Lethbridge (U of L), and the University of Saskatchewan (U of S).
DII Baseball Scholarships
DII baseball teams often offer scholarships to student-athletes. These scholarships typically cover tuition, room and board, and books. In addition, student-athletes may receive additional funds for living expenses and travel.
DII Baseball Teams and Major Leagues
Many players from DII baseball teams have gone on to play in Major League Baseball. Notable players who have come from DII teams include Mike Piazza (Dodgers), Albert Pujols (Cardinals), and Mark McGwire (A’s).
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are currently 243 DII baseball teams in the NCAA. These teams are divided into eight different conferences and are located in both the United States and Canada. In addition, many of these teams offer scholarship opportunities to student-athletes and have produced some of the greatest players in the history of Major League Baseball.