What is the Big 12 Baseball Conference?
The Big 12 Baseball Conference is a collegiate athletic conference composed of ten universities located in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, and West Virginia. The Big 12 is one of the most competitive and prestigious baseball conferences in the country and has produced several Major League Baseball (MLB) players. The Big 12 championship is held annually and the winner of the tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Baseball Tournament.
The Current Teams of the Big 12 Baseball Conference
The Big 12 Baseball Conference currently consists of 10 teams:
Baylor Bears
The Baylor Bears are based in Waco, Texas and compete in the Big 12 Conference. The Bears are coached by Steve Rodriguez and have won three Big 12 Conference titles.
Kansas Jayhawks
The Kansas Jayhawks are based in Lawrence, Kansas and compete in the Big 12 Conference. The Jayhawks are coached by Ritch Price and have won two Big 12 Conference titles.
Kansas State Wildcats
The Kansas State Wildcats are based in Manhattan, Kansas and compete in the Big 12 Conference. The Wildcats are coached by Brad Hill and have won one Big 12 Conference title.
Oklahoma Sooners
The Oklahoma Sooners are based in Norman, Oklahoma and compete in the Big 12 Conference. The Sooners are coached by Skip Johnson and have won five Big 12 Conference titles.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Oklahoma State Cowboys are based in Stillwater, Oklahoma and compete in the Big 12 Conference. The Cowboys are coached by Josh Holliday and have won four Big 12 Conference titles.
TCU Horned Frogs
The TCU Horned Frogs are based in Fort Worth, Texas and compete in the Big 12 Conference. The Horned Frogs are coached by Jim Schlossnagle and have won two Big 12 Conference titles.
Texas Longhorns
The Texas Longhorns are based in Austin, Texas and compete in the Big 12 Conference. The Longhorns are coached by David Pierce and have won five Big 12 Conference titles.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Texas Tech Red Raiders are based in Lubbock, Texas and compete in the Big 12 Conference. The Red Raiders are coached by Tim Tadlock and have won one Big 12 Conference title.
West Virginia Mountaineers
The West Virginia Mountaineers are based in Morgantown, West Virginia and compete in the Big 12 Conference. The Mountaineers are coached by Randy Mazey and have won one Big 12 Conference title.
Iowa State Cyclones
The Iowa State Cyclones are based in Ames, Iowa and compete in the Big 12 Conference. The Cyclones are coached by Mark Johnson and have won two Big 12 Conference titles.
History of the Big 12 Baseball Conference
The Big 12 Baseball Conference was formed in 1996 as part of the larger Big 12 Conference. The conference was formed by the merger of the Big Eight Conference and four former members of the Southwest Conference. The Big 12 has since become one of the most competitive and prestigious conferences in the country.
Big 12 Baseball Conference Champions
The Big 12 Baseball Conference Champion is determined by an annual tournament between the ten conference teams. The winner of the tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Baseball Tournament. The Big 12 has produced several NCAA Baseball Champions, including the Texas Longhorns (2005), Texas A&M Aggies (2011), and TCU Horned Frogs (2010).
Big 12 Baseball Coaching Legends
The Big 12 has produced some of the best coaches in baseball history. Augie Garrido, who coached the Texas Longhorns from 1997 to 2016, is the all-time leader in wins among college baseball coaches with 1,975. Other notable Big 12 coaches include Ritch Price (Kansas), Skip Johnson (Oklahoma), and Jim Schlossnagle (TCU).
Big 12 Baseball Players in Major League Baseball
The Big 12 Conference has produced many Major League Baseball players over the years, including two-time World Series Champion Alex Gordon (Nebraska), two-time AL MVP Josh Hamilton (Tulsa), and seven-time All-Star Russell Martin (Texas). Other notable MLB players from the Big 12 include Lance Berkman (Rice), Huston Street (Texas), and Taylor Teagarden (Texas).
Big 12 Baseball Stadiums
The Big 12 Conference teams play their home games in some of the best stadiums in college baseball. Some of the most notable venues include UFCU Disch-Falk Field (Texas), L. Dale Mitchell Park (Oklahoma), and Baylor Ballpark (Baylor).
Conclusion
The Big 12 Baseball Conference is one of the most competitive and prestigious conferences in the country. The conference is composed of ten teams located in five states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, and West Virginia. The Big 12 has produced several Major League Baseball players and coaches, as well as NCAA Champions. The Big 12 Championship is held annually and the winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Baseball Tournament.