BaseballAmerica.com: College: Season Preview

Coming Into His Own

Feb. 25, 2009
It never took acquaintances long to make the connection between Clemson first baseman Ben Paulsen and his dad, assistant coach Tom Riginos. A regional crosschecker showed up at one of Paulsen's high school games a few years ago and immediately phoned Riginos. When a couple of Paulsen's prep teammates went on unofficial recruiting visits to Clemson, they figured out the link just by witnessing Riginos' unmistakable gait. They use comparable facial expressions as they talk in an unwavering, hushed tone. Somehow they even write the same—small and sloppy. [...] Continue Reading »

Small School, Big Talent
Feb. 19, 2009
Even after hitting a cartoonish .553 with 18 home runs as a high school senior, Robbie Shields couldn't attract Division I interest. Three years later, those schools may be having regrets. [...] Continue Reading »

Ballparks Feature
Feb. 18, 2009
Coaches explain the features of their new parks. [...] Continue Reading »

Tickets To Paradise
Feb. 18, 2009
College baseball is in the midst of a huge boom in ballpark construction projects. Just over the last two years, nine major projects (all reaching eight figures in total cost) have come to fruition. Some schools opt for massive renovations, while others choose to tear down their old stadiums and start from scratch. But deciding whether to renovate or build new is just the start of the process. For detail-oriented coaches, stadium projects are a labor of love. Countless choices, big and small, must be made before a sparkling new facility becomes a reality. [...] Continue Reading »

Small Ball Master
Feb. 18, 2009
The garage door didn't stand a chance. Opposing baseball teams often don't fare much better. Ever since he began the childhood routine of throwing a tennis ball against the family's garage door, racing to retrieve the ball at various angles and quickly getting off the return throw that would start the cycle all over again, Ben Orloff has been devoted to perfecting the little things in baseball. [...] Continue Reading »

Top 50 Rankings By Class

Feb. 17, 2009
We rank the top college players as divided by class. [...] Continue Reading »

2009 College Preview
Feb. 17, 2009
Links for the stories that have been posted and a schedule of upcoming stories for our college preview. [...] Continue Reading »

Division I Independents
Feb. 16, 2009
Checking in on the Division I independents. [...] Continue Reading »

Don't Look Back
Feb. 16, 2009
Chris Dominguez turned down the Rockies as a fifth-round pick last summer. Now he expects to lead Louisville as the team captain. [...] Continue Reading »

Big West Conference Preview

Feb. 13, 2009
Scouting reports, notes and an all-conference team for the Big West Conference. [...] Continue Reading »

Instant Star
Feb. 13, 2009
His fingers can bend and straighten again, and the swelling has gone away. The rest of Tommy Mendonca's life hasn't returned to normal as quickly. [...] Continue Reading »

Pac-10 Preview

Feb. 13, 2009
Scouting reports, all-conference teams and previews for the Pac-10 [...] Continue Reading »

WAC Preview

Feb. 13, 2009
Our preview of the Western Athletic Conference including notes, top prospects and a projected order of finish. [...] Continue Reading »

West Coast Conference Preview

Feb. 13, 2009
San Diego, Pepperdine are the class of the West Coast Conference this year. [...] Continue Reading »

Mountain West Conference

Feb. 13, 2009
San Diego State's Stephen Strasburg is nation's best, but Texas Christian is team to beat in the Mountain West. [...] Continue Reading »

Big 10 Conference Preview

Feb. 12, 2009
Our predictions, all-conference team and notes for the Big 10. [...] Continue Reading »

Making Some Noise
Feb. 12, 2009
The numbers he put up last season make him seem almost superhuman. But Indiana catcher Josh Phegley is a lot more Clark Kent than he is Superman. Sure, the junior first-team All-American had a breakout season last year, but it hasn't gone to his head. He still has that "Aw, shucks" Midwest humility. [...] Continue Reading »

Big 12 Conference Preview

Feb. 12, 2009
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Summit League Preview

Feb. 12, 2009
Oral Roberts, as usual, should be the top team in the Summit League. [...] Continue Reading »

Missouri Valley Conference Preview

Feb. 12, 2009
Wichita State is often the Missouri Valley Conference favorite, but a slew of draft losses makes Missouri State the preseason favorite this year. [...] Continue Reading »

Mid-American Conference Preview

Feb. 12, 2009
Kent State is an overwhelming favorite to win the Mid-American Conference this year. [...] Continue Reading »

Horizon League Preview

Feb. 12, 2009
Scouting reports, notes and predictions for the Horizon League. [...] Continue Reading »

Conference USA Preview

Feb. 11, 2009
Whether it's Hurricane Katrina or Rice's dominance, Conference USA seems to be down this year. [...] Continue Reading »

Southland Conference Preview

Feb. 11, 2009
Texas-San Antonio will be striving for third title in five years, and they look like the favorite again. [...] Continue Reading »

Southwestern Athletic Conference Preview

Feb. 11, 2009
We preview the SWAC with predictions, top prospects and an all-conference team. [...] Continue Reading »

Added Attention
Feb. 11, 2009
Prior to last summer, Ben Tootle knew what he wanted his life after baseball to look like. A biology major with medical school aspirations, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound righthander envisioned himself becoming the next Dr. James Andrews after his career at Jacksonville State came to a close. If Tootle wasn't going to pitch at the next level, he was going to make sure that others could. Now he's has to change those plans. [...] Continue Reading »

Sun Belt Conference Preview

Feb. 11, 2009
Our preview includes predictions, top prospects and notes from around the Sun Belt Conference Preview. [...] Continue Reading »

Southeastern Conference Preview

Feb. 11, 2009
We predict how the SEC will shake out with rankings, an all-conference team and notes. [...] Continue Reading »

Ohio Valley Conference Preview

Feb. 11, 2009
Jacksonville State is the favorite, but Austin Peay State and Eastern Illinois are right on their heels. [...] Continue Reading »

Growing Up
Feb. 10, 2009
When a program is trying to put itself on the college baseball map, producing a first-round pick in the draft is a good way to do it. Kennesaw State hopes junior righthander Kyle Heckathorn gives its program just such a boost. [...] Continue Reading »