SEC Baseball Tournament
Encyclopedia
The SEC Baseball Tournament (sometimes known simply as the SEC Tournament) is the conference championship tournament in baseball for the Southeastern Conference
(SEC). It is a double-elimination tournament and seeding is based on regular season records. The winner receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament
. The SEC Tournament champion is separate from the conference champion. The conference championship is determined solely by regular season record.
held each year at Regions Park in Hoover, Alabama
. Eight of the 12 teams in the SEC make the tournament each year. The winner earns the SEC's guaranteed bid to the NCAA Tournament
. The other seven teams who qualify for the SEC tournament more often than not earn at-large bids to the NCAA field of 64 teams, due to the reputation of the SEC as one of the nation's elite baseball conferences. With the expansion of the NCAA baseball field from 48 to 64 teams in 1999, some teams which have not made the SEC tournament have still qualified for the NCAA tournament.
from 1988 through 2002, prior to the NCAA instituting a best-of-3 championship series in 2003.
In 1998, the top three teams in each division plus two "wild card" teams qualiifed for the tournament. In 1999, the qualification standards were changed to the top two teams in each division plus the next four teams based upon overall conference winning percentage, which remains in place through 2008. Since 1996, SEC teams have played 30 conference games (10 3-game series), with each team playing all five of its division opponents and five of six opponents from the opposite division.
During this period, the popularity of the event rose significantly. There was speculation the Tournament could move to Memphis, Atlanta, or other larger Southern cities, but additional of RV accommodations and founding of Dannyville have secured the event in Hoover for the foreseeable future.
, the SEC adopted a "flipped bracket" on a trial basis. The tournament still consists of 8 teams in a double elimination bracket, however, after two days of play the undefeated team from each bracket will move into the other bracket. This reduces the amount of rematches teams will have to play in order to win the tournament.
* : LSU and Mississippi State were declared 1990 tournament co-champions by SEC commissioner Roy Kramer
when lightning and rain ended play in the championship game with LSU leading 6-0 with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
(SEC). It is a double-elimination tournament and seeding is based on regular season records. The winner receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament
NCAA Division I Baseball Championship
The NCAA Division I Baseball Championship tournament is held each year from May through June and features 64 college baseball teams in the United States, culminating in the College World Series....
. The SEC Tournament champion is separate from the conference champion. The conference championship is determined solely by regular season record.
Tournament
The SEC Baseball tournament is a double-elimination tournamentDouble-elimination tournament
A double-elimination tournament is a type of elimination tournament competition in which a participant ceases to be eligible to win the tournament's championship upon having lost two games or matches...
held each year at Regions Park in Hoover, Alabama
Hoover, Alabama
Hoover is a city in Jefferson and Shelby Counties in north central Alabama, in the United States. The largest suburb of Birmingham, the population of the city was 62,742 as of the 2000 census and 81,619 in the 2010 census. Hoover is part of the Birmingham-Hoover, AL MSA and is also included in the...
. Eight of the 12 teams in the SEC make the tournament each year. The winner earns the SEC's guaranteed bid to the NCAA Tournament
NCAA Division I Baseball Championship
The NCAA Division I Baseball Championship tournament is held each year from May through June and features 64 college baseball teams in the United States, culminating in the College World Series....
. The other seven teams who qualify for the SEC tournament more often than not earn at-large bids to the NCAA field of 64 teams, due to the reputation of the SEC as one of the nation's elite baseball conferences. With the expansion of the NCAA baseball field from 48 to 64 teams in 1999, some teams which have not made the SEC tournament have still qualified for the NCAA tournament.
1977-1986
From 1977-1986 the tournament consisted of four (out of 10) teams competing in a double elimination bracket. The winner was considered the conference's overall champion.1987-1991
In 1987, the tournament expanded to 6 teams (out of 10), while remaining a double-elimination tournament. Beginning with the 1988 season, the winner was no longer considered the conference's overall champion, although the winner continued to received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. In 1990, however, the conference did not accept an automatic bid after lightning and rainfall disrupted the tournament's championship game and co-champions were declared.1992
With the addition of Arkansas and South Carolina to the conference, the SEC held an eight team (out of 12) double elimination tournament. The tournament followed a format that included reseeding the teams once only four were still active in the tournament.1993-1995
The SEC held separate tournaments for the Eastern and Western divisions in 1993, 1994 and 1995. The tournament games counted in the league standings, and the team with the best winning percentage at the end of each tournament, covering 24 regular season SEC games plus tournament games, was crowned league champion. Each division tournament consisted of all six teams in that division. The SEC devised the plan in the hopes of garnering two automatic berths to the NCAA tournament for each of the tournament champions; however, the NCAA rejected the SEC plan, instead awarding one automatic bid to the division tournament champion with the highest overall winning percentage.1996-1997
For two years, eight teams qualified for the league tournament; however, the teams seeded fifth through eighth were forced into a single-elimination play-in round. The two winners of the play-in games advanced to the main bracket, which was a six-team, double-elimination format, exactly the same as the NCAA regional format used through 1998.1998-2007
Starting in 1998, the SEC adopted the "Omaha" bracket, splitting the eight qualifying teams into two four-team double elimination brackets. The division winners are seeded 1 and 2, while the remaining six teams are seeded 3 through 8. Seeds 2, 3, 6 and 7 form bracket one, while seeds 1, 4, 5 and 8 are in bracket two. The two bracket winners meet in a winner-take-all championship game. This was the format used in the College World SeriesCollege World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
from 1988 through 2002, prior to the NCAA instituting a best-of-3 championship series in 2003.
In 1998, the top three teams in each division plus two "wild card" teams qualiifed for the tournament. In 1999, the qualification standards were changed to the top two teams in each division plus the next four teams based upon overall conference winning percentage, which remains in place through 2008. Since 1996, SEC teams have played 30 conference games (10 3-game series), with each team playing all five of its division opponents and five of six opponents from the opposite division.
During this period, the popularity of the event rose significantly. There was speculation the Tournament could move to Memphis, Atlanta, or other larger Southern cities, but additional of RV accommodations and founding of Dannyville have secured the event in Hoover for the foreseeable future.
2008
In 20082008 SEC Baseball Tournament
The 2008 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Regions Park in Hoover, AL from May 21st through May 25th. LSU won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 2008 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.-Regular Season Results:...
, the SEC adopted a "flipped bracket" on a trial basis. The tournament still consists of 8 teams in a double elimination bracket, however, after two days of play the undefeated team from each bracket will move into the other bracket. This reduces the amount of rematches teams will have to play in order to win the tournament.
Champions
| Year | School | Site | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 1977 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1977 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Swayze Field in Oxford, MS from May 13th through May 16th. Ole Miss won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1977 NCAA Tournament.... |
Ole Miss | Oxford, MS | |
| 1978 1978 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1978 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Perry Field in Gainesville, FL from May 12th through May 15th. Auburn won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1978 NCAA Tournament.-Regular Season Results:-Tournament:... |
Auburn | Gainesville, FL | |
| 1979 1979 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1979 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville, MS from May 11th through May 13th. Mississippi State won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1979 NCAA Tournament.-Regular Season Results:... |
Mississippi State | Starkville, MS | Mike Kelley (Mississippi State) |
| 1980 1980 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1980 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Perry Field in Gainesville, FL from May 9th through May 11th. Vanderbilt won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1980 NCAA Tournament.-Regular Season Results:-Tournament:... |
Vanderbilt | Gainesville, FL | Dave Nenad (Vanderbilt) |
| 1981 1981 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1981 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville, MS from May 15th through May 17th. Florida won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1981 NCAA Tournament.-Regular Season Results:... |
Florida | Starkville, MS | Jeff Keener Jeff Keener Jeffrey Bruce Keener is a former Major League Baseball player, who appeared as a relief pitcher in two seasons with the National League's St... (Kentucky) |
| 1982 1982 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1982 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Perry Field in Gainesville, FL from May 14th through May 16th. Florida won their second consecutive tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1982 NCAA Tournament.... |
Florida | Gainesville, FL | Rich Bombard (Florida) |
| 1983 1983 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1983 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville, MS from May 13th through May 15th. Alabama won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1983 NCAA Tournament.-Regular Season Results:... |
Alabama | Starkville, MS | David Magadan (Alabama) |
| 1984 1984 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1984 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Perry Field in Gainesville, FL from May 11th through May 14th. Florida won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1984 NCAA Tournament.-Regular Season Results:-Tournament:... |
Florida | Gainesville, FL | Alan Cockrell Alan Cockrell Atlee Alan Cockrell is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. Cockrell is an alumnus of Joplin, MO's now-closed Parkwood High School where he was a standout on their championship football, baseball, and basketball teams, and the University of Tennessee, where he was an all-American... (Tennessee) |
| 1985 1985 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1985 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA from May 9th through May 11th. Mississippi State won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1985 NCAA Tournament.-Regular Season Results:... |
Mississippi State | Baton Rouge, LA | Gene Morgan Gene Morgan Gene Morgan , was an American actor. He appeared in 111 films between 1926 and 1941.He was born in Racine, Wisconsin, USA and died in Santa Monica, California.-External links:... (Mississippi State) |
| 1986 1986 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1986 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA from May 9th through May 11th. LSU won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1986 NCAA Tournament.-Regular Season Results:-Tournament:... |
LSU | Baton Rouge, LA | Jeff Yurtin (LSU) |
| 1987 1987 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1987 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Foley Field in Athens, GA from May 14th through May 17th. Mississippi State won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1987 NCAA Tournament.-Regular Season Results:... |
Mississippi State | Athens, GA | Dan Paradoa (Mississippi State) |
| 1988 1988 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1988 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville, MS from May 12th through May 15th. Florida won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1988 NCAA Tournament.-Regular Season Results:... |
Florida | Starkville, MS | Brian Reimsnyder (Florida) |
| 1989 1989 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1989 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Perry Field in Gainesville, FL from May 11th through May 14th. Auburn won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1989 NCAA Tournament.-Regular Season Results:-Tournament:... |
Auburn | Gainesville, FL | Roger Miller Roger Miller (baseball) Roger Miller was a Major League Baseball pitcher. Miller was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifteenth round of the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft and played at the Major League level with the team in 1974.-References:... (Georgia) |
| 1990 1990 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1990 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, AL from May 17th through May 20th. Louisiana State and Mississippi State were declared co-winners the tournament as a result of a weather-cancelled championship game.... |
LSU Mississippi State |
Hoover, AL | Jon Harden (Mississippi State) |
| 1991 1991 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1991 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA from May 16th through May 19th. Florida won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1991 NCAA Tournament.-Regular Season Results:... |
Florida | Baton Rouge, LA | Herbert Perry Herbert Perry Herbert Edward Perry, Jr. is a former American college and professional baseball player who was an infielder in Major League Baseball for all or part of nine season during the 1990s and 2000s... (Florida) / Brian Purvis (Florida) |
| 1992 1992 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1992 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA from May 13th through May 17th. Louisiana State won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1992 NCAA Tournament.... |
LSU | New Orleans, LA | Andy Sheets Andy Sheets Andrew Mark Sheets is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Seattle Mariners , San Diego Padres , Anaheim Angels , Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Devil Rays . He played first base for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp , and Hanshin Tigers , of the Nippon Professional Baseball league.... (LSU) |
| 1993 1993 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1993 SEC Baseball Tournament was the first year the SEC held separate tournaments for the Eastern Division and the Western Division. The Eastern Division tournament was held at Sarge Frye Field in Columbia, SC from May 20 through May 23. The Western Division tournament was held at Alex Box... |
Eastern: Tennessee Western: LSU |
Columbia, SC Baton Rouge, LA |
Todd Helton Todd Helton Todd Lynn Helton is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Colorado Rockies. He is a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, four-time National League Player of the Month, and three-time Gold Glove winner.... (Tennessee) Harry Berrios Harry Berrios Harry Berrios is a former professional baseball player who is now an assistant coach for Davenport University. He usually played left field, or Designated Hitter, but in the 2006 season, Berrios played at 1st base for a few games due to the retirement of Jon Benick. He played for the Winnipeg... (LSU) |
| 1994 1994 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1994 SEC Baseball Tournament was again held as separate tournaments for the Eastern Division and the Western Division. The Eastern Division tournament was held at Cliff Hagan Stadium in Lexington, KY. The Western Division tournament was held at Swayze Field in Oxford, MS. Both tournaments... |
Eastern: Tennessee Western: LSU |
Lexington, KY Oxford, MS |
Todd Helton Todd Helton Todd Lynn Helton is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Colorado Rockies. He is a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, four-time National League Player of the Month, and three-time Gold Glove winner.... (Tennessee) / Steve Soper (Tennessee) Russ Johnson Russ Johnson William Russell Johnson is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He went to Louisiana State University and was drafted in the first round of the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft by the Houston Astros. In , he was called up to the majors by the Astros, where he remained until... (LSU) |
| 1995 1995 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1995 SEC Baseball Tournament was held as separate tournaments for the Eastern Division and the Western Division. The Eastern Division tournament was held at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, TN. The Western Division tournament was held at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville, MS. Both... |
Eastern: Tennessee Western: Alabama |
Knoxville, TN Starkville, MS |
Todd Helton Todd Helton Todd Lynn Helton is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Colorado Rockies. He is a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, four-time National League Player of the Month, and three-time Gold Glove winner.... (Tennessee) / Scott Vieira (Tennessee) Rusty Loflin (Alabama) |
| 1996 | Alabama | Hoover, AL | Joe Caruso (Alabama) |
| 1997 | Alabama | Columbus, GA | David Tidwell (Alabama) |
| 1998 1998 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1998 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama from May 13th through May 17th. Auburn defeated Arkansas in the championship game, earning the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1998 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.-Regular Season... |
Auburn | Hoover, AL | Rodney Nye (Arkansas) |
| 1999 1999 SEC Baseball Tournament The 1999 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama from May 19th through May 23rd. Alabama defeated Arkansas in the championship game, earning the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 1999 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.-Regular Season... |
Alabama | Hoover, AL | G.W. Keller (Alabama) |
| 2000 2000 SEC Baseball Tournament The 2000 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama from May 17th through May 21st. Louisiana State University defeated the University of Florida in the championship game, earning the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament... |
LSU | Hoover, AL | Wally Pontiff (LSU) |
| 2001 2001 SEC Baseball Tournament The 2001 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama from May 16th through May 20th. Mississippi State defeated LSU in the championship game, earning the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 2001 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.-Regular Season... |
Mississippi State | Hoover, AL | Chris Young (Mississippi State) |
| 2002 2002 SEC Baseball Tournament The 2002 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, AL from May 22nd through May 26th. Alabama won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 2002 NCAA Tournament.-Regular Season Results:... |
Alabama | Hoover, AL | Brent Boyd (Alabama) |
| 2003 2003 SEC Baseball Tournament The 2003 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, AL from May 21 through May 25. Alabama won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 2003 NCAA Tournament.-Regular Season Results:... |
Alabama | Hoover, AL | Beau Hearod (Alabama) |
| 2004 2004 SEC Baseball Tournament The 2004 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, AL from May 26th through May 30th. South Carolina won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 2004 NCAA Tournament.... |
South Carolina | Hoover, AL | Steven Tolleson Steven Tolleson Steven Wayne Tolleson is a major league Infielder for the Baltimore Orioles organization. He is the son of former Major leaguer Wayne Tolleson.... (South Carolina) / Kevin Melillo Kevin Melillo Kevin Michael Melillo is an American professional baseball player.-Early and personal life:Melillo was born on May 14, 1982, to Joanne and John Melillo in Orlando, Florida. He has an older sister, Shana. He attended Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs... (South Carolina) |
| 2005 2005 SEC Baseball Tournament The 2005 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, AL from May 25th through May 29th. Mississippi State won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 2005 NCAA Tournament.... |
Mississippi State | Hoover, AL | Jeff Butts (Mississippi State) |
| 2006 2006 SEC Baseball Tournament The 2006 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Birmingham, AL from May 24th through May 28th. Ole Miss won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 2006 NCAA Tournament.-Regular Season Results:... |
Ole Miss | Hoover, AL | Mark Wright (Ole Miss) |
| 2007 2007 SEC Baseball Tournament The 2007 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Birmingham, AL from May 23rd through May 27th. After being ranked #1 nationally for most of the season and taking the regular-season SEC crown, Vanderbilt won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's... |
Vanderbilt | Hoover, AL | Pedro Alvarez (Vanderbilt) |
| 2008 2008 SEC Baseball Tournament The 2008 SEC Baseball Tournament was held at Regions Park in Hoover, AL from May 21st through May 25th. LSU won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 2008 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.-Regular Season Results:... |
LSU | Hoover, AL | Blake Dean Blake Dean (baseball) - External links :* at LSUSports.net... (LSU) |
| 2009 2009 SEC Baseball Tournament The 2009 SEC Baseball Tournament will be held at Regions Park in Hoover, AL from May 20th through May 24th. LSU won the tournament and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament... |
LSU | Hoover, AL | Mikie Mahtook (LSU) |
| 2010 2010 SEC Baseball Tournament The 2010 SEC Baseball Tournament will be held at Regions Park in Hoover, AL from May 26th through May 30th. LSU won the tournament for the third straight season and earned the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.... |
LSU | Hoover, AL | Austin Nola (LSU) |
| 2011 2011 SEC Baseball Tournament The 2011 SEC Baseball Tournament will be held at Regions Park in Hoover, AL from May 25th through May 29th.-Regular Season results:The top eight teams from the conference earned invites to the tournament.... |
Florida | Hoover, AL | Daniel Pigott (Florida) |
Roy Kramer
-External links:*...
when lightning and rain ended play in the championship game with LSU leading 6-0 with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning.
By School
| School | Appearances | W-L | Pct | Tourney Titles | Title Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSU | 26 | 63-35 | .642 | 9 | 1986, 1990*, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2000, 2008, 2009, 2010 |
| Alabama | 24 | 43-34 | .558 | 7 | 1983, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2003 |
| Tennessee | 12 | 25-21 | .543 | 3 | 1993, 1994, 1995 |
| Mississippi State | 27 | 52-44 | .542 | 6 | 1979, 1985, 1987, 1990*, 2001, 2005 |
| Florida | 31 | 50-52 | .490 | 5 | 1981, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1991 |
| Ole Miss | 16 | 27-29 | .482 | 2 | 1977, 2006 |
| Vanderbilt | 16 | 36-29 | .553 | 2 | 1980, 2007 |
| Auburn | 21 | 29-38 | .421 | 3 | 1978, 1989, 1998 |
| South Carolina | 19 | 24-33 | .421 | 1 | 2004 |
| Georgia | 19 | 25-38 | .403 | 0 | |
| Arkansas | 17 | 20-29 | .408 | 0 | |
| Kentucky | 14 | 16-28 | .363 | 0 |
- NOTE: Mississippi State and Louisiana State were declared co-champions in 1990 when the tournament was abandoned because of weather issues.