The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Big Ten baseball tourney staying in Ohio

Big Ten officials, along with the Huntington Park and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, announced on Wednesday that Columbus, Ohio, will host the Big Ten Baseball Tournament for the 2010, 2011, and 2012 seasons.

Conference teams played their first neutral-site tournament since 1994 last season at Columbus’ Huntington Park, home of the Cleveland Indians’ Triple-A affiliate. The 10 Big Ten teams are slated to return to the 10,100-seat ballpark in 2011 and 2012.

Next year’s Big Ten Baseball Tournament will be held at Ohio State’s Bill Davis Stadium because of a facility constraint.

Before last season, the regular-season conference champion, or the champion from a pre-selected division, has hosted the postseason event since its inception in 1981. In 1993 and 1994, tournament was held in Battle Creek, Mich.

The 2009 event drew more than 12,000 fans — the highest attendance total during the past decade. Indiana won the school’s second tournament title, earning the Big Ten’s automatic bid to the NCAA championship.

The tournament utilizes a double-elimination format with the top two seeds earning first-round byes.

“The Big Ten conference is excited to return to the city of Columbus for its upcoming baseball tournaments,” Big Ten Commissioner James Delany said in a release. “Last year’s event provided a fantastic experience for our coaches, student-athletes, and fans, and we look forward to growing the event in the next three years.”

— by Ryan Young

More to Discover