The Best in BASEBALL

BY KIM CRIPPS

From May 23-28, Hoover is home to the top collegiate baseball teams in the country.

Take me out to the ball game has a new meaning when the ball game is a showcase of the best college baseball has to offer.

On May 23, Hoover will welcome players, coaches, media and baseball fans of all ages for the annual SEC Baseball Championship. Held at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex for the last 23 years, the tournament showcases the top college baseball teams competing for first place in the SEC, the strongest conference in collegiate baseball.

Fourteen teams make up the Southeastern Conference, including the Alabama Crimson Tide, Arkansas Razorbacks, Auburn Tigers, Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs, Kentucky Wildcats, LSU Tigers, Ole Miss Rebels,

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Mississippi State Bulldogs, Missouri Tigers, South Caroline Gamecocks, Tennessee Volunteers, Texas A&M Aggies and the Vanderbilt Commodores. The teams play against each other all season, but only the top 12 advance to compete for the championship title.

Throughout the week, the teams play a total of 17 games. Opening Day features teams ranked 5-12 playing in a single elimination format, followed by double elimination on Wednesday – Friday, and returning to single elimination on Saturday. On Sunday, the tournament’s final day, the top two teams face off in the championship game.

Around 150,000 come to Hoover each year

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 to watch the tournament and be part of sports history in the making – and for a good reason. Iconic, can’t-miss moments are hallmarks of the tournament. Consider when Florida unexpectedly came back to beat LSU in 2014. Or when Arkansas brought home their first SEC tournament title in 2021. In the words of the late Hank Aaron, “You may not think you’re going to make it. You may want to quit. But if you keep your eye on the ball, you can accomplish anything.”

The teams and their fans bring plenty of enthusiasm and spirit, but they also have a significant economic impact on Hoover. According to the Greater Birmingham

Convention and Visitors Bureau, the tournament generated a total economic impact of around $15 million through lodging, transportation, food and beverage, retail, and entertainment in 2019.

Baseball fans will also the free SEC FanFest. FanFest is open to the public and boasts many activities kids will enjoy. It is located in the Finley Center, next to the Hoover Metropolitan Complex.

Ready to plan your baseball adventure? SEC Baseball Tournament tickets are available at www.SECticketoffice.com or by calling 1-800732-4849. Single-session tickets go on sale May 21 at 9:00 a.m. CST.

Can’t make it to the stadium? The SEC Tournament and CHamoonship Game will air on ESPN2.