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Shriners College Classic
FormerlyAstros College Classic (2001-02)
Minute Maid Park College Classic (2003-07)
Houston College Classic (2008-15)
SportCollege baseball
Founded2001
No. of teams6
Venue(s)Minute Maid Park
TV partner(s)AT&T SportsNet SW
MLB Network
Official websitehttp://www.astros.com/collegeclassic

The Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic is an annual six-team college baseball tournament held in Houston and hosted by the Astros Foundation. The 15th annual tournament was held at Minute Maid Park in March 2015.[1][2] It was initially called Astros College Classic from 2001 through 2002, the Minute Maid Park College Classic from 2003 through 2007,[3] and the Houston College Classic from 2008 through 2015. In December 2015, the Astros Foundation and Shriners Hospitals for Children announced a multi-year naming rights agreement for the tournament,[4] rebranding the event the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic.

As part of the agreement with Shriners Hospitals for Children, the Astros Foundation announced that the 2016 Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic would be nationally televised for the first time in history on MLB Network.

In December 2015, the Astros Foundation and Shriners Hospitals for Children announced a multi-year naming rights agreement for the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic at Minute Maid Park.

The College Classic is seen as the start of the college baseball season in Texas.[5] At the end of the tournament, a Most Outstanding Player and an All-Tournament Team are announced.[6][7]

The event is normally held in early March.

The 2020 edition of the event happened before the breakout of the COVID-19.

Competitors

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The Houston Cougars of the Big 12 and the Rice Owls of The American, who hold a rivalry, compete in the tournament annually.[8] The other four teams invited to the tournament alternate by year.

"The intensity level is higher in practice because you know you're going to play quality people. I don't have to do much motivation to get the guys up to play three teams like this and in Minute Maid Park -- it's a major league park and guys are excited."

– Rod Delmonico, coach of the Tennessee Volunteers[5]

Often, teams competing in the Classic are highly ranked. In 2002, the Classic involved three teams that ended the preceding season ranked in the top 25 of the Baseball Weekly/ESPN, Baseball America, and Collegiate Baseball year-end polls: the Rice Owls, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Baylor Bears.[9] The 2005 Classic included four top ranked teams: the #11 Baylor Bears, #13 Texas A&M Aggies, #19 Rice Owls, and #23 Oklahoma State Cowboys.[5] Collegiate Baseball ranked all six teams competing in the 2007 Classic: they ranked the Rice Owls the top team in college baseball, and also ranked the #8 Vanderbilt Commodores, #14 Arizona State Sun Devils, #21 Baylor Bears, and #33 Houston Cougars.[10][11] The Texas Longhorns and Rice Owls participated in the Classic when they won the College World Series championship in 2002 and 2003, respectively.[5] The Texas Tech Red Raiders have appeared in the Houston College Classic seven times: in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012.[12]

2018

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For the 2018 classic, three SEC teams, Kentucky, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt will be matched against three local universities: Houston, Sam Houston State and Louisiana.[13] The three SEC teams played each of the three local teams once.

By Year

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Year Teams
2001 Baylor, Houston, Rice, Texas, TCU, Texas Tech
2002 Baylor, Houston, Louisiana, Rice, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, Texas Tech
2003 Alabama, Baylor, Houston, Louisiana, Rice, Texas A&M
2004 Houston, Kansas State, Ohio State, Rice, Texas, Texas Tech
2005 Baylor, Houston, Oklahoma State, Rice, Tennessee, Texas A&M
2006 Houston, Rice, Texas, TCU, Texas Tech, Tulane
2007 Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, Rice, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt
2008 Houston, Oklahoma, Rice, Tennessee, Texas, Texas Tech
2009 Baylor, Houston, Rice, Texas A&M, UC Irvine, UCLA
2010 Houston, Missouri, Rice, Texas, TCU, Texas Tech
2011 Baylor, Houston, Kansas State, Rice, Texas A&M, Utah
2012 Arkansas, Houston, Rice, Tennessee, Texas, Texas Tech
2013 Baylor, California, Houston, North Carolina, Rice, Texas A&M
2014 Houston, Rice, Sam Houston State, Texas, TCU, Texas Tech
2015 Baylor, Hawaii, Houston, LSU, Nebraska, Texas A&M
2016 Arkansas, Houston, Louisiana, Rice, TCU, Texas Tech
2017 Baylor, LSU, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, TCU, Texas Tech
2018 Houston, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi State, Sam Houston State, Vanderbilt
2019 Baylor, Houston, Rice, Texas A&M, TCU, Texas State
2020 Arkansas, Baylor, LSU, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas
2021 Rice, Sam Houston State, Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, TCU, Texas State, Texas Tech
2022 Baylor, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, UCLA
2023 Louisville, Michigan, Rice, Texas A&M, TCU, Texas Tech
2024 Houston, Louisiana, LSU, Texas, Texas State, Vanderbilt

Most Outstanding Players

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Kelly Shoppach was the tournament's first MVP
Year Winner Team Position Ref
2001 Kelly Shoppach Baylor Catcher [14]
2002 Tim Hartshorn Baylor Outfielder [15][16]
2003 Michael Griffin Baylor Outfielder [17]
2004 Seth Johnston Texas Third baseman [18]
2005 Josh Geer Rice Pitcher [19]
2006 Brad Lincoln Houston Pitcher [20]
2007 Matt Spencer Arizona State Outfielder [21]
2008 Diego Seastrunk Rice Catcher [22]
2009 Ryan Berry Rice Pitcher [23]
2010 Bryan Holaday TCU Catcher [24]
2011 Austin Kubitza Rice Pitcher [25][26]
2012 Jordan Stephens Rice Pitcher [27]
2013 Cal Towey Baylor Third baseman [28]
2014 Aaron Garza Houston Pitcher [29]
2015 Grayson Long Texas A&M Pitcher [30]
2016 Michael Bernal Arkansas Shortstop [31]
2017 Luken Baker TCU First baseman [32]
2018 Luke Heyer Kentucky Third baseman [33]
2019 Nicholas Fraze Texas State Pitcher [34]
2020 Dane Acker Oklahoma Pitcher [35]
2021 Russell Smith TCU Pitcher [36]
2022 Tyler Thomas Baylor Pitcher [37]
2023 Jack Payton Louisville Catcher [38]
2024 Chase Mora Texas State Second baseman [39]

Teams by number of appearances

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Team Appearances Years
Houston 19 2024, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001
Rice 18 2023, 2021, 2019, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001
Baylor 13 2022, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001
Texas Tech 12 2023, 2021, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2001
Texas 11 2024, 2022, 2020, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2001
Texas A&M 11 2023, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2002
TCU 10 2023, 2021, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2010, 2006, 2002, 2001
Louisiana 5 2024, 2018, 2016, 2003, 2002
LSU 5 2024, 2022, 2020, 2017, 2015
Tennessee 4 2022, 2012, 2008, 2005
Arkansas 3 2020, 2016, 2012
Oklahoma 3 2022, 2020, 2008
Sam Houston State 3 2021, 2018, 2014
Texas State 3 2024, 2021, 2019
Vanderbilt 3 2024, 2018, 2007
Kentucky 2 2018, 2011
Missouri 2 2020, 2010
UCLA 2 2022, 2009
Alabama 1 2003
Arizona State 1 2007
California 1 2013
Hawaii 1 2015
Kansas State 1 2004
Mississippi State 1 2018
Nebraska 1 2015
North Carolina 1 2013
Ohio State 1 2004
Oklahoma State 1 2005
Ole Miss 1 2017
Tulane 1 2006
UC Irvine 1 2009
Utah 1 2011
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 1 2021
Louisville 1 2023
Michigan 1 2023

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Houston College Classic returns for 12th year". Houston.astros.mlb.com. January 18, 2012. Archived from the original on December 28, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  2. ^ "Fans' guide to the 2012 Houston College Classic | Owls | a Chron.com blog". Blog.chron.com. March 1, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  3. ^ "Records (9 pages).pmd" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 25, 2008. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  4. ^ "Shriners Hospitals for Children". www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d "Minute Maid field includes four ranked teams - College Sports - ESPN". ESPN. February 11, 2005. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  6. ^ MLB.com. "2008 Houston College Classic All-Tournament Team announced". Houston.astros.mlb.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  7. ^ MLB.com. "The University of Houston finishes undefeated at Houston College Classic". Arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  8. ^ "Houston College Classic tickets on sale Monday, Jan. 24 | astros.com: Official Info". Mlb.mlb.com. January 21, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  9. ^ "Astros College Classic Returns in February — Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site". BaylorBears.com. December 13, 2001. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  10. ^ Alyson Footer. "Houston College Classic, FanFest on tap | astros.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  11. ^ "Houston College Classic returns in February". Houston.astros.mlb.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  12. ^ Article title [bare URL PDF]
  13. ^ "2018 Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic". MLB. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  14. ^ "Baylor University || The Lariat Online || News". Baylor.edu. February 6, 2001. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  15. ^ "Baseball Preview: Baylor vs. UTSA - Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site". BaylorBears.com. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  16. ^ "By The Fans, For The Fans!". BaylorFans.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  17. ^ Michael Griffin (October 1, 1983). "Michael Griffin Profile - Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site". BaylorBears.com. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  18. ^ [1] (subscription required)
  19. ^ [2][dead link‍]
  20. ^ "#1 in College Sports". CSTV.com. February 13, 2006. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  21. ^ "#1 in College Sports". CSTV.com. February 14, 2007. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  22. ^ "Owls fly through Houston College Classic unscathed - College Sports - ESPN". ESPN. March 3, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  23. ^ "Berry Named Most Outstanding Player of 2009 Houston College Classic - RICEOWLS.COM - The Rice Official Athletic Site". Riceowls.Com. March 1, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  24. ^ Sports, Wfaa (July 1, 2010). "Holaday Wins 2010 Johnny Bench Award | wfaa.com Dallas — Fort Worth". Wfaa.com. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  25. ^ "Kubitza Named Most Outstanding Player At Houston College Classic - RICEOWLS.COM - The Rice Official Athletic Site". Riceowls.Com. March 6, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  26. ^ Houston Astros. "Houston College Classic concludes at Minute Maid Park". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  27. ^ Duarte, Joseph (March 4, 2012). "Stephens makes his case as Rice downs Tennessee - Houston Chronicle". Chron.com. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  28. ^ "All-tournament team named at Astros Foundation College Classic | astros.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. March 3, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  29. ^ "Houston College Classic concludes, Texas named tournament champions". Houston Astros. March 2, 2014. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  30. ^ Houston Astros (March 8, 2015). "Four Aggies Make Houston College Classic All-Tournament Team". kbtx.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  31. ^ King, Tyler (March 1, 2016). "Shriners Hospital for Children College Classic Recap". thearmchairallamericans.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  32. ^ Houston Astros (March 5, 2017). "Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic concludes at Minute Maid Park". kbtx.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  33. ^ Major League Baseball (March 5, 2018). "Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic concludes". mlb.com. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  34. ^ Major League Baseball (March 3, 2019). "Shriners Hospitals For Children College Classic names 2020 all-tournament team". mlb.com. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  35. ^ Major League Baseball (March 5, 2019). "Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic names 2019 All-Tournament Team". mlb.com. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  36. ^ Major League Baseball (March 9, 2021). "Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic names 2021 All-Tournament Team". mlb.com. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  37. ^ Astros Communications (March 8, 2022). "SHRINERS CHILDREN'S COLLEGE CLASSIC NAMES ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM" (PDF). baylorbears.com. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  38. ^ Major League Baseball (March 7, 2023). "Shriners Children's College Classic names all-tournament team". mlb.com. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  39. ^ Major League Baseball (March 4, 2024). "Astros Foundation College Classic names All-Tournament Team". mlb.com. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
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