The Big Ten announced today that Columbus, Ohio has locked up the Big Ten Baseball Tournament through 2012. Specifically, the tourney will be played at Bill Davis Stadium in 2010. It will then return to Huntington Park where the 2009 Tournament was played for the years 2011 and 2012.
From the Big Ten Network:
The Big Ten Conference, Huntington Park and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission announced Wednesday that Columbus, Ohio, will be home to the Big Ten Baseball Tournament for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons. The Big Ten played its first neutral-site tournament since 1994 at Columbus’ Huntington Park in 2009 and will return to the ballpark in 2011 and 2012. Due to a facility conflict, the 2010 tournament will be held at Ohio State’s Bill Davis Stadium.
Nobody asked but my quick thoughts on the matter:
I’m still in favor of a pre-determined host for the Tournament. It makes travel logistics so much easier to deal with. I’m glad I can make my plans early.
As much as I like Columbus’ Huntington Park (and I really do, it’s a top rate facility), if the conference was aiming for a “neutral” site in 2009, I don’t think they accomplished their goal. Anyone who attended an Ohio State game at 2009’s Big Ten Tournament could attest to that.
Now with the scheduling conflict in 2010 forcing the Big Ten to move the Tournament to the Buckeyes’ home field, you can throw that whole idea out the window.
Don’t get me wrong, I think Columbus did a great job hosting 2009 and I had a very good experience with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. That said, if this is the course the Big Ten is going to take, it’s time for them to drop the “neutral” label for Big Ten tournaments.
Not to be too gripy… I’m just happy the Tournament is scheduled. Now priority one is to get Illinois there.
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