TULSA, Okla. >> The drive to once again conduct a Western Athletic Conference postseason baseball tournament, recommended by league coaches last year, is still alive, but the WAC Championships Committee deferred voting on the proposal at its meeting yesterday. Conference defers
decision on tournamentBy Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.com"They asked me to put together projected numbers on costs for a four- or a six-team tournament," said Jeff Hurd, senior associate WAC commissioner. "They want projections on operational costs, travel and hotel costs and a projection of revenues. The bottom line is, can we have a tournament that is viable financially."
The Championship Committee is composed of one representative from each conference school. Hurd said he will provide the asked-for information to the committee via a telephone conference call within the next couple of weeks. If the Championship Committee decides to hold a postseason baseball tournament again, starting with the 2005 season, the next step of approval required would be by the WAC Council (school athletic directors) in late April.
"The final step would be approval by the WAC Board of Directors (school presidents or their representatives)," Hurd said. "They have the final approval, but, generally speaking, when it's a championship issue, they rarely overturn a vote either way."
Said WAC commissioner Karl Benson: "From a league standpoint, we've advocated a baseball tournament and encouraged it. We think it would be beneficial to the league.
"One of the responsibilities of the league is to provide postseason competition for as many student-athletes as possible. Tournaments and championships are the heart of any conference. I understand the challenge that we have with our baseball geography. I'm encouraged by the fact that we've been able to hang in there and have some good baseball success."
Although Rice has claimed six consecutive WAC titles, the Owls have found themselves in a competitive situation each year, primarily from San Jose State and Fresno State the past two seasons. Despite being a six-team baseball conference, Rice has been joined by one or two other league teams in the NCAA tournament in recent seasons.
Western Athletic Conference