Heart of America Conference NAIA

Benedictine
William Jewell
Mid American Nazarine
St. Mary's
Ottawa..........I can't remember anyone else but the conference is pretty competitive. There has been a long stand rivalry between Benedictine and Jewell, although I recently heard that the Benedictine coaching staff had moved on. Pretty Good Baseball Conference.....In my opinion.

Thanks 32Fastball. It seems like this conference plays pretty good baseball judging from the websites and schedules. Being in the Northeast, I have not had a chance to see any of these teams play. Do you or anyone else know how the level of baseball in this NAIA conference compares to levels in the NCAA?

Here's a list of the schools in the conference. Lindenwood U went to the NAIA World Series this year. LU had 7 national NAIA championships this past year.

Avila
Baker
Benedictine
Central Methodist
Culver-Stockton
Evangel
Graceland
Lindenwood
MidAmerica Nazarene
Missouri Valley
William Jewell

Trainscout

Thanks trainscout! This looks like a competitive conference with some really good baseball. I did not realize that Lindenwood had such a history in the NAIA world series.

My son has some interest from a couple of teams in this conference after attending the KU camp this summer. He is pretty excited about it.

Many of the Heart of America conference schools can compete with NCAA Division II shools. I have seen several games played between the two and the NAIA schools compete and win.......As with any baseball program, anything can happen on any given day. That is why they play the game..........Good Luck.

EaglesDad,

It is indeed a very competitive conference and good baseball does comes out of it! My son played this summer with a player from Lindenwood. He had nothing but praise to say about his school and his team. It was quite an exciting season for them.

In my opinion, worth continuing to check out if your son is interested!!

shortstopmom,

Thank you very much for the reply! That is really great to hear. My son is definitely interested and may make a trip out there this Fall. He had a nice conversation yesterday with a coach!

quote:

Originally posted by EaglesDad:
Thanks 32Fastball. It seems like this conference plays pretty good baseball judging from the websites and schedules. Being in the Northeast, I have not had a chance to see any of these teams play. Do you or anyone else know how the level of baseball in this NAIA conference compares to levels in the NCAA?

NAIA baseball is usually comparable with NCAA Div II.

Eaglesdad,

I'm sure you heard that Lindenwood's former HC (Behrens) was fired this past summer? Apparently, an ineligible player (due to grades, I think) had been permitted to play in 6 games and they had to forfeit many of their wins. The school didn't "mess-around" and quickly terminated the then-HC.

Didn't want you to mistake that reference to Lindenwood's NAIA championships as all (or, even, any) involving baseball. LU has teams in such sports as bowling, skeet and roller hockey...their "shooting sports" have done quite well recently, I know.

It's an interesting school and seems very much on the upswing. Traditionally, it was largely a commuter school, but that's changing with the advent of many new dorms. I have no idea where all their $$$ is coming from, but the campus has been under constant, sweeping and impressive construction for the past 5+ years. LU's Baseball facility is quite new and VERY nice.

kb2610,

Thank you for the clarification about Lindenwood. I actually did think that their championships were in baseball. That's too bad about the ineligible player situation. It sounds like Lindenwood U and the their baseball program are on the upswing, though, as you mention. I wish them all the best.