The Big East Conference baseball tournament is the conference championship tournament in baseball for the Big East Conference. It is a double-elimination tournament and seeding is based on regular-season records. The winner receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I baseball tournament. The Big East Tournament champion is separate from the conference champion. The conference championship is determined solely by regular-season record.

From 1985 to 2013, the tournament was sponsored by the old Big East Conference. Starting with the 2014 tournament, it has been sponsored by the newly formed, non-football Big East Conference.

Tournament The Big East Conference baseball tournament is a four-team double-elimination tournament, held annually at various locations in the Big East Conference region. The four teams with the best conference record at the end of the regular season earn berths in the tournament. The winner earns the Big East's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I baseball tournament. The remaining Big East teams can also qualify for the 64-team NCAA Tournament by receiving an at-large bid.

History The tournament was first held in 1985.

1985–1995

The Big East Conference Baseball Tournament was established in 1985 as the championship event for Big East baseball teams. The tournament determined the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. Between 1985 and 1995, the event was held at Muzzy Field in Bristol, Connecticut, and it utilized a four-team, double-elimination format.

Legacy During this period, St. John’s dominated with four championships, while Villanova and Connecticut each won two titles. The Big East Tournament established itself as a key event in the college baseball postseason, offering teams a pathway to the NCAA Tournament. Muzzy Field remained the consistent venue, providing a classic baseball setting for these competitive matchups.

1996–2000

The Big East Conference Baseball Tournament expanded in 1996, shifting from a four-team to a six-team format. The tournament determined the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. During this period, the event saw increased competition and new champions emerging. Legacy During this period, the tournament saw increased competition with the expansion to six teams in 1996. Notre Dame emerged as a powerhouse with consecutive championships, while Rutgers solidified its place as a title contender by winning in 1999 and 2000. The tournament continued to be a key event in the Big East baseball landscape, helping teams gain national recognition and NCAA Tournament berths.

2001–2005 The tournament returned to a four-team, double-elimination format.

The Big East Conference Baseball Tournament continued to evolve in the early 2000s. The tournament remained a crucial event for teams seeking an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. During this period, powerhouse programs solidified their dominance, and new contenders emerged.

Legacy Between 2001 and 2005, Notre Dame continued to be the dominant program, winning three championships during this stretch. Rutgers and Boston College also emerged as strong contenders, with Boston College winning its first-ever title. The tournament remained an important pathway for Big East teams seeking national recognition and NCAA postseason berths.

2006–2013 The tournament was expanded to become an eight-team, double-elimination tournament.

2014 In the 2012–2013 academic year, the old Big East Conference had 15 members. In its inaugural 2013–2014 academic year, the new Big East Conference had only 10 members.

With only seven baseball-sponsoring schools in the conference, the top four teams participate.

Champions by year Year Champion Site Jack Kaiser Award(Most Outstanding Player) 1985 Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT Joe Armeni, Seton Hall 1986 Tom Finke, St. John's 1987 Mo Vaughn, Seton Hall 1988 Mike Weinberg, St. John's 1989 Rafael Novoa, Villanova 1990 Connecticut Craig MacDonald, Connecticut 1991 Mike Neill, Villanova 1992 Jim Foster, Providence 1993 Mike Maerten, St. John's 1994 Connecticut Chris Bisson, Connecticut 1995 Jon DeBernardis, Pittsburgh 1996 West Virginia Dodd Stadium • Norwich, CT Chris Enochs, West Virginia 1997 Mike Dzurilla, St. John's 1998 Dave Marciniak, Rutgers 1999 Waterfront Park • Trenton, NJ Marc DesRoches, Providence 2000 Commerce Bank Ballpark • Bridgewater, NJ Bobby Brownlie, Rutgers 2001 Isaac Pavlik, Seton Hall 2002 Notre Dame Steve Stanley, Notre Dame 2003 Javi Sanchez, Notre Dame 2004 Matt Macri, Notre Dame 2005 Matt Edwards, Notre Dame 2006 Bright House Field • Clearwater, FL Wade Korpi, Notre Dame 2007 KeySpan Park • Brooklyn, NY Todd Frazier, Rutgers 2008 Bright House Field • Clearwater, FL Chris Dominguez, Louisville 2009 Andrew Clark, Louisville 2010 Kyle Hansen, St. John's 2011 Joe DiRocco, Seton Hall 2012 St. John's Matt Carasiti, St. John's 2013 Connecticut Billy Ferriter, Connecticut 2014 MCU Park • Brooklyn, NY Mitch Elliott, Xavier 2015 TD Ameritrade Park Omaha • Omaha, NE Alex Caruso, St. John's 2016 Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium • Aberdeen, MD Daniel Rizzie, Xavier 2017 TD Ameritrade Park Omaha • Omaha, NE Conor Grammes, Xavier 2018 Prasco Park • Mason, OH Jeff Belge, St. John's 2019 Jack Strunc, Creighton 2020Canceled due to COVID-19 2021 UConn Prasco Park • Mason, OH Kyler Fedko, UConn 2022 UConn Luke Franzoni, Xavier 2023 Jack Housinger, Xavier 2024 Jimmy Keenan, St. John's2025CreightonConnor Capece, Creighton2026Rocco Gump, Creighton All championship information, including tournament results, all-tournament teams, and Jack Kaiser award winners, can be found on pages 64–66 of the 2009 Big East Baseball Media Guide.

Championships by school School Tournament Titles Title Years St. John's 11 1985, 1986, 1988, 1993, 1997, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2024, 2026 Notre Dame 5 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 UConn 5 1990, 1994, 2013, 2021, 2022 Xavier 4 2014, 2016, 2017, 2023 Seton Hall 3 1987, 2001, 2011 Rutgers 3 1998, 2000, 2007 Creighton 2 2019, 2025 Louisville 2 2008, 2009 Providence 2 1992, 1999 Villanova 2 1989, 1991 Pittsburgh 1 1995 West Virginia 1 1996Georgetown0Butler0 Programs highlighted in pink indicate that the program is no longer a Big East member. Providence shut down the baseball program in 1999.

See also Baseball awards#U.S. college baseball

References

External links 2008 Big East Baseball Media Guide