Sunbelt

Team Tennessee Sunbelt Champions

Sophomores (2002), Juniors (2003), Sophomores (2004), Juniors (2005), Juniors (2011), Juniors (2012)

TBCA does not sponsor a Sophomore team at this time,

What is the Sunbelt Classic  Baseball Tournament?

THE BASEBALL GAMES STARTED IN 1977 UNDER THE NAME: “OKLAHOMA-CALIFORNIA BASEBALL SERIES”. IN 1988 FLORIDA JOINED THE SERIES AND AS OTHER STATES TOOK THEIR PLACE IN THE EVENT, THE NAME WAS CHANGED TO “SUNBELT CLASSIC”.  The 2006 games will be the 30th anniversary of the "Sunbelt Classic

"Many players who have participated in the series were drafted out of high school or college. Most of the drafted players have since entered professional baseball, with 129 having reached the Big Leagues as of November 2003." TRIVIA QUESTION: Would you like to know who these players are? ANSWER

THIS EVENT HAS PROVEN TO BE THE ELITE HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SERIES IN AMERICA; A SCOUT'S DREAM; A MEDIA DELIGHT AND GREAT FOR BASEBALL FANS EVERYWHERE.

Coach Gordon Morgan, of Oklahoma is responsible for the initial "Oklahoma-California Baseball Series" and is still the executive director of the "Sunbelt Classic" Here is a link to his biography...

This information came from the Sunbelt Website.

What Coaches and Players have to say about this tournament

“One of the best tournaments I have been too.  The competition was fierce and challenging.  If you want to be the best, the best starts here."  --Craig Caufield, Houston High School University of Memphis signee

“It was a great experience.  I enjoyed meeting and playing with really good players from all across Tennessee.  It was a good feeling knowing we were representing our home state.  I wish we would have won it, ball all in all it was a wonderful experience.  The coaches were great and we had a good time.” --Scottie Moses, McMinn Central High School  Belmont University signee

“The Sunbelt Tournament was honestly one of the best weeks of my life. You get to make so many new friends and create lifelong memories with them…not to mention playing against the best competition the country can offer.” --Zander Wiel, Blackman High School Vanderbilt University signee

“One of the best baseball experiences I have ever been to, the competition was top of line, great atmosphere, host families are great” --Jared Allen, Polk County High School    University of Tennessee signee

“The Junior Sunbelt was one of the most fun trips I have ever taken, it gives you a chance to prove how much better Tennessee baseball is than anywhere else.”  --Caleb DeLee, Collierville High School   University of Mississippi signee

“The Sunbelt Tournament helped prepare me for the level of competition I will see in college.”   --David Horne, Columbia Central High School  University of Tennessee signee

“The Sunbelt was the best week of my life.  We made memories I will never ever forget” --Alex Vondohlen, Blackman High School    Freed Hardeman University signee

“The Sunbelt tournament was the best baseball experience of my life”   --Brandon Brooks, Columbia Central High School

“Oklahoma was the best baseball experience I’ve had in high school.  I actually like it better than Cooperstown.”   --Dylan Tuscano, Independence High School  University of Memphis signee

“The Sunbelt was a fun and new experience that I will always remember.”    --Brian Miller, Independence High School   Vanderbilt University signee

“The Sunbelt Tournament is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  I made some friends that I will keep in touch with the rest of my life.  It was the best week of my life, one I will always remember.”  --Griffin Moore, Oakland High School     David Lipscomb University signee

“The best thing about the Sunbelt is the competition and being scouted by a lot of college coaches.”     --Stephen Gant, Riverside High School Junior

“The Sunbelt was a good learning experience.  I created friendships on and off the field…great competition with a great baseball environment. It was a great way to get scouted.” --Mookie Betts, Overton High School   University of Tennessee signee

“I really enjoyed the Oklahoma experience.  The opportunity to play with a nd against the higher level of competition really challenged me to perform to the best of my ability.  It was an enjoyable trip and I would do it again if the opportunity arose.”   --Tyler Fullerton, Siegel High School   Mississippi State University signee

“The Sunbelt to me was a very good experience.  I met new people, new coaches, and played with some of the best talent in the country.  I also got noticed very well and that helped me out a lot.”  --Colton Harris, Dyer County High School Junior

“The Sunbelt was an eye opening but fun experience.  It was the best baseball showcase I have participated in.”     --Brandon Malone, Heritage High School    Milligan University signee

“I enjoyed the opportunity ti play with the best players in the state of Tennessee.  I made some good friends and enjoyed the experience.”--Drew Massingale, McMinn County High School   University of Tennessee signee

How To Become A Player on Team Tennessee

1. To become a player on Team Tennessee your high school head coach must be a member of the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association. 

2.  You must be a junior, sophomore, or freshman, and your coach or any coach affiliated with the TBCA, may nominate you for Team Tennessee. Coaches nominating a player should consider the player's desire to
represent his state as well as his team-oriented attitude, ability, and performance throughout the year.

3. The coaching staff that has been selected to coach the squad will normally be in place for a two year period. This staff will accept all nominations, and based on the evaluations and opinions of both the staff and other TBCA coaches (including college coaches), a limited number of players will be invited.

4. Go to the Sunbelt Classic and bring home another Junior Sunbelt Title!!!

Team TN All-Tournament Selections  (by year)

2002 - Junior Series : 8th; Chris Charles

2003 - Junior Series : 1st; Rawley Bishop, Ryan Moore, Matt McGahey  MVP - Harrison Eldridge, MOP - Kyle Waldrop

2004 - Junior Series : 4th; Jarred Frazier, Steven Watson, and Rob Catapano

2005 - Junior Series : 1st; MVP - Gunter Delashmit, MOP - Rob Catapano, Tanner Moore, Alan Wright, and Matt Packer

2006 - Junior Series : 2nd; Sonny Gray, Cody Hawn, and Michael Park

2007 - Junior Series : 4th; Drew Martinez, Jacob Wilson, and Corban Joseph

2008 - Junior Series : Rain out of medal games;  Cade Stallings, Carter Watson, and Ricky Coleman

2009 - Junior Series : 4th; Nick Delmonico,  Robert Hansen, and Tucker Tubbs

2010 - Junior Series : 2nd; Jared Allen, Mookie Betts, Tyler Fullerton, and Brian Miller

2011 - Junior Series : 1st; MVP - Stephen Gant, MVH - Kyle Smith, Nick Dawson, Colton Harris, and Kyle Skipworth