A new chapter in the legacy of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) baseball was written this past spring during the conclusion of the 2021 season when the announcement of a Black College World Series officially took place. The event served as the stage for an annual postseason invitational tournament to determine a national champion for HBCU “small school” baseball programs.
The inaugural series featured (eight) original HBCU baseball teams. The field was reduced to six amid two teams not competing due to COVID-19 protocol and administration restrictions. The final field was made up of two from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and four from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). School baseball programs from these two athletic governing associations constitute the “small school” division.
The Black College World Series took place on April 28, 2021 – May 1, 2021:
- NCAA Division II and NAIA Baseball Programs
- Inaugural Black College (Small School Division) World Series
- April 28 – May 1, 2021
- Riverwalk Stadium (home of the Tampa Bay Rays Double-A affiliate Montgomery Biscuits)200 Coosa Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104
- Two divisions (one division of four NCAA Division II teams/one division of four NAIA teams) with each division playing a double-elimination format and winners of each division face off in a one-game playoff to determine a champion.
- Black College World Series – Riverwalk Stadium
| Tournament Seeding | Tournament Standings |
| Seed No. 1 – Xavier University of Louisiana | 3-2 (eliminated) |
| Seed No. 2 – Savannah State University | 1-2 (eliminated) |
| Seed No. 3 – Bluefield State College | 4-1 (Champions) |
| Seed No. 4 – Rust College | 0-2 (eliminated) |
| Seed No. 5 – Florida Memorial University | 2-2 (eliminated) |
| Seed No. 6 – Edward Waters College | 1-2 (eliminated) |
| April 28, 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Game 1: Bluefield State College 5 – Edward Waters College 4 | Video Box Score |
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| Game 2: Florida Memorial University 12 – Rust College 2 | Video Box Score |
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| Game 3: Florida Memorial University 9 – Savannah State 3 | Video Box Score |
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| April 29, 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Game 4: Edward Waters 16 – Rust College 1 (Rust College eliminated) |
Video Box Score |
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| Game 5: Savannah State 9 – Edward Waters College 6 Edward Waters College eliminated) |
Video Box Score |
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| Home Run Derby – Winner: Nathan Harris (Florida Memorial) | Video | |
| Game 6: Bluefield State College 4 – Xavier University of Louisiana 1 | Video Box Score |
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| April 30, 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Game 7: Xavier of Louisiana 7 – Savannah State 2 (Savannah State eliminated) |
Video Box Score |
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| Game 8: Bluefield State College 10 – Florida Memorial University 3 | Video Box Score |
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| Game 9: Xavier of Louisiana 7 – Florida Memorial University 5 (Florida Memorial eliminated) |
Video Box Score |
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| May 1, 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Game 10: Xavier University of Louisiana 16 – Bluefield State College 2 Black College World Series Championship Game One |
Video Box Score |
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| Game 11: Bluefield State College 7 – Xavier University of Louisiana 2 Bluefield State College – Black College World Series Champions |
Video Box Score |
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Technical assistance was provided by HBCU baseball guru Michael Coker, lead writer at BlackCollegeNines.com. Black College Nines is an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of HBCU baseball through current and historical news reporting.
Selection and seeding for the tournament was based upon Black College Nines’ weekly HBCU small school division national baseball poll. Pollsters came from a diverse group of informed and impartial individuals who follow college baseball on all levels, including HBCU baseball. Included in the group were college athletic administrators and educators, college baseball writers and other sports journalists and broadcasters, former HBCU and other college ballplayers and above all else… college baseball enthusiasts who have an interest in promoting HBCU baseball.
The Black College Sports Network streamed the Black College World Series. Games were available live on the Black College Sports Network and their BCSN YouTube channel.
BCSN also carried live coverage of the release of the final rankings and selection show.
About The Black College Sports Network: The Black College Sports Network is the first online media outlet dedicated to LIVE coverage and broadcasting of HBCU sporting events on a weekly basis. The BCSN is the flagship product of the JERICHO Broadcast Networks (JBN).
Arrangements for the Black College World Series were made in conjunction with guidelines provided by administrators of both the NCAA and NAIA, as well as with school officials and coaching staffs.
For more information about Black College Nines, visit www.blackcollegenines.com. and for more information about Black College Sports Network, visit www.mybcsn.net/diamond.