Arizona Wildcats baseball

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Arizona Wildcats baseball
Baseball current event.svg 2025 Arizona Wildcats baseball team
Arizona Wildcats logo.svg
Founded1904;121 years ago (1904)
University University of Arizona
Head coach Chip Hale (4th season)
Conference Big 12
Location Tucson, Arizona
Home stadium Hi Corbett Field
(Capacity: 9,500)
Nickname Wildcats
ColorsCardinal and navy [1]
   
College World Series champions
1976, 1980, 1986, 2012
College World Series runner-up
1956, 1959, 1963, 2016
College World Series appearances
1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1970, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1985, 1986, 2004, 2012, 2016, 2021, 2025
NCAA regional champions
1976, 1979, 1980, 1985, 1986, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2021, 2025
NCAA tournament appearances
1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Conference tournament champions
Pac-12: 2024
Big 12: 2025
Conference regular season champions
WAC:1963, 1966, 1974
Pac-10/12: 1980, 1989, 1992, 2012, 2021, 2024 [2]
Kindall Field where the Wildcats played baseball until 2012, when they relocated to nearby Hi Corbett Field Kindall Field.jpg
Kindall Field where the Wildcats played baseball until 2012, when they relocated to nearby Hi Corbett Field

The Arizona Wildcats baseball team is the intercollegiate men's baseball program representing the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, United States. They compete in the Big 12 Conference (Big 12) of NCAA Division I.

Contents

Arizona has won four college baseball national championships (1976, 1980, 1986 and 2012), the first three under Jerry Kindall and the most recent under Andy Lopez. The team has appeared in the College World Series Championship Game or Series on four other occasions (1956, 1959, 1963, and 2016). The Wildcats have appeared in 44 NCAA baseball tournaments in their rich history. Arizona ranks ninth in all-time wins and eight in all-time win percentage, with an all-time record of 3,068–1,674–22 (.646) as of the 2025 season. Arizona fielded its first team in 1905.

Venues

Jerry Kindall Field at Frank Sancet Stadium

The former home of Arizona baseball is Jerry Kindall Field at Frank Sancet Stadium. The park is located on the campus of the University of Arizona, adjacent to the McKale Center, home of the UA athletics department. Arizona played its games at the Kindall Field from prior to the 1967 season through the end of the 2011 season. Modernization of the facility was completed for the 1975 season. Originally called Wildcat Field, the park was officially dedicated Frank Sancet Field on April 19, 1986, in honor of Arizona's longtime head coach. Sancet, who coached from 1950 to 1972, posted an 831–283–8 (.744) mark at the helm of the Cats.

Relocation to Hi Corbett Field (2011-present)

In an effort to have the Wildcat baseball program compete in the best possible facilities, in August 2011, the UA signed an agreement with the city of Tucson for Arizona baseball to play its home games at city-owned Hi Corbett Field, located about three miles southeast of campus, for the 2012 season (beginning with a five-year lease with an option to renew for an additional five years). The UA spent about $350,000 to make several upgrades to the former spring training facility (used as such by the Cleveland Indians and the Colorado Rockies), where the Wildcats previously played selected games in the 1960s and '70s. [3] [4] Through the first three-game series of the 2012 season against North Dakota State, the attendance at the stadium was a total of 8,870, which was nearly 1/4th of the total home attendance for the Wildcats' previous season at Sancet Stadium.

In 2012, the Wildcats posted a 38–17 regular season record (20–10 in Pac-12 conference play), capturing a share of the Pac-12 baseball championship, the school's first league title since 1992. As a result, Hi Corbett Field hosted both an NCAA Regional and Super Regional tournament, and Arizona won both of those to advance to the 2012 College World Series (the program's first postseason appearance in Omaha since 2004) [5] where the team won its fourth national championship. In the 2012 season, the team brought in almost $350,000 in ticket revenue (not including revenue for tickets sold during the NCAA Regional or Super Regional); this is compared to the 2011 season, when Arizona baseball brought in $69,000 worth of ticket revenue in its final season at Sancet Stadium. The relocation of the Wildcat baseball program to Hi Corbett Field has been noted as a major factor in the team's successful 2012 season. [6]

In March 2017, the university signed a 25-year lease on Hi Corbett Field, taking over the day-to-day management of the baseball stadium from the City of Tucson. [7]

Head coaches

TenureCoachYearsRecordPct.
1950–1972 Frank Sancet 23831–275–8.750
1973–1996 Jerry Kindall 24860–579–7.597
1997–2001 Jerry Stitt 5157–125.557
2002–2015 Andy Lopez 14490–324–1.602
2016–2021 Jay Johnson 6208–114.646
2022–present Chip Hale 4152–95.615
Totals6 coaches76 seasons2,696–1,512–16.640

Current coaching staff

Records and results

Year-by-year results

National championsConference Regular Season ChampionsConference Division ChampionsConference Tournament Champions

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, C = Conference

Polls

Arizona been ranked in the Baseball America Division I Final Poll 33 times.

Top-10 finishes are colored ██

All-time record vs. Big 12 teams

OpponentWonLostTiePercentageStreakFirst Meeting
Arizona State 2662301.533Lost 11907
Baylor 1050.667Won 21998
BYU 25100.714Won 31963
Cincinnati 3001.000Won 12025
Colorado †1510.938Won 11950
Houston 760.538Won 21960
Iowa State †010.000Lost 11970
Kansas 1001.000Won 12025
Kansas State 2001.000Won 11993
Oklahoma State 9150.375Won 21954
TCU 1050.667Won 11956
Texas Tech 1170.611Lost 11972
Utah 69230.750Won 11952
UCF 000–Won 42026
West Virginia 430.571Won 22023
Totals4323061.585

†Colorado & Iowa State no longer have baseball programs

Rivalries

Arizona State

Arizona's main rival is Arizona State. The Wildcats lead the Sun Devils in all time baseball series 266–230–1 as of April 2025 and both teams have had several players drafted into MLB. In recent years, Arizona has had an edge over Arizona State in college baseball success. In 2010 ASU won the Pac-10 and also advanced to the College World Series, capping the end of a dominating run of 4 straight Pac-10 conference championships and 3 CWS appearances in 4 years (missed CWS in 2008). Later, the NCAA would vacate the 2007 Pac-10 Championship and 2007 CWS appearance from ASU's record.

Since then Arizona has won the CWS (2012), was the CWS runner-up (2016) and won two Pac-12 Championships (2021 & 2024). In contrast to Arizona's recent success, ASU has not won the Pac-10/12 Conference since 2010, has not been the CWS runner up since 1988 and has not won an NCAA Championship since 1981. Arizona has won 2 NCAA championships since 1981. While ASU still has a more robust historical record (5x NCAA Champs, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1977, 1981 and 21x CWS appearances), Arizona has narrowed that gap in the last 20 years.

OpponentWonLostTiePercentageStreakFirst Meeting
Arizona State 2662301.533Lost 11907
Grand Canyon 71320.689Lost 11967
Northern Arizona 4860.889Won 401948
Totals4852681.644

Arizona in the NCAA Tournament

Arizona has appeared in the NCAA tournament a total 44 times (as of 2025), 6th most in NCAA history. The Wildcats have hosted regionals 13 times(as of 2025).

National champions Runner-upCollege World SeriesSuper Regionals

College World Series

Arizona has made eighteen appearances in the College World Series, compiling a 43–32 record, advancing to the title game on eight occasions and winning the College World Series four times, which is tied for 5th most all-time.

Championships

National Championship appearances

Arizona has appeared in the College World Series National Championship game eight times in 1956, 1959, 1963, 1976, 1980, 1986, 2012 and 2016.

SeasonCoachOpponentResultOverall record
1956 Frank Sancet Minnesota Minnesota 12, Arizona 149–8
1959 Frank Sancet Oklahoma State Oklahoma State 5, Arizona 339–10–2
1963 Frank Sancet USC USC 5, Arizona 239–17
1976 Jerry Kindall Eastern Michigan Arizona 7, Eastern Michigan 156–7
1980 Jerry Kindall Hawaii Arizona 5, Hawaii 345–21–1
1986 Jerry Kindall Florida State Arizona 10, Florida State 249–19
2012 Andy Lopez South Carolina Arizona 4, South Carolina 148–17
2016 Andy Lopez Coastal Carolina Coastal Carolina 4, Arizona 349–23
Total National Championship Game Appearances8

Divisional Championships

SeasonConferenceDivisionCoachConference
1963WACSouthFrank Sancet8–4
1966WACSouthFrank Sancet8–4
1968WACSouthFrank Sancet6–6
1970WACSouthFrank Sancet11–7
1974WACSouthFrank Sancet16–2
1980Pac−10SouthJerry Kindall17–3
1989Pac−10SouthJerry Kindall23–7
Total division titles7

Conference Regular Season Championships

SeasonConferenceCoachOverallConference
1966WACFrank Sancet40–158–4
1974WACFrank Sancet58–616–2
1980Pac−10Jerry Kindall45–21–117–12
1989Pac−10Jerry Kindall45–18–123–7
1992Pac−10Jerry Kindall34–2318–12
2012Pac−12Andy Lopez48–1720–10
2021Pac−12Jay Johnson45–1821–9
2024Pac−12Chip Hale36–2320–10
Total Conference titles8

Conference Tournament championship

SeasonConferenceCoachWinning TeamLosing Team
2023 Pac−12Chip HaleOregon 6Arizona 4
2024 Pac−12Chip HaleArizona 4USC 3
2025 Big 12Chip HaleArizona 4TCU 3
Championship Results2−1

Awards

Golden Spikes Award

Golden Spikes Award
YearPlayerPosition
1980 Terry Francona OF

Conference awards

All-Americans

Individual honors

Notable alumni

Current MLB Players

NameDraft YearTeam
Bobby Dalbec 2016 Milwaukee Brewers
Kevin Ginkel 2016 Arizona Diamondbacks
Tylor Megill 2018 New York Mets
Andrew Nardi 2019 Miami Marlins
Kevin Newman 2015 Los Angeles Angels
Rob Refsnyder 2012 Boston Red Sox
César Salazar 2018 Houston Astros
Chase Silseth 2021 Los Angeles Angels
Cal Stevenson 2018 Philadelphia Phillies
Austin Wells 2020 New York Yankees

Hall of Fame inductees

One Arizona player and two coaches have been inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

College Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Year InductedNamePositionCareer
2007 Jerry Kindall Head Coach 1973–1996
2011 Terry Francona OF 1977–1980
2012 Frank Sancet Head Coach 1950–1972

Retired jerseys

Student-Athlete jerseys are retired but not individual player numbers. [11]

No.Player
1John Salmon
2Lee Franklin
15Trevor Hoffman
32 Terry Francona
41Kelsey Osburn

Rivalries

Arizona State

Arizona's main rival is Arizona State. Although they are famously known for their rivalry in football and basketball as well as softball, both schools have had a rich baseball tradition in their history. The Wildcats lead the Sun Devils in all time baseball series 266–230–1 as of April 2025 and both teams have had several players drafted into MLB.

In recent years, Arizona has had an edge over Arizona State in college baseball success. In 2010 ASU won the Pac-10 and also advanced to the College World Series, capping the end of a dominating run of 4 straight Pac-10 conference championships and 3 CWS appearances in 4 years (missed CWS in 2008). Later, the NCAA would vacate the 2007 Pac-10 Championship and 2007 CWS appearance from ASU's record.

Since then Arizona has won the CWS (2012), was the CWS runner-up (2016) and won two Pac-12 Championships (2021 & 2024). In contrast to Arizona's recent success, ASU has not won the Pac-10/12 Conference since 2010, has not been the CWS runner up since 1988 and has not won an NCAA Championship since 1981. Arizona has won 2 NCAA championships since 1981. While ASU still has a more robust historical record (5x NCAA Champs, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1977, 1981 and 21x CWS appearances), Arizona has narrowed that gap in the last 20 years.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Colors | University of Arizona Brand Resources" . Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Arizona clinches share of 2021 Pac-12 Baseball title, earns NCAA auto bid". Archived from the original on May 24, 2021.
  3. ↑ "UA Baseball to Play at Hi Corbett Field". UA News. University of Arizona. August 10, 2011.
  4. ↑ Finley, Ryan (January 6, 2012). "Arizona Wildcats baseball: Lopez, Cats excited to get going in new Hi Corbett digs". Arizona Daily Star.
  5. ↑ "Arizona Advances to First CWS Since '04". ColumbiaTribune.com. The Associated Press. June 10, 2012. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  6. ↑ "University of Arizona Baseball: Making the College World Series...and Money". Forbes. June 13, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  7. ↑ Ferguson, Joe (March 29, 2017). "UA will upgrade, manage Hi Corbett Field in new lease with Tucson". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  8. ↑ "2025 Arizona Baseball Media Guide" (PDF).
  9. ↑ "Arizona hires ex-Wildcats star Chip Hale as baseball coach". AP NEWS. July 5, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  10. ↑ Lev, Michael. "All-time Wildcat great, former Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale named UA baseball coach". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  11. ↑ ""Retirement of jerseys" at Wildcats website". Archived from the original on April 25, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
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