NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 4, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- FieldTurf and Cal Ripken Jr. announced the winners of the 2007 FieldTurf Baseball Awards today at the Winter Meetings in Nashville. Award-winners were named in four categories, including two college coach of the year winners and two team of the year winners. This year's winners are:
* MLB Team of the Year: Colorado Rockies * NCAA DI Coach of the Year: Wayne Graham (Rice University) * NCAA DII Coach of the Year: Steve Lyon (Grand Valley State University) * NCAA Team of the Year: Oregon State Beavers
COLORADO ROCKIES (MLB): This Major League Baseball team went largely unnoticed before they were deep into the 21-of-22 hot streak that put them in the World Series. But as is the case with most one-month sensations, success came much earlier. They were solid long before their late-season run and well deserving of this award.
WAYNE GRAHAM (RICE UNIVERSITY): Regardless of how you break it down, you'll get the same result: This coach is synonymous with outstanding baseball. Whether it's turning players into all-America honorees and pro draft picks, or coaching teams to conference titles and a national championship, one of the game's more experienced head coaches continues to deliver. His 2006 squad had the most wins and the best win-percentage in the country while the 2007 team was ranked in the top three of the country by nearly every poll with a 56-14 record and reached the semifinals of the College World Series in Omaha.
STEVE LYON (GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY): Being the top team in the North Central Region is no fluke as this coach is entering his ninth season as head baseball coach and has already won three consecutive NCAA DII North Central Region Coach of the Year awards to go along with three straight World Series appearances during that same stretch from 2003-2005. He continues to steer his program in the right direction and posts extremely impressive records year after year.
OREGON STATE BEAVERS (NCAA DI): With a 49-18 record and yet another national championship victory, this team epitomizes excellence throughout the college baseball ranks. With one of the best coaches in the country, some of the best new recruits year after year, and many convincing victories, it is no surprise that these top prospects are winning this award.
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