Best NAIA Baseball Schools

by

As a former Division I and NAIA baseball player, I’ve always believed NAIA baseball deserves far more respect than it gets. After playing at both levels, traveling the country, and competing against top programs, I can confidently say this:

The level of talent in NAIA baseball is real — and often seriously overlooked.

From small-town fields to powerhouse programs in unexpected corners of the country, NAIA baseball is filled with gifted players, elite coaches, and teams that can compete with mid-major Division I programs any day of the week.

The biggest difference between NAIA baseball and Division I baseball isn’t the top-end talent — it’s the depth. D1 programs have deeper rotations and bigger benches over long series. But in terms of pure skill? NAIA baseball can hold its own.

 Below is the breakdown of the best NAIA baseball programs, the greatest players to come from NAIA schools, and a complete conference-by-conference listing of every active NAIA baseball program.

Contents

Most Successful NAIA Baseball Programs (All-Time Championships)

Active NAIA programs only

  • Lewis-Clark State (ID) – 19

  • Cumberland University (TN) – 3

  • Tennessee Wesleyan (TN) – 2

  • Southeastern University (FL) – 2

No one in NAIA history comes close to Lewis-Clark State’s dominance. Their 19 championships — combined with hosting the NAIA World Series every year — make them the gold standard of small-college baseball. Legendary coach Ed Cheff, who passed away in 2022, built the greatest dynasty in NAIA history and trained countless future coaches and professional players.

Notable NAIA Baseball Players Who Made MLB

NAIA baseball has produced All-Stars, Cy Young winners, MVPs, and multiple Hall of Famers. Here are the biggest names.

Ben Zobrist — Olivet Nazarene University

One of the most successful NAIA-to-MLB stories ever, Zobrist’s rise embodies what NAIA baseball is all about: overlooked talent, elite development, and relentless work ethic. After starting at Olivet Nazarene and transferring to Dallas Baptist, Zobrist became a 14-year MLB veteran and the 2016 World Series MVP with the Cubs.

Gaylord Perry — Campbell University (when NAIA)

Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry got his start at Campbell when the school was still an NAIA member. His 22-year MLB career resulted in 2 Cy Young Awards, a 300-win milestone, and one of baseball’s most entertaining careers.

Scott Brosius — Linfield College (then NAIA)

Before Linfield moved to NCAA Division III, Brosius shined as an NAIA player. He later became a three-time World Series champion with the Yankees and the 1998 World Series MVP.

Lou Brock — Southern University (then NAIA)

One of the greatest base stealers in MLB history began his college career at Southern University when it competed in the NAIA. Brock helped lead his team to an NAIA championship before earning Hall of Fame status, two World Series rings, and over 3,000 hits.

David Justice — Thomas More (NAIA)

Recruited to play basketball — not baseball — Justice still represents the athletic upside NAIA programs often attract. His raw talent earned him a 14-year MLB career, Rookie of the Year, and two World Series titles.

Joe Morgan — Oakland City College (NAIA)

One of the greatest second basemen in MLB history began at an NAIA program. Morgan went on to become the engine of the Reds’ Big Red Machine, earning two MVPs, 10 All-Star selections, and a spot in the Hall of Fame.

Other NAIA Players Who Made MLB

  • Don Sutton

  • Seth Brown

  • Ray King

  • Steve Liddle

  • Stephen Vogt

  • Luis Martinez

  • Aaron Wilkerson

  • Son Sutton

The NAIA pipeline to professional baseball continues to grow — several players get drafted every single year.

Top NAIA Baseball Programs Today (Updated 2024–25)

These are the strongest and most consistently competitive NAIA baseball programs right now.

1. Lewis-Clark State (Lewiston, Idaho)

The greatest NAIA baseball program ever.

  • 19 national championships

  • Host of the NAIA World Series

  • Produces MLB players frequently

A trip to Lewiston every May is the heart of the NAIA baseball experience.

2. Southeastern University (Lakeland, Florida)

The new-age powerhouse of the NAIA.

  • National champions in 2018 & 2022

  • Top-tier recruiting base in Florida

  • Consistent Top-5 program every year

Their facilities and roster talent rival mid-major D1 programs.

3. Georgia Gwinnett College (Lawrenceville, Georgia)

A rapidly rising dynasty.

  • 2021 National Champions

  • Multiple deep World Series runs

  • Elite talent pipeline near Atlanta

In 2023, they famously opened the season 33–0 — one of the most dominant starts in college baseball history.

4. LSU Shreveport (Shreveport, Louisiana)

One of the most electric offenses in small-college baseball.

  • 5 NAIA World Series appearances

  • 9 regular-season titles

  • 13 conference tournament championships

They combine JUCO athleticism with deep Louisiana baseball roots.

5. Faulkner University (Montgomery, Alabama)

A perennial contender loaded with southern talent.

  • 2013 National Champions

  • 9 World Series trips

  • Elite pitching and defense

Faulkner is consistently in the Top 25 and regularly pushes for Lewiston.

6. Bellevue University (Omaha, Nebraska)

One of the most tradition-rich programs in NAIA baseball.

  • 16 World Series appearances

  • 1995 National Champions

  • Multiple deep postseason runs

Bellevue recruits heavily from Nebraska’s elite baseball culture.

7. Tennessee Wesleyan (Athens, Tennessee)

A small-town program with a big-time trophy case.

  • 2012 National Champions

  • Multiple World Series appearances

  • Consistent contender in the AAC

Their roster is always loaded with gritty, athletic players.

8. St. Thomas University (Miami Gardens, Florida)

A Sun Conference powerhouse with major upside.

  • 6 NAIA World Series appearances

  • Located in a massive talent pipeline

  • Always in the postseason mix

STU is one of the most athletic teams in the NAIA year after year.

9. Oklahoma City University

One of the traditional giants of NAIA baseball.

  • 2005 National Champions

  • Multiple runner-up finishes

  • Decades of postseason success

OCU’s history speaks for itself.

10. Oklahoma Wesleyan, IU Southeast, USAO, and More

These programs consistently sit in the Top 25 and make deep postseason runs:

  • Oklahoma Wesleyan

  • Indiana Southeast

  • University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma

  • Georgia Gwinnett’s CAC rivals

The depth of NAIA baseball is stronger than ever.

NAIA Baseball Programs by Conference (Updated for 2025)

Below is a complete, up-to-date list of every active NAIA baseball program for the 2024–25 season, organized by conference.

American Midwest Conference (AMC)

  • Columbia College (MO)

  • Hannibal–LaGrange University

  • Harris–Stowe State University

  • Lyon College

  • Missouri Baptist University

  • William Woods University

  • Williams Baptist University

Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC)

  • Bluefield University

  • Bryan College

  • Columbia International University

  • Johnson University (TN)

  • Kentucky Christian University

  • Milligan University

  • Montreat College

  • Point University

  • Reinhardt University

  • Tennessee Wesleyan University

  • Truett McConnell University

  • Union College (KY)

California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac)

  • Benedictine Mesa

  • Embry-Riddle (AZ)

  • La Sierra University

  • Pacific Union College

  • Park University Gilbert

  • Simpson University

  • Westcliff University

Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC)

  • Bushnell University

  • College of Idaho

  • Corban University

  • Eastern Oregon University

  • Lewis-Clark State College

  • Oregon Tech

Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC)

  • Calumet College of St. Joseph

  • IU Northwest

  • IU South Bend

  • Judson University

  • Olivet Nazarene University

  • Roosevelt University

  • Saint Ambrose University

  • Saint Xavier University

  • University of St. Francis (IL)

Continental Athletic Conference (CAC – Independents)

  • Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

  • Fisher College

  • Florida National University

  • Georgia Gwinnett College

  • Lincoln Christian University

  • Oakland City University

  • Penn State Schuylkill

  • Rust College

  • Voorhees University

  • Washington Adventist University

Crossroads League

  • Bethel University (IN)

  • Grace College

  • Huntington University

  • Indiana Wesleyan University

  • Marian University

  • Mount Vernon Nazarene University

  • Spring Arbor University

  • Taylor University

Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC)

  • Arizona Christian University

  • Hope International University

  • Jessup University

  • Menlo College

  • Ottawa University Arizona

Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC)

  • Briar Cliff University

  • Concordia University (NE)

  • Doane University

  • Dordt University

  • Hastings College

  • Midland University

  • Mount Marty University

  • Morningside University

  • Northwestern College (IA)

Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC)

  • Dillard University

  • Oakwood University

  • Southern University at New Orleans

  • Talladega College

  • Tougaloo College

  • Wiley College

Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC)

  • Baker University

  • Benedictine College

  • Central Methodist University

  • Clarke University

  • Culver-Stockton College

  • Evangel University

  • Grand View University

  • Graceland University

  • MidAmerica Nazarene University

  • Missouri Valley College

  • Mount Mercy University

  • Park University

  • Peru State College

  • William Penn University

Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC)

  • Avila University

  • Bethany College

  • Bethel College (KS)

  • Friends University

  • Kansas Wesleyan University

  • McPherson College

  • Oklahoma Wesleyan University

  • Ottawa University

  • Southwestern College

  • Sterling College

  • Tabor College

  • University of Saint Mary

  • York University

Mid-South Conference (MSC)

  • Bethel University (TN)

  • Campbellsville University

  • Cumberland University

  • Freed-Hardeman University

  • Georgetown College

  • Lindsey Wilson College

  • University of Pikeville

  • University of the Cumberlands

North Star Athletic Association (NSAA)

  • Bellevue University

  • Dakota State University

  • Dickinson State University

  • Mayville State University

  • Valley City State University

  • Viterbo University

Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC)

  • Huston-Tillotson University

  • Jarvis Christian University

  • Louisiana Christian University

  • LSU Alexandria

  • LSU Shreveport

  • Our Lady of the Lake University

  • Texas A&M San Antonio

  • Texas A&M Texarkana

  • University of Houston-Victoria

  • University of the Southwest

River States Conference (RSC)

  • Brescia University

  • Indiana University Kokomo

  • Indiana University Southeast

  • Midway University

  • Oakland City University

  • Ohio Christian University

  • Point Park University

  • University of Rio Grande

  • WVU Tech

Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC)

  • Central Christian College (KS)

  • Mid-America Christian University

  • Oklahoma City University

  • Southwestern Christian University

  • Texas Wesleyan University

  • University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma (USAO)

  • Wayland Baptist University

Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC)

(Middle Georgia State will transition to NCAA DII in 2025–26)

  • Blue Mountain Christian University

  • Brewton-Parker College

  • Faulkner University

  • Loyola University New Orleans

  • Middle Georgia State University

  • Mobile University

  • Stillman College

  • William Carey University

The Sun Conference

  • Ave Maria University

  • Florida Memorial University

  • Keiser University

  • Southeastern University

  • St. Thomas University

  • Warner University

  • Webber International University

Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC)

  • Aquinas College

  • Cleary University

  • Concordia University Ann Arbor

  • Cornerstone University

  • Indiana Tech

  • Lawrence Tech University

  • Madonna University

  • Rochester Christian University

  • Siena Heights University

  • UM-Dearborn

  • University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH)