Best NAIA Baseball Schools

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As someone who played Division 1 and NAIA baseball, I was very impressed with the quality of play throughout the country in NAIA.

The small towns, unique ballparks, and mix of talent found in NAIA baseball may not get the same level of attention or budgets that giant Power 5 programs do, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some very talented programs and players.

Many players end up playing NAIA baseball because they were overlooked by Division 1 programs due to being from small towns or high schools that didn’t get the same level of exposure as kids from bigger cities. 

The big difference between Division 1 and NAIA baseball was the depth throughout the roster top to bottom.

Some of the best NAIA programs can hang with top Division 1 programs for one game, but if they played a 3-game series, the depth, and power arms that Division 1 schools have would likely wear down most NAIA programs over the course of a season.

Some great NAIA baseball programs are spread out all over the country, with some of the best programs in cold weather states, which you wouldn’t typically see in Power 5 baseball. 

NAIA Baseball Program Championships (By Active NAIA Schools)

  1. Lewis Clark State 19
  2. Cumberland 3
  3. Tennessee Wesleyan 2
  4. Southeastern 2 

Lewis Clark State is the best historical NAIA baseball program of all time, with 19 championships and 18 Major Leaguers in program history, and were led by legendary head coach Ed Cheff who recently passed away.

Notable NAIA Baseball Players that have made MLB

Numerous NAIA players are drafted by MLB teams every season and many have made it to the Major Leagues. Here are some of the best NAIA players of all time:

Ben Zobrist- Olivet Nazarene University

One of the most notable NAIA baseball players was Ben Zobrist, who won a world series with the Chicago Cubs. Zobrist grew up in a small town in Eureka, Illinois and wasn’t planning on playing college baseball. 

Late in his high school career, he participated in a showcase and was discovered by an Olivet Nazarene University coach who offered him a scholarship. 

Zobrist went on to play at Dallas Baptist for his senior year and then went on to have a nearly 13-year MLB career that included a World Series MVP with the Cubs.

Gaylord Perry-Campbell University

Gaylord Perry pitched for Campbell University in the late 50s when they were an NAIA program. Perry went on to win 2 Cy Young awards in 1972 and 1978 and was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. 

Perry was one of the most entertaining pitchers of his era and was alleged to have doctored the ball with different substances on his different types of pitches as he lost velocity later in his career.

Scott Brosius-Linfield College

Scott Brosius is best known for his time playing for the Yankees during their 3x World Series runs in the late 90s. Brosius grew up in a small town in Oregon and played at Linfield College in Oregon. Linfield has since moved up to Division 3. 

Lou Brock-Southern University

Perhaps the most famous NAIA player of all time was Lou Brock, who played at then NAIA program Southern University in Baton Rouge. Southern won the NAIA championship when Brock was a player and signed with the Cubs out of college. 

The Cubs traded Brock to the Cardinals, where Brock went on to have a Hall of Fame Career with 2 World Series titles, 6 All-Star appearances and his number retired with the Cardinals.

David Justice-Thomas More University

David Justice was one of the prominent faces of the Atlanta Braves during their World Series runs in the 90s and played at Thomas More College in Kentucky on a basketball scholarship. 

Justice only played American Legion baseball during the summer months, but the Braves took a chance on Justice based on his athleticism and drafted him in the 4th round of the 1985 draft. 

Joe Morgan, Oakland City College

Joe Morgan played at Oakland City College and did not garner much pro interest due to his 5’7 height.

Morgan signed with the Hoston Colt 45s and was traded to the Reds, where he became a key part of the big red machine of the Reds in the 70s. 

Morgan was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990 and was one of the main announcers on Sunday Night Baseball for nearly 20 years.

Other notable NAIA MLB Players

  • Son Sutton
  • Seth Brown
  • Ray King
  • Don Sutton
  • Steve Liddle
  • Stephen Vogt

Top NAIA Baseball Programs 

1.Lewis-Clark State, Lewiston Idaho

As mentioned above, Lewis-Clark State is the best historical NAIA baseball program and has 39 World Series titles and 19 titles. Legendary former head coach Ed Cheff helped build LC State into a powerhouse from his time coaching the program from 1977-2010. LC State hosts the NAIA College World Series in Lewiston Idaho every year.

2. Southeastern University-Lakeland, Fl

Southeastern University is situated in beautiful Lakeland, Florida where they get nearly year-round perfect baseball weather. Southeastern won the NAIA World Series titles in 2022 and 2018 and should have staying power due to the number of top recruits nearby and their winning momentum.

3. Bellevue University-Omaha, NE

Bellevue has made 14 World Series appearances in school history and won the title in 1997. Former coach Mike Evans coaches at Bellevue for 2022 years and helped turned Bellevue into an NAIA powerhouse based out of Omaha, Nebraska.

4. Faulkner University-Montgomery AL

Faulkner is part of the Southern States Athletic Conference based in Montgomery, Alabama, and won the NAIA world series title in 2013. Faulkner has made 9 College World Series appearances with its last appearance being in 2022.

5. Cumberland University-Lebanon, TN

Cumberland University has been an NAIA powerhouse that won the national title in 2004, 2010, and 2014 and is a member of the Mid-South Conference.

6. Oklahoma City University- Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City has made 15 College World Series appearances and has been a powerhouse in the middle of the country for the last several decades. Oklahoma City won the title in 2005 and has been a three time runner up.

7. Tennessee Wesleyan University- Athens, TN

Tennessee Wesleyan has 5 NAIA world series appearances and won the title in 2012. They are based in Athens, Tennessee and are members of the Appalachian Athletic Conference

8. St. Thomas University-Miami Gardens, FL

St. Thomas University has made 6 NAIA World Series appearances and are members of the Sun Conference based out of Miami Gardens, Florida.

9. LSU Shreveport-Shreveport, LA

LSU Shreveport has made it to the NAIA world series 4 times and is part of the Red River Athletic Conference.

LSU Shreveport made the 2022 and 2021 World Series and are favorites to make it back in 2023.

10. Georgia Gwinnett-Lawrenceville, Georgia

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Georgia Gwinnett is won the National Title in 2021 and has made 5 NAIA World Series appearances over the last 8 years. They are based in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

11. Westmont-Santa Barbara, California

Westmont is based in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Santa Barbara, and the baseball program is consistently in the NAIA top 25.

The team made the World Series in 2022 and is ranked in the top 10 heading into 2023.

12. Oklahoma Arts and Science-Chickasha, Oklahoma

The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is another legit NAIA baseball program that made the NAIA world series in 2022.

They are consistently near the top of the SAC conference standings every year.

13. Indiana Southeast-New Albany, Indiana

Indiana Southeast made the World Series in 2021 and followed that up with another solid year in 2022 and is in the top 25 in 2023.

They are based in New Albany, Indiana and part of the Riverstate Conference

14. The Masters College-Burbank, CA

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The Masters College is based in Burbank, California, and plays in the Golden State athletic conference. The Masters has made 2 NAIA College World Series appearances and are competitive year in and year out.

15. Oklahoma Wesleyan-Bartlesville, OK

Oklahoma Wesleyan is another great NAIA program based in Oklahoma and has two College World Series appearances under its belt.

They play in the Kansas Collegiate athletic conference and are based in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

16. Vanguard of California-Costa Mesa, CA

Vanguard of Sothern California is another solid NAIA program that plays in the Golden State athletic conference and has a couple of World Series appearances under its belt in 2015 and 1985.

List of NAIA Baseball Programs by Conference

American Midwest Conference (AMC):
Columbia College (Missouri)
Hannibal–LaGrange University
Harris–Stowe State University
Lyon College
Missouri Baptist University
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
Williams Baptist University

Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC):
Bluefield University
Bryan College
Columbia International University
Johnson University
Kentucky Christian University
Milligan University
Montreat College
Point University
Reinhardt University
St. Andrews University
Tennessee Wesleyan University
Truett McConnell University
Union College

California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac):
Antelope Valley University
Benedictine University at Mesa
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (Arizona)
La Sierra University
Pacific Union College
Providence Christian College
Simpson University
Soka University of America
University of California, Merced

Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC):
Bushnell University
College of Idaho
Corban University
Eastern Oregon University
Lewis–Clark State College
Oregon Institute of Technology
University of British Columbia
Warner Pacific University

Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC):
Calumet College of St. Joseph
Governors State University
Holy Cross College
Indiana University Northwest
Indiana University South Bend
Judson University
Olivet Nazarene University
Roosevelt University
Saint Ambrose University
Saint Xavier University
University of St. Francis (Illinois)

Crossroads League:
Bethel University
Goshen College
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
Menlo College
Ottawa University Arizona
San Diego Christian College
The Master’s University
Vanguard University
Westmont College

Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC):
Briar Cliff University
Concordia University (Nebraska)
Dakota Wesleyan University
Doane University
Dordt University
Hastings College
Midland University
Mount Marty University
Morningside University
Northwestern College
University of Jamestown

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
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):
Campbellsville University
Cumberland University
Freed–Hardeman University
Georgetown College
Lindsey Wilson College
Shawnee State University
Thomas More University
University of Pikeville
University of the Cumberlands

North Star Athletic Association (NSAA):
Bellevue University
Dakota State University
Dickinson State University
Mayville State University
Presentation College
Valley City State University
Viterbo University

Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC):
Huston–Tillotson University
Jarvis Christian University
Louisiana Christian University
Louisiana State University–Alexandria
Louisiana State University–Shreveport
Our Lady of the Lake University
Paul Quinn College
Southwest Assemblies of God University
Texas A&M University–Texarkana
Texas College
University of Houston–Victoria

River States Conference (RSC):
Alice Lloyd College
Brescia University
Carlow University
Indiana University East
Indiana University Kokomo
Indiana University Southeast
Midway University
Ohio Christian University
Point Park University
University of Rio Grande
West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC):
Central Christian College of Kansas
Mid-America Christian University
Oklahoma City University
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Southwestern Christian University
Texas Wesleyan University
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
Wayland Baptist University