DALLAS (NCBWA) – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association continues its tradition of NCAA Division I polls for the 13th year with its 2010 preseason predictions and weekly surveys. Weekly polls will continue from Feb. 22 through June 29, following the NCAA College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

The 2010 poll voters come from 40 college baseball writers and related media persons from throughout the nation. After a preseason Top 35 listing, the remainder of the polls will feature a national Top 30.

The Texas Longhorns are the preseason NCBWA poll choice for the third time in history. Last year, Coach Augie Garrido's crew finished second to LSU (No. 2 in the NCBWA pre-2010 survey) in the College World Series during the next-to-last venue at historic Rosenblatt Stadium, which will be razed after the '10 CWS. The Longhorns also earned top billing in 2003 and '06, while North Carolina managed its first preseason top rating in 2009.

LSU held down the No. 1 slot in both the 1998 and 2001 NCBWA preseason selections while other No. 1 placers in the initial polls are Southern California (1999), Miami (Fla.) (2000), Stanford (2002), Cal State Fullerton (2005), Rice (2004, '07), and Arizona State (2008). The three final No. 1 choices prior to LSU in 2009 have come from the Far West in Fresno State (2008) and two-time NCAA champ Oregon State (2006 and '07).

The preseason poll has representation by 12 different conferences among the 302 baseball-playing schools in the 2010 NCAA Division I ranks. The polls of 2009 had teams from 16 different Division I conferences rated at least one week. For more information or to join the NCBWA, please go to www.ncbwa.com.

Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Dick Howser Trophy, Regional Players of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors the Pro-Line Athletic Division I Players of the Week, the Stopper of the Year, and publication and writing contests.