The telecast, presented in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), will also highlight some of the various organizational youth baseball initiatives supported by USA Baseball and the MLBPA. ESPNU’s coverage will be hosted by George Grande, an original ESPN SportsCenter anchor and current Cincinnati Reds commentator.

“We look forward to further serving college baseball fans with national television coverage of this award and the great grassroots efforts of USA Baseball and the MLBPA,” said Burke Magnus, general manager and vice president, ESPNU. “Announcing amateur baseball’s most prestigious award exclusively is a perfect way to conclude our inaugural season of college baseball on ESPNU.”

Paul Seiler, USA Baseball Executive Director and CEO, said, "USA Baseball is proud to recognize the inspiring performances of the nation's top collegiate baseball players and to be able to join with ESPNU in televising this exciting announcement. We also appreciate our ongoing relationship with the Major League Baseball Players Association and the undying support Major Leaguers display in helping amateur baseball players, especially at the grassroots level.”

ESPNU will offer fans additional opportunities to see the show with telecasts on June 24 at 8 p.m., June 25 at 12:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. and June 28 at 10:45 a.m.

The five finalists for the 2005 Golden Spikes Award are listed alphabetically as follows:

Player School, year Position

Ryan Braun Miami (Fla), Junior Infield

Jeff Clement Southern California, Junior Catcher

Trevor Crowe Arizona, Junior Outfield

Alex Gordon Nebraska, Junior Infield

Luke Hochevar Tennessee, Junior Pitcher

GOLDEN SPIKES AWARD

For the past 27 years, USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country with the Golden Spikes Award. Following the first ever presentation of the Award to Bob Horner of Arizona State in 1978, the Golden Spikes Award has been presented each year to the player who exhibits exceptional athletic ability and exemplary sportsmanship. The 2004 Golden Spikes Award winner was Jered Weaver of Long Beach State University. Past winners of this prestigious award include current Major League Baseball stars such as Khalil Greene (’02), Mark Prior (’01), Jason Jennings (’00), Pat Burrell (‘98), J.D. Drew (’97), Travis Lee (’96), Mark Kotsay (’95), Jason Varitek (’94), Darren Dreifort (’93), and Phil Nevin (’92). Former Major League stars that have captured the award include Alex Fernandez (’90), Ben McDonald (’89), Robin Ventura (’88), Jim Abbott (’87), Will Clark (’85), Dave Magadan (’83), Terry Francona (’80), Tim Wallach (’79), and Bob Horner (’78). For more on the Golden Spikes Award, log on to www.usabaseball.com.

ESPNU, ESPN AND ESPN2 AND COLLEGE BASEBALL

In 2005, ESPNU, ESPN and ESPN2 combined to televise 94 regular-season and NCAA championship regional and super regional games. In addition, ESPN and ESPN2 will televise up to 17 College World Series games, including the best-of-three championship series. This season’s comprehensive schedule of games, tied to the launch of ESPNU, is the most extensive in the networks’ history and marks the first time ESPN or ESPN2 have televised regular-season college baseball since the early 1990s.

ESPNU

The ESPNU schedule will feature more than 300 live events (regular-season and championships) in the network’s first year. Action will include a variety of top football and men’s and women’s basketball mixed with baseball, softball, volleyball, lacrosse, ice hockey, wrestling and more. ESPNU will also offer comprehensive studio programming, replays of ABC Sports, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Regional Television games, plus specials and more.

ESPNU has secured distribution agreements with DIRECTV, Adelphia, Mediacom, several smaller affiliates and is close to distribution agreements with others. The 24-hour television network is the key component of the multi-media ESPNU initiative that will deliver college sports content across ESPN’s family of services, such as ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Mobile, ESPN Radio, ESPN Interactive, ESPN360, merchandising and more.

USA BASEBALL

USA Baseball is the National Governing Body of amateur baseball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The organization selects and trains the USA Baseball Olympic Team, the USA Baseball National Team, the USA Baseball Junior National team (18-under), and the USA Baseball Youth National Team (16-under) which participate in various international competitions each year.

MLBPA

The MLBPA (http://www.bigleaguers.com) is the collective bargaining representative for all professional baseball players of the National League and the American League and serves as the exclusive group licensing agent for commercial and licensing activities involving active Major League baseball players. On behalf of its members, it operates the Players Choice licensing program and Players Choice events, which benefit the needy through the Major League Baseball Players Trust, a charitable foundation established and run entirely by Major League baseball players.

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Media Contacts:

ESPN – Josh Krulewitz at 860-766-2319; josh.krulewitz@espn.com

USA Baseball – Dave Fanucchi at 919-474-8721; davefanucchi@usabaseball.com