One of May’s finest traditions is back in the Birmingham area as the SEC baseball tournament continues at the Hoover Met. Twelve of the conference’s best teams have begun their quest on the ball field for ultimate bragging rights for 2023, a guaranteed spot in the NCAA Division 1 baseball tournament, and a chance to compete in the College World Series. Eight teams remain with the goal to win the championship game on Sunday at 2pm. 

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The tournament is a double-elimination contest, which makes for some hopeful come back stories along with high-stakes elimination games. One such game is on Thursday, and is sure to be full of fanfare as #9 seed Alabama takes on #5 Auburn. The two home-state teams will take the field 30 minutes after the conclusion of the matchup between #6 South Carolina and #10 Texas A&M, which begins at 9:30am. The four undefeated teams have stayed true to their rankings, and will also be playing this Thursday. #3 LSU takes on #2 Arkansas at 4:30pm, with #1 Florida and #4 Vanderbilt beginning their game 30 minutes after the conclusion of the 4:30 game. 

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The winner of the Alabama and Auburn contest will face the loser of the Florida-Vanderbilt game on Friday afternoon. Saturday will be the Final Four games, with the fight to hoist the championship trophy wrapping up the tournament the day after. The games have been as fun as always despite rain early in the week, but the weather seems to be clearing up for the perfect weekend of baseball. Birmingham food favorites like Fat Charles have also been spotted selling delicious eats for all traveling to the stadium to see their favorite SEC team play. 

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The tournament has been played in Hoover every year since 1998, and continues to be a favorite event of Birmingham residents and baseball fans across the Southeast. The grills are fired up, the baselines are freshly painted, and the Greater Birmingham Area is ready for another great day of SEC baseball. Get your peanuts and Cracker Jacks and get ready to root on your favorite team! 

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Cover image from Alabama Baseball