D3baseball.com preseason preview
 
ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—The calendar has now turned to February, which means that the Bethel University baseball team begins its 2016 campaign with their first practice of the season today. Spring training will last nearly six weeks before the Royals open up the year in Ft. Myers, Florida on March 12.
 
"2016 will be very challenging, as we have worked hard to increase our strength of schedule," said head coach Brian Raabe. "Our goal is to become a nationally recognized program and I'm confident that the teams we face will challenge our players to compete at the next level. I'm very excited and cannot wait to get the season started."

Throughout the course of the 2016 schedule, BU will compete in eight games against teams that reached the NCAA Tournament one year ago. Moreover, they'll face six opponents that are ranked or receiving votes in the 2016 Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Division III preseason poll. Included amongst that group are No. 24 Johns Hopkins, No. 25 Carthage, and No. 33 Amherst.
 
Not only will the Royals be challenged with stiff competition, but they'll also play in several new and exciting locations. Like most seasons, Bethel will begin the year at the historic Terry Park, which is the former spring training home for the Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians, and Philadelphia Athletics. Additionally, Hall of Famers, such as Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Roberto Clemente, Jimmy Fox, Bob Feller, Tris Speaker, and George Brett all played there.
 
Following their trip to Florida, BU will travel to Tucson, Arizona for four games at Kino Stadium, which is the former spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox.
 
After their trips down South, Bethel is privileged to play at Wade Stadium in Duluth and CHS Field in St. Paul during the month of April. Wade Stadium, which was newly renovated with field turf, is a historic park built in 1941 that holds 4,200 people and is home to the Duluth Huskies of the Northwoods League. CHS Field, which seats 7,200 in the Lower town District, was the $64 million stadium constructed for the St. Paul Saints of the American Association.
 
Also new this year is the location of the MIAC Playoffs. Formerly held at Veterans Field in Minnetonka, this year's conference tournament scheduled for May 12-14 will be held at Saint John's Field and Cold Spring Baseball Park. (Read more)