COLUMBUS, Ga. – The fourth-ranked Wolverines of Michigan will headline the 23-team field for the 2010 NFCA Leadoff Classic that will feature seven teams ranked in the current USA Today/NFCA Top 25 Poll, along with four other teams that garnered votes. 

The 15th edition of the classic will take place on Feb 26-28 at the South Commons Complex in Columbus, Ga. 

No. 6 Missouri, No. 9 Alabama, No. 11 Georgia Tech, No. 18 Louisiana-Lafayette, No. 20 Massachusetts, No. 22 Florida State are the six other ranked teams that will play in this year’s event, along with Illinois, Mississippi State and Southern Illinois who received poll votes. 

Rounding out the field this year will be Arkansas, Auburn, Central Florida, Hofstra, Illinois State, Iowa, Kent State, Maryland, Mississippi Valley State, Nebraska, North Carolina State, Radford and Virginia Tech. 

Fifteen of the 23 teams at this year’s classic qualified for postseason play last year, with four of those teams advancing to super regionals and three of the teams making it all the way to the Women’s College World Series. 

After winning the 2008 Leadoff Classic, Michigan will enter this year’s classic as the defending champions, with last year’s event being cut short due to rain and snow. 

Each team will play five games at this year’s event and the team with the best record at the end of the weekend will be crowned the 2010 NFCA Leadoff Classic champion. A tiebreaker is in place to break ties among schools with the same records. 

Tickets for the 2010 NFCA Leadoff Classic can be purchased through the Columbus Sports & Events Council by calling (706) 660-1996. Three-day tournament passes are just $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 & under, while daily rates are $10 for adults and $7 for children. Tickets for youth or military groups of 10 or more are also available, at just $5 per person.