AURORA - The Colorado High School Activities Association has released its preseason coaches' poll for baseball.
Three of last year's champions were picked to defend their titles, as Golden was slated in the top spot in 4A, Forge Christian the top of 2A and Akron first in 1A. In 5A, Arvada West was picked to rise to the top, with Regis Jesuit - last year's champions - picked second and Cherry Creek - the 2025 runner up - being selected third. Finally, in 3A, University, the runner-up a year ago - was picked first with Coal Ridge - last year's state champions - checking in third.
This is the only coaches' poll that will be conducted by CHSAA for baseball this season. Throughout the season, CHSAA will publicize the Seedings Index as a weekly ranking for baseball. Those rankings will start once there are enough games played to populate a ranking (approximately week 3 or 4).
Practice for the baseball season started on Monday. Scrimmages can begin this Saturday, with games slated to begin on Thursday, March 5.
Postseason play culminates with the state championship games on Thursday, May 14 for 1A and Saturday, May 30 for all other classifications.
The preseason polls:
Class 5A
| Rank |
Team |
| 1 |
Arvada West |
| 2 |
Regis Jesuit |
| 3 |
Cherry Creek |
| 4 |
Grandview |
| 5 |
Mountain Vista |
| 6 |
Broomfield |
| 7 |
Rocky Mountain |
| 8 |
Fossil Ridge |
| 9 |
Valor Christian |
| 10 |
Chaparral |
Also receiving votes: Arapahoe, Brighton, Castle View, Cherokee Trail, Douglas County, Erie, Fairview, Fort Collins, Legend, Monarch, Northfield, Pine Creek, Prairie View, Ralston Valley, Riverdale Ridge, Rock Canyon.
Class 4A
| Rank |
Team |
| 1 |
Golden |
| 2 |
Windsor |
| 3 |
Falcon |
| 4 |
Palisade |
| 5 |
Pueblo County |
| 6 |
Cheyenne Mountain |
| 7 |
Discovery Canyon |
| 8 |
Grand Junction |
| 8 |
Ponderosa |
| 10 |
Holy Family |
Also receiving votes: Air Academy, Canon City, Dakota Ridge, Durango, Evergreen, Lewis-Palmer, Longmont, Lutheran, Mead, Mullen, Northridge, Palmer Ridge, Pueblo East, Pueblo South, Rifle, Roosevelt, Sand Creek, Severance, Silver Creek, Standley Lake, Summit, Thomas Jefferson, Widefield.
Class 3A
| Rank |
Team |
| 1 |
University |
| 2 |
Eaton |
| 3 |
Coal Ridge |
| 4 |
Colorado Academy |
| 5 |
Resurrection Christian |
| 6 |
Delta |
| 7 |
The Classical Academy |
| 8 |
Montezuma-Cortez |
| 9 |
Elizabeth |
| 10 |
Sterling |
Also receiving votes: Alamosa, Basalt, Bayfield, Berthoud, Brush, Kent Denver, Lamar, Peak to Peak, Roaring Fork, Strasburg, Timnath, Valley, Wellington.
Class 2A
| Rank |
Team |
| 1 |
Forge Christian |
| 2 |
Denver Christian |
| 3 |
Monte Vista |
| 4 |
Peyton |
| 5 |
Highland |
| 6 |
Dayspring Christian Academy |
| 7 |
Platte Valley |
| 8 |
Fowler |
| 9 |
Limon |
| 10 |
Yuma |
Also receiving votes: Arrupe Jesuit, Buena Vista, Burlington, Byers, Cedaredge, Clear Creek, Crowley County, Dawson School, Estes Park, Front Range Christian, Las Animas, Lyons, Manual, Platte Canyon, SkyView Academy, South Park, Wiggins, Wray.
Class 1A
| Rank |
Team |
| 1 |
Akron |
| 2 |
Flatirons Academy |
| 3 |
Haxtun |
| 4 |
Merino |
| 5 |
Nucla |
| 6 |
Simla |
| 7 |
Stratton |
| 8 |
Evangel Christian Academy |
| 8 |
McClave |
| 10 |
Eads |
Also receiving votes: Custer County, Dove Creek, Elbert, Holly, La Veta, Otis, Peetz, Rocky Mountain Lutheran, Sargent.