The finalists for the inaugural class will be announced April 26, followed by an induction ceremony July 4 in Lubbock, Texas. The hall of fame museum will be part of a new baseball stadium complex, which will be built on the campus of Texas Tech and is scheduled to open before the 2008 season.

Some of the elite players nominated included Dave Winfield, who dominated from the mound in college; Pete Incaviglia, who became the home run king, and Robin Ventura, who went on a 58-game hitting streak. All became major-league stars.

The 22 former players, 12 former coaches and 12 pre-1947 veterans will be voted on strictly because of their college achievements. The list will be pared down through two rounds of voting by an 80-member committee consisting of current and retired head coaches, former players, NCAA commissioners, sports information directors and media.

Winfield, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, led the University of Minnesota as a pitcher and outfielder, and was chosen the Most Outstanding Player of the 1973 College World Series.