USA – The 2012 Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Championship has been moved out of South Carolina, and will instead be played at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, according to an announcement on Monday by ACC Commissioner John Swofford.

The ACC previously awarded the tournament to BB&T Coastal Stadium in Myrtle Beach, S.C., from 2011 to 2013. The commissioner cited unresolved disputes regarding the confederate flag as the reason for the relocation. Specifically, the NAACP openly criticized the ACC’s decision to hold the tournament in a state where the flag is flown on the grounds of the State Capitol.

The 2011 and 2013 championships have been moved to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, which hosted the most recent ACC baseball tournament two months ago. Greensboro has already been selected to host the 2010 championship, meaning the event will be held in North Carolina for at least five consecutive years. Venues have not yet been awarded beyond 2013.

In his statement, Swofford said league officials “appreciate both Durham and Greensboro’s commitment to hosting future ACC Baseball Championships,” and referred to the cities’ ballparks as “first-class facilities.” Baseball America recently rated NewBridge Bank Park the top stadium in the South Atlantic League and 8th overall among minor league stadiums nationally.

Photo courtesy of theacc.com

Tags: NCAA Division I