Rowan has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2004 New Jersey Athletic Conference Baseball Championship in a poll of the conference's 10 head coaches. The Profs, who finished first in the 2003 NJAC regular season with a 14-4 conference record, posted three consecutive tournament wins en route to the 2003 NJAC championship. Overall, Rowan finished 31-10 while advancing to the DeSales regional of the NCAA Division III Tournament in Boyerstown, PA.

Under the direction of sixth-year head coach John Cole, Rowan has posted a record of 146-55. The Profs return five members of the 2003 All-Conference team including the 2003 NJAC Pitcher of the Year, lefthander Josh Schwartz. Other all-conference returners for Rowan include catcher Mike Rucci, second baseman Nick Urbanovich, third baseman Irv McFarland and outfielder Jimmy Starkey.

Kean, who finished as runner-up to Rowan in the 2003 NJAC Championship Game at Yogi Berra Stadium, finished second in the poll. The Cougars return two 2003 NJAC All-Conference selections in outfielders Felix Urena and 2003 NJAC Rookie of the Year, Kevin Wright.  
 
Rounding out the rest of the finishers in the preseason poll are TCNJ in third, William Paterson in fourth, Montclair State in fifth, Ramapo in sixth, Rutgers-Camden in seventh, Rutgers-Newark - the coaches' dark horse selection - in eighth, Richard Stockton in ninth, and New Jersey City in 10th.

While non-conference play begins on February 21 when Rowan travels for a weekend series at Christopher Newport, conference play in the NJAC will not begin until April 1. The NJAC regular season will conclude on May 1 with all 10 teams in doubleheader action.

The Top Four conference finishers will advance to the 2004 NJAC Tournament, May 7-9 at a site to be determined. The winner of the double-elimination tournament receives the conference's automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III National Tournament.