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Southeastern Conference
Commissioner Mike Slive announced Friday that the field will expand to 12 teams in the 14-team league starting in 2013 in Hoover, Ala.
The top four seeds will earn a bye in the double-elimination tournament, which starts on May 21. The rest will play that Tuesday with the winners advancing.
The two division champions and other top four seeds have a chance to earn another bye in the tournament, which returns to single elimination on Saturday.
The total number of games played remains at 17, capped by Sunday's championship.
The SEC has won national titles in three of the last four seasons and had teams advance to the National Championship Series five straight years.