Field of Dreams

College football has the BCS, college basketball has the Final Four, and college baseball has Omaha. These next two weeks, Rosenblatt Stadium, as it has for the past 50 years, plays hosts to one of the greatest yearly baseball spectacles: the College World Series.

There are so many factors that make the CWS such a baseball spectacle. First off, it brings the best collegiate teams in the nation to compete in one venue, Rosenblatt Stadium, the Mecca of college baseball. Eight teams arrive there trying to win it all, before suffering two defeats. Also, there are team rituals that are not seen at the Wrigleys and Fenways of the world. Whether it be the whole team wearing high socks (which FYI, is the correct way to wear baseball socks), getting something cooking by shaking their hats like a pan, or congratulating a teammate after a home run by meeting him at the plate, these young men know how to enjoy the nuances of the game. Finally, there are no signs saying “Justin, MARRY ME!”; just signs like “Go Justin, Your Mom Loves You”. Parents travel from far and wide to cheer on their sons in their final amateur sporting event of their career. Now that’s special.

This year’s double elimination tournament features collegiate power houses, such as LSU and Arizona State, as well as underdogs, such as Virginia and Arkansas. While a bunch of dogs, the Fresno Bulldogs to be specific, got to pile on the mound last season, it looks more likely that it will be a powerhouse this season. LSU, a big time favorite, rolled into Omaha with 5 consecutive playoff wins. They continued this domination by scoring 9 runs in both of their first two games at Rosenblatt, winning them both. Arizona State, a classic college baseball powerhouse, surprised North Carolina in their opening game in Omaha, by pulling out a close one against the favored Tar Heels. Finally, Texas, winner of a marathon game against Boston College earlier in the Regionals, pulled out a squeaker against Southern Mississippi in their first game at Rosenblatt. These three teams make up the field of the likely favorites.

No matter who walks away from Omaha victorious, one sweet thing about this baseball tournament is that there will be no mention of drugs. While I will always be a fan of major league baseball, the game at the college level is refreshingly not about contracts, or the long-ball for that matter. When it comes to college baseball, the game is about purity, hustle, eye black, bunting down the line, hitting the cutoff man, sunflower seeds, the hit and run, and so much more.

It is this kind of play that Little Leaguers should model. It is just so great to see America’s Pastime played like this. So enjoy it everyone, as it is baseball the way it was meant to be played…okay, aside from the metal bats.

If you would like to talk some more about this topic or any topic, send me an email at michael.bobich@villanova.edu