Why are the numbers down today?
Can yall imagine a MSU vs LSU final? Or even a MSU vs Mississippi final?
Can yall imagine a MSU vs LSU final? Or even a MSU vs Mississippi final?
A friend of mine who was there and went to most all of the games said that surprisingly, Texas didn't bring many fans. Said TCU had the most, and UM the second most.
Shows the forward thinking at the NCAA office. A 30 year lease in any sport, forget that this one is a growing sport, is the dumbest **** on the planet.For better or worse, we're stuck with Omaha. The NCAA agreed to keep the CWS there through 2035 when they built the new stadium.
I think Omaha is a great college tradition but it isn't a sustainable model to follow. It's not a destination town and it's not a destination park.
If you want to make CWS a popular/profitable function, rotate among the 30 MLB parks (and don't tell me they couldn't coordination with the MLB office would assure the CWS was played during the same time that particular team made a east/west coast road trip).
99.9% of people will balk at the idea of not playing in Omaha, and I understand that... But it's simply not good for the growth of the sport.
Look at the #'s for college teams playing regular season games in MLB parks. It would create outside interest and would create a buzz amongst players and fans of getting to play in ____ Park!
Until the NCAA dumps Omaha there will be half empty parks even if the final becomes #1 vs #2.
Its a fantastic park to watch a game.
For families with younger and mid aged kids, it is an excellent weekend destination and short trip town. Excellent zoo, award winning children's museum, a dozen metro spash pads and excellent parks.
For adult groups, couples, and older families there is the whole Old Market to have dinner and spend evenings and casinos on the river.
Yes, its Omaha- it isn't some world class destination city. But its also an affordable city. It doesn't have Broadway shows, Times Square, and an elite art gallery- but if someone is looking to do that stuff during the CWS then perhaps they are better off taking 2 trips or just skipping the CWS and heading to NYC.
Maybe I just don't expect as much as you and others when I travel, but I don't need musicals, incredible museums, expensive hotels, etc to have fun and find a trip to be worthwhile.
You are pushing for college baseball to create outside interest- it is a regional sport. It is college hockey in warmer weather. It is a niche sport and will continue to be a niche sport, even if its played at Wrigley Field or Minute Maid.