Four reasons to watch (and love) the College World Series
As Midsummer bears down on us, the already-scintillating town of Omaha, Nebraska is going to kick it up yet another notch. I can hear you asking "How is that even possible?" and I understand, being both the birthplace of the singer of Iron Butterfly and the Omaha Beef indoor football team. Well beginning this week, the College World Series will rage on the east side of Omaha. Why should you pay it any mind, you ask? Here are four reasons to take a gander at the College World Series
4. It's got history
The tournament was first held in 1947, but was moved to Omaha in 1950. Why, you ask? Because it was originally held in Kalamazoo, Michigan, which not only has less than 5 times the population, but doesn't even have a decent claim to a singer of a semi-famous 1960's proto-progressive psyche-rock band. Happy to be out of Kalamazoo, the CWS settled down in Omaha and won't be leaving anytime soon -- they just signed a contract to host it until 2035. Meaning, if you are in your late 30's, you'll be collecting social security when this contract expires. Once they reach that point, they will theoretically extend the agreement until you and everyone you know is dead.
3. Impress your friends
The college world series is the breeding ground before the breeding ground that is the minor leagues. Still, it's not a far cry to assume that the players excelling here will make something of themselves in the big show. It isn't Wiffle ball. Wouldn't you have liked to have said a few years ago "Oh, Joba Chamberlain? Yeah, I saw him pitch for Nebraska in 2005. He has a mean fastball, and coincidentally is also a complete lunatic"? How about some nifty CWS facts? "Robin Ventura actually surpassed Dimaggio's hit streak, bringing a 57 game run through the series." You'll be the belle of the ball.
2. Senioritis
Despite the presences of Jobas and Robins and even Barrys (Bonds, back in the day for Arizona State), only a very small percentage of these players are bound to make it to the majors, or even the minors for that matter. It's the same scenario that makes NCAA Bowl games and March Madness so intriguing and absorbing. When you play something seriously and at the top of your class for your entire life you want to make an impact on the eve of the culmination. Which brings us to...
1. It's ripe for upset
Let's talk about Fresno State in the 2008 College World Series. I'm going to assume a lot of you did not see it. I am going to assume further that the only reason you didn't is because I didn't write an article about it. This year you have no excuse. The Fresno State Bulldogs came into the tournament never having won a National Championship. In fact, winning the WAC was the only reason they were there, considering their lackluster 33-27 record. They were seeded fourth in their region which doesn't sound terrible - until you consider that there are only 4 teams in the region. A #4 seed has never won the tournament. But the Bulldogs took "never" and beat it over the head like a baby seal, taking down six of the top 20 teams on the way to bringing home their first Championship ever. They followed that up by saving Panda Bears from extinction.
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