amatuer sporting event in my opinion. Of course I haven’t been to March Madness or a BCSNCS game. I have been to the CWS though many times. As baseball is my favorite sport I guess I’m biased in my opinion. My family (I have three kids, 2 boys and a girl) just got back to Houston from Omaha. We have made this our annual vacation trip. Of course we get to see in-laws while we are there too. The atmosphere is just great. Vendors everywhere selling hats, shirts, food, equipment, etc. Then there is the area set up for kids to do different sports stuff, like batting cages, radar guns on pitching, basketball hoops, etc. All that before you ever enter the ballpark. The fans from all over the country sporting their schools gear. Even fans from schools who aren’t playing. College baseall is a grossly underrated sport. The players actually hustle on and off the field and actually show emotions like enthusiasm and excitement. Where does all that go by the way when they become pro’s? Just wondering. The drama in the elemination games is unbelievable. And of course there is “Leftfield Sucks!” followed shortly by “Rightfield Sucks!”

Anyway, I’ll close my rant. It is very appropriate that my first post is about the CWS. I have been a long time lurker, but never signed up to post before. CWS is a must see for any baseball fan.

Some of my favorite all-time moments:

ASU players giving away their gloves and shoes after they were eliminated. I wore the pair of batting gloves I got the rest of that summer when I was about 12.

North Carolina never wearing the same uniform twice whenever they come.

Before the OF bleachers were built, the players for the next game sitting on top of the wall watching.

Going to watch the CWS teams practice at area fields.

North Carolina’s hidden ball trickin the late 80’s/early 90’s. Fooled the ENTIRE ballpark.

The SMELL of the parking areas whenever LSU is here. Damn that is some good food.

Beaver-mania the last two years.

Miami with Alex Fernandez on the mound getting absolutely pounded by Texas to the point that the Miami LF was taking suggestions from the LF bleachers on where to position himself.

After the Georgia player let go of his bat into the Fresno dugout tonight, the Fresno players mockingly ducking in unison after each of the next few pitches. They played amazingly loose tonight.

Jeff Larish homering in the top of the 9th to give ASU the lead over Nebraska (2005?). Andy Gerch homering in the bottom of the 9th tie it for NU. Larish homering again in the 11th to give ASU the win. Roller Coaster of emotions.

Morris’ homer, Omaha loves LSU anyway but that place was up for grabs.

ASU and Okie State playing 24-21 game back in the 80’s.

The Pepperdine pitcher around 1990 that looked and pitched just like Orel Hershiser.

Creighton’s classic duels with Wichita State in 1991. A shame they were in the same bracket, would have made a helluva final. Dax Jones, Scot Stahoviak, Alan Benes…..the Jays were stacked and the crowd was insane.

this year? Even though I was pulling for Rice, the LSU 9th inning rally against St. Clair was amazing. Also the grand slam by UNC’s catcher to win the game vs Fresno St. During the week when Miami was playing, whenever certain songs were played over the stadium system, the entire Miami dugout as well as their fans in the stands did coordinated hand motions to the songs, it was quite funny. As for Fresno, I think what they achieved this year might be the most impressive championship run ever in the game of baseball. Winning the CWS requires quality pitching depth. Who would have ever thought they would have the pitching to survive the CWS. And look at who they beat to win it. First beating ASU in the super regional, on the road. Then beating teams like Rice, UNC and Georgia to win it all. Not to insult Fresno St. , but they would never be mistaken for a college baseball power. My 13yo son and I were talking about it, and compared it to someone like George Washington Univ. in basketball winning the basketball championship, beating Kansas, UNC, and Memphis along the way.

perspective, the CWS was interesting also. I know it is only a very small sample size to judge from, but not having seen most of these guys play all year it was ineresting to see how they performed on the big stage of the CWS against high quality teams and players.

Yonder Alonso- His CWS performance made me wonder if maybe he was slightly overrated in the draft. He just never was able to get on track.

Ryan Jackson- Looked like a future first rounder. He played good defense and hit the ball well.

Jemile Weeks- Looks like he was underrated going into the draft. Oakland got a very good ballplayer who looks like a Jimmy Rollins type. Small player who plays big.

Denis Raben- This guy made big play after big play in right field. He diving all over the place and going to the wall to haul balls in. He also showed he could hit in the clutch.

Jason Castro- Looked like a solid catch and throw guy.

Buster Posey- since FSU was 2 and “Q” I didnt get to see much of him. What I did see was a guy who can definetly hit. No big surprise there.

Matt Clark- Looks like a guy who will hit some HR’s but will strikeout too much.

Next year’s pitching class should be very good. Seemed like the best pitcher’s on each team were sophmores.

Growing up in Fresno, I am really excited for the school and the Fresno area in general. I never thought the Bulldogs would make it out of the WAC let alone win the whole thing. I hope this gets them a larger role in recruiting baseball talent.