Waynesville Mail

2021 Men’s College World Series

College baseball is back and better than ever after having their season canceled last year due to COVID-19. The Division I baseball season has just recently moved into their postseason play. Entering the regional tournaments, which is the first round of postseason play, 64 teams make it to the tournament with 31 conference tournament champions getting automatic bids, and 33 other teams are selected at large. After the 16 regional tournaments are played out, the team that wins each one moves on to the next round of the postseason, called the super regional. The super regional is just a best of 3 series between two regional tournament winners, and the winner of that 3 game series earns a trip to Omaha, Nebraska to compete in the College World Series. 

So that’s where we are at now, regional tournaments have been won, super regional series have been decided, and all 8 teams have punched their ticket to the College World Series. These teams are North Carolina State, Stanford, Vanderbilt, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi State, and Virginia. There is a lot of history of winning between these college programs, with 15 national championships between Texas, Arizona, Vanderbilt, Stanford, and Virginia. But, there are a few teams, Tennessee, NC State, and Mississippi State, that are looking to win their first national championship in program history. The combination of historically successful programs and programs hungry to win that first championship for their program will definitely be a great mix for some high drama. 

Take it from someone who has gone and has the great privilege of being able to go again this year. If you love baseball, going to the College World Series is one of the best experiences of watching baseball you could have. The atmosphere in Omaha when the College World Series is in town is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before, and that opinion is popular amongst other people who have been to Omaha as well. The College World Series is not only a highly entertaining tournament between the eight best teams in college baseball, but it is also a place where baseball fans can have a great time, meet new people, and make lasting memories. Things like that is what has baseball fans so excited for the College World Series to be back this year.