College World Series Tickets

Group of Teams Almost Decided for 2009 CWS

Seven of the Eight teams have been decided for the 2009 College World Series.  The last team will be confirmed tonight after the 6:00 PM game between the Texas Long Horns and the TCU Horned Frogs.

There is a nice mix of old and new teams this year for the CWS in Omaha.  Stalwarts ASU, Cal State Fullerton, and LSU all made the tournament again and will be a dominant force against some fairly new teams.  North Carolina and Arkansas have some experience in the history of the CWS, with the Tar Heels making their fourth consecutive trip to Rosenblatt Stadium this year. The last time the Razorbacks were in Omaha was in 2004, but they look strong enough to win the whole Series this year.

The newcomers to the group are the Virginia Cavaliers and the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles.  Not only do the Golden Eagles have possibly the coolest mascot name but their team is the likely choice for local fans who like to root for the underdog.  The Golden Eagles have never competed in the College World Series and were not even expected to make it to Regional tournament play.  After knocking off Florida in the Super Regional, Coach Corky Palmer and his boys have gained some well deserved respect from everyone.  This is Palmer's last year as a coach, he will retire after the College World Series.

Although Texas is the number one seed and is highly favored to win the tournament, they have yet to secure a spot in Omaha.  Cal State Fullerton, the number two seed, will look to clench their fifth championship this year.  The Titans won the CWS in 2004 and have visited Omaha 16 times in the school's history.  Head Coach Dave Serrano, who famously coached UC Irvine to the College World Series in a Cinderella run, is now the active coach for the Titans.  He took them to the CWS a year after he started coaching for them and is looking for his first championship.

LSU trying to recapture glory years

Remember the days when the words "Geaux Tigers" could be heard and seen at Rosenblatt Stadium more often than a cotton candy vendor?

It's been a while since the fans who are arguably the best in all of college baseball were able to make the trip to Rosenblatt Stadium and cheer on their beloved LSU Tigers at the College World Series. The Tigers last graced Omaha with their presence in 2004 and have struggled in the past few seasons to get back into the discussion among the top baseball teams in the country.

After Skip Bertman retired, the Tigers struggled under longtime assistant coach Smoke Laval. In 2005, the Tigers failed to win an NCAA regional for the first time in nine years. A year later, the Tigers missed the NCAA tournament altogether for the first time in 18 years. Laval resigned and Paul Mainieri took over a young team in 2007, one that failed to even reach the Southeastern Conference tournament for the first time since 1984.

So there's really no place for the Tigers to go but up at this point -- and they seem to be heading in that direction early in the 2008 campaign.

LSU started the year 11-3 and are playing for the final time in historic Alex Box Stadium, where the Tigers have led the nation in baseball fan attendance for the last 12 years. This year, the Tigers are playing the kind of baseball LSU fans grew accustomed to while Bertman led the Tigers to five College World Series titles, the last coming in 2000.

Players like outfielder Jared Mitchell, second baseman Ryan Schimpf and catcher Sean Ochinko have helped guide this young, improving team. The addition of junior college transfers Matt Clark and Matt Gaudet has also sparked the Tiger offense early in the season.

LSU had long been one of the marquee teams in the SEC. The lackluster finishes of the previous two seasons has taken some of the sharpness out of their bite, but the Tigers appear to be back on the prowl and looking to be one of several teams in the conference who could be in the hunt for a trip to Omaha later this summer.

And if they make it back, it will seem like old times -- both for LSU fans and the people of Omaha who have long enjoyed sharing the good times of the College World Series with their friends from the Bayou.

Whether you're an LSU fan, or just a fan of college baseball, make sure you secure your tickets for the 2008 College World Series now with Ticket Express -- where no College World Series game is ever sold out.

College Baseball Hall of Fame class announced

Twelve people were named Wednesday as the 2008 class of inductees to the National College Baseball Hall Of Fame.

Nine recent players and coaches, along with three vintage-era nominees, were named to this year's class. To be honored, players must have completed one year at a four-year institution and achieved All-American (post-1947) or All-League (pre-1947) or earned other national honors. Coaches must have won at least 300 games on won 65 percent of games they coached.

This year's honorees include a number of players and coaches who reached the College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium. They include:

Steve Arlin (Ohio State pitcher), Eddie Bane (Arizona State pitcher), Floyd Bannister (Arizona State pitcher), Neal Heaton (Miami Fla., pitcher), Burt Hooton (Texas pitcher), Dick Howser (Florida State shortstop and coach), Ben McDonald (LSu pitcher), Greg Swindell (Texas pitcher) and Gary Ward (Oklahoma State and New Mexico State coach). Vintage-era inductees are Owen Carroll (Holy Cross and Seton Hall coach), Billy Disch (Texas, St. Edward's and Sacred Heart coach) and Jackie Robinson (UCLA and Pasadena Junior College infielder).

Nominees are selected by a group of more than 90 coaches, media and previous inductees. Honorees will be recognized at the College Baseball Foundation's annual celebration July 2-4 in Lubbock, Texas.

Road To Rosenblatt: Arizona State

One team that seems to be a regular at Rosenblatt Stadium every summer is five-time College World Series champion Arizona State.

The Sun Devils have been one of college baseball's premiere programs for some time and have been the training ground for some of baseball's most feared hitters, including Bob Horner, Barry Bonds and Reggie Jackson.

Arizona State has made 22 appearances in the College World Series, but has not come away with a title since 1981. The last time they were in the finals was in 1998, when they lost home run derby to Pac 10 counterpart USC 21-14.

Last year, the Sun Devils were one of the favorites to win it all, but came up on the losing end of a 9-8 extra-inning affair to Cinderella team UC Irvine.

Many of the key players are back for the Sun Devils in 2008, and they are ranked at or near the top in most of the major rankings. They are led by slugger Brett Wallace, who led the team in home runs (16), RBI's (78) and batting average (.404) in winning the Pac 10 triple crown.

Wallace is one of four key hitters back from last year, including Ike Davis (.349, 8 HR, 61 RBI), Kiel Rolling (.356, 15 HR, 63 RBI) and Petey Paramore (.329) that directs an offense that has not been shutout in several years.

Arizona State also has a very strong pitching stafff returning, including 13-game winners Josh Satow and Mike Leake and Jason Jarvis, who had a team-best 11 saves.

The SUn Devils are off to a very good start and will no doubt be one of the teams to keep an eye on for the 2008 College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb.

Get your College World Series tickets now at Ticket Express -- where no College World Series game is ever sold out.

Coach Winkin Moved to Rehab

John Winkin, the coach who took the University of Maine Black Bears to six College World Series, has entered a rehabilitation center after suffering a stroke a little over a week ago.  Winkin is 87 years old, and currently coaches at Husson College in Maine, according to The Bangor News.  There is no news yet on the specific condition that Winkin is in for privacy reasons.  We hope that John gets well soon, and our thoughts go out to his family.

Winkin was a hot shot coach when he was coaching for Maine.  Not only did he take Maine to six College World Series (placing 3rd twice), but he boasted a total win-loss record of 1043-703-8.  Winkin was known for being a very intense coach with a lot of attitude.  Not surprisingly, Black Bear players were known for being...you guessed it, very intense with a lot of attitude.

US Team Names Coaching Staff

It may not be a team that plays in the College World Series, but the US National Team is probably the most important team in college baseball.  And USA Baseball just announced that Oral Roberts head coach Rob Walton will lead the team as field manager in the summer of 2008.

The US National Team is usually made up of current college baseball players or players who have recently graduated.  Last year, four players from the National Team played in the College World Series including Brett Wallace and Petey Paramore of Arizona State University.

Rob Walton is entering his sixth year as Oral Robert's head coach and has put up the best winning percentage at the school.  He helped the National Team in 2005 as an assistant head coach.

We will find out the 2008 US National Team on June 24.

Serrano Graduated From College? Kind of.

Dave Serrano, the former UC Irvine head coach who took his team to the College World Series last year, is taking some heat from his new University (Cal State Fullerton) for not getting a proper college degree. 

According to the Daily Titan, Serrano got a BA degree from Trinity College and University.  So what is required to obtain a degree at Trinity College and University, well, apparently all it takes is "life experience" and $300.  Not bad huh?

Now officials at Cal State Fullerton are raising a fuss about the college degree.  Some, like the Athletic director Brian Quinn think that experience is the most important thing.  He said that how he learned to be a coach is more important than a college degree.  He said learning coaching is "not a textbook thing."

I think if they are going on the NCAA thought that sports should be mixed with academics then Serrano should need a degree before he teaches.  If they really want the players to care about proper education, I think the coaches should at least have a proper education as well.

Irvine Nabs Gillespie as Coach

Not surprisingly, former USC coach Mike Gillespie has been hired by UC Irvine to guide them back to the College World Series in Omaha.  According to the LA Times Gillespie will take Dave Serrano's vacant spot in time for fall practices with the Anteaters.

Gillespie is no stranger to winning teams.  He has guided 4 teams to the College World Series and won one national title with USC.  He will take over for the Anteaters at a very difficult time.  Not only did coach Dave Serrano leave but so did the athletic director and a handful of seniors that played a vital role for the Anteaters last season.

Gillespie is leaving his job coaching a Class-A team for the New York Yankees.  Even at 67 he has still been successful.  It just goes to prove that age has nothing to do with coaching (look at Joe Paterno!).

Mike Gillespie to Coach UC Irvine?

Former USC coach Mike Gillespie has been rumored to be pursuing the UC Irvine coaching job that just became vacant after successful coach Dave Serrano left for his dream team Cal State Fullerton.  As reported by the OC Register, Gillespie sent in his resume to UC Irvine this last week. 

The Anteaters made it to the College World Series for the first time in school history last season.  They took a hard blow after their athletic director retired and soon after coach Dave Serrano did too.

Eater nation can give a sigh of relief (at least for now).  The future of the team did not look bright until word that Gillespie had sent in his application.  Gillespie, 67, coached USC for 20 before retiring in 2006.  He led the Trojans to four College World Series including one championship in '98.

No decision has been made yet on whether UC Irvine will hire Gillespie, but one can assume that not many other coaches applying for the job have as much respect as Mike Gillespie.

Oregon Hires Coach

Former Cal State Fullerton coach George Horton, who has led his team to six College World Series, has signed a five year deal with the Oregon Ducks to coach their newly reinstated baseball team.  Oregon recently reinstated its baseball program after a 26 year absence.  The Ducks will not start playing until the 2009 school year.

Horton has had huge success in his ten years with Cal State Fullerton.  He led Fullerton to four of the last five College World Series and won the National Championship with the Titans in 2004.  Horton has been very vocal about his ambitions with the Ducks and does not seemed worried about the challenges he faces starting a team from scratch.  In a recent article by the Oregon Statesman he said he plans to  "get to Omaha in very short order with this leadership and this opportunity."