The College World Series diamond in Omaha, Nebraska, is among the Association's most coveted jewels, and the Division I Baseball Committee discussed ways to continue that successful relationship during its annual meeting July 12-15 in Moran, Wyoming.

With ticket sales this year in excess of $1.9 million and record average per session attendance of 22,324 -- it's no secret that the once folksy tournament in middle America is making a name for itself on the national sports scene. But in an effort to maintain momentum, committee members met with representatives of College World Series, Inc., regarding plans for future years in Omaha.

"How much bigger and better can we get?" asked Dick Rockwell, chair of the baseball committee and director of athletics at Le Moyne College. "We seem to be saying that every year, but it's true.

"We've got 10 days of national exposure and there's certainly money to be made. I thought when we restructured to a 64-team tournament we would get better games in Omaha because the teams would have to come through two tough weekends, and I feel good about what we've done with the tournament."

The committee felt the addition of the Home Run Challenge to the College World Series opening ceremonies was a success, asking sponsors only for a little streamlining in length. Demand for College World Series tickets also has become extremely tight, and a subcommittee is being formed to study pricing.

"The championship is in a good financial situation," Rockwell said. "The competitiveness and quality of the games in Omaha have not been altered by the change to a 64-team field. In fact, we don't know how we can keep improving, keep raising the bar."

One change for 2001 will be to the Sunday and Monday playing schedule. Next season, winners' bracket contests on those days are moving from the afternoon to evening, a change that makes them the feature games in front of larger nighttime crowds.

"Many years, the afternoon games on those days have been shown on ESPN and the night games on ESPN2," said Jim Wright, NCAA director of statistics and College World Series media coordinator. "There was a time not too long ago that ESPN2 was in far fewer homes around the country, and the committee was trying to get the better games on the more visible network. But ESPN and ESPN2 are nearly equal today, and the atmosphere for night games on those days will be much more suited to winners' bracket games."

College World Series officials also will make formal presentations at the committee's November meeting in Indianapolis regarding plans to replace the general admission bleachers and older chairback seats in the grandstand. Rosenblatt Stadium has not seen an increase in seating capacity since 1996, when the current level of nearly 22,000 was reached. Standing-room sales have pushed game figures to more than 24,000 on six occasions, including twice this year.

Finally, Omaha officials discussed plans to fill the position of Jack Payne, who recently announced his retirement after working his 50th College World Series -- the last 24 as public address announcer.

Other highlights

Division I Baseball Committee
July 12-15/Moran, Wyoming

Heard a presentation from Dave Yeast, national coordinator for the Baseball Umpire Improvement Program, who informed the committee that a new umpire rotation would be developed to put the assistant crew chief on Game 4 at the regionals.

Voted that umpires recommended by a conference must work a minimum of six conference games in that conference.

Voted to reduce the College World Series rest period for umpires from two years to one.

Voted to retain the current structure of the Umpire Improvement Program (a national coordinator and four national advisors), with the stipulation that any individual assigning or ranking umpires may not serve as a national advisor.

Agreed to future examinations of umpire "redlining" with some conferences.

Voted to recommend that regional umpires receive $1,250, super regional umpires $750 and College World Series umpires $3,000.

Heard presentations from Dave Keilitz of the American Baseball Coaches Association and Stan Morrison and Dave Brawley of Rawlings.

Reviewed the process of selecting regional sites 10 days before the bracket announcement. The committee directed the NCAA staff to gather information regarding the effects associated with possibly announcing sites in conjunction with or perhaps a few days before the broadcast of the 64-team bracket.

Approved an automatic bid for the Mountain West Conference, bringing the total number of automatics to 30.

Approved the distribution of information regarding agents and gambling to all 64 championship teams.

Supported further study by NCAA staff of the possibility of using campus facilities or local affiliates for video uplinks during regional and super regional competition, and how such use might reduce championship expenses.