The Division I Baseball Committee discussed implementing a new format for the 2003 Men's College World Series at its annual meeting July 15-18 in Brewster, Massachusetts.

The committee reviewed the new system, which will have a pair of four-team double-elimination brackets in Omaha. The winners of those brackets will meet for the championship in a best-of-three format.

The committee met with ESPN representatives to discuss the new format and set game times for the final series. The series will begin at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 21, and the second game is slated for 3 p.m. Sunday, June 22. If the two finalists split, the rubber match will be at 7 p.m. Monday, June 23. All Men's College World Series games will be on the ESPN networks.

The committee also discussed several other bracket issues and put together several proposals, which will be finalized in September.

This season's tournament also was reviewed. The 2002 tournament set attendance records as a result of the Rosenblatt Stadium expansion.

Super Regional attendance was 121,577 for 21 games, an average of 5,789 per game, while College World Series attendance was 223,762 for the 10 sessions, an average of 22,376 per session. The total tournament attendance was 645,298.

With the success of the championship, the committee discussed adding more ancillary events. With as many as two additional days that teams and fans will be in Omaha, the committee will work with the local organizing committee and national office staff on those ideas.

The committee also noted that ESPN is exploring the possibility of broadcasting some of the Super Regionals, which would add to the exposure of the tournament.

In other action, the committee:

Reviewed a request from the Division I Championships/
Competition Cabinet to develop a response to a study forwarded by the Big Ten regarding geographic pairings and seedings. The committee noted that it is important to create a truly national championship rather than a regional event.

Discussed various plans regarding the playing season, taking into account eligibility issues, missed class time and summer league baseball.

Met with representatives from the City of Omaha to discuss housing, ticketing, coaches evaluations and other issues.

Received a report from the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee regarding the zero-tolerance tobacco policy the committee is enforcing this season.

Met with representatives from Coca-Cola, a new NCAA Corporate Champion, and discussed ways the company could become involved with the College World Series.

Recommended Charlie Carr, senior associate athletics director at Florida State University, as chair.