OMAHA Neb.
The College World Series will start on a Saturday in 2008, breaking its tradition of opening on a Friday, the NCAA Division I baseball committee announced Tuesday.
The CWS finals, which pits the two bracket winners in a best-of-three series, will open on a Monday instead of a Saturday.
The CWS will begin June 14, with the championship round starting June 23.
The Saturday start will give participating teams an extra day to prepare and provide flexibility if weather interferes with regionals and super-regionals, said Dennis Poppe, NCAA managing director of baseball.
“Each year, the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee continues to fine-tune the Series format in order to accommodate the changing needs of those involved,” Poppe said. “In arriving at this new schedule, the committee balanced the interests of the coaches and student-athletes, ESPN and the sponsoring organization.”
Team autograph sessions, Fan Fest activities and opening ceremonies will be Friday, June 13.
