Nebraska moves just inches away from the dream of locking down regional host

Spring is in full swing, but it still feels a little weird without Nebraska football's spring practice going on. I'm not alone in this thought. It's like having Christmas before Thanksgiving. It's discombobulating. It's also a little weird that the Huskers' baseball team is flirting with hosting a regional tournament. It's been a hot minute since the scarlet & cream were in this discussion.

As a person who regularly tailgates for the College World Series in Omaha, I can explain how baseball postseason works rather simply. Regional weekend is the baseball equivalent to the first weekend of March Madness, complete with 64 teams. Unlike basketball, the 64th team picked for the postseason can actually win it all.

Check out the 2022 Ole Miss baseball journey. It's all about getting hot at the right time and making it into the tournament. The first weekend is just a group of 4 teams (out of the 64 picked) with 1 winner advancing. Those remaining 16 teams go on to Super Regionals. The format that weekend is more like traditional baseball with the "best out of 3" series. That is what gives you the 8 teams who travel to Omaha for 2 weeks.

Nebraska baseball wants to host a regional for the first time in years

To break it down even further, there are 16 hosting sights for the Regionals which are announced right after the conference tournaments end. For Super Regionals, teams in the 1-8 bracket are matched up against teams in the 9-16 bracket. Usually, teams in the 1-8 bracket have the HOME stand against winners in the 9-16 Regionals. Baseball is all about the numbers. If, for example, a second seed wins a regional, and let's say it's the #3 Regional spot, then they would travel to play against the winner of the #11 Regional. (That also assumes the first seeded team in the Regional won at the #11 location.)

It gets a little confusing if the #1 seeded team doesn't win in two opposing Regionals. If neither number one wins then it's a toss-up of who is ranked higher, and who has a better RPI as to who gets to host. That's "Rating Percentage Index." Again, baseball loves numbers. That calculation is how teams are ranked according to their winning record and factoring in strength of schedule.

Something that March Madness and NCAA Baseball have in common is the LUCK OF THE DRAW. The #1-16 are pretty set, but who you have to play against in regionals can favor you or destroy you. The NCAA also likes to have the SEC teams lined up to play against each other in Super Regionals so all 8 teams in Omaha aren't from the SEC. I always say the best baseball occurs in Regionals/ Super Regionals because it's hardly ever the top 8 seeded teams that make it to Omaha.

The SEC is hands down the best baseball conference every year. I think a lot has to do with practicing outside and the weather. It can be 80 degrees at Alex Box stadium in Baton Rouge in February and it can be a blizzard throughout the midwest. Trust me, I've been there and experienced it. Playing inside can't teach you how to play the wind in the outfield. There are other factors with cold weather teams traveling the first two months as well. When I say the SEC is the best, the numbers back me up. Consider that from 2010 until 2025 (remember that 2020 was Covid cancelled) there have been 10 National Champs from the SEC. The SEC has won the last 6 National titles, and over the last 10 years, there have been 8 SEC winners. Get the picture?

This year the Huskers are in the mix to host with a current RPI of 13. Nebraska hasn't hosted since 2008. In fact, Athletic Director Troy Dannan has already filed the paperwork with the NCAA to be a host location. Yes, that's a thing. You have to prove to the NCAA that the venue can handle the logistics. This is not just whether you have enough hotels, bars and beers, you need to prove you have things like video replay capabilities and effective lighting.

Yes, you can absolutely tailgate for baseball. IF the Huskers can successfully land a Regional series in Lincoln, all they have to do is put porta potties in the parking lot. It's the only missing piece. Puls, Nebraska is very baseball savvy. Any College World Series season ticket holder will explain that to you. Most Husker fans can explain the infield fly rule and a Balk. It would be great for Lincoln to capitalize on the influx of baseball fans to Lincoln for a change. And with downtown Omaha a nightmare of road destruction right now, Haymarket Park is a much better venue to enjoy 9 innings.

If Nebraska gets to host, I would recommend you pack up the car and go down to the ballpark. Baseball is the perfect sport for tailgating. It's a little bit more chill most times and shade is key. Grab some friends and enjoy the sunshine and drama of college baseball. By the time Regional play starts, it's always exciting. It's only 130 days until Husker football. I'll be cheering on the Huskers in their postseason experience. As always, GBR!

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