College World Series could see boost in homers

OMAHA, Neb. – The home run is back in college baseball, thanks to the new flat-seam ball put into play this year. Everyone now wants to see if the trend carries over to the College World Series in its cavernous stadium.

Traditionally, the threat of the big inning has been part of the appeal of college baseball. But in the four years the CWS has been played at TD Ameritrade Park, only 25 home runs have been hit in 59 games. Just three were hit in each of the last two years.

That could change when the CWS begins Saturday. The less wind-resistant flat-seam ball boosted scoring and home runs across the country, and 135 home runs were hit in regionals and super regionals compared with 87 for the entire tournament in 2014.