

Michigan’s Karl Kauffmann pitches against Vanderbilt on Wednesday in the College World Series final in June 2019 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha.
Steven M. Sipple, Parker Gabriel and Chris Basnett talk through what’s on deck for the last week of Nebraska’s spring football session and what recruits are expected to be in town for the Red-White Spring Game next weekend. After that, a conversation about what NU has to do on the diamond to have a chance at hosting an NCAA regional, Thor’s decision not to come back to the men’s basketball program and the end of the volleyball season.
The NCAA will limit attendance to 50% capacity for its remaining outdoor spring championships, which includes the College World Series in Omaha this June.
The new policy is an increase from the previous limit of 25%, which was in effect for the NCAA volleyball tournament held at the CHI Health Center convention center and arena. The 50% limit will go into effect next week starting with the NCAA soccer championships.
Exact capacity percentages will vary by site depending on state and local health mandates. Earlier this month, MECA President/CEO Roger Dixon said he would like to see more fans allowed than 50% of capacity.
“My assumption is unless something goes dramatically south, there will be fans in the stands,” Dixon said. “To what percentage would be a guess on my part. Since it’s outdoors, it could be 50%. If it was our call, it would be something (more).”
TD Ameritrade Park Omaha, where the College World Series is played, has a listed capacity of 24,000, which would mean a maximum of 12,000 fans can attend. But attendance limits typically also include players, coaches, stadium personnel, media and other people needed to conduct the event.
Once logistics are finalized, more information about tickets and other restrictions for the CWS will be announced at a later date.
There was no CWS at all last year as the pandemic canceled all NCAA sporting events until the fall.
This month Omaha hosted the entirety of the NCAA volleyball tournament, which concludes Saturday with the national championship. Attendance was limited to just family and friends for the first three rounds held in the convention center, then a 25% limit was in place for the remaining matches in the arena.
A look back at Nebraska baseball’s past five seasons
2020
Nebraska’s Aaron Palensky (right) celebrates his three-run home run against Northern Colorado with teammate Leighton Banjoff on March 11, 2020, at Haymarket Park.
Coach: Will Bolt
Record: 7-8
2019
Nebraska’s Cam Chick slides in safely ahead of the tag from Purdue pitcher Andrew Bohm on April 6, 2019, at Haymarket Park.
Coach: Darin Erstad
Record: 32-24 (15-9 Big Ten)
How it ended: Making their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in six seasons, the Huskers fell 16-1 to UConn in a Regional elimination game in Oklahoma City.
2018
A ball hit by Iowa’s Justin Jenkins gets over the glove of Nebraska’s leaping left fielder Jaxon Hallmark (2) for a double in the fourth inning on April 13, 2018, at Haymarket Park.
Coach: Darin Erstad
Record: 24-28 (8-14 Big Ten)
How it ended: The Huskers concluded the season with an 11-8 win over Illinois. NU didn’t earn a postseason bid.
2017
Nebraska pitcher Jake McSteen throws a pitch at the top of the seventh inning against Iowa on April 16, 2017, at Haymarket Park.
Coach: Darin Erstad
Record: 35-22-1 (16-7-1 Big Ten)
How it ended: Holy Cross defeated the Huskers 7-4 in an elimination game in the Corvallis Regional in Oregon.
2016
Nebraska third base coach Mike Kirby (left) puts up the stop sign for Huskers pinch runner Cole Klemke prior to Klemke being tagged out by Illinois shortstop Adam Walton as he dived back to third on April 1, 2016, at Haymarket Park.
Coach: Darin Erstad
Record: 37-22 (16-8 Big Ten)
How it ended: Western Carolina defeated Nebraska 4-1 in the Clemson Regional.