The 2016 College World Series saw some of the lowest attendance numbers since the event moved from Rosenblatt Stadium to TD Ameritrade Park in 2011. That is not the case this year.
Through 11 games this year, TD Ameritrade Park has seen 246,320 fans walk through the gates. That's almost 18,000 more people than at this same time a year ago.
In fact, through the first seven games in 2016, attendance was just over 141,000. The College World Series hadn't seen numbers drop below 150,000 through seven games more than five years.
Last year, the high temperatures mixed with other contributing factors could have played a role in the low numbers. The nation was captivated by the NBA Finals, which went a full seven games in 2016, not to mention the number of teams that made it to Omaha that don't travel well.
This year, the series is packed with familiar faces like LSU, TCU, Oregon State and Cal State Fullerton. The Warriors routed the Cavaliers in five games, and temperatures have been much more bearable. Not to mention, its hard to pass up a night at the ballpark with views like this.
Omaha, you've outdone yourself once again. #CWS2017 pic.twitter.com/AxF3cSo8MD
— Omaha Sports Insider (@OSIsports) June 23, 2017
Baseball is alive and well in Omaha.
