Key Highlights
- Morgantown tourism officials excited about hosting second NCAA regional this year.
- Hannah Winnaught discusses similarities and differences between baseball and basketball regions.
- Tickets for games are sold out, with some secondary ticket brokers available to help fans.
- Expect a few thousand people in the area over the weekend.
The Return of College Baseball
Morgantown is gearing up once again for an influx of college baseball talent. The community has high hopes as Visit Mountaineer Country Convention and Visitor’s Bureau prepares to host its second NCAA Regional this year, just a few months after welcoming the NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional.
Planning and Preparation
According to Hannah Winnaught, Communications Director for CVB, there’s an eerie familiarity to this setup. “It feels like we just got off the high from March Madness,” she says, referring to their recent experience with basketball. “But this baseball regional will follow a similar playbook.” The ballpark holds up to 2,500 people plus standing room, and Winnaught expects it to be filled throughout the entire weekend.
Tickets and Traffic
With tickets for the games through the weekend sold out, fans might want to look into reputable secondary ticket brokers. “The ballpark will be packed,” says Winnaught. “So, take your time getting places.” The area is expecting additional traffic, with Emmett Drive remaining closed due to a slip.
Community Involvement
The success of this event hinges on the community’s support. “Many times, sports are people’s first introduction to West Virginia,” Winnaught adds. “We’re very fortunate to be able to host something like this.” Unlike last year, all four teams will find local hotels accommodating. “This is huge for us,” says Winnaught.
Residents’ Role
Local residents are being advised to prepare for a busier than normal weekend. “They might stop somewhere before the game, and they might stop after the game—hopefully they do stop at a couple of places,” said Winnaught with a chuckle.
The community is rallying together as it did during basketball season, and Morgantown is eager to show its support for college baseball. “We are very fortunate to be able to host something like this,” concludes Winnaught.