By John Shinn
The Norman Transcript
OMAHA, Neb. — Oklahoma had a long day Sunday. Two rain delays totaling over six hours in the 4-3 victory over South Carolina meant the Sooners spent more time in Rosenblatt Stadium’s clubhouse than on its historic field.
But that’s part of playing in the College World Series. There’s going to be a lot of downtime.
The Sooners were figuring out what to do with that time Monday. They don’t play again until they face Clemson at 8 tonight.
“Doesn’t matter what you do,” OU shortstop Caleb Bushyhead said. “You just try to relax.”
Winning Saturday’s opener — even if it came after spending nearly 13 hours at the ballpark — relieved a lot of tension.
The College World Series is two double-elimination tournaments before the best-of-three championship series. Until a team loses, the pressure stays at a minimum.
Sunday’s win kept it away from the Sooners.
They didn’t get back to their hotel until around 11:30 p.m. Sunday, but it was a pleasant ride back.
Most players had no problem getting to sleep, although some snoozed in the clubhouse during Sunday’s rain delays.
Sleeping in Monday was encouraged, after OU coach Sunny Golloway decided against holding a practice.
Giving his team the day off created more time off. The free time allowed players to spend time with their families. Some saw the sights around Omaha.
The Henry Doorly Zoo, which is located adjacent to Rosenblatt Stadium, was a popular destination. Others went and watched one of three CWS games Monday and checked out the vendor tents that surround the ballpark.
But coaches are typically fond of players having open schedules. During the school year, schedules are razor tight and allow for little change.
The downtime was a concern of Golloway’s from the moment his team secured a berth in the College World Series. He was an assistant when OU went to Omaha in 1994 and 1995, but the format has changed since. The Sooners won a national championship in 1994, but were only in Omaha for seven days.
If the Sooners win a national championship this year, they’ll spend at least 12 days in the city.
Golloway isn’t concerned.
“There’s more than enough to do. There haven’t been five free minutes since we got here. I’m not kidding; it’s been like that,” he said.
Players aren’t complaining. Just about all of them were college baseball fans growing up. They’ve spent many June days glued to televisions watching the College World Series and hoping they’d get a shot to play in it.
“We all know. We all watched it growing up,” OU pitcher Zach Neal said. “It’s a cool experience to be here, and we’re going to be here a lot longer. We’re trying to make it to next week.”
Next week is the championship series. It doesn’t begin until June 28.
“Once you get here, you don’t want to go home,” Golloway said.
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
