Me: You really should. It’s a “bucket-list” item for a lot of people. There’s nothing quite like it.

I felt comfortable making that sales pitch not only because of Rosenblatt’s aura, but because of the actual baseball. You could walk into a game where you knew nothing about the teams and witness a show.

Anything could happen. A pitchers’ duel, complete with small-ball strategies. A home run derby, full of lead changes and late-inning rallies.

Let’s use the two in-state teams for example. In 1991, Creighton made the CWS and played one of the greatest games of all time against Wichita State. Shockers center fielder Jim Audley made the throw of his life, gunning down Steve Bruns at home plate in the bottom of the 12th, preserving a 3-2 win. Wichita State pitchers struck out 19 CU batters. The Shockers themselves had only six hits. Classic.

In 2005, Nebraska’s best-ever team trailed Arizona State 5-3 entering the top of the ninth of an elimination game. Andy Gerch hit a three-run bomb to give NU the lead. Then ASU came back in the bottom of the ninth. Jeff Larish’s third homer of the day tied it at 7. The Sun Devils won 8-7 in the 11th with a sac bunt sandwiched by two singles. Classic.