CWS: Start Time Change Affecting Fans and Businesses - FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; kptm.com |

Curt Casper

OMAHA (KPTM) – The College World Series doesn't usually cause controversy, at least not away from the diamond. But, this year a plan to start games later than usual is stirring up emotions from some who go to every game.

In 2011, games were played at one and six in the afternoon. This year first pitchers will be thrown at four in the afternoon and eight in the evening. With games to begin at T-D Ameritrade Park on Friday, some die-hard fans aren't too happy.

John Jelinek has been attending CWS games since he was eight years old. That would be 42 years of watching almost every out, every hit, and every championship.

Being a season ticket holder Jelinek has seen some pretty amazing plays and his share of late night ball games.

"Ah there were games that would go 17 innings and you would stay until the end, he said."

Some games would last until two in the morning. So when he heard that games would be pushed back to eight this year, he was upset.

"I think it is an event for families and you are going to have families staying out pretty late, he said."

The games were pushed back because ESPN, the national broadcast network for the CWS, has soccer matches to show in the morning. In order to show both soccer and baseball the CWS had to push the games back.

For Rob Thomas games later in the afternoon are going to be better, or at least cooler.

"We went to a game that was kind of early around noon time (last year) and we really got sunburned really bad and it was really hot and sweaty sitting in those plastic seats, Thomas said."

Though the later start times won't keep these avid fans away.

"I think as long as you don't have to work the next day it is not too bad you know you get to stay up late and have a good baseball game I think its fun," Thomas said.

"I'll just be tired for work the next day," Jelinek said.

The first pitch is set for Friday at four. The Cinderella team, Stony Brook, will be taking on UCLA.

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2012 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE

Friday, June 15

Game 1 - 4 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN3)                               (V) Stony Brook (52-13) vs. (H) No. 2 UCLA (47-14)

Game 2 - 8 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN3)                               (V) Arizona (43-17) vs. (H) No. 3 Florida St. (48-15)

Saturday, June 16

Game 3 - 4 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN3)                                 Eugene Super Regional Winner vs. Waco Super Regional Winner

Game 4 - 8 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN3)                                 (V) No. 8 South Carolina (45-17) vs. (H) No. 1 Florida (47-18)

Sunday, June 17

Game 5 - 4 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN3)                               Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2

Game 6 - 8 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN3)                               Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2

Monday, June 18

Game 7 - 4 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN3)                               Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4

Game 8 - 8 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN3)                               Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4

Tuesday, June 19

Game 9 - 7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN3)                                 Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6

Wednesday, June 20

Game 10 - 7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN3)                               Winner Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8

Thursday, June 21

Game 11 - 4 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN3)                             Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 6

Game 12 - 8 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN3)                             Winner Game 10 vs. Winner Game 8

Friday, June 22

Game 13 - 4 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN3) or 8 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN3) Game 13 will be necessary if the winner of Game 9 also wins Game 11.  If it is the only game scheduled for that day, the game will start at 8 p.m.

Game 14 - 8 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN3)                               Game 14 will be necessary if the winner of Game 10 also wins Game 12.  If it is the only game scheduled for that day, the game will start at 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 23

No games scheduled

MEN'S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES FINALS

Sunday, June 24

Game 1 - 7 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN3)                               Bracket One Winner vs. Bracket Two Winner

Monday, June 25

Game 2 - 7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN3)                                 Bracket One Winner vs. Bracket Two Winner

Tuesday, June 26

Game 3 - 7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN3)                                 Bracket One Winner vs. Bracket Two Winner

            (if necessary)