Baseball: Five ways ‘The Tigue’ will look different this weekend

Jay Walker, ESPN 1420, May 28, 2014

The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns are hosting their first NCAA Baseball Regional this weekend at M. L. "Tigue" Moore Field. Because this tournament belongs to the NCAA, not the Cajuns, the NCAA makes the rules. Here are a few things that will be a little different this weekend:

No beer sales — This could be the most critical of all changes for some fans. NCAA rules prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages at NCAA sponsored events. That’ll put a dent into concession intake at the "Tigue" for sure.

No postgame love — Normally at the end of the game, parents, fans and media make their way onto the field to give some love and get some autographs. That ain’t happenin’ during the regional. NCAA rules prohibit anyone from going onto the playing surface before or after games.

Tickets for the regional — No, you won’t wait and get them at the gate before the game, unless you’re going to a game when the Cajuns aren’t playing. This regional will sell out with the sale of ticket booklets. There’s a chance (and we saw this happen in softball) where, not only did the public not have access to tickets, lower level RCAF members didn’t get them either.

Fewer tickets will be sold — According to NCAA Rules, 200 tickets must be made available to participating teams in each game. In addition, something has to be done for the media covering the tournament. A box has already been built to accommodate ESPN and more seats will be removed for overflow working media. Oh, and one more thing … If the Cajuns get to the Supers, they have to put 600 tickets aside for the visitors. That means there could be some who get tickets for the Regional that won’t get them for the Supers, should the Cajuns get there.

Parking—With the Cajun Heartland State Fair going on, if you enter the wrong gate they will want $10 from you to park. Ticket holders are being asked to enter through one of the two gates on Bertrand Drive. Also, Reinhardt Drive will be blocked off from Cajundome Boulevard to the area by the oak tree on the west side of the stadium.