Scarbinsky: Why do I love college baseball? Still feels like college sports
While the Troy baseball team captured the nation’s imagination with its unprecedented run to the College World Series, its head coach turned some heads himself.
Olivia Bennett 
This is an opinion column.
Skylar Meade is a rare breed in modern coaching—he simply doesn't do coachspeak. Whether he is fresh off a hard-fought victory, a stinging defeat, or the thrill of making history, Meade remains authentic. As the Troy baseball team captured the nation’s attention with a historic and unprecedented run to the College World Series, their head coach proved to be just as compelling as the team he led.
Meade has established himself as one of the brightest young talents in college coaching. His tenure at Troy has been nothing short of a perfect match, and fans are undoubtedly hoping to keep the partnership going for years to come.
Leaving a Legacy in Omaha
Meade didn’t leave Omaha without offering some final, poignant observations following his team's 12-0 loss to West Virginia. Regarding his resilient Trojans, Meade noted, “They will be legends at Troy for the rest of eternity, long when all of us are gone from this earth, and that to me is what I want them to know.”
It is a fitting sentiment for a group that captured hearts throughout the tournament. Soon, there will likely be a permanent marker at Riddle-Pace Field to honor their historic month of baseball. Beyond the team, Meade emphasized the unique atmosphere of the College World Series, declaring, “It’s the most unique place in the world. It’s the best college sporting event, bar none. No offense to the others. Rose Bowl’s awesome. It ain’t this.”
The Allure of College Baseball
Meade’s assessment highlights why college baseball is currently experiencing such a massive surge in popularity. The CWS opening weekend was the most-watched on record, with every one of the first six games—including Troy’s dramatic comeback against Ole Miss—drawing over a million viewers. While other sports organizations toy with bloated postseason structures, the Division I Baseball Committee is wisely keeping its perfect 64-team format intact, featuring 16 regionals and eight super regionals.
This postseason provided plenty of highlights, from Alabama and Auburn hosting super regionals to Alabama’s first CWS appearance since 1999 and Troy’s breakthrough run. Stories like that of Jabe Boroff—a kid from Pike Road and Enterprise State who became known as "Jabe Ruth"—are exactly why the sport remains so romantic.
While college football and basketball grapple with the complexities of the transfer portal, NIL deals, and high-dollar roster management, college baseball still feels grounded in the traditions of college life. Whether it is West Virginia fans singing along the road to Nebraska or small schools like Troy proving they belong on the biggest stage, the sport retains its soul. Here is hoping it stays that way—though adding an automated ball-strike system to the CWS would certainly be a welcome upgrade.
Kevin Scarbinsky, a member of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Hall of Fame, is a special contributor to 205focus.com. Follow him on X @kevinscarbinsky. Watch his Scarbo Knows podcast on YouTube.
