The 15 home runs hit in 16 College World Series games this year were the most since the tournament moved to TD Ameritrade Park in 2011 and they mirrored the increased offence across Division I this season.
The NCAA put a new flat-seam ball into play this year to counter severe drops in offence since bat specifications changed five years ago. The new ball replaced the more wind-resistant raised-seam ball.
College baseball officials were especially interested in how the ball would play in Omaha's expansive stadium. Home run totals during the first four years of the CWS in TD Ameritrade Park were nine, 10, three and three.
"I'm thrilled. Not only did the new ball perform as expected during the regular season, I was amazed at how well it performed in Omaha," NCAA managing director of championships and alliances Damani Leech said Thursday. "I was hoping to just get 10 home runs this year, so to get 15 is outstanding."
The eight CWS teams combined for a .244 batting average and averaged 4.19 runs a game, both highs since TD Ameritrade Park opened in 2011. Last year, the figures were .219 and 3.16.
With the ball carrying more, outfielders were forced to play deeper.
"Baseball fans were treated to the excitement of runners advancing from first to third base or runners scoring from second base," Leech said. "Such plays can be just as exciting as home runs."
For the season, home runs increased 42 per cent in Division I. Teams averaged 0.55 per game compared with 0.39 in 2014. That equated to one home run every 61 at-bats compared with one every 86 at-bats a year ago.
The national batting average went from .270 to .274 and per-team scoring from 5.1 runs a game to 5.4.
Though the national ERA went from 4.23 to 4.58, strikeouts increased from 6.3 a game to 6.8.
Division I Baseball Committee chairman Dave Heeke said the new ball has been positively received by coaches and players and that no further ball or bat adjustments are imminent.
"The focus is back on the game and the players playing the game rather than equipment or what's wrong with the stadium," Heeke said.
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.