CHAMPAIGN — Tickets for the NCAA Regional in Champaign this weekend have been bought up in a hurry, with all-session reserved seats selling out.
Interest is clearly high in the Illinois baseball team.
But don’t expect the crowds this weekend at Illinois Field to match the record 5,214 fans that saw the Illini beat Ohio State 5-4 on May 8, 2009.
Logistically, it’s just not possible.
“I don’t necessarily see us getting to that record number,” said Illinois event manager Zach Acton, who was in charge of Illinois’ bid to host the regional.
“When we had those 5,000-plus (crowds), we didn’t have these 11-foot tall bleachers placed on the sidewalk.