SPORTS WATCH : Shining Diamond

In a baseball world taxed by big egos and inflated economics, the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., renewed spirits. In the finale, two top-notch teams from Southern California went at it. Saturday’s game was a classic matchup characterized by low scoring, stellar defense and youthful enthusiasm and intensity.

A hearty round of the Wave to the champions from Pepperdine, who sailed undefeated through the tournament to win their first NCAA baseball championship. And “Well done!” to the Titans of Cal State Fullerton, who came up short after winning a gritty and rain-drenched contest against top-ranked Miami the night before.

This region can justly crow about the caliber of its college baseball talent, which was amply on display throughout the competition, and which, judging from the recent major league draft’s selection of California players, was not lost on the professional scouts in the stands.

Teams from other parts of the country came to Omaha with more glittering season records and higher seedings in the College World Series. But by the championship game, the playing field and dugouts were chock-full of Southern California players, many of whom had played with and against each other many times before. It was nice, too, to see the players and fans smiling, and making the best of things; one good example was the fans who improvised rain hats from paper napkins when the weather didn’t cooperate.

For these moments in June, baseball revealed its wonderfully varied and joyful possibilities.