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Strictly business.

We have made it again. However, the underlying theme to the North Carolina baseball team's fourth consecutive trip to the college baseball heaven that is Omaha is undoubtedly one surrounding the fact that we have been here before, and we are here to get the one thing our program has never achieved — a national championship.

After watching our basketball team roll through the NCAA tournament (sorry Duke and Michigan State fans), it seems there has been more of a determination to reach that holy status of being the last team standing. No guarantee that Franklin Street will explode like that April night, but we could guarantee after the final out a dogpile for the ages upon winning.

Nevertheless, the last few days at practice, at least from the bullpen, have had an uncharacteristic feel compared to the last few years before coming to Omaha. Contrary to the laid-back and sometimes shirtless practices in the years past, the last week has been a little more grueling and has had a lot less grinning going around. Coach Fox seems to have a little more desire, and we have all felt it with the onsetting soreness in days after the marathon practices.

I can assuredly say Omaha can never get old, and believe me, any of us will enjoy the experience as it is our last. The police escorts, the Krispy Kreme doughnuts and pizza upon arrival, and the huge and boisterous welcoming party at our hotel make it all worth it. I am even missing a Kellie Pickler concert at my mom's elementary school (tonight).

Yet, there is no doubt there is no other place in the world I or my team would rather be.

Even if we are, or at least hoping to act like we are, strictly business.

Ragsdale alumnust Chase Jones is the bullpen catcher for the North Carolina baseball team. He gives News & Record readers an inside view of the College World Series.