OMAHA, Neb. -- Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire walked into a late afternoon news conference and took a seat beside JaCoby Jones, Brandon Dixon and Grayson Greiner.

All four shared a bond of having played in the College World Series and a school-age reporter asked a pertinent question that produced simultaneous smiles from the guys at the head table.

"As former players in the College World Series, what advice do you have for the players who are now in the College World Series?"

The Tigers' quartet took turns reiterating what each felt is an important message for those eight teams that will battle for a championship beginning omn Saturday at TD Ameritrade Park:

Just have fun.

"What I would tell them is to remember what it took to get here and how much fun you had," Gardenhire said before the series finale against the Royals. "Don't ever stop having fun. It's baseball and only one team is going to be crowned. Maybe it will be your team, but just enjoy it. Look around and keep your eyes open because a lot of cool things happen here."

Dixon was fortunate in that he experienced a championship with Arizona in 2012. But just being on a team that played its way to Omaha was exhilarating enough, and Dixon hopes the seven teams that don't leave Omaha with a trophy will fully embrace that.

"From our first team meeting, the thing we talked about was getting to Omaha," Dixon said. "So, to work with a group of guys for a full year and ultimately win it was a blast. But just having fun was the main thing our coach told us when we were here. Now, there's no pressure. Just go out and enjoy what you have worked for. Cherish all the memories with your teammates and coaches."

Baseball in Omaha means fight songs, school spirit and fans proudly wearing their college colors. Gardenhire, Dixon, Jones and Greiner just hope the players in this year's CWS have as much fun as they once had.

"It's special," Jones said. "Just soak it all in."