Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium
|
|
| Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium | |||
| Capacity | |||
| 2003 | 23,145 | ||
| Dimensions | |||
| Left Field | 335 ft | ||
| Left-Center | 375 ft | ||
| Center Field | 408 ft | ||
| Right-Center | 375 ft | ||
| Right Field | 335 ft | ||
| Fence | 10 feet near center and 8 feet for rest of the outfield | ||
| Tenants | |||
| 1949-1954 | Omaha Cardinal | ||
| 1955-1959 | Omaha Cardinal | ||
| 1961-1962 | |||
| 1969-1998 2001-present | Omaha Royals | ||
| 1999-2000 | Omaha Golden Spikes | ||
| Contents |
Professional Baseball History
Omaha Municipal Stadium was built in 1947, ready to host the single-A Omaha Cardinals for the 1948 season. The St. Louis Cardinals farm team was the first professional baseball team to call Omaha its home. During the next few years Rosenblatt would see several different teams play there. In 1969, the Kansas City Royals decided to move their triple-A franchise here, and it plays in Rosenblatt to the present day.
In 1964, the stadium was renamed Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium to honor the former mayor who was instrumental in bringing professional baseball as well as the College World Series to Omaha.
Omaha Teams
| Seasons | <b>Team | <b>Class | <b>Franchise |
| 1949-1954 | Omaha Cardinals | A | St. Louis |
| 1955-59 | Omaha Cardinals | AA | St. Louis |
| 1961-192 | AAA | LA Dodgers | |
| 1969-1998 2001-present | Omaha Royals | AAA | Kansas City |
| 1999-2000 | Omaha Golden Spikes | AAA | Kansas City |
Rosenblatt and the College World Series
Since 1950, Omaha and Rosenblatt Stadium have become home to one of the most unique championships in the US. No other town is as closely identified with one championship event as is Omaha with the College World Series. Every year, over 250 baseball teams around the country begin the season with the dream of playing in "The Blatt". 64 teams reach the NCAA Tournament, and the final eight left standing get to pack their bags for 10 days in Omaha. Rosenblatt Stadium, along with the entire city of Omaha, have become somewhat of a Mecca for college baseball.
After the initial contract between the NCAA and the City of Omaha, the parties quickly agreed to renew. Since then, the event has been held in Rosenblatt Stadium every year, and likely will remain there.
The City of Omaha has put tremendous resources into the stadium to accommodate teams and fans. In 2001 alone, over $7 million was spent on the stadium. One of the main features was the addition of 10,000 new seats, bringing the total capacity to 23,145.
The series has grown so much over the last 20 years that this number is actually needed to fulfill the high demand for tickets. In 2004, 28,216 fans watched as South Carolina defeated Cal State Fullerton 5-3. In 2002 the mark of 5,000,000 spectators in the history of the CWS in Omaha was reached.
In 1999 one of the renown features was added to the stadium. In front of the main entrance, the local event organizers, College World Series of Omaha, Inc., placed the sculpture "Road to Omaha". Created by the local artist John Lajba, the sculpture shows three players celebrate by lifting one of their teammates in the air.
Outlook
The success of the CWS has been tremendous; however, the high capacity leaves the Royals struggling to fill it for its regular season games. There has been discussion of building a separate venue for the Royals, which may also be shared by Creighton University and/or the University of Nebraska at Omaha.