Experiencing Omaha: Day 1

OK so here is the first day of my trip to Omaha for the last College World Series to be held at the famous Rosenblatt Stadium.  I was actually asked to blog about it by my internship as well, so this will probably go on XTRA 910’s website as well which is cool and I will keep you posted on.  I figured I should post it here so my loyal fans could read about the most awesome Monday ever.  Writing is a little more seriously-toned since it was going to XTRA as well.  There will be pictures coming in the future once I get home to the camera cord.  Thanks again and always for reading and supporting.

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As a lifelong baseball fan, the trip to Omaha, Nebraska for the College World Series was always something that I knew I had to do.  Any fan of college baseball could tell you that every summer, the College World Series finals were held at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, the stadium and its name have become synonymous with the event and college baseball itself.  Upon hearing that the event would be moved to a higher capacity stadium in a more downtown location, my dad and I knew we had to make our visit before the historic field was turned into a parking lot.  As just about the greatest father’s day gifts ever, my mom surprised my dad last weekend with a trip for two to Omaha and the last championship series ever at Rosenblatt Stadium.

            After watching the first week of CWS play evolve from in front of our TV at home, we finally flew out of Phoenix on Sunday evening.  Upon touching down in Omaha we were incredibly excited and acting very much like the tourists we were.  The time difference caught up to us and we realized we were exhausted with a long day ahead of us.

            On Monday morning we woke up around 10 a.m. to head off to the stadium because tickets were only sold the day of the game.  With the box office opening at noon, we wanted to arrive early to be safe since we did not know how long the ticketing line would be. 

            Driving up to the stadium was truly a fulfilling experience. For those who have never been, Rosenblatt is tucked into a neighborhood on the edge of Omaha where it is perched on a hill and surrounded by trees.  The thick tree lines prevent you from seeing the stadium until you are within two or three blocks of it and climbing up the hill towards it.  I was in complete awe, partially of the beautiful stadium and partially of the fact that I had finally made it to the place I had grown up watching and a destination I had always hoped to see in person.  The streets coming up the hill are lined with people tailgating in front lawns and unending rows of merchandise booths.

            Being lifelong ASU fans and friends of some players on the team, it was tough for us to watch as they were eliminated in their first two games earlier in the week after such a great season.  While it would have been amazing to watch the Devils compete for a national championship, the bright side was that my dad and I could relax a little bit and enjoy the spectacle rather than be too caught up in the game as fans.

            An hour and a half in line got us tickets about 10 minutes after noon and we headed out to roam the streets and take as many pictures as possible.  After stopping in at multiple souvenir shops, and somehow not purchasing anything, we decided that it was time for lunch.  As a part of the experience we knew we had to eat at least once at the famous Zesto’s burger joint just behind the park.  If you watch a CWS game on television you will almost always hear an announcer reference their hankering for a burger and shake from Zesto’s.  After having a cheeseburger and chocolate malt for myself, I can see why anyone who has taken in a CWS at Rosenblatt in quick to recommend this meal.

            A nice aside from while at Zesto’s: My dad and I were approached by a young boy who commented on our ASU gear and said that he was from Arkansas (the team that ASU eliminated in the previous round in two thrilling extra-inning ballgames) and that he really admired our team.  We talked to the boy and his family about the games and how exciting it had been for a few minutes before grabbing our meals and going our separate ways.  This moment really epitomized for me the knowledge, reverence, respect and love that people have for this event.  The people who make this pilgrimage are true fans who know the game and respect when it is played right.  Even if their favorite team is eliminated, people still want to be here and be a part of it.

            We returned to our hotel, about 10 minutes from the stadium, for afternoon naps and some World Cup soccer before heading back to the park just after 4 p.m.  Gates opened at 4:30 but arriving at 4:35 we got the second to last parking space.  The atmosphere was truly electric and you can feel how much people really love this event.  It is great to see the team busses arriving in from of the stadium and fans lined up outside to greet the players and wish them luck on their way into the clubhouse.  After a few more pictures and a scoping of the concession options, we found our seats down the right field line and settled in.  The game wasn’t until 6:40 p.m. so we had plenty of time to watch batting practice, watch the bright yellow, red and blue seats fill up, and take in the entirety of the event.

            The game, between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the UCLA Bruins, was never really close. With our favorite team eliminated, my dad and I had decided to root for UCLA, primarily out of Pac-10 conference pride.  South Carolina fans greatly outnumbered UCLA fans and had plenty to cheer about all night.  UCLA made numerous errors and could not get their bats going against South Carolina starting pitcher Blake Cooper, en route to a 7-1 Gamecocks victory.  

            The setting was absolutely beautiful, as the sun set behind the opposite grandstand, and even if the baseball was lopsided we had an absolute blast taking it all in.  We made our way back out through the crowds of excited South Carolina fans and optimistic UCLA fans, even seeing the teams mingling with friends and family in the parking lot.  Once we arrived back at our hotel we were exhausted and ready to crash.  It still seems very surreal and I will admit I often found myself staring at different parts of the stadium and thinking about all the times I had seen them on TV in the past and now thinking how great it was to finally be there.  We have another full day ahead of us tomorrow with pretty much the same schedule, probably with a few souvenirs of the trip to be purchased and even more pictures to be taken.  It will be interesting to see if UCLA can bounce back and force a third game or if a South Carolina win will mark the last game ever played at Rosenblatt Stadium.  Whichever way it turns out, I am just glad I am getting to experience it all in person before this piece of history is gone.

Till tomorrow,

John