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.

* * * * *

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

Wednesday Speed Humps: Week 2

Alrighty then comin’ in hot with back to back posts.  Kinda silly since one of them is supposed to be a Monday post and the other is a Wednesday post and they are both being published in the grey area between Thursday night and Friday morning.  Regardless, the drill with these is quick links or thoughts that are a mix of entertaining and informing.  Also side note, I am very close to 200 page views which is sweet in my opinion at least, so if you scroll to the bottom and see that you are the 200th view then leave a comment with your name and you will get a shout out in the next blog.  Alright that’s enough of that, Lets get to it.

*     Here is a funny cartoon/illustration making fun of the internet and our crazy addiction to its different seductions.  I mean I love the internet, I probably wouldn’t go homeless or mug anyone while fiending for it, but hey, who knows.

*     Today the Pac-10 began what could end as a huge expansion project.  With Nebraska leaving the Big12, others are said to be jumping ship as well.  Colorado was first, but should not be the biggest name, with Texas and Oklahoma being in on the talks as well.  This is a shift clearly in search of greater revenue and I cannot blame them for that, but I will admit as it will almost completely overhaul ASU’s schedule I am not completely sold on the idea.  Read up on it here, more to come from me obviously as this unfolds.

*     In other Pac-something football news, USC was hit today with their punishment for violations involving Reggie Bush, OJ Mayo and overall institutional control.  I will try to remain unbiased here and not unleash any USC-hate.  I honestly believe that the NCAA gave out a fair punishment for the extent of the violations and the program’s history of violations.  The part that sucks and is not fair is that they cannot punish the players and coaches who truly broke these rules.  Current players shouldn’t really take the hit for those who committed then ran from these violations, but that responsibility comes along with all the positive tradition and history they signed up for by joining USC so they must serve the sentence.

*     If you liked the hilarious cover of B.o.B’s Airplanes by Passporte Royale that I posted in the mailbag then here is another treat for you.  I just can’t get enough of this fool by the name of Passporte Royale, whoever he his.  This time he actually covers a good mashup of a bunch of different songs.  The mashup and cover are both titled Singularity, with the original mashup by Norwegian Recycling who are pretty sick themselves.

*     Earlier this week voters passed an important vote to put the wheels in motion for the San Francisco 49ers to build a new stadium in the Santa Clara area.  It is being said that once the stadium opens in the 2014 season, it will be on a fast track to host a Super Bowl.  The idea of a 2015 or 2016 Super Bowl in nice NorCal weather is definitely something the NFL likes the sound of.  Read about it here.

*     This documentary looks real cool, “Pelada”is about two former collegiate soccer players who travel the World rediscovering the beauty of pickup games.  Have to give props to www.theshinguardian.com for turning me onto this doc with their review.  Check their site out as well for a review of the film and great soccer coverage at all times.

*     As ASU prepares for their super regional opener on Saturday, Jeff Metcalfe of the AZ Republic has a nice story on the Torrez brothers and their impact on the program.  Much deserved recognition for two of the nicest and most gifted guys I have met or played ball with.  Metcalfe does a good job of representing their love for the game, pride for the program and great personalities.  And to think, I played T-ball with these guys… what the hell happened to me along the line.

*  Ok last thing I am going to do here is something I wanted to make into a full column but just ran out of time for – My World Cup picks.  I wanted to write out a whole viewing guide to the Cup, but that was just too much so for now we will have to settle on my group picks and expect more to come in the knockout stages.
Group A: France (lots of questions, but weak group) and South Africa (no host nation has ever gone out in the first round)
Group B: Argentina (Messi is filthy) and Greece
Group C: England (great midfield plus Rooney up top) and the USofA (huge dissapointment if we don’t go through)
Group D: Germany and Australia (by the skin of their kangaroo teeth)
Group E: Netherlands (WATCH THEM) and Cameroon (Samuel Eto’o)
Group F: Italy (defending champs but aging) and Paraguay
Group G: Brazil (insane talent and pedigree) and Portugal (Christiano Ronaldo among other excellent players are just too much for Ivory Coast to advance)
Group H: Spain (mindbottlingly good) and Chile

Ok well there are my picks so we can see how right or wrong I am in the future.  I am not sure I can explain my level of excitedness.  I mean there is the Road to Omaha this weekend and I’m barely thinking about it because I am too juiced for the World Cup.  I promise to come with more in depth analysis once we move into the knockout stages and of course in depth coverage after each of the US matches.

With that I will leave you with the official promotional anthem of the World Cup – Wavin’ Flag (Celebration Mix) by K’Naan.  This is a definite jam and will just put you in the right mood at any and all times, preferably while watching some great soccer.

Thats all for now.  Next thing up will be a look at the road to Omaha and Super Regionals.  Thanks again.

Later,
Wilks