Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium

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Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium was a baseball stadium in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. It was the former home to the annual NCAA Division I College World Series and the Triple-A Omaha Royals (now Storm Chasers). It was the largest minor league ballpark in the United States until its demolition (Sahlen Field in Buffalo now holds the distinction).

The final College World Series game at Rosenblatt Stadium was played on June 28, 2010 with the South Carolina Gamecocks winning the College World Series. The final game for the Royals in the stadium, and under the Royals name, was played on September 2, with the Royals defeating the Round Rock Express. The Omaha Nighthawks played their 2010 season at Rosenblatt.

Following those events, Rosenblatt was replaced by Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Rosenblatt Stadium began renovation in late July after being reopened during the 2012 College World Series for fans to visit again. The pressbox girders were imploded on the morning of August 22, 2012. Re-construction of Rosenblatt in playground-esque form began in March 2013, and was officially opened by Mayor Jim Suttle on June 7, 2013. The site is currently owned by the adjacent Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

History

Background and construction

Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium originally began development in 1944 as the Omaha Municipal Stadium. The stadium was developed by the Municipal Stadium Committee, with then-Omaha mayor Johnny Rosenblatt as chairman. It was built to replace the former Vinton Street Park, which was destroyed by fire in 1936.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A site near the now-Henry Doorly Zoo was chosen for construction, and by 1945, plans were approved by the city of Omaha. Designed by Leo A. Daly architects and built by the Peter Kiewit Company construction began in 1947.

Construction was halted following a structural steel supply shortage. This delayed the stadiums opening by a year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Opening was again delayed after vandals broke in and caused extensive damage to the sod, causing the sod to be replaced.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Omaha Municipal Stadium officially opened with an inaugural game on October 17, 1948.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The following year, the Omaha Cardinals became the first team to make it its home stadium. In 1950, the College World Series was moved to the stadium.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The stadium was later re-named for Rosenblatt, with it officially being dedicated as the Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in May 1964.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Closure and demolition

By 2007, Rosenblatt Stadium's condition had been described as "rickety". The stadium was also described as too small, and while renovations and expansions were considered, they were described as too expensive when compared to new construction. The National Collegiate Athletic Association, the organizer of the College World Series, itself favored a new stadium. Local organizers decided that in order to renew the expired contract, a new stadium would be built.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

However, said decision came under widespread opposition from many of Rosenblatt's fans. The Save Rosenblatt Committee was formed in 2007 to renovate the stadium to keep it as the host of the College World Series. However, said plans were rejected by the NCAA.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Rosenblatt held its final College World Series game in 2010. It was succeeded by TD Ameritrade Park and Werner Park, both of which opened the following year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2011, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium purchased the site and planned on turning it into a parking lot for the zoo. The field was opened in June 2012 for visitors attending the College World Series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Demolition began the following month, with the press box being imploded in August 2012.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Demolition was completed in June 2013, with a mini-ballpark, known as Memorial to Rosenblatt, opening that same month.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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Memorial to Rosenblatt in 2018

Usage

Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium was used by the Omaha Cardinals, Omaha Dodgers, Omaha Mustangs, the Omaha Royals, Creighton Bluejays men's soccer, and the Omaha Nighthawks. Rosenblatt was also used by the National Collegiate Athletic Association to host the College World Series.

Seasons	Team	League	Class	MLB Affiliate
1949–1954	Omaha Cardinals	Western	A	St. Louis Cardinals
1955–1959	Omaha Cardinals	American Assn.	AAA	St. Louis Cardinals
1961–1962	Omaha Dodgers	American Assn.	AAA	Los Angeles Dodgers
1969–2010<ref name="royalspark">Template:Cite web</ref>	Omaha Royals	Amer. Assn. – PCL	AAA	Kansas City Royals

Design

Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium was a minor league ballpark located in South Omaha, Nebraska, United States. It was designed by Leo A. Daly and was built by Kiewit Corporation. The field was aligned northeast (home plate to center field) at an approximate elevation of Template:Convert above sea level, nearly Template:Convert above the Missouri River. The foul lines were Template:Convert, the power alleys were Template:Convert, and center field was Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Before its demolition, it was the largest minor league ballpark in the United States. Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York now holds the distinction.<ref name="buffalo">Template:Cite web</ref>