College World Series, Continued

A call came in, actually it was a text, yesterday afternoon. The message? Hey, extra ticket to the championship game tonight, want to come? Um, of course! I finished my work day in anticipation, and raced home to change.

Now, any other year, going to this game wouldn't be as big of a deal. I mean, sure, it's the championship game, best out of 3, of the college world series. But this year, this day, was a BIG deal. Turns out, Rosenblatt Stadium, the stadium that hosts the series, is being torn down after this years' championship. With the Henry Doorley zoo right next to the stadium, it made sense to tear down the stadium and turn it into a parking lot for the zoo. Sad? Yes! Afterall, the CWS has been played at Rosenblatt for over 60 years! A lot of history has taken place on that pitchers' mound, in those seats, and on that field!

As I sat in my seat, watching the game, I couldn't help but think about the history of the field, and in turn, my own history. About how, instead of my grandparents and my parents regaling stories of 'the way things used to be', I will be the one telling future children about how 'this parking lot used to be a fantastic baseball field, and every year for over 60 years, the college world series was played here, and I took part in history by attending the championship game at the last series ever played!' I felt a sadness for a field that, in all honesty, I have no history with. I didn't sit in the bleachers as a kid with my dad, clenching my mit in the hopes a foul ball would come my way. I didn't grow up in Omaha, with this stadium as a main feature on the skyline. And yet, I mourned the last few games played on this historic field.

The stadium was filled to capacity. And more than just a regular game, there was a somber and real mood in the stadium. We all knew what was in store for this stadium, but that night, at that game, we pretended that all was right in the world. The batters batted, the fielders fielded, and for one more night at Rosenblatt, baseball was played.

College World Series

If Omaha is known for anything, it's the College World Series. Never heard of it? Me neither, until last year when I accidentally found myself in the midst of it. To re-cap, the College World Series (CWS) is the baseball world series for college teams. Each year, the top college teams make the trek to Omaha and compete for the title of champion. If you didn't think that people cared much about college sports, think again! Maybe it's a Midwest thing, or maybe it's a phenomenon found in states where college-sports is all they have. Either way, CWS is nothing to glaze over.

It's the biggest two weeks of the year for Omaha. Thousands of fans from all over the country flood into this humble town and transform it entirely. The games are played at the Rosenblatt stadium, a historic feature in town, right next to the Henry Doorly zoo (Omaha's second major claim to fame). Home to the Omaha Royals, it's a stadium right out of the Americana text book. During the regular baseball season, the Royals host 'Thirsty Thursdays', which translates to watching a game in the stadium on a warm summer evening, drinking dollar beers! It's brilliant. But for these two weeks, this little stadium is transformed into the central feature of the production that is, CWS!

Rosenblatt Stadium

Most people never even go to a game. Sure, the die-hard fans insist on going, but the mayhem and excitement is outside the stadium, in the streets. It's nearly impossible to drive anywhere close to the stadium, due to the hoards of people. You get within a few miles of the stadium and you pay some kid $20 to park in his driveway, and even those driveways are coveted and hard to come by. Then, the long walk, through the crowd. Last year, as well as this year, we bought tickets to hang out in a fenced-off, tented area that provides all the food and beer that you want for the whole day. So, some eating, drinking, mingling, and games took place. Then a few trips down the road to a bar or two throughout the day. Each bar is packed, inside and out. Fans are dressed in their team colors, and are usually all grouped together. Random team chants break out, usually followed by 'Ole ole ole ole, Ollleee, Ollee'. All the streets and sidewalks are lined with booths and tents, selling team paraphernalia. Scalpers are shouting on every street corner, asking if you have or need tickets. Faces are painted. Flags are draped around shoulders. And the excitement is palpable.

Mike, Brad, and I

I'm also not sure if it's the fact that I have never been very in tune with college sports, or if California just doesn't give it any attention. Either way, there is a whole culture of college sports and college sports' fans that I was completely unaware of until I moved here. The team spirit and dedication is unmatched and really something to behold. And Omaha, during these two weeks especially, is the quintessential picture of that reality. It's a sight to see, and I recommend you visit Omaha sometime during this event! Or, just come visit me whenever, I'm not picky.....