College World Series: Goodbye To Rosenblatt Stadium, But Not To Omaha

For years now, the College World Series has been one of the most exciting and entertaining college sports traditions.

Every year since 1950, great memories, teams, and players have emerged from Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium, the site of the College World Series. 

But with the NCAA's contract with Omaha will end in 2010.

The NCAA said, "Either build a new stadium or the College World Series' days in Omaha may be over."

As much as I would hate to see the College World Series leave Omaha, I knew the NCAA was right.  Rosenblatt Stadium is still a beautiful park, but it has seen better days.

And besides its age, there has been a growing problem with seating.  So, the leaders of Omaha decided that they could not let this annual event get away from its city, so they came to the decision to build a new stadium.

However, this all came at a terrible time for Omaha, which just experienced a tax increase to help fund the new Quest Center. 

After a few bumps in the road, along with numerous petitions to stop the new ballpark, the construction plans were finalized. 

Officials have decided to put the new stadium in some of the parking lots used for the Quest Center.

However, I am now concerned about the parking.  I attended the NCAA men's second round basketball tournament at the Quest Center, and all of the parking lots were full. I'm not sure they can afford to lose parking.

Either way, it is planned that the new stadium will be used for the 2011 College World Series, and a contract extension is expected to keep the World Series in Omaha through 2030.

So, the College World Series stays in Omaha, where it has created a tradition for 58 years.  Only time will tell if the new ballpark will live up to Rosenblatt's legacy.