Jun 18 2010
Petak’s High Five: Reasons to attend the CWS at Rosenblatt
This week, Executive Editor Ron Petak presents his top five reasons to attend the College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium. Next week, look for Sports Editor Eric Taylor’s top five music groups.
5) Because it’s in Omaha
There’s a certain kind of pride associated with having such a grand event in our backyard, so why not enjoy our own party? Even if you’re not a baseball fan or a fan of unadulterated commercialism along 13th Street, the College World Series is Omaha, and we should make it to Rosenblatt for at least one game of the series.
4) People Watching
With more than 20,000 folks milling in and around the stadium every day of the series, there’s sure to be a Horned Frog or Sun Devil decked out in gear never before seen in these parts. Plus, if you’re from the area it’s almost a certainty you’ll run into at least seven people you know by name.
3) It’s a Party
From the tailgaters outlining the stadium to the kind folks living in the neighborhood, rarely will you find so many people in a good mood at the same time – and that usually means folks offering strangers a cold drink or two and a taste of whatever that was that just came off the grill.
2) Nostalgia
Growing up in South Omaha, I remember taking the bus to Rosenblatt in the mid-’60s to catch afternoon games when schools like St. John’s, Southern Illinois and Maine got a chance to participate. In high school, I worked part-time at the stadium and spent as much time as I could sneaking long peeks at the likes of Fred Lynn and Dave Winfield. The hubbub around Rosenblatt wasn’t anything like it is today, but the College World Series was the hottest ticket in Omaha every summer.
1) It’s Baseball
I often bemoan that the CWS has gotten too commercial for me, but one thing hasn’t changed in all these years: College kids play hard and play because they love baseball. They dive for fly balls, sprint to first base on routine groundouts, stand on the top step of the dugout encouraging their teammates. It’s baseball the way it’s meant to be played.