Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium
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. It was the largest minor league ballpark in the United States until its demolition.
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. 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. Opening was again delayed after vandals broke in and caused extensive damage to the sod, causing the sod to be replaced. The Omaha Municipal Stadium officially opened with an inaugural game on October 17, 1948. 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. The stadium was later re-named for Rosenblatt, with it officially being dedicated as the Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in May 1964.
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.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. 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.
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. Demolition began the following month, with the press box being imploded in August 2012. Demolition was completed in June 2013, with a mini-ballpark, known as Memorial to Rosenblatt, opening that same month.
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 | Omaha Royals | Amer. Assn. – PCL | AAA | Kansas City Royals |