I wouldn't call a parking lot at 12th and Cuming "prime downtown land."joeglow wrote:The difference is one is using farm land and the other is using prime downtown land. And three hotels are GREAT, but I will join the jircle when we see some real development pop up around there.the1wags wrote:Yet the same AAA team with an ice sheet next door is going to bring all kinds of development to suburban wasteland Sarpy County. :lafcry:joeglow wrote:You just proved my point (thanks). With a AAA team, the CWS and the zoo, development has been sub-par. But the CWS, no zoo and (MAYBE) a group of never-will be's will suddenly be a huge growth catalyst????HskrFanMike wrote:How's all that development around the existing ballpark doing? It has the double impact of the stadium and the zoo, so it should be going gangbusters.joeglow wrote:you have to wonder if a year round destination placed on all that land could have provided a greater net gain for the city.
American Association of Independent Baseball
Moderators: Coyote, nebugeater, Brad, Omaha Cowboy, BRoss
I'm a Creighton grad. Â I've been down there lately. Â My point was more the fact that the land was a MECA/City parking lot. Â There was no chance of other development at the site.justnick wrote:Have you been down there lately?Mr.Nuke wrote: I wouldn't call a parking lot at 12th and Cuming "prime downtown land."
Art Museums, Hotels, Condos, and Hip Retail say otherwise.
So, you think a metro with 900,000 can match a metro with 4,000,000?the1wags wrote:So I guess the 6,205 a game that the St. Paul Saints averaged in 2007 was all downtown St. Paul residents?joeglow wrote: The people most likely to go to an independent league (and pay $8-10 to park) are those that already live around there. Thus, there will be very few people coming who don't live there and the existing population has proven unsustainable for new business there.
Wait a minute, I thought all those that would attend independent ball lived "around there", now people from across a metro attend? Way to backpedal.joeglow wrote:So, you think a metro with 900,000 can match a metro with 4,000,000?the1wags wrote:So I guess the 6,205 a game that the St. Paul Saints averaged in 2007 was all downtown St. Paul residents?joeglow wrote: The people most likely to go to an independent league (and pay $8-10 to park) are those that already live around there. Thus, there will be very few people coming who don't live there and the existing population has proven unsustainable for new business there.
Also as Big E noted, their metro (3.2M, not 4M BTW) has all 4 major sports for fans to attend, us..... not so much.
In looking at baseball alone, MLB is not a big threat to this team. Â They both offer completely different products (with the only similarity being the game being played on the field). Â Conversely, the Royals ARE providing the same product, except with MUCH better talent and a less costly ticket. Â Additionally, I would think a better comparison would be looking at OUR city when we have had 2 competing teams in the same sport.the1wags wrote:Wait a minute, I thought all those that would attend independent ball lived "around there", now people from across a metro attend? Way to backpedal.joeglow wrote:So, you think a metro with 900,000 can match a metro with 4,000,000?the1wags wrote:So I guess the 6,205 a game that the St. Paul Saints averaged in 2007 was all downtown St. Paul residents?joeglow wrote: The people most likely to go to an independent league (and pay $8-10 to park) are those that already live around there. Thus, there will be very few people coming who don't live there and the existing population has proven unsustainable for new business there.
Also as Big E noted, their metro (3.2M, not 4M BTW) has all 4 major sports for fans to attend, us..... not so much.
Fair enough. Â I was getting at the stigma that $8-10 parking will have when many decide where to spend their money.the1wags wrote:Wow you already know the ticket prices for the Royals at their new park and also for this proposed independent team downtown. Can you help me out with the Powerball numbers for Wednesday too? :;):
MECA has also said that while downtown parking is going to increase, the Qwest lots are staying at $6. Also, we don't know what the Royals are going to charge (they ARE going to charge something). We could go rounds all day.
Heck, honestly we don't even know if this independent team is going to happen. I just like to stir the shiznit.
Heck, honestly we don't even know if this independent team is going to happen. I just like to stir the shiznit.
i wouldn't say AAA and MLB are providing the same product. Â If so, AAA players would be in MLB, not in AAA. Â Like if 2 people are shopping for a porsche, and one gets a 911 turbo, and one gets a cayman: they can both say they have a porsche, but they are certainly not the same product.
However, i see the point you're trying to make. Â I, too, was stirring up this proverbial "shiznit".
However, i see the point you're trying to make. Â I, too, was stirring up this proverbial "shiznit".
Go Cubs Go
- Coyote
- City Council
- Posts: 33201
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Aksarben Village
- Contact:
Stadium's ball prospects improve
Maggie O'Brien World-Herald staff writer wrote:Two independent baseball leagues are now interested in bringing a team to the new downtown baseball stadium. Clark Griffith, commissioner of the Northern League, said Thursday that he hopes to meet with the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority to discuss a deal. MECA is already in talks with the American Association about bringing a team to Omaha's new TD Ameritrade Park. The Northern League is widely considered the first successful modern independent league. It has a handful of teams in the Chicago suburbs, as well as Kansas City, Kan. (the T-Bones), Fargo (the RedHawks) and Winnipeg, Canada (the Goldeyes).
Coyote wrote:Stadium's ball prospects improve
Maggie O'Brien World-Herald staff writer wrote:Two independent baseball leagues are now interested in bringing a team to the new downtown baseball stadium. Clark Griffith, commissioner of the Northern League, said Thursday that he hopes to meet with the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority to discuss a deal. MECA is already in talks with the American Association about bringing a team to Omaha's new TD Ameritrade Park. The Northern League is widely considered the first successful modern independent league. It has a handful of teams in the Chicago suburbs, as well as Kansas City, Kan. (the T-Bones), Fargo (the RedHawks) and Winnipeg, Canada (the Goldeyes).
Looks a little bit like the $134 million waste of money is turning into a cash cow.
Go Cubs Go
- Coyote
- City Council
- Posts: 33201
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Aksarben Village
- Contact:
Independent Baseball Team To Play in New Downtown Stadium
WOWT wrote:The president and CEO of the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority says he expects to announce this summer that an independent league baseball team will take up residence in TD Ameritrade Park in downtown Omaha next year.
Investors press for ballpark deal
http://www.omaha.com/article/20101123/N ... lpark-deal
http://www.omaha.com/article/20101123/N ... lpark-deal
Christopher Burbach WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:Investors who want to put an independent league professional baseball team in Omaha next year apparently have decided to play hardball.
The investors sent out a press release Monday announcing that they have just about everything they need to launch a team that would play 50 games at the new TD Ameritrade Park in downtown Omaha as soon as 2011
Christopher Burbach WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:But they don’t have a lease to play at TD Ameritrade Park — despite a verbal agreement to terms in September with officials of Omaha’s Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority.
Omaha Skyline Photos, Omaha Aerial Photos, and More.
Website: www.bradwilliamsphotography.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bradwilliamsphotography
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bradwphoto
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bradwilliamsphotography
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@bradwilliamsphoto
Go with a name like the 'Rails'... and they might even pull one over on 20%+ of Omaha baseball fans. Â That same 20% who, when the Knights tried to get in on the action, were loyal to Omaha's first and true professional hockey team... the Lancers.
Shoot for the Moon... if you miss, you'll land among the stars.
Can't wait to see all the Flamers that go to these games.
I just can't see people wanting to shell out 8 dollars to park, then pay for tickets, then get concession prices set by MECA, all to watch some bad bad baseball.
Do I want to see the DT stadium succeed? Yes, Do I think Indy baseball will be the reason it succeeds? heck NO.
MECA should be going after the MLS, then you will have Creighton baseball, CWS, MLS, and UFL and that will be enough to be successful.
I just can't see people wanting to shell out 8 dollars to park, then pay for tickets, then get concession prices set by MECA, all to watch some bad bad baseball.
Do I want to see the DT stadium succeed? Yes, Do I think Indy baseball will be the reason it succeeds? heck NO.
MECA should be going after the MLS, then you will have Creighton baseball, CWS, MLS, and UFL and that will be enough to be successful.
They said it would be financially "successful" with only the CWS, everything else is just gravy. Â The neighborhood success is a whole different story.
Omaha Skyline Photos, Omaha Aerial Photos, and More.
Website: www.bradwilliamsphotography.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bradwilliamsphotography
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bradwphoto
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bradwilliamsphotography
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@bradwilliamsphoto
i took a trip around TDA yesterday. Â With the bars on capitol opening up and the hotels near by, i think the neighborhood will be successful. Â Maybe not immediately with the cold weather coming, but once it warms up in the spring and people are able to walk more freely, it will further establish clientele and be ok after. Â There are now several bars/restaurants to compliment the hotels, and with Creighton's close proximity, it should do fine. Â It will be a decent alternative to the old market; many people i know are already starting to frequent places in NDT because of its proximity to downtown, and it is more easy to get in and out of than the old market.
Go Cubs Go
All of the bars I've been to in that area were reasonably busy on the nights I was there. Slowdown, Mattress Factory, and the sports bar (O'Farrell's?) over on Dodge.thenewguy wrote:With the bars on capitol opening up and the hotels near by, i think the neighborhood will be successful.
If I had some loose money to invest, I would look into opening a sports type bar out in BFE (as H.M. calls it) right in the shadow of Werner Field. Â Oh, get a Zesto's franchise right next door to the bar as well.
- OmahaJaysCU
- Planning Board
- Posts: 2164
- Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:00 pm
-
- City Council
- Posts: 105451
- Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:34 pm
- Location: Somewhere between downtown and Colorado
- Contact:
I believe an official pitch is close to 100m x 60m. Â Definitely wider and slightly longer. Â (Cue Big E in 3...2...1....)OmahaJaysCU wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong (I know absolutely nothing about soccer except when I pretend once every 4 years), but isn't a soccer field bigger than a football field? If a football field has to be "squeezed" in, would a soccer field fit?
 :lafcry:  :lafcry:  :lafcry:  :lafcry:  :lafcry:
Omaha Skyline Photos, Omaha Aerial Photos, and More.
Website: www.bradwilliamsphotography.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bradwilliamsphotography
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bradwphoto
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bradwilliamsphotography
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@bradwilliamsphoto
They have said a futbol pitch fits into the new stadium. Â They also said a football field fits in Wrigley so who knows. Â My best guess is running across the outfield not down a baseline.OmahaJaysCU wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong (I know absolutely nothing about soccer except when I pretend once every 4 years), but isn't a soccer field bigger than a football field? If a football field has to be "squeezed" in, would a soccer field fit?
I highly doubt they'd squeeze a soccer field into the TD park when they've got a world class ACTUAL soccer field only 4 blocks away.... Â
I don't know if you guys know it or not, but Morrison Stadium at Creighton is one of the top facilities in all of college soccer. Â Â While it certainly doesn't seat the 20k+ that is usually needed for MLS teams, I'm highly doubtful that we'll get a MLS program. Â Not because of Omaha, but because of the league. Â They've really been struggling the last couple of years, from what I understand. Â
I forget what the feeder league for the MLS is, but that might be a possibility. Â An actual MLS team though, I highly doubt it. Â Plus, Morrison is right in line with what the feeder league would want stadium size wise....
I don't know if you guys know it or not, but Morrison Stadium at Creighton is one of the top facilities in all of college soccer. Â Â While it certainly doesn't seat the 20k+ that is usually needed for MLS teams, I'm highly doubtful that we'll get a MLS program. Â Not because of Omaha, but because of the league. Â They've really been struggling the last couple of years, from what I understand. Â
I forget what the feeder league for the MLS is, but that might be a possibility. Â An actual MLS team though, I highly doubt it. Â Plus, Morrison is right in line with what the feeder league would want stadium size wise....
-
- City Council
- Posts: 105451
- Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:34 pm
- Location: Somewhere between downtown and Colorado
- Contact:
Actually the league is making major headway the past 3 years. Â Now long term who knows, but it is starting to find its niche in America. Â They often boast that they average more attendance per game than the NBA or NHL granted they do play in larger arenas. Â In 2009 the Seattle Sounders averaged nearly 4,000 people more per game than the Seattle Mariners.Ben wrote: Not because of Omaha, but because of the league. They've really been struggling the last couple of years, from what I understand.
I forget what the feeder league for the MLS is, but that might be a possibility. An actual MLS team though, I highly doubt it. Plus, Morrison is right in line with what the feeder league would want stadium size wise....
As for actually having a team in Omaha you are right it is a long shot just like every other major sporting league, but It seems far more likely than an NBA, MLB, or NHL team.
Baseball group sues MECA
http://www.omaha.com/article/20110204/N ... -sues-meca
http://www.omaha.com/article/20110204/N ... -sues-meca
Jeffrey Robb WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:A group of investors trying to start an independent league baseball team to play at TD Ameritrade Park has sued the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority in an attempt to force its way onto the ballfield.
The group, Fast Ball Sports LLC, says it had a lease deal with MECA allowing the Omaha Flame play at TD Ameritrade starting later this year.
Fast Ball Sports says it signed a five-year lease that was prepared by MECA and paid the first year’s lease of $133,750. The group alleges MECA has shut it out as of late.
MECA says there is no deal.
Omaha Skyline Photos, Omaha Aerial Photos, and More.
Website: www.bradwilliamsphotography.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bradwilliamsphotography
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bradwphoto
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bradwilliamsphotography
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@bradwilliamsphoto
http://www.omahaflame.com/
Wonder when the first game is! Â :;):INAUGURAL SEASON 2011 OMAHA'S ONLY PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL TEAM
Looks like it will not be in 2012 either. Â There is a "Premium Content" story in the paper saying its still it the courts and its too late this year to work something out for next season even if the lawsuit was settled.iamjacobm wrote:http://www.omahaflame.com/
Wonder when the first game is! :;):INAUGURAL SEASON 2011 OMAHA'S ONLY PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL TEAM
Omaha Skyline Photos, Omaha Aerial Photos, and More.
Website: www.bradwilliamsphotography.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bradwilliamsphotography
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bradwphoto
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bradwilliamsphotography
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@bradwilliamsphoto
- Coyote
- City Council
- Posts: 33201
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Aksarben Village
- Contact:
They are at it again:
Letter a last attempt by league to get into ballpark
Letter a last attempt by league to get into ballpark
Jeffrey Robb WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:A lawyer for Fast Ball Sports LLC, which is proposing to start the Omaha Flame baseball team, says an independent league remains willing to place the Flame on the league's schedule for 2012. But in a letter sent to City of Omaha officials this week, the lawyer says the league needs a decision by Jan. 30.