DISCUSSION: TD Ameritrade Park Omaha

Ingersoll1978 · Post by **Ingersoll1978** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:34 am

I'm talking more about the scenario if the Royals don't go to the new stadium. Of course that is the best solution for Omaha...but it may not be for the Royals. Even if they miraculously rose to the top of the Pacific Coast League in attendance, it would still be less than than half of the occupancy of the new stadium. I doubt Omaha would be willing to build a second stadium downtown specifically for them. That would then lead me to believe other communities could attempt to lure them...and those would be either A) Council Bluffs B) Sarpy County or C) Lincoln.

The only other option is the Royals leaving all together. I believe the Quad Cities have been wanting AAA baseball for quite some time...

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:40 am

Ingersoll1978 wrote: That would then lead me to believe other communities could attempt to lure them...and those would be either A) Council Bluffs B) Sarpy County or C) Lincoln.

The only other option is the Royals leaving all together. I believe the Quad Cities have been wanting AAA baseball for quite some time...

Don't count on any of that folks..

The smart and most probable money is on the Royals staying in Omaha and playing ball downtown..

Chicken little has yet to leave the coop..

Don't fall for the poker game rhetoric..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:18 am

yeah, that's what i was thinking, i was just waiting to see how long someone mentioned it

It looked to me like they were trying to bait the royals into wanting to play there and make it appear like they didn't care. That way, they may be able to sway the royals into a not-so-sweet deal. As if to say, "this is your deal; if you don't like it, find somewhere else to play" I agree---i think the royals will play downtown, it just seems to be a ploy to get them to loosen up their wallets.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:52 am

thenewguy wrote:yeah, that's what i was thinking, i was just waiting to see how long someone mentioned it It looked to me like they were trying to bait the royals into wanting to play there and make it appear like they didn't care. That way, they may be able to sway the royals into a not-so-sweet deal. As if to say, "this is your deal; if you don't like it, find somewhere else to play" I agree---i think the royals will play downtown, it just seems to be a ploy to get them to loosen up their wallets.

That's the way I see it..

..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Erik · Post by **Erik** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:38 pm

That's what I am hoping, that it's just rhetoric. That's what I've been thinking the whole time, however, don't assume that all is safe because of that.
I know that sometimes rhetoric is the cause of a good thing going sour.

On another note, although the Quad Cities is a nice area, a tripleA team would probably look at much bigger cities first. I would assume anyway..

Ingersoll1978 · Post by **Ingersoll1978** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:43 pm

Erik wrote: On another note, although the Quad Cities is a nice area, a tripleA team would probably look at much bigger cities first. I would assume anyway..

The Quad Cities would be the smallest market if it were the case (I believe Des Moines is the smallest market right now with the Iowa Cubs).

Erik · Post by **Erik** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:18 pm

Ingersoll1978 wrote:
Erik wrote: On another note, although the Quad Cities is a nice area, a tripleA team would probably look at much bigger cities first. I would assume anyway..
The Quad Cities would be the smallest market if it were the case (I believe Des Moines is the smallest market right now with the Iowa Cubs).

Des Moines is a good market, I think for a AAA team, I don't see the Quad cities having quite the potential market for this type of team. Even if Des Moines is the smallest team, at least it is a fast growing city that draws from every corner of the state. Des Moines makes a lot of sense for a AAA club.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:27 pm

I think it has to do with the MUCH more popular parent club.

Bobcat · Post by **Bobcat** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:45 pm

The best situation would be for the Royals to have an unbelievable season and be a contender for the championship. This would galvanize local support, Rosenblatt would sell out the playoff games and it would be easy to demonstrate why Omaha needs this team in the new stadium.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:48 pm

DTO Luv wrote:I think it has to do with the MUCH more popular parent club.

I think Omaha has a minor league complex... In Omaha our AAA Baseball and AHL hockey have sucked compared to DSM, however Creighton's attendance is crazy compared to Drake and the NU vs CU attendance kills the Iowa Cubs attendance.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:13 pm

Bobcat-
The O Royals have been champion contenders the last few years but I don't think most people know it. The huskers are practicing the option so why cover any other sports.

Brad-
How do you mean our teams fair poor against Des Moines? I know the Flames had a better record than the Stars did. I'm not sure about the Royals, but attendance here has been lower than both because Omaha has more sports going on that capture the occasional sport attendees.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:16 pm

Christ, lets not turn the ballpark thread into a us vs. Des Moines. :roll: Some of you people can't handle that DM can do anything successfully. Let's stick to the topic at hand, which for you keeping score, is MECA trying to run off the Royals.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:21 pm

It wouldn't have mattered if he said Tulsa or Austin about the baseball. I'm just trying to figure out what he means because I'm a bit lost.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:32 pm

I am just saying Omaha rules at supporting College Sports. Did you see Creighton wasted NO TIME in saying they would play at a Downtown stadium. However Omaha is probably the absolute worst city when it comes to support professional sports. We lost the Knights and the way it looks the Royals. We are probably worse at supporting minor league teams than LA is at supporting pro sports (except when the Lakers are winning) It has nothing to do with Omaha and DesMoins, it has to do with Omaha Sucking at supporting Minor League Sports!

By the way I was talking attendance, not record.

Bobcat · Post by **Bobcat** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 5:26 pm

DTO Luv wrote:Bobcat-
The O Royals have been champion contenders the last few years but I don't think most people know it. The huskers are practicing the option so why cover any other sports.

DTO, the Royals haven't made the playoffs since 1999 and have had one season over .500 since then. It's been since 1990 since they won a league title. A run toward a title this year would put the Royals in front of people with regular headlines in the OWH and on the local TV news. Attendance would increase and make the case for moving downtown more imperative.

HskrFanMike · Post by **HskrFanMike** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:17 pm

omahahawk wrote:In regards to the Royals leaving, how much pull would the W twins (Walter and Warren) have in preventing that?

I think there may be a fascinating internal debate within the Royals ownership over that topic.

C. DAVID KOTOK, Omaha World Herald wrote:Stein couldn't decide to move the Royals out of the area without consulting two prominent Omaha minority shareholders, Warren Buffett and Walter Scott.

Scott said Friday that he and Buffett would be brought into any discussions, but he declined to say whether they could veto a move out of the city by the Royals.

"I would think they would want to consult their minority stockholders, especially when one is Warren (Buffett)," Scott said.

Stein did not rule out moving the team to a small stadium in Council Bluffs or Sarpy County, which he said could be done without input from Buffett and Scott.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2 ... d=10254334

In any event, I think this is all negotiating and posturing in the media. It will get done in the end, though it'll look kind of ugly getting there. Both sides have made some silly comments. Stein's comments about people not wanting to pay to park was hilarious. What did you expect with a downtown ballpark? Please.

As for the cost. Indianapolis charges $5 at Victory Field. Oklahoma City apparently charges $5 as well. Des Moines charges $6 as well.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:26 pm

HskrFanMike wrote:In any event, I think this is all negotiating and posturing in the media. It will get done in the end, though it'll look kind of ugly getting there. Both sides have made some silly comments. Stein's comments about people not wanting to pay to park was hilarious. What did you expect with a downtown ballpark? Please.

Yeah, $5 to park a car is crazy-go-nuts insane, but don't pull any punches with the $5 cans of cold-urine-swill beer you sell at the stadium.

-Big E

Post by **Brad** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:27 pm

Omaha Royals Owner Allan Stein to be on with Matt Perrault on 590 AM any time now.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:33 pm

... and Hal Daub later.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:47 pm

I really do wish they'd consider dropping the parking down to $5. Surely with all of the new 'summer business'... and the success of the center in general... they could justify the drop in price.

Erik · Post by **Erik** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:11 pm

Stargazer wrote:I really do wish they'd consider dropping the parking down to $5. Surely with all of the new 'summer business'... and the success of the center in general... they could justify the drop in price.

I agree, sigh..

I guess since this is a business contract that MECA needs to nut-check the Royals, I suppose that is what is suppose to happen, right?

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:24 am

I don't. Supply and demand. There's a lot of demand to park there and little supply. I'm all for the city raking in the money. Meanwhile, I'm happy to park for free on the 10th Street bridge and walk the 6 or 7 blocks.

ShawJ · Post by **ShawJ** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:47 am

I know this has been said over and over again, but I really hope the Royals can stay.

I was talking to my brother about this stadium project, and we both agreed that it makes us want to attend more baseball games, even though neither of us are huge fans of the sport.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:12 am

HskrFanMike wrote: In any event, I think this is all negotiating and posturing in the media. It will get done in the end, though it'll look kind of ugly getting there. Both sides have made some silly comments. Stein's comments about people not wanting to pay to park was hilarious. What did you expect with a downtown ballpark? Please.

I obviously agree with you Mike..

I honestly don't think MECA is trying to run off the Omaha Royals. If they were, why not just end the charade...not negotiate with Stein, and can the May 15th deadline?..

Its all posturing and rhetoric folks..Remember the now resolved City vs MECA stadium lot location controversy?..

Like I've said before, when the smoke clears, and the game of poker is complete, I believe the Royals will be playing in downtown Omaha..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:55 am

I honestly don't think MECA is trying to run off the Omaha Royals. If they were, why not just end the charade...not negotiate with Stein, and can the May 15th deadline?..

Sorry...what does the May 15th deadline pertain to?

joeglow · Post by **joeglow** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:42 am

I would hate to be a Royals season ticket holder. Having to suddenly pay close to $500 a year just to park would suck.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:50 am

If you are in a wheel chair yes. Park on the 10th Street viaduct - next to Bemis - and walk a |expletive| 5 blocks and get your |expletive| exercise. I have been to over 100 events at the Qwest. The only time I paid to park in their lots was when my father was with me. |expletive| MECA and gain a few years on your life!

ItsAllAboutMe · Post by **ItsAllAboutMe** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:38 pm

I was sent this survey by Barrett Sports Group.
(They are not selling anything just gaging interest in club seats/season tickets for CWS, Royals and Creighton.)
Now, I don't know if this is supposed to be sent to everyone or I just got it because I buy a lot of Royals tickets.
Go a head and take the survey.

http://www.zplink.com/royals

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 6:40 pm

Anybody else get that e-mail from the Royals about how they are giving away replicas of Rosenblatt Stadium at their game on 04/26/08. They said it was not a salvo in the long going stadium debate or any other kind of gesture but you got to wonder. MECA seriously needs to make every effort to have the Royals on board. As long as they are not loosing any money by having them in a new stadium (and like DTO says, even a little revenue is better than no revenue), they have to get them on the tenant list. They need to realize that this is more than just about what is going to be best for them and look at their jobs as being what is going to be best for the city. Plus, I just have to think that the maintenance that would go along with regular use would ultimately have to go further than any maintenance that is done on a venue that is sitting idle and empty most of the year. It would be such a depressing thing to have this beautiful place sitting vacant 50 weeks a year. I have written the Royals a letter encouraging them to move downtown and encourage you all to do the same. Hope we hear what everybody plans to do soon.

[email protected]

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 3:18 pm

Maybe Radiohead will finally come to Omaha, now that we'll have a 25,000 seat outdoor arena.

Erik · Post by **Erik** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 3:36 pm

Somebody needs to start the website: www.keeptheroyalsinomaha.com

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:11 pm

Swift wrote:Maybe Radiohead will finally come to Omaha, now that we'll have a 25,000 seat outdoor arena.

Right, but we've had Rosenblatt all along...

Anyway, that WOULD be nice.

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:25 am

Has anyone been on the Rosenblatt Wikipedia page lately?

It looks like those Save Rosenblatt lowlives have taken over the page and filled it with a bunch of |expletive|.

These people need jobs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosenblatt_Stadium

ShawJ · Post by **ShawJ** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:27 am

OmahaJaysCU wrote:Has anyone been on the Rosenblatt Wikipedia page lately?

It looks like those Save Rosenblatt lowlives have taken over the page and filled it with a bunch of |expletive|.

These people need jobs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosenblatt_Stadium

They don't sound too educated either. Look at this horrible writing...

"If the Royals have a stadium downtown than, Mayor Fahey said Rosenblatt would continue with the CWS and host other special events (such as concerts, festivals, championship high school games, community events and much more, as it used to in the past. The Mayor Mike also said that the Royals are necessary to justify stadium costs."

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:58 am

ShawJ wrote:
OmahaJaysCU wrote:Has anyone been on the Rosenblatt Wikipedia page lately?

It looks like those Save Rosenblatt lowlives have taken over the page and filled it with a bunch of |expletive|.

These people need jobs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosenblatt_Stadium
They don't sound too educated either. Look at this horrible writing...

"If the Royals have a stadium downtown than, Mayor Fahey said Rosenblatt would continue with the CWS and host other special events (such as concerts, festivals, championship high school games, community events and much more, as it used to in the past. The Mayor Mike also said that the Royals are necessary to justify stadium costs."

That is why they are unemployed...

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:23 pm

Did I actually see a line in there about "legendary" actor Kevin Costner?

-Big E

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:49 pm

i believe so. He's getting old, though; he must have thought "Johnny Rosenblatt" was the title of an upcoming movie about an army sergeant turned gunslinger in the black hills of South Dakota, and was lobbying for an audition.

Erik · Post by **Erik** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:11 pm

Big E wrote:Did I actually see a line in there about "legendary" actor Kevin Costner?

-Big E

didn't you know?

Omababe · Post by **Omababe** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:00 pm

thenewguy wrote:i believe so. He's getting old, though; he must have thought "Johnny Rosenblatt" was the title of an upcoming movie about an army sergeant turned gunslinger in the black hills of South Dakota, and was lobbying for an audition.

Come on, he's a good actor!

Haven't you seen Dances With Wolves? The Guardian?

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:18 pm

...and Waterworld.