Charles Schwab Field Omaha (TDAPO)

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 3:25 pm

OmahaBen wrote:You were arguing that no one cared about Creighton basketball prior to Kyle Korver and the Qwest Center (at least I think you limited it to basketball, but for the sake of argument, maybe you meant to include the entire university as a whole).

I mentioned total enrollment, 100 years of football, one CWS appearance, the Qwest center and purchasing power of alumni (and as it pertains to filling a football stadium I stand by it). Zero mention of Korver.

For the sake of argument, though, as always, feel free to make up stuff.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 3:37 pm

Midtown Crossing is running a free shuttle from Midtown Crossing to the Trade tonight.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 3:38 pm

The lot has been open for 3 hours now. I wonder if anyone is there tailgating already.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:38 pm

Some amazing HD shots on NET.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:41 pm

The stadium looks great on tv. Wish I could be there instead, except for the cold. But remember one more Creighton-Nebraska game, Creighton games, MVC baseball tournament and of course the CWS. This is going to provide great publicity for downtown Omaha. Now instead of a few quick shots of the Old Market, we will get constant views of the Qwest Center, pedestrian bridge/Riverfront Place, and downtown. I am so excited.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 9:53 pm

Tonight was Amazing and a Huge Success!

At one point I was way up on top taking another pano and people kept coming up and checking out the view. One Particular guy came up and said what do you think?, i told him it was Awesome! He said "You know, I live 4 blocks from Rosenblatt. I hated the idea of this, I was completely against this. I thought it was the worst idea in the world. I was completely wrong, this is incredible."

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:22 pm

Phenomenal stadium.

Absolutely the most cluster-F'd concessions service I've ever seen. Hope they get that figured out.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:42 pm

Definitely a fantastic night! I agree, Big E, the concessions need a little practice, but all in all it went pretty well.

I went up to the 3rd base upper deck to shoot the pano below and there was a camera crew up there interviewing a group of four who were four rows from the top in the corner. They asked, "So you've got the worst seats in the house. What do you think of the place". Are you kidding?! Those are GREAT seats! Especially if you get to see this every game...

Better weather won't hurt, but I can't wait to see that place packed to the gills this summer.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:25 am

Look how fast the place emptied out... The was only a couple innings before you:

{EDIT} need to re-process this, it looks too dark!

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:43 am

Yeah, everyone seemed to come to check the place out, watch a couple innings and head back to a warm bar or house/condo/apartment. Didn't help that it was a pitcher's duel. Still waiting for that first home run.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:07 pm

It was a great game, I had seats in the second row near first base and it was a cool experience. Everyone around me was talking about how much better this is than Rosenblatt. Although the fireworks weren't too great until the end, too bad we didn't get the ones they had too shoot off during the rain.

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:35 pm

Panorama -- gigapixel

http://dataomaha.com/panorama/TD-Ameritrade-Park

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:41 pm

Big E wrote:Phenomenal stadium.

Absolutely the most cluster-F'd concessions service I've ever seen. Hope they get that figured out.

I agree. I waited twice for 2 beers for 40 minutes.

But i loved the stadium and the potential that place has. I was also really impressed with how 'major league' it feels. There is seriously not a bad spot in the stadium. In fact, the only time you're going to miss the game is if you're takin a dump.

I know this isn't a real big deal, but i kind of enjoyed the walk from lot G to the stadium along the tracks. If they clean up a bit of the bags/wrappers, it won't be too bad. I was pretty pumped to see the tent/beer garden at mattress factory, and just how alive north downtown was. I asked one of the guys and they said they had 22k and change that made it through the gates, so there really must have been a lot of people that came in for a few innings and retreated to the warmth. I was at one of the last night hawks games at rosenblatt, and it didn't feel as cold. Then again, it could be that i just don't remember it.

Had a great time...and wondering just how much better for the Royals it will be to have their own park when their is such an amazing park downtown. I hope they both work out

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 12:03 pm

OmahaJaysCU wrote:Am I the only one that finds it odd that the second balcony doesn't have a ribbon board?

This isn't in the plans and probably won't happen in the near future.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 8:06 am

I visited for the first time last night, watching the CU vs Kansas game.

Here's my thoughts

Positives:
Great sight lines
Plenty of legroom
Large bathrooms
Huge concourses

Negatives:
Felt very "concrete jungle" with little character
Unable to close off sections/decks to create intimacy like at the Q (can't close upper deck, as that's where suites/club seats are)
Steep in the upper deck

Temporary issue (at least hopefully):
Concessions still suck, they apparently haven't learned much from the first game. Granted only a couple of the stands were open last night, but I shouldn't have to wait 20+ mins for a beer with only 4300 people there.

Construction related:
The concrete subcontractor got lazy when pouring the concourse in the outfield. No expansion joints put in, and there's several large (1/4" wide, 20+ feet long) cracks in the concrete already. 1 winter of freeze thaw cycles, and this is going to go to heck. MECA better hold someone's feet to the fire and have this redone in the offseason.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:05 am

Ben wrote:Felt very "concrete jungle" with little character

Please expand.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:34 am

Big E wrote:
Ben wrote:Felt very "concrete jungle" with little character
Please expand.

First off, let me premise this by I'm all in favor of this stadium, and making the best environment possible to watch college baseball. I'm not one of those bitter that Rosenblatt's gone folks, nor did I want them to build attractions like a ferris wheel in the outfield to please the Royals.

I love the modern glass / brick look of the outside, but very little of that was carried inside (besides the glass fronts to the suites).

I don't know, it was just a feeling. No brick, no ivy, no quirky field dimensions, everything's painted that awful beige color I think of when I think of suburban heck. The concession stands / restrooms in the outfield are just rectangular cement block. Rosenblatt was known for that awful blue paint. You may have hated the color, but you knew it was the 'Blatt the second you saw it on TV. There just doesn't seem to be that sort of defining characteristic inside this stadium.

Maybe it'll just take time to establish TD traditions.... Maybe it'll be different on a warm summer day with 20k+ people in there. On a cool Tuesday night, with 4300 fans though, the place just felt a little sterile, and empty. I'm glad Creighton's playing there, but they're going to struggle with the same sort of "lost in a sea of seats" problem that the Royals had in Rosenblatt, probably even worse once the "lets go check out the new ballpark" crowd dissipates.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:12 am

I'm with you on the ribbon boards. Can't believe they don't have those. They've got the great video board (though it's block from a bunch of seats behind home plate by the foul pole (I was in section 110). Then you've got those other two tiny scoreboards.

Greg

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:31 am

Big E wrote:
Ben wrote:Felt very "concrete jungle" with little character
Please expand.

Can't. The contractor was lazy and didn't make any joints.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:34 am

Ben wrote:
Big E wrote:
Ben wrote:Felt very "concrete jungle" with little character
Please expand.
First off, let me premise this by I'm all in favor of this stadium, and making the best environment possible to watch college baseball. I'm not one of those bitter that Rosenblatt's gone folks, nor did I want them to build attractions like a ferris wheel in the outfield to please the Royals.

I love the modern glass / brick look of the outside, but very little of that was carried inside (besides the glass fronts to the suites).

I don't know, it was just a feeling. No brick, no ivy, no quirky field dimensions, everything's painted that awful beige color I think of when I think of suburban heck. The concession stands / restrooms in the outfield are just rectangular cement block. Rosenblatt was known for that awful blue paint. You may have hated the color, but you knew it was the 'Blatt the second you saw it on TV. There just doesn't seem to be that sort of defining characteristic inside this stadium.

Maybe it'll just take time to establish TD traditions.... Maybe it'll be different on a warm summer day with 20k+ people in there. On a cool Tuesday night, with 4300 fans though, the place just felt a little sterile, and empty. I'm glad Creighton's playing there, but they're going to struggle with the same sort of "lost in a sea of seats" problem that the Royals had in Rosenblatt, probably even worse once the "lets go check out the new ballpark" crowd dissipates.

I'll give you it is pretty sterile and the outside walls when walking on the streets literally suck the life out of each block on the north and west side. I'll take it over parking lots, though.

I think you're right: give it some time, especially for the rest of the neighborhood to develop around it.

HskrFanMike · Post by **HskrFanMike** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 12:25 pm

Ben wrote:
Big E wrote:
Ben wrote:Felt very "concrete jungle" with little character
Please expand.
First off, let me premise this by I'm all in favor of this stadium, and making the best environment possible to watch college baseball. I'm not one of those bitter that Rosenblatt's gone folks, nor did I want them to build attractions like a ferris wheel in the outfield to please the Royals.

I love the modern glass / brick look of the outside, but very little of that was carried inside (besides the glass fronts to the suites).

I don't know, it was just a feeling. No brick, no ivy, no quirky field dimensions, everything's painted that awful beige color I think of when I think of suburban heck. The concession stands / restrooms in the outfield are just rectangular cement block. Rosenblatt was known for that awful blue paint. You may have hated the color, but you knew it was the 'Blatt the second you saw it on TV. There just doesn't seem to be that sort of defining characteristic inside this stadium.

Maybe it'll just take time to establish TD traditions.... Maybe it'll be different on a warm summer day with 20k+ people in there. On a cool Tuesday night, with 4300 fans though, the place just felt a little sterile, and empty. I'm glad Creighton's playing there, but they're going to struggle with the same sort of "lost in a sea of seats" problem that the Royals had in Rosenblatt, probably even worse once the "lets go check out the new ballpark" crowd dissipates.

I definitely don't agree about needing "quirkiness". After the Royals bagged the new ballpark, the only known tenant was the NCAA, and for a championship event, you don't want games being affected by quirky. (I wouldn't mind a little brick, mind you, from an aesthetic perspective, on the outfield concession stands.)

I think you'll see a lot of traditions develop downtown in the next couple of years. Supposedly Fahey Street will be shut down to pedestrian traffic during the CWS...and I think you'll see this area swarming, like Waveland Avenue around Wrigley, during games. Especially once Zesto's gets going. (When are they going to move those construction trailers out anyway?)

From the center field camera, the views of the murals on the power plant are outstanding, and we'll have some outstanding images of the stadium from the Kerrey Bridge.

And as far as the "ferris wheel" goes, you could set up a mini carnival on the outfield concourse when a minor league team starts playing downtown. All that equipment comes in on truck, so most of it should fit...and be easy to move out to the parking lot for the CWS.

cp jay 07 · Post by **cp jay 07** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 12:44 pm

HskrFanMike wrote: And as far as the "ferris wheel" goes, you could set up a mini carnival on the outfield concourse when a minor league team starts playing downtown. All that equipment comes in on truck, so most of it should fit...and be easy to move out to the parking lot for the CWS.

MILB rules prohibit a minor league team from moving into TDA with the Chasers in the area still so I don't think that will happen any time soon.

I could see CU putting up some inflatables or what not in the future though.

riceweb · Post by **riceweb** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 1:11 pm

I think he was referring to an unaffiliated team moving into TDA Park

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 2:30 pm

Yeah you could clearly tell the stadium was designed for the CWS. I don't have any problems with their being nothing quirky in the outfield. You don't want to have either right field or left field with a short porch or something similar that would favor either right hand or left hand dominant teams. You want it to be as equal as possible.

I think for CU and if they ever get a Indy team to their liking, they do need to add some kid friendly stuff to the outfield. They'll never be Werner's equal in that regard but they do need to do something.

Greg

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 6:57 pm

Greg S wrote:I'm with you on the ribbon boards. Can't believe they don't have those.

That's sort of what I thought initially but I really don't miss them that much. I think the video board and the rest of the lighting is sufficient. It makes it a little different from the Qwest.

Post by **Brad** » Wed May 11, 2011 9:51 am

College World Series Avenue

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110511/N ... -honor-cws

Ellen Jean Hirst WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:By the time die-hard baseball fans bustle into TD Ameritrade Park next month, a stretch of 13th Street will have a new name — College World Series Avenue.

The Omaha City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to give a commemorative name to the section of 13th Street between Cuming Street and Mike Fahey Street.

The commemorative street name was requested by CWS of Omaha Inc.

The new sign will be unveiled during the week leading up to the CWS, which begins June 18.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Thu May 26, 2011 11:04 pm

Couple of quick pictures from Tuesday night:

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Thu May 26, 2011 11:12 pm

Zesto Beer Garden? I thought it was ice cream.... beer floats?

Post by **Brad** » Fri May 27, 2011 8:45 am

You can't see it very well in your photos but there is a huge omaha.com on the north side of the OWH/Qwest building.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Fri May 27, 2011 9:12 am

There has also been a decorative green edge-light added on the roof of the ballpark. It's a nice accent but kinda seems a bit out of place since nothing else is so blatantly green. Will snap a pic tonight if it gets dark enough.

Post by **Brad** » Fri May 27, 2011 9:14 am

almighty_tuna wrote:There has also been a decorative green edge-light added on the roof of the ballpark. It's a nice accent but kinda seems a bit out of place since nothing else is so blatantly green. Will snap a pic tonight if it gets dark enough.

Its been there and working since before it opened, but it doesn't seem to be on all the time.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Fri May 27, 2011 9:15 am

Huh...guess I need to turn around and look up more often! Last night was the first time I've seen it on.

Post by **Brad** » Fri May 27, 2011 9:32 am

almighty_tuna wrote:Huh...guess I need to turn around and look up more often! Last night was the first time I've seen it on.

One of my co-workers saw it when they were building the place, but I never did so I thought he was crazy then finally at the second CU/NU game it was actually on, but its kind of faint. That may be the only time I have ever seen it on.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Fri May 27, 2011 9:55 am

Faint is not how I would describe it last night!

Post by **Brad** » Fri May 27, 2011 10:08 am

Last night was also the first time that I have ever noticed that the scoreboard on the third base side is actually a section of ribbon board and they can actually run graphics on it too.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:44 pm

My friend Ed sent me photos of the back of the scoreboard today. They added the "Home of the NCAA Mens College World Series" to the scoreboard.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 9:38 pm

Brad wrote:My friend Ed sent me photos of the back of the scoreboard today. They added the "Home of the NCAA Mens College World Series" to the scoreboard.

To the back? I noticed they were adding some panels and I was wondering what was going up there.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 9:50 pm

iamjacobm wrote:
Brad wrote:My friend Ed sent me photos of the back of the scoreboard today. They added the "Home of the NCAA Mens College World Series" to the scoreboard.
To the back? I noticed they were adding some panels and I was wondering what was going up there.

Yes, facing right up 12th street.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 2:35 pm

Brad wrote:
iamjacobm wrote:
Brad wrote:My friend Ed sent me photos of the back of the scoreboard today. They added the "Home of the NCAA Mens College World Series" to the scoreboard.
To the back? I noticed they were adding some panels and I was wondering what was going up there.
Yes, facing right up 12th street.

It kind of sticks out. All white background and black letters. The white really clashes with the rest of the stadium and I hope they keep it pretty clean. Great idea meh execution.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 2:43 pm

Thanks for the Reminder. Here is a cell phone photo from Saturday: