Now
Fair
64.0°
High
87°
Low
64°
Full Forecast

Coupon

Jobs

Cars

Homes

Rentals

Alerts

Subscribe
Home > Sports
Bookmark Us   •   Make Us Your Homepage

American Association eyeing team in Omaha

Comments 6 comment(s)  
E-mail Story E-mail Story
Print Story Print Story
Share  Share
Text Size: 
Tools Sponsor

By KEN HAMBLETON / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Jan 08, 2009 - 08:45:09 am CST

It’s a long way from the Lincoln Saltdogs playing a July 4 series against the archrival Omaha Buffets for the first-half title in the American Association.

There are no Buffets or any other new Omaha pro independent baseball nicknames, but there is motion in that direction.

The Saltdogs are a member of the American Association, which has confirmed that Omaha is a new “home territory,” for the independent baseball league, possibly in 2011.

Story Photo

“We already have a stadium  going up and all along we’ve wanted to have more than just the College World Series,” said Roger Dixon, president of MECA, which runs Qwest Center Omaha. “I think an American Association team would be a good fit. Like Nebraska and Creighton in baseball and basketball.”

Charlie Meyer, president of the Saltdogs, said an Omaha franchise in the league “would be fine with us.” He added, “A natural rivalry.  It would be great for the league.”  Miles Wolff, commissioner of the AA, said a new Omaha team would have to schedule around Creighton and the College World Series. But the league would make moves to help that work out.

The CWS is moving from Rosenblatt Stadium to a new $120 million downtown stadium in 2011. Rosenblatt Stadium will be torn down. The current occupant, the Omaha Royals are not going to play in the new downtown park. The Omaha Royals, a Triple-A minor league farm club for the Kansas City Royals, have expressed interest in playing in a yet to be funded or planned stadium in Sarpy County, presumably in Papillion.

Wolff said that would not be a factor in pursuing an ownership group for an Omaha AA team. He added that the required charge of $6 for parking would not be a factor either, even though that was one of the Royals’ arguments against moving downtown. “Geographically and in terms of prestige, Omaha would be a great place for another team in our league,” he said.

The American Association charges $750,000 for an expansion franchise.

The American Association has teams in Sioux Falls, S.D.; Sioux City, Iowa; St. Paul, Minn.; Wichita, Kan.; Pensacola, Fla.; Shreveport, La.; and three teams in Texas: El Paso, Fort Worth and Grand Prairie.

Briefly

The contract of Saltdog right-handed pitcher Chris Cullen was purchased late last month by the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.  Cullen became the third member of the Saltdogs to be picked up by a major-league organization in 2008, following in the footsteps of shortstop Anthony Contreras and pitcher Jason Jarvis.

Reach Ken Hambleton at 473-7313 or khambleton@journalstar.com.


$1 Sunday Delivery - Subscribe Today!
Sports > Back to Top of Story

Post Your Comment

Standards and Rules
All posts to JournalStar.com are subject to our Terms and Standards.
Your posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Frequently asked questions about story commenting.
(optional)
   
Hide Comments Hide Comments   Newest First Newest First  
Scott wrote on January 7, 2009 10:04 am:
" And they say Lincoln should be more like Omaha? Omaha is building a MUCH more expensive stadium than Haymarket park and their only tenant is one week for the CWS?!?! What planning Omaha! Haymarket Park not only had two teams making it their home, but it was in major part financed through private and UNL athletic department (i.e. Non-tax dollar) funds. The city of Lincoln only paid a few million... where as Omaha will be paying $120 million! "
ricky wrote on January 7, 2009 11:23 am:
" Although our wonderful MECA proclaimed Omaha's new downtown stadium would be a financial success without a minor league baseball team playing there, local pressure to occupy the stadium more than a few times a year led to the proposed team.
The Omaha Royals were scorned by MECA early on, either because they knew the Royals were not going to want to play in the new big park, or just because they wanted a cheaper option for the park or maybe some personal reasons.
Warren Buffett owns 25 per cent of the O Royals and Omahan Walter Scott owns 25 per cent. So why would they sit idly by and watch the team leave the town where it has been for 40 years?
Alan Stein of the O Royals could have played in the downtown stadium, but he wanted control of signage, parking, etc.
I doubt Sarpy will be able to afford a new stadium, so it looks like the Royals are leaving the State.
Looks to me like Stein dissed the Royals fans and their employees in an effort to make a better deal for the team.
Omaha still needs a buyer for the new team. Maybe that won't be able to be found.

Ricky From Omaha "
Observer wrote on January 7, 2009 11:50 am:
" The new stadium would be a great outdoor concert venue. "
PJ wrote on January 7, 2009 11:58 am:
" For years the Royals have complained about attendance numbers, and blamed it partly on having too large a ballpark. Instead, I blame it on the draconian concession policies, not allowing outside refreshments to be brought into the park, but rather subjecting patrons to overpriced food and drinks. I've been to several Texas Rangers games in Arlington, where outside food is allowed in. And that's in the big leagues. Royals, you shot yourself in the foot by pricing people out of the park. "
Omaha did plan wrote on January 7, 2009 1:13 pm:
" Anyone who was around AA baseball in this area has thought from the begining of the stadium discussion that Omaha would get a team to fill the venue. It was not discussed openly at the time because it was not necessary in order to get the stadium to pass simply because Omaha does it bigger and better and has the population base to support these smaller time organizations. There are a couple of minor leagues in Omaha already that are functioning fine (Lancers, Beef) and with Siuox City, Soiux Falls, Lincoln, and St. Paul not that far away it only makes sence that the AA would come calling to this new venue without having to make much effort to attract them. In this case if you build it they actually will come. Omaha will also have a tennent that brings millions into the local economy for decades in the CWS. That trumps Lincoln's "planning" around NU and the Saltdogs. In Lincoln it was a bit of a gamble, in Omaha it was a sure thing. "
Brandon wrote on January 7, 2009 1:39 pm:
" Scott that is called economic planning; perhaps Lincoln could learn something. Omaha is building a stadium that will keep the cws in omaha for 25 years. The event has a $40 million dollar annual impact and gives omaha national tv exposure for two weeks. Plus the zoo gets to expand the state's largest attraction. It is really a smart move since the new stadium will cost the city the same amount as renovating Rosenblatt would have. This planning is an example of how progressive Omaha is. So Lincoln can have the cheap little stadium. Omaha will have the big palace for the cws, concerts, and at least one other tenant. Plus the suburbs will likely have a new stadium for the Royals too. Looks like Omaha will take back state baseball as well. "

Ads by Yahoo!