OMAHA, Neb. -- Although on borrowed time, Rosenblatt Stadium hasn't lost its appeal.The College World Series is expected to a set a new attendance total as the tournament rolls to a close with Wednesday's finale between No. 1 seed Texas and top-ranked LSU. Approximately 316,090 fans -- the second-highest total behind last year's mark of 330,099 -- have watched 14 games (22,503 average) since the eight-team, double-elimination tourney started June 13.
Drum roll or taps, please. Rosenblatt, of course, will host its final CWS next year. The colorful stadium, home to the CWS since 1950 and named after former Omaha mayor Johnny Rosenblatt in 1964, will be razed and turned into a parking lot for Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, which is located across the street.
Out with the old, in with the new.
Last year Omaha leaders approved to build a new $140 million downtown ballpark after the NCAA agreed to a 25-year extension with the city to hold the CWS here. The 2011 CWS will be the first held at the 24,000 seat TD Ameritrade Park Omaha, which is under construction, less than five miles from Rosenblatt.
College World Series of Omaha, Inc., the local non-profit organizing body, determined in 2005 that it would cost at least $25 million in future improvements to Rosenblatt Stadium to ensure it would continue to be a viable venue to host the CWS. Rosenblatt has undergone $39 million in improvements since 1987, but the facility has few fan amenities, tight concourses and cramped clubhouses.
The CWS has steadily grown in popularity since coming to Omaha from Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1950. Total attendance was 17,805 in 1950, compared with last year's record total.
Texas and LSU -- two of college baseball's heavyweights -- have made this year's CWS one of the series' most memorable. The Longhorns need one victory for their third national title this decade and seventh overall; the Tigers are one win away from their sixth crown and first since 2000.
The weather forecast for Wednesday is for temperatures in the mid-90s and isolated thunderstorms. Tuesday's game, won by Texas, 5-1 to force a third game in the best-of-three finals, was delayed an hour and 34 minutes due to thunderstorms. LSU won Game 1 on Monday, 7-6 in 11 innings.
"It's the final fight," Texas coach Augie Garrido said.
"Two hundred and eighty eight [teams] have started, two are left with one game to play. Pretty awesome."
Latest College World Series Images
LSU players Paul Bertuccini, second left, Buzzy Haydel, third left, Chris McGhee, fourth left, and DJ LeMahieu, right, stand in the dugout after losing to Texas in Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series best-of-three baseball finals, in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, June 23, 2009. Texas beat LSU 5-1, forcing a third game. (AP Photo/Ted Kirk)
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Texas pitcher Taylor Jungmann (26), who pitched a complete game against LSU, exchanges high-fives with pitcher Brandon Workman (12), at the end of Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series best-of-three baseball finals, in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, June 23, 2009. Texas beat LSU 5-1, forcing a third game. (AP Photo/Ted Kirk)
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LSU's players, including Derek Helenihi, center, watch the last out against Texas in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series best-of-three baseball finals in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, June 23, 2009. Texas beat LSU 5-1, forcing a third game. (AP Photo/Ted Kirk)
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Texas pitcher Taylor Jungmann, who pitched a complete game against LSU, pumps his fist after the last out in Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series best-of-three baseball finals, in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, June 23, 2009. Texas beat LSU 5-1, forcing a third game. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
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Texas pitcher Taylor Jungmann, who pitched a complete game against LSU, pumps his fist after the last out in Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series best-of-three baseball finals, in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, June 23, 2009. Texas beat LSU 5-1, forcing a third game. (AP Photo/Ted Kirk)
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OMAHA, NE - JUNE 23: Nolan Cain #39 of the Louisiana State University Tigers delivers a pitch against the Texas Longhorns during Game 2 of the 2009 NCAA College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium on June 23, 2009 in Omaha, Nebraska. The Longhorns defeated the Tigers 5-1. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Nolan Cain
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OMAHA, NE - JUNE 23: Taylor Jungmann #26 of the Texas Longhorns is congratulated after another scoreless inning against the Louisiana State University Tigers during Game 2 of the 2009 NCAA College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium on June 23, 2009 in Omaha, Nebraska. The Longhorns defeated the Tigers 5-1. Jungmann pitched a complete game. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Taylor Jungmann
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OMAHA, NE - JUNE 23: Taylor Jungmann #26 of the Texas Longhorns sends the ball back to first against the Louisiana State University Tigers during Game 2 of the 2009 NCAA College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium on June 23, 2009 in Omaha, Nebraska. The Longhorns defeated the Tigers 5-1. Jungmann pitched a complete game. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Taylor Jungmann
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OMAHA, NE - JUNE 23: Taylor Jungmann #26 of the Texas Longhorns delivers a pitch against the Louisiana State University Tigers during Game 2 of the 2009 NCAA College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium on June 23, 2009 in Omaha, Nebraska. The Longhorns defeated the Tigers 5-1. Jungmann pitched a complete game. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Taylor Jungmann
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OMAHA, NE - JUNE 23: The Louisiana State University Tigers dugout reacts to the loss after Game 2 of the 2009 NCAA College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium on June 23, 2009 in Omaha, Nebraska. The Longhorns defeated the Tigers 5-1. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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