Has anyone gone and done the omaha experience? is it worth it? It looks pricey as well. The other thing that stinks about it to is it is in the middle of summer ball. Any input is appreciated.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Sons club arranged to play in tourney hosted in Omaha area during CWS. Every dad went along with siblings. Phenomenal experience; attended 3-4 games. They've built up the area around the current stadium...lots of bars and dining. Best experience from my sons club ball - think he was 13 and the year after Cooperstown.
I've now gone with buddy's for a nice weekend of baseball as well, a lot of fun.
@Dadof3 posted:Has anyone gone and done the omaha experience? is it worth it? It looks pricey as well. The other thing that stinks about it to is it is in the middle of summer ball. Any input is appreciated.
When son was in HS he went and played a PG tournament during the WS, two years in a row with his team.
Then he went to Omaha as the #1 seed while at Clemson. And just recently with UF as a coach. I have been there once, when the game was played at Rosenblatt. Unforgettable experience as a fan, a player and a coach.
And yes, just like anything else, it's pretty pricey.
I say go for it. It's worth the expense, you will talk about it forever.
So will your son.
Will agree with all the above. If you can afford it, don’t look at price. GO!! I guarantee you that it will be your best baseball experience for life. Second best is not even close.
Been blessed to have gone twice with son's team. My suggestion if you have no connection to a team is to go the first weekend. Purchase tickets when they first come out and get a hotel or airbnb early. There are places you can stay that are more reasonable than others but if you wait until closer to time it is horrible. You can go see 2 games a day so it is pretty good. If you go for first weekend, Friday through Monday, you can see every team play once. The area behind the stadium is also incredible with all kinds of vendors that have everything baseball related and if you look some pretty good deals. Lots of restaurants and things for the entire family within walking distance. Plus every team is staying in a hotel within 8 blocks of stadium. If you check, you can find out which teams are where and they are very gracious to sign autographs and do pictures. I can also give you a few neat little places that the players go at night that are family friendly. We were in a nearby ice cream shop with son and he talked to about 20 different players from different teams in a 15-20 minute period. I tried to get son to go when he was in HS but he said I want my first time to go to CWS to be in a uniform. I didn't think it would happen at that point because UT was not really good then. One more chance to make it three times and would be the only UT player to ever do it, if what others say is correct. But it is hard to do.
There are several youth tournaments that are held that same week. Some close, some a few hours away.
So can I just clarify Dadof3, are you talking about the experience of being at the CWS in Omaha, or are you talking about the showcase "The Omaha Experience" (https://www.omahaexperience.com/)? In fact there are a ton of other things called "The Omaha Experience" if you google.
We did the Omaha experience when my son's team was 13U. It was such a blast. It was the year UVA won against Vandy. We were randomly staying at the same hotel as Vanderbilt and the players were so nice to our boys. We watched all thee championship games. Most of them got autographs (James was to shy so he only got one). I was reluctant-- it was a big stretch for us financially. But it was a great experience.
Oh ok, I misunderstood. To me the whole thing is an experience. Maybe he is talking about the one run by evoshield, I thought it was the showcase.
@PTWood posted:We did the Omaha experience when my son's team was 13U. It was such a blast. It was the year UVA won against Vandy. We were randomly staying at the same hotel as Vanderbilt and the players were so nice to our boys. We watched all thee championship games. Most of them got autographs (James was to shy so he only got one). I was reluctant-- it was a big stretch for us financially. But it was a great experience.
Some of those Vanderbilt players would probably now like to have your son’s autograph.
I meant actually going to the games. How much are just tickets typically? They have a “fan experience”. Those are like 225/person and up..
Oh! Sorry @Dadof3! I misunderstood. We went so long ago I can't help on cost (tickets were only $7 for us. 😂) but I can say it's a great experience going to the games as others have posted.
@Dadof3 posted:I meant actually going to the games. How much are just tickets typically? They have a “fan experience”. Those are like 225/person and up..
I misunderstood also so sorry. Our tickets were free. The place we were staying never got their C/O so we had to move to two different places. Clemson lost 2 first out of the box that year so we weren't there for long.
We arrived home from Gainesville after winning the super regional with covid, so we missed Omaha this year.
I think the first few days of the tournie are the best because every team is there. If you decide, you have too book reservations way before event.
No, all the answers were great! I was looking to see if it is worth the cost of admissions. Expensive tickets, but wasn't sure it would be "worth it" in terms of a memorable experience. What else is there to do, besides the game?
I think that they have fan experiences outside of the stadium. When son went as a player they had teams signing autographs and it was really cool watching hundreds of kids waiting to meet the Clemson squad.
You might want to ask @PitchingFan as he was there recently.
CWS is an awesome experience and a must for ant serious baseball fan. The tickets are pricey but so is everything. One bit of advice - pay the extra $ for reserved seats. The general admission areas can sometimes fill up hours before a game starts. There is a lot to do within walking distance around the stadium. Highly recommend it even if you have no dog in the hunt.
Attachments
Images (1)
If you buy them the day they come out you can normally get them for about 40 or $50 a seat in a reasonable seating area. The closer to the tournament the motels get crazy expensive. Parking was $10 if I remember right and that is right across the street from the stadium. You can easily stay 45 minutes to an hour away and it is not bad getting into the stadium on the day of the games. We stayed in West Omaha and it was a very nice motel for about $120 a night. Only major drawback with that motel was there was a bunch of people in purple Walking around. Just kidding. Even at night in the motel was a great environment of just talking baseball There is a fan zone in the same block as the stadium that has all kinds of things to do including food, stores, equipment, and entertainment. As I said, all I teams stay within a few blocks of the stadium and the players are out and about every afternoon and evening.
Fortunately I didn’t have to pay for tickets either, so no help there. We made it to finals so we were there for 10 days or so. The zoo was very good. We also walked around and went to a museum, but I cannot remember the name of it. Plenty to keep you occupied when not at the stadium.
Haven't been there since it moved to Ameritrade. Son's team played in a tourney in Omaha when he was 12 and the tourney was still at Rosenblatt. I can't imagine that the new stadium and area can hold a candle to the atmosphere ta Rosenblatt. It was essentially in a residential neighborhood. The local homeowners had shops selling t's, hats, etc set up in their yards and garages. There were bars in people's backyards that were open to anyone who wanted to walk in and have a beer. It was by far the best week of baseball we had in his 10 years of travel ball.
Every fan of college baseball should go to the College World Series at least once. It's true what they say about the residents of Omaha going out of their way to make it a special experience for those who attend. Once in the stadium, you'll see gear from every conceivable college program; along with many, of course, from the 8 fortunate participants.
My son pitched in two College World Series, both in Rosenblatt; and he has coached in two in what is now Charles Schwab Field. One of my most memorable baseball-oriented experiences with him occurred the day after he had pitched against a team that TPM knows and loves. At the last minute, he and I decided to buy 2 tickets way down the left field line to watch 2 of the other participating teams. We had a blast sitting down there, watching the game and talking college baseball with fans from all over.
While the old Rosenblatt and its surroundings were unique and more than a bit eclectic, the new stadium experience is still great (and a good bit more fan friendly once you're in the stadium). Try to go if you can.
I remember that day like it was yesterday. Prepster's son, Robert Woodard, not only out pitched but out smarted Clemson hitters. One of the highlights of being a baseball parent is watching your friends sons succeed in baseball, either as a player or a coach, manager, etc.
Omaha isnt just a trip, its an experience. So true about the local folks going out of their way to make the experience special.
For those that have an opportunity to play, win or lose, there is nothing like it. The same goes for the experience for the fans. I loved Omaha back in 2006, son said that I would have loved the 2023 version just as much. Maybe next year!
They put the Rosenblatt mound at the original site as well as some bleachers. Son took his wife and she said he got kind of emotional.
That's what baseball memories can do to ya!
@Dadof3 posted:What else is there to do, besides the game?
If it were me, I'd stay in Lincoln near the Haymarket district. That place is way cool. Then take a day/night trip and go up into the Sand Hills. Spend the night there far from all the light pollution and show your kids a night sky they've never seen before and most likely never will again.
I will add that the SEC tournament is Hoover is a close second. Hoover is much like Omaha and knows how to do it. The only problem with Hoover is not every team shows up to win it all at all costs like Omaha but it still is a great atmosphere.
I love how both places give the players a police escort to the field from their hotel and back. Both places the fans can come to the hotels and they put out what time and line the lobbies and sidewalk to make a tunnel for the players to go to their buses. Which are then escorted by motorcycles with US and the team flags on them. They block every redlight between the hotels and the fields so that the team is treated like rockstars on the way to the field. Having talked to so many players from various teams it is unique to hear them appreciate how special Omaha or Hoover is. It is truly the grand showcase of college baseball.
Awesome! Ty