The History of The Road to Omaha

Omaha, NE - For more than seven decades, Omaha has been the heartbeat of college baseball. Every June, the nation’s best teams descend upon the city for the College World Series, where dreams are lived out, legends are born and history is written on the diamond.

At the heart of it all have been two iconic venues: the historic Rosenblatt Stadium and its modern successor, Charles Schwab Field Omaha.

Built in 1947 and known initially as Omaha Municipal Stadium, Rosenblatt was renamed in 1964 to honor Johnny Rosenblatt, a former Omaha mayor and passionate advocate for bringing baseball to the city. By 1950, the stadium had already begun hosting the College World Series, and from that point forward, it became inseparable from the tournament’s identity.

Rosenblatt Stadium was quirky, charming, and overflowing with character. Its multi-colored seats, towering light poles, and views of the Henry Doorly Zoo beyond the outfield fence created a unique, homey atmosphere.

With a seating capacity that swelled to over 23,000 during its heyday, Rosenblatt was a coliseum for college baseball, where programs such as LSU, Texas, Arizona State, and USC etched their names into the history books.

For many fans and players, Rosenblatt was more than a venue; it was a rite of passage. Legendary coach Augie Garrido once called it the “center of the college baseball universe.” The smell of grilled hot dogs, the roar of the crowd and the tension of elimination games made Rosenblatt a place of magic and memory.

From Warren Morris’s walk-off home run in 1996 to the unforgettable 2008 series between Georgia and Fresno State, the moments that unfolded within its fences became foundational to the CWS legacy.

But by the early 2000s, change was inevitable. Despite its beloved status, Rosenblatt was aging, and Omaha needed a venue that matched the growing stature of college baseball’s marquee event.

After years of debate and planning, Rosenblatt hosted its final College World Series in 2010. In 2011, the event moved just a few miles north to a gleaming new stadium in downtown Omaha: TD Ameritrade Park, now known as Charles Schwab Field Omaha.

The transition was bittersweet. Gone were the vibrant oddities of Rosenblatt, replaced by the sleek lines and modern amenities of the new park.

But Charles Schwab Field brought with it a future-proof infrastructure, 25,000 seats, spacious concourses, advanced facilities for media and players and a downtown location that sparked new energy in the city.

The first few years at the new stadium were marked by change and adjustment. The bigger field dimensions led to early criticisms of suppressed offense, with home runs becoming a rarity.

But over time, adjustments to equipment and weather patterns helped balance the game. Now, Charles Schwab Field has developed its aura, hosting thrilling finishes, breakout stars and the evolving culture of college baseball’s top event.

In 2021, the park welcomed record-breaking crowds after the pandemic, and in 2022, Ole Miss fans turned the stadium into a sea of powder blue. By 2023 and beyond, Charles Schwab Field has become synonymous with clutch performances and roaring student sections modern traditions built on the bones of an old classic.

While Rosenblatt may be gone, its spirit lives on. The “Road to Omaha” statue, once outside Rosenblatt, now greets fans at Charles Schwab Field. A miniature tribute to Rosenblatt stands near the zoo, preserving the memory for generations who never had the chance to experience it firsthand.

Together, Rosenblatt and Charles Schwab Field tell the story of how a Midwestern city became the capital of college baseball.

One remembered for its grit and nostalgia; the other, for its ambition and evolution.

But both are forever etched into the heart of the game and the dreams of every team hoping to dogpile in June.