In the end, Rosenblatt Stadium just didn’t want to let go.  Not just yet.  The College World Series had been played at “The ‘Blatt” for sixty years.  A couple of more innings wasn’t going to hurt anything.  So, they played on.  Just a little bit longer.  On Tuesday night, June 29th, South Carolina defeated UCLA 2-1 in eleven innings, after a Whit Merrifield liner into right field scored Scott Wingo from third base.  South Carolina players and family rushed the field…the last to be able to do so on this field.  Ceremonies were held, awards were given out.  Speeches were made.  And then, the lights went out.  For the last time.

The win gave South Carolina their first College World Series title.  In fact, it is the first NCAA Team Championship for South Carolina’s men’s athletics.  And what a way to win it.  South Carolina showed the excitement and enthusiasm that made you want to see them win.  Many people talked about the “perfect way” to send Rosenblatt out.  The wish list ranged from walk-off homers to LSU comebacks.  No one could have predicted this, but this is exactly what Rosenblatt needed…and deserved.

And now, Rosenblatt sits quiet.  Sure, there will be minor league professional baseball and exhibition games played throughout the summer there.  But, for all practical purposes, Rosenblatt is retired.  Soon, it will host minivans full of zoo patrons, yellow painted lines, and a small park for off of us to remember what once was the site of some of the greatest college baseball games the world has ever seen.  Will it be enough?

Next year, the CWS moves to the yet-to-be-completed TD Ameritrade Park, just north of downtown Omaha.  It will be a fine stadium.  Modern look, fan-friendly, all of that.  But, it will be different.  It will still be the College World Series.  It will still be in Omaha.  But, it will be different.  Do you know what I mean?  Maybe it will be better than it was.  Who knows?  Maybe we will say ten years from now that we can’t believe the games were ever played in such a dump.  But, in that “dump” was where college baseball evolved into what it is today.

Goodnight, Rosenblatt.  You’ve earned your rest.  Hello, TD Ameritrade.  You’ve got quite a legacy to live up to.  Make us proud.