OMAHA, NEB. (AP) - The possibility of flooding disrupting the College World Series is so remote that NCAA and local organizers haven’t discussed what they would do if it happened.
The CWS’ first run at TD Ameritrade Park in downtown Omaha starts June 18.
The Missouri River is a few blocks east of the new stadium and is currently about a foot over flood stage. It is expected to crest near Omaha later this month at record levels, but emergency management officials are confident a 42-foot levee will protect the city.
“Right now it’s not an issue,” said Dennis Poppe, NCAA managing director for football and baseball. “We’re playing ball. We’re planning to open the stadium on the 17th (for opening ceremonies) and have a great series.”
Spokeswoman Rebecca Kleeman of the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority, which manages the stadium, said the agency has been getting calls this week from fans concerned about what would happen if downtown is flooded.
“We are very much aware that there are a number of rumors floating around,” Kleeman said, “but at this time there are no change of plans for any events, including the College World Series.”
Among speculation floating around town is that the CWS would move back to Rosenblatt Stadium if floodwaters were to reach the new stadium. Rosenblatt, which sits on much higher ground than the new stadium, was home to the CWS from 1950-2010.
“Not even on our radar at this point,” CWS Inc. president Jack Diesing wrote in an email.
The city sold Rosenblatt and its grounds to the adjacent zoo for $12 million. A 6-foot-high chain-link fence weaves around the perimeter, but its seats are still affixed and the playing surface is intact.
Another option would be to push back the start of the CWS if high waters come.
“Hypothetically, you can do anything,” Poppe said. “I don’t even want to get into hypothetical situations.”
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