Take long-term view on new CWS stadium

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As published March 14, 2008 in Midlands Voices in Omaha World Herald.  Republished with permission from author and Omaha World Herald.

As one who fronted for Major League Baseball in its successful quest for new, state-of-the-art ballparks during the 1990s, I remember well what many thought was in the long-term best interests of the impacted communities -- places like Baltimore, Anaheim, Calif., Detroit, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York City and Seattle.

Omaha is in no way unique in its current debate, and that debate is a meaningful exercise.  Truth hurts no one.  But the people of Omaha should realize:

• Modern baseball parks are long-term investments.
• Any such investments provide immediate jobs in construction and later in vending, merchandizing and parking.
• New ballparks generate immediate tax returns and long-term cash flow for communities.
• These facilities offer needed summer employment for youngsters in the area.
• Sports facilities are increasingly important in recruiting new and discerning personnel for business and industry.  These men and women pay a disproportionate amount of local, state and federal taxes.
• These facilities provide attractive, accessible entertainment, especially for low-and middle-income citizens.
• Business and industry need the entertainment value of sports teams and attractive facilities to retain first-rate people in their operations.
• Finally, nothing is more important than baseball, football and basketvall to the younger generation -- to the people a community like Omaha needs to keep.
  

There is also a matter of pride among the citizenry, and winning in a new ballpark is one of life's intangibles.  Not everything is quantifiable, and it should not be.

The New York Yankees farm team in Charleston, S.C., of which I am a co-owner, is hailed by many residents as an enormous community asset, one that draws 300,000 fans a year as a Class A affiliate.  It is an economic driver, with food and beverage trucks often overloaded for the trip to Riley Park.

Schoolchildren insist on going with their parents to our modern, 10-year-old ballpark for hot dogs and soda and specialized promotions, gifts and games.  It is also one of the most popular venues for high school and college students and young professionals.

It is a place where 25 of the best Yankees prospects don Charleston RiverDogs uniforms and test their athletic wings in front of appreciative crowds.  Many of them have made it to the major leagues.  It is a popular place for senior citizens, too, because of low ticket prices and unusually good ballpark food with a variety of specialties.

Usually, opponents to new ballparks point to other community needs such as roads, schools, utilities and inadequate open park space.  They almost always rail against taxes.

As an educator, I can side with them on certain points, and they clearly are right to express concerns.  But they must remember the long-term best interests of the community.  They must remember the power of timely, long-term investment.

Being attractive to the outside world matters more than ever in today's highly competitive atmosphere.  Thinking big is the way of the future; without it, there is no future.  A Triple-A franchise like the one in Omaha would draw top dollar from many U.S. cities as valued investments in the future.

One needs to remember that construction costs of sports facilities are not going down any time soon, if ever.  Virtually all major league owners wish they had built new ballparks years ago.  Most new parks have public dollars invested in them, and most were put in downtown locations

Omaha faces an important decision, one that will have lasting ramifications.  Omaha cannot forget the importance of the College World Series to the city and Nebraska in this heated discussion.

Each summer, the nation turns its eyes to the Midwest through national television to cheer the collegiate baseball classic.  It has been a priceless asset, one that the city and state cannot afford to lose.  Friends of mine at ESPN have bonded with the city and the series in recent years.

Should the NCAA feel compelled to seek another location, cities like Charleston would be among the first to express interest and commit resources.  There is a reason why some 80 million Americans will attend major league baseball games this season, along with another 45 million fans at minor league parks (many of which are new).

The game of baseball remains American's pastime.  Omaha, given its long and storied history with the game, should remain an integral part of its future.