Mixed Feelings - A Trip Not Taken

You are on your own TTM. I've been to Omaha (or through it). I still have to get to Target Field and watch the Minnesota Twins play, so why would I want to go to Omaha? If we hadn't built Target Field I would have have been reading all the laments in our local media about the Twin Cities being nothing but a cold Omaha.

That's an old saw the media seems to trot out whenever we don't do some major league sports venture. I never quite understood it. It gets cold in Omaha too.

Now that you got me re-reading this thread, I started scouring flights again.

One of two things was going to happen after re-reading this thread: either I was going to book a flight today; or spend the next two weeks lamenting why I didn't buy a flight today.  So, naturally, I booked a flight.

I am flying MCO-DSM on June 16, with a return on the 22nd.  With some creative planning/routing, I am flying my preferred airline (which likely means an upgrade to first class on those segments eligible!) - all for ~$200.  I snagged a rental car for the week from National for ~$180, including taxes.  From when I started originally pricing things (either into OMA or MCI), both the flight and the car are significantly cheaper.  To be sure, I could have found a flight into Kansas City for about the same money on an airline without the perks (honestly, the free baggage is more important than the upgrade), but the car rental would have been almost twice as much.

The rub to all of this, of course, is finding a hotel in a city where there is a major event going on that eats up hotel rooms.  Eight baseball teams, comprised of 30+ players, plus traveling parties will tend to eat up available hotel space in a city as (relatively) small as Omaha in no time.  Throw in the fans of the teams that will be playing, ESPN crews and other media - and this is easily the biggest challenge.  Fortunately, I was able to secure a room for three nights at the Marriott (Sat-Mon), using my points.  The rooms, otherwise, would have cost $269/night.  The first night I will grab a room somewhere in Des Moines, and then Thursday and Friday nights will be somewhat in flux.  I may stay and poke around Iowa, or I may head down to KC for a couple of days.

I knew I wrote this thread last year for a reason.

@ Davydd - Target Field looks wonderful.  I did see it from the outside on the weekend when they held the exhibition games.  With all this free time in Iowa, I may set out to find one of those porky things you like!  ;)

Have fun, TTM. We are happy here in Oregon as both the University of Oregon(in its second year back) and Oregon State secured berths in the NCAA tournament. I hope you will get the chance to see either the Beavers or the Ducks while you are in Omaha. Regrettably health and finances will prevent me from joining you but I will be with you in spirit and look forward to your trip reports.

I think that the Beavers are here in Florida this weekend.  I may have to bust out my "Beaver Nation" t-shirt and make a small road trip.  Sorry you can't make it, Jim.  I know that you really wanted to see a game at Rosenblatt.  I hope you are feeling better.

I don't follow NCAA Baseball much...but Louisville is the 7th seed and is hosting the second round of one of the regionals..We'll see how our Cardinals do this year.

Al, the Cardinals look good this year.  ESPN says that they may have the easiest path of all the national seeds for a trip to Omaha.  Of course, that could be the kiss of death! 

How far is the drive from Louisville to Omaha?  10-11 hours@ (AL)

The Travelin Man

@ Davydd - Target Field looks wonderful.  I did see it from the outside on the weekend when they held the exhibition games.  With all this free time in Iowa, I may set out to find one of those porky things you like!  ;)

Atlantic, Iowa is not all that far away from Omaha where that's where you can find Blizzardstormus' Farmer's Kitchen. It has it all, award winning burgers and pies and now probably the tenderest breaded pork tenderloin sandwich in all of Iowa. That's my recommendation for anyone passing through Iowa and I have sampled all the IPPA award winners from past years.

wonderful non-trip report...
made me check out the schedule for the flyers and the cougars (local minor league teams) we gotta get to a game...

@ Davydd - I have been to Farmer's Kitchen and enjoyed it very much.  I would happily go back on this trip.  If I do go, I may try one of their burgers this go around.

TTM,

You will have lots of choices in burgers. Start planning...

TTM and others into the Baseball Tourney...

Louisville ended it's season tonight with a second loss to Vanderbilt. So the Cardinals are finished for the year.

Both Oregon and Oregon state lost so there will be no Oregon presence in Omaha this year.

No Oregon this year, but South Carolina (winner of Coastal vs. USC) and Texas (TCU vs. UT) are guaranteed to be represented this year.  If CS Fullerton holds off Minnesota tonight, then California will be guaranteed one of the eight slots (they would play UCLA for the right to go to Omaha), and if Miami beats Texas A&M, then the state of Florida will be guaranteed a slot in Omaha.

Unless Minnesota does pull off an amazing upset in the next couple of innings, no team that was seeded lower than #2 will have advanced to the second weekend.  It is amazing the percentage of #1 seeds that move on to the second week.  To put it into basketball perspective, which more people understand, it would be like no team seeded lower than a 5 or 6 making it to the Sweet 16.  It's almost unheard of - there is ALWAYS some team that makes an incredible run.  If Minnesota does pull off the amazing upset, it would be a stunner.

All of my favorite teams are out, for the most part - Rice, UNC, Oregon State, LSU.  Texas is still in - and I have always liked them.  I think I may root for a new team this year - I like UCLA.  We'll see how next weekend plays out.  I have Friday off this week, and could possibly make the trip to Gainesville for the weekend.  Need to see what tix will run.

I have often wondered why Cal-State Fullerton has had such a strong Baseball program for ages. The Cal-State system is not known far and wide for it's athletics...Save for Fresno State for football and Long Beach State for Volleyball, the whole system doesn't make the media very often.
signed
Mayor Al, former adj.Instructor Cal-State San Bernardino (Coyotes)

Since I am now attending a few games at the College Baseball World Series, I will be paying very close attention.  My Clemson Tigers are still alive, but will now face another favorite of mine, the Crimson Tide of Alabama.  Wish they could both be there.  Oh, and Nancy, I will be rooting for the Gamecocks this weekend.  That way, I can boo them in person in Omaha!

Hey Al,  LB State produced the Angels' current pitching ace Jered Weaver. That's fame enough for me.

Minnesota fell short but they gave it a good try. Northern schools are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to baseball in not having outdoor playing conditions year round or even in the early spring. The University of Minnesota has been playing its home games in the Metrodome under roof especially now that the Twins have abandoned it but that will probably be just for another year or so until they re-build their outdoor field on campus. Still, it is hard to schedule practice. Over the years Minnesota has held its own in competition for a northern school thanks to a great youth program in the Twin Cities and a history of good coaching at the University. The U of MN did produce college and Major League Hall of Famers Paul Molitor and Dave Winfield.

buffetbuster
 

Oh, and Nancy, I will be rooting for the Gamecocks this weekend.  That way, I can boo them in person in Omaha!

They'll be there for you to boo, won't they?  ;)  

buffetbuster


Since I am now attending a few games at the College Baseball World Series, I will be paying very close attention.  My Clemson Tigers are still alive, but will now face another favorite of mine, the Crimson Tide of Alabama. 

Clemson could be the slayers of the entire state of Alabama!  First Auburn and now UofA!

Looks like Miami has opened up a commanding lead against A&M in the final  Game 7 of the regionals.  I am still seriously considering driving to Gainesville this weekend.  Between UM and UF, I would probably pull for the 'Canes, but mostly just root for injuries.

Minnesota did make a good run, but make no mistake, their disadvantage is much more in recruiting and less in facilities.  Their roster is 95% kids from MN and WI.  If you look at the rosters of the teams still alive, you will find that the players have been playing year-round since they were in grade school.  Minnesota could absolutely build a winning baseball program - but, they would have to recruit their entire team from Texas, Florida, California, and Georgia.  With the limited scholarship opportunities in baseball, that is just not possible - but, it does show how CS Fullerton can have a really good baseball team (and, yes, so does Long Beach State, which has adopted the nickname "Dirt Bags" for just the baseball team!) without a larger commitment to the more costly sports (basketball, football).

TTM and I were having dinner at Johnny's Cafe in Omaha last night, when I noticed the couple in the booth next to us were Clemson fans.  When they got up to leave, I also saw the guy had the 2008 edition of Roadfood with him.  I asked him about it and he told me they never go anywhere without it and it was how they found Johnny's.  Excellent!  I asked where else they have been and while they named several places, the one they really raved about was Crisfield's in Silver Sping, MD.  Their one disappointment was Stamey's in Greensboro.  They also told me they have never been on the website.  Too bad!
 
BTW, the food and especially the service at Johnny's was first-rate.

Nice to hear that a familiar place has retained its quality!