Wikipedia

Werner Park

Not to be confused with Warner Park.

Werner Park is a Minor League Baseball ballpark located just west of Papillion, Nebraska, a suburban city southwest of Omaha in Sarpy County. Opened in 2011, it is owned by Sarpy County. It is the home of the Omaha Storm Chasers (the Triple A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Kansas City Royals) and USL League One professional soccer club Union Omaha. The Omaha Mavericks of the University of Nebraska Omaha also use the stadium for some home college baseball games.

Werner Park
Werner Park scoreboard in 2011
Map
Location12356 Ballpark Way
Papillion, Nebraska
United States
(Highway 370 & 126th St.)
Coordinates41°09′04″N 96°06′25″W / 41.151°N 96.107°W / 41.151; -96.107
OwnerSarpy County
OperatorOmaha Storm Chasers
Capacity9,023 total;
6,434 permanent seats,
15 private suites,
and grass berm seating
Field sizeLeft field: 310 ft (94 m)
Center field: 402 ft (123 m)
Right field: 315 ft (96 m)
SurfaceNatural grass
Construction
Broke groundAugust 12, 2009
OpenedApril 11, 2011
Construction cost$36 million
($48.8 million in 2023[1])
ArchitectDLR Group
General contractorThe Weitz Company
Tenants
Omaha Storm Chasers (PCL/AAAE/IL) 2011−present
Omaha Mavericks (NCAA) 2013−2020
Union Omaha (USL1) 2020−present

The ballpark cost $36 million to construct, and is located along Nebraska Highway 370 just east of South 126th Street, less than three miles (5 km) west of downtown Papillion in an unincorporated area of Sarpy County.[2]

History edit

From 1969 through 2010, the Omaha Royals (named the Golden Spikes from 1999 to 2001) played at Rosenblatt Stadium located in downtown Omaha. Every year, the Royals had to go on an extended two-week road trip in late May or early June to accommodate the NCAA's College World Series. The Royals were also hobbled by Rosenblatt's size. At 23,000 seats in its final configuration, it was far too large for a Triple-A team; it had 5,000 more seats than the next-largest stadium, the Buffalo Bisons’ Coca-Cola Field. In hopes of providing a more intimate setting, capacity was reduced to around 8,500 for Royals games.

When the city of Omaha announced plans to build a new ballpark in downtown Omaha for the College World Series, later named TD Ameritrade Park Omaha (now Charles Schwab Field Omaha), original plans called for its capacity to be reduced to around 12,000 for Royals games. Unable to come to terms with the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority (MECA), the intended operator of the new park, the Royals considered relocation options both inside and outside the Omaha area, including other cities nationwide interested in hosting a Triple-A team. The Royals intended to make a final decision on a new location by April 2009.[3][4] On December 3, 2008, team president Alan Stein announced that the Royals and Sarpy County had signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the construction of a new baseball stadium.[5] On March 17, 2009, the Royals reached a formal agreement with the county for the stadium, and on July 1, Stein announced the deal had been made official.[6]

Construction and naming edit

Roger Langpaul, a real estate developer from Des Moines, Iowa, agreed to donate 310 acres of land in Sarpy County for construction of the ballpark, which is intended to be the centerpiece of a mixed-use residential and commercial area. In exchange, the county agreed to build and maintain roads and make infrastructure improvements for the development.[7] Groundbreaking on the ballpark took place on August 12, 2009.[8] Most of the money for construction came from Sarpy County, but the Royals agreed to pay the county $2.35 million towards the construction costs, plus annual rent that covers roughly one-third of the debt payments.[9] On November 11, 2010, the Royals announced they had reached an agreement with Omaha-based transportation company and longtime sponsor Werner Enterprises for the ballpark's naming rights; the deal was initially valued at $305,000 per year for five years, with an option for a five-year renewal. In 2020, the deal was extended for an additional ten years through the 2030 season.[10][11][12]

The Omaha Storm Chasers, sporting their new name and livery that were announced on November 15, 2010, moved into Werner Park on December 17.

Features edit

The field is aligned northeast (home plate to center field) at an approximate elevation of 1,150 feet (350 m) above sea level; Rosenblatt Stadium had a similar alignment and elevation. Paved parking lots, including spaces for recreational vehicles, are located on the premises to the west and north of the stadium, with an additional overflow gravel lot further to the north, south of Lincoln Road. A 360-degree concourse runs around the field, and varies in width from 50–100 feet (15–30 m) behind the infield and along the baselines. Seat widths vary from 22 inches (56 cm) in the sections directly behind home plate, to 20 inches (51 cm) along the baselines, compared to 18–19 inches (46–48 cm) at Rosenblatt Stadium.[13] Werner Park has fourteen climate-controlled luxury suites on two levels behind the first and third base lines, in addition to a field-level "dugout suite" along the third base line beyond the home dugout. The upper suite level and dugout suites have their own private restrooms.[14]

Werner Park's scoreboard and video display is 31 feet (9.4 m) wide and 16 feet (4.9 m) tall and weighs 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg). A bar and beer garden is located below the scoreboard.[15]

The park features a 6,500 square feet (600 m2) children's play area located along the concourse behind left field with a carousel, inflatable bounce house, and other activities. There is also a wiffle ball field and a half-basketball court behind the concourse in left-center field.[16] Tented picnic areas for large groups are located behind the children's play area and along the concourse in right field.[17] A statue of hometown pitching legend Bob Gibson was unveiled outside Werner Park's main entrance in 2013.[18][19]

 
The entrance to Werner Park in 2019

Usage edit

The stadium's first event was a rivalry high school game on April 11, 2011, between the Papillion-La Vista Public Schools' two high schools, Papillion-La Vista South and Papillion-LaVista; the South Titans won, 2–0, over the Monarchs. The Storm Chasers opened the ballpark five days later on April 16 with a 2–1 victory over the Nashville Sounds, as top prospect Eric Hosmer went 3-for-3 in the victory.

The stadium is sometimes used as one of the host sites for the annual Nebraska School Activities Association high school baseball state tournament.[20]

Since 2013, the Omaha Mavericks of the University of Nebraska Omaha have used the venue for some home college baseball games.[21]

In July 2015, the Storm Chasers hosted the Triple-A All-Star Game and Home Run Derby, the first time the events had been held in Omaha. The Derby, which was won by the Norfolk Tides' Dariel Álvarez, was held on July 13.[22] The All-Star Game was held two days later on July 15. The Storm Chasers were represented at the game by Cheslor Cuthbert, Louis Coleman, and John Lamb as well as trainer Dave Innicca and manager Brian Poldberg, who skippered the PCL team. The IL All-Stars defeated the PCL All-Stars, 4–3.[23]

Renovations edit

From the fall of 2019 to the spring of 2020, Werner Park underwent a $2.4 million renovation in order to prepare the playing surface and facilities for USL League One professional soccer club Union Omaha, scheduled to begin play in spring 2020. Modifications included a retractable pitcher's mound, alterations to the right field foul pole, and a new building in left field to house team staff and equipment.[24]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ "ROYALS' NEW BALLPARK: Sarpy's funding plan is complex". Omaha World Herald. June 2, 2009. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2009.
  3. ^ Knapp, Katie (August 7, 2008). "Omaha Royals considering relocation options". KIOS-FM. Omaha, NE. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  4. ^ Siedlecki, Jim (December 3, 2008). "Sarpy County Move Likely For Royals". WOWT-TV. Omaha, NE. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  5. ^ Siedlecki, Jim (December 3, 2008). "Sarpy County Move Likely For Royals". WOWT-TV. Omaha, NE. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  6. ^ "Sarpy County Stadium Deal Official". Minor League Baseball. July 1, 2009. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  7. ^ Darr, Kent (February 4, 2015). "With little dirt left to sell in Omaha area, developer ready to focus on Greater Des Moines". Business Record. Des Moines, IA. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  8. ^ "Sarpy County Stadium Groundbreaking Scheduled". OurSportsCentral.com. July 28, 2009. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  9. ^ Cole, Kevin (April 10, 2011). "New Field, New Memories". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE.
  10. ^ "Werner Enterprises Granted Naming Rights for New Ballpark". ORoyals.com. November 11, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  11. ^ Cole, Kevin (April 10, 2011). "New Field, New Memories". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE.
  12. ^ "Werner Park Naming Rights Partnership Extended Ten Years". Minor League Baseball. August 25, 2020.
  13. ^ Cole, Kevin (April 10, 2011). "The Storm Chasers' New Home". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE.
  14. ^ Cole, Kevin (April 10, 2011). "The Stadium Suites". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE.
  15. ^ Cole, Kevin (April 10, 2011). "The Scoreboard". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE.
  16. ^ Cole, Kevin (April 10, 2011). "The Family Fun Zone". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE.
  17. ^ Cole, Kevin (April 10, 2011). "The Storm Chasers' New Home". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE.
  18. ^ writer, Rob White / World-Herald staff (April 11, 2013). "Bob Gibson statue unveiled at Werner Park". Omaha.com.
  19. ^ Reichard, Kevin (April 15, 2013). "Bob Gibson statue unveiled at Werner Park".
  20. ^ Pospisil, Stu (September 16, 2022). "Werner Park, UNO will host all three classes of state baseball this season". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE.
  21. ^ "Mavs to Play Seven Games at Werner Park". OMavs.com. Nebraska-Omaha Sports Information. November 16, 2012. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  22. ^ "Triple-A All-Star Home Run Derby Winners". 2017 Pacific Coast League Sketch & Record Book. Pacific Coast League. 2017. p. 162.
  23. ^ "Triple-A All-Star Game Results (2013–2017)". Triple-A Baseball. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  24. ^ Holzfaster, Sydnie (November 28, 2019). "Werner Park gets $2.4million renovation". KPTM. Omaha. Retrieved August 23, 2021.

External links edit

 
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