Legislature Ups Ante in Bid to Rid Omaha of College World Series

A new wrinkle in the ongoing saga of the College World Series emerged today as State Senator John Synowiecki, who represents the area around Rosenblatt, introduced a bill today that would fund a renovation of Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium. Synowiecki told the Omaha World-Herald that he offered the bill because the entire state has a vested interest in keeping the College World Series in Omaha.

Really?

Then why is the money being only offered for a plan that the NCAA has repeatedly rejected? The NCAA is clear on this matter, and proposals like this only add fuel to a divisive, emotional issue.

I understand Synowiecki's point to a degree; he represents the Rosenblatt area, and is doing everything he can to keep the College World Series in his district. From his perspective and for his district, five more years of the College World Series at Rosenblatt is better than 20 years of the College World Series downtown.

(Correction: Senator Synowiecki represents downtown as well. My apologies for the error.)

However, that logic doesn't apply when you look at the entire city or even the state. 5 years is NOT better than 20 years.

Now, a co-sponsor of the bill, State Senator Brad Ashford mentions that the bill could be amended later to fund a downtown ballpark in the future. Which makes me ask the question "why not leave the bill open ended?" If the bill isn't to put pressure on the city to reject the NCAA's demands, then why put those restrictions in there in the first place?

Some of Omaha's so-called leaders are playing with fire here. Maybe they should just come out and just tell the NCAA that they aren't going to roll over and grant the NCAA what they are asking for. If the NCAA doesn't like it, they can take the College World Series and find someone who will.

Maybe that's a harsh statement, but it's closer to the truth. People say the right things, but their actions betray them.