One of the common themes we've heard this week about why the College World Series is so unique to other NCAA Championship events is the hospitality and welcoming nature of the local Omaha populace. We saw an example of that Saturday afternoon as the Gamecocks traveled a few miles outside of Omaha to a lake for a cookout hosted by the Kiwanis Club, the team's host for the CWS. Each team in the tournament has a local service organization host them while they are in Omaha.
I spoke with Jim Costello, a Kiwanis Club member and the leader of the group's hosting efforts, on Saturday afternoon about the experience.
How long have you been involved with hosting teams?
I moved to Nebraska in 1978 and the first thing we did was buy season tickets to the College World Series. In 1980, I joined the Kiwanis Club and I started helping with the teams in 1982 and then took it over in 1983. I've had quite a few teams, quite a few characters, some national championships. It's a great experience.
What do you get out of being involved with this?
Part of it is just community service, but also for the love of the game. You have to be a great baseball fan to tolerate everything that goes with it, but also appreciate what these young men are doing.
How have you seen the College World Series change since you've been here?
Major changes. It's gone from a very rusty old car to a very nice-looking car. We're going to be moving a new model, which in a way is good (I'm sort of a die-hard). But the players are going to appreciate the new stadium. It will be better facilities for the players. The general public doesn't get a chance to see that and understand, but the game is for the players.
What do you think makes the Omaha CWS experience so unique?
I think it's that the community as a whole just opens up their arms and makes everyone feel welcome. You'd be surprised when you're out in the stadium, some crowds will root for one team and stick with them throughout the thing. It's really unique.
How do you think the new stadium will change the event?
It's going to be new digs and it will change it, but within three to four years, people will begin to appreciate the new place. People will still remember Rosenblatt, but it will still have that same feel.
I spoke with Jim Costello, a Kiwanis Club member and the leader of the group's hosting efforts, on Saturday afternoon about the experience. How long have you been involved with hosting teams?
I moved to Nebraska in 1978 and the first thing we did was buy season tickets to the College World Series. In 1980, I joined the Kiwanis Club and I started helping with the teams in 1982 and then took it over in 1983. I've had quite a few teams, quite a few characters, some national championships. It's a great experience.
What do you get out of being involved with this?
Part of it is just community service, but also for the love of the game. You have to be a great baseball fan to tolerate everything that goes with it, but also appreciate what these young men are doing.
How have you seen the College World Series change since you've been here?
Major changes. It's gone from a very rusty old car to a very nice-looking car. We're going to be moving a new model, which in a way is good (I'm sort of a die-hard). But the players are going to appreciate the new stadium. It will be better facilities for the players. The general public doesn't get a chance to see that and understand, but the game is for the players.
What do you think makes the Omaha CWS experience so unique?
I think it's that the community as a whole just opens up their arms and makes everyone feel welcome. You'd be surprised when you're out in the stadium, some crowds will root for one team and stick with them throughout the thing. It's really unique.
How do you think the new stadium will change the event?
It's going to be new digs and it will change it, but within three to four years, people will begin to appreciate the new place. People will still remember Rosenblatt, but it will still have that same feel.
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