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storm Chasers 2011 Fan Guide

On the menu 3 | High-end talent 5 | Navigate the ballpark 6-7 | Future growth 11

O M A H A WO R L D - H E R A L D

“First of all, we’re just excited to be able to keep Triple A baseball here” in the Omaha area, Cordaro said. “Then to be able to provide a great setting and so many wonder-ful amenities for our fans. . . . It’s hard to put into words how good we feel about everything at the new park.”

Werner Park sits off Nebraska Highway 370 near 126th Street outside Papillion and was built at a cost of $26 million — with most of the money coming from Sarpy County, which owns the park. The Storm Chasers agreed to pay Sarpy County $2.35 million toward the cost of the stadium, plus annual rent that will cover roughly one-third of the annual debt payments.

The naming rights were pur-chased by Werner Enterprises, a national trucking company based in Sarpy County, for $305,000 annually over five years, with an option for a five-year renewal.

Gregory Garlock, a senior ar-chitect with DLR Group of Omaha, said his company worked closely with the Storm Chasers in designing the new stadium.

“Sarpy County kept close tabs on the project, but they really let the Storm Chasers and DLR take the lead in the design,” Garlock said. “The final result turned out to be a combination of what everyone brought to the table.”

It was the job of Weitz Construc-tion to turn the dreams of the team and the county into reality. Chris

Pesek, the project manager, said the finished product is very satisfying.

“I know that I’m really going to enjoy taking my family there,” Pesek said. “It was a challenging project, but it was also a lot of fun. People are going to really like this park.”

The stadium has 6,434 fixed seats and will hold 9,023 fans when berm seating is included.

Cordaro said a large children’s play area was at the top of the list for the new ballpark. The family fun zone features a carousel, an obstacle course, a jungle gym, bounce houses, a pitching speed machine and a crafts area.

Children will have unlimited access to the fun zone for $5 in addition to the price of admission. There also will be a concession stand near the fun zone that will feature specialty items for kids, such as macaroni and cheese.

“It’s a very exciting feature that gives the kids a great place to play while their parents enjoy the ballgame,” Cordaro said. “I can see kids riding our carousel over and over again.”

Berm seating, a trend for college and minor league ballparks, was a critical feature because it offers seating at reduced prices, Cordaro said. Berm seating is $6 at Werner Park — $1 less than Rosenblatt Stadium’s cheapest seat — and the first 50 kids through the gates will pay just $1 if they are headed to the grassy seating area.

At Werner Park, the berm seating wraps around the outfield, and fans are encouraged to bring a blanket or beach towel, pick a spot and wait for the home run balls to start dropping.

“The whole notion of berm seating came into use about 15 or 20 years ago, and the result is a very casual, relaxed place to sit and enjoy the game,” Garlock said. “People can treat it like a picnic spot with a view of the ballgame.”

An added feature for fans sitting on the berm in right-center field is the bird’s-eye view of the bullpens beyond centerfield. Those fans will be directly above the pitchers as they warm up.

“The fans will get a chance to interact with the teams pretty much throughout the game,” Cordaro said. “For that matter, there’s not a bad seat in the house. The folks at DLR have built in great sight lines all the way around the park.”

Having a clear view of the field from almost everywhere is a big change from what fans were used to at Rosenblatt, Garlock said.

“At Rosenblatt if you went to the restroom or to get something from the concession stand, you were disengaged from the game,” Garlock said. “Here, you are pretty much able to watch the game from anywhere in the park, and that’s going to make a big difference for the fans.”Contact the writer:402-444-1272, kevin.cole@owh.com

New field, new memories

Special sections editor: Shelley Larsen

Designer: Ananda Spadt

Reporters: Kevin Cole, Howard K. Marcus, Mike

Watkins, Rob White

Copy editors: Howard K. Marcus and Pam Richter

Cover photo: Braden Beles, 8, watches the Storm Chas-ers during a preview event. Photo by Howard K. Marcus.

To advertise in World-Herald special sections, call

402-444-1485.

Storm Chasers is a special section produced by the

news division of the Omaha World-Herald.

STAFF

2 STorm ChASerS

B y K e v i n C o l e | W O R L D - H E R A L D S T A F F W R I T E R

Omaha’s AAA baseball team finally has its own field of dreams.When the Storm Chasers play their home opener Friday against Nashville, they will do so in a

stadium that was built with just their team and fans in mind.Omaha General Manager Martie Cordaro said a family-friendly atmosphere, berm seating and clear

views of the playing field from all directions finally give the team “an appropriate” minor league ballpark. The team had talked about a new ballpark for several years, he said, but the talk turned to action in 2008

when the City of Omaha decided to close Rosenblatt Stadium and move the College World Series to a $128 million ballpark downtown. Team owners opted for their own stadium, in Sarpy County.

Know The logoThe Omaha Storm Chasers have a lightning bolt striking through all their signs and merchandise. Stormy and Vortex are the two new

mascots. Stormy’s the one with the anemometer on his noggin; Vortex is the

tornado.

Did you know there are 108 stitches in a baseball? Find all 108 stitches in this Storm Chasers special section.

A Mixed Use Development Opportunity Location... Vision... Energy!

Call Roger Langpaul, CCIM, CRE, CPM | 515.778.8717 | roger@360brokers.com | www.360brokers.com

120th St. & Highway 370 Papillion Sarpy County, NE

The Pennant Place development area brings together an unparalleled combin-ation of exceptional access, geography, location, demographics, planned growth with a pro-business climate. Add a recently completed world-class ballpark in the center of the development area and two recreational areas adjacent and you have a recipe for immediate success. The Pennant Place vision then goes further by providing a fully developed mixed-use development plan designed to create a consumer experience that is unlike any other. All designed to blend the feel of an urban pedestrian streetscape with the ease of vehicle centered entertainment facilities and large-scale retail. Sited for maximum access and sales per square foot, it is ready for pre-leasing & development.

Pennant Place is location, vision, experience... and success.

Thefood

O M A H A WO R L D - H E R A L D S u n D Ay, A p R i L 1 0 , 2 0 1 1 3

By Howard K. Marcus

WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Fresh and local. Those are the concepts Ovations Food Services is planning to drive home with its offer-ings at Werner Park.

John LaChance, a regional vice president of the Lutz, Fla.-based com-pany, said Ovations employees looked for “niche items that are going to be exciting” when developing the menu. They didn’t have to look far. The Reu-ben sandwich — an Omaha original — will be a featured menu item.

LaChance said three Reubens will be offered: corned beef, turkey and kielbasa.

Frankfurter fans won’t be disap-pointed.

“We’ve got a concept called Hot

Dog Nation,” LaChance said. Included are a Chicago dog, a Coney-style dog and the Omaha Dog (a hot dog with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thou-sand Island dressing).

Another niche item is fresh Nebras-ka corn dipped in a choice of plain, Cajun or garlic butter.

“It’s something we’ll be serving a bit later into the season,” LaChance said.

Don’t want any twists on your ball-park food? Fear not.

“We’re always going to serve the traditional ballpark fare,” he said. Though a stand called “The Show” will be dedicated to selling popcorn, Cracker Jack and other time-honored treats, those items also will be avail-able at other concession stands.

When possible, Ovations partnered

with locally owned brands and restau-rants. Burgers, for example, are from Omaha Steaks. La Mesa restaurant will serve tortas, overstuffed burri-tos, tortilla chips with guacamole, and chips with cheese and pico de gallo. Famous Dave’s will operate a barbe-cue pavilion near left field. Extreme Pizza will sell pizza, subs and salads.

“Everything is going to be made fresh on site,” LaChance said.

If you still have room for dessert, head over to the ballpark’s ice cream and sweet shop, where ice cream with various toppings will be served in miniature replicas of Storm Chasers batting helmets. Standard cones and cups also will be available, along with favorite candies like licorice ropes.

“All the good stuff,” LaChance said.

Buy me some peanuts and ears of corn

H o w a r d K . M a r c u s / T H e w o r l d - H e r a l d

Ovations Food Services will offer a variety of niche items at Werner Park, including the Omaha Dog (in foreground), chicken sliders, left, and corn on the cob dipped in butter.

$7.50Mushroom-

Swiss burger

$5omaha dog

$3Nebraska

corn

$7.50Chicken slider basket

$7.50Reuben

$3.50Pretzel

$3Popcorn

(85-ounce)

$4Cracker

Jack

$3.50Peanuts

$2fountain

drink (12-ounce)

$7Tap beer

(24-ounce domestic)

$5Ice cream (8-ounce helmet)

SelecteD menu ItemS

Source: Ovations Food Services

abundant | domestic | clean | reliableProud sponsor of the Omaha Storm Chasers!

.

WELL DONESARPY COUNTY!

CONGRATULATIONS ONTHE OPENING OFWERNER PARK

O M A H A WO R L D - H E R A L D4 Storm ChaSerS

It will be easy to locate the Centris Family Fun Zone, just beyond the left-center field seats, by following the beeline of children headed for the playground area or by looking for the colorfully painted carousel that was purchased from the Universal Orlando theme park in Florida. For a $5 admission charge, children can ride the carousel as much as they like, climb on a jungle gym, navigate an obstacle course, bounce in inflatable houses and test their arm on a pitching machine. The Borsheim’s Whiffle Ball Diamond and a half-court basketball court, both fully equipped, are nearby for pickup games. The entire 6,500-square-foot zone will be shaded by a giant tent top. A children’s concession stand in the area features kid favorites such as macaroni and cheese.

The family fun zone

a

Turn to the stadium map on Page 7 and find the flag marked A to see where the Centris Family Fun Zone is

located in Werner Park.

oN the maP

K E N T S I E V E R S / T H E W O R L D - H E R A L D

Aubrey Brown, 6½, of Omaha

rides the carousel during a Werner

Park open house. The carousel

is from the Universal Orlando

theme park in Florida.

H O W A R D K . M A R C U S / T H E W O R L D - H E R A L D

Taking a spin in the fun zone are, from left, 4-year-olds Austin Parker, Matt Ceroky and Bennett Kloke.

teamthe

O M A H A WO R L D - H E R A L D S u n D Ay, A p R i L 1 0 , 2 0 1 1 5

By RoB White

WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Drink in the excitement at the new Werner Park, but don’t miss the games. By season’s end, fans will have had a chance to see some of the brightest prospects in the minors pass through.

The collection of young, high-end talent that has been assigned to the Omaha Storm Chasers’ roster is impressive, and minor league followers around the country have taken note.

But there’s some caution that comes with that.The Storm Chasers, Kansas City’s Class AAA affili-

ate, will most likely have the youngest roster in the Pacific Coast League. They’ll be sending out plenty of players ages 21 through 24 against plenty of teams where the average age is closer to 27 or 28.

“We could take our lumps early,” Omaha Manager Mike Jirschele said. “There’s going to be some adjust-ments for them to make. But they’re at the point where they’re going to be able to do that, and we should con-tinue to get better.”

The Storm Chasers opened the season Thursday at Albuquerque and play their home opener at the new Werner Park on Friday.

Most baseball fans already know the names of three of Kansas City’s top prospects who will start the season in Omaha:

• Slugging third baseman Mike Moustakas, 22, hit a minor league high 36 home runs last year while split-ting time between Class AA and Omaha.

• Eric Hosmer, 21, has a sweet swing expected to produce consistent .300 batting averages in the big leagues and the skills to make him a Gold Glove first baseman.

• And left-handed pitcher Mike Montgomery, 21, is 6-foot-5 and throws 96 mph.

In the prestigious Baseball America Top 100 pros-pects list, Hosmer ranks eighth, Moustakas ninth and Montgomery 19th. Another Storm Chaser, 22-year-old

left-handed pitcher Danny Duffy, is 68th.And, if big-league promotions come for those four,

there’s another group of high-level prospects at Class AA Northwest Arkansas waiting to move up: 10th-ranked outfielder Wil Myers, 18th-ranked left-hander John Lamb, 51st-ranked shortstop Christian Colon and 83rd-ranked left-handed pitcher Chris Dwyer.

The Royals’ nine top 100 prospects (Class A pitcher Jake Odorizzi is No. 69) were on the cover of the most recent Baseball America. The Royals’ minor league players — not the major league ones — were featured in a recent Sports Illustrated article.

“They’re starting to build credibility not only on the local and regional level, but the national level,” said Martie Cordaro, Omaha’s general manager.

Many Class AAA teams have rosters filled with play-ers in their late 20s, many with big-league service time on their résumés who bounce from one organization to another in the offseason as free agents, looking for the right fit.

That isn’t the case with the Storm Chasers — only nine of the 24 players, six of them pitchers, have played a major league game.

“These guys are here to do whatever they can to help the team, and they want to win,” Jirschele said.Contact the writer:402-444-1027, rob.white@owh.comtwitter.com/RWhiteOWH

Bright, young prospects fill roster

Moustakas Third baseman

Hosmer First baseman

Montgomery Pitcher

H o w a r d K . M a r c u s / T H e w o r l d - H e r a l d

Omaha Storm Chasers infielder Eric Hosmer, No. 35, signs autographs for 8-year-old twins Allie (wearing headband) and Madie Vance of Omaha.

BERMThE

O M A H A WO R L D - H E R A L D8 SToRM ChaSERS

BWerner Park features 14 climate-controlled

suites, each with a 40-inch flat-screen TV, refrigerator, sink and ice maker. Two suites can be rented for individual games, starting at $625. The suites are in two levels, with the lower on the main concourse level and the upper tier on the same level as the press box. The suites extend up the first- and third-base lines. The suites hold from 18 to 36 people and also have 12 balcony seats. Those suites that are rented for the season can be decorated to suit individual tastes. Wait service is included.

The stadium suitesoN ThE MaP

Turn to the stadium map

on Page 6 and find the

flag marked B to see where

the suites are located in Werner Park.

There’s just nothing like spreading out a blanket on the grass and soaking in the rays at the ol’ ball yard.

The addition of grassy berms for seating has become a popular trend at college and minor league baseball parks, and University of Nebraska-Lincoln junior Marissa Wal-lace thinks she knows why.

“It’s just so nice to be able to lay down on the grass out in the sun,” Wallace said. “You can see the game fine and get a nice tan at the same time.”

When the Husker base-ball team plays weekends at Hawks Field in Haymarket Park, Wallace and her friends like to gather in left field.

“People (at Werner Park) are going to love that part of it,” Wallace said. “My friends and I hardly ever miss a game.”

Gregory Garlock, a senior architect with DLR Group of Omaha, said Werner Park has 6,434 fixed seats but will hold 9,023 fans when the berm seating is included. Tickets for berm seating are $6, with the first 50 kids at each game paying only $1.

DLR Group is nation-ally recognized for design of intercollegiate baseball and softball stadiums. The firm designed Haymarket Park as well as Louisiana State University’s new Alex Box Stadium and the University of Texas’ recently renovated UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

Garlock said the experi-ence of taking in the game from the grass beyond the outfield walls compares favor-ably with families gathered on the grass at Memorial Park in Omaha waiting for a free concert.

“That’s exactly the kind of atmosphere we hope the berms generate,” Garlock said. “Just kick back and hang out with the family or friends.”

An added attraction at Werner Park will be a picnic area on the right-field berm. The picnic space provides a view of the game and is within a short walk of the basketball court and whiffle ball field. The picnic area can be reserved for exclusive use if the group numbers 120 people.

Berm offers fans a concert-like atmosphere

H o W a r d K . M a r c u s / T H e W o r l d - H e r a l d

H o W a r d K . M a r c u s / T H e W o r l d - H e r a l d

Checking out the berm in Werner Park was a popular activity during a stadium preview.

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O M A H A WO R L D - H E R A L D S u n D Ay, A p R i L 1 0 , 2 0 1 1 9

By Howard K. Marcus

World-Herald Staff Writer

If you’re in Sarpy County for a Storm Chasers game or other activity, why not make a day of it?

Linda Revis, tourism director for the county, said there’s plenty for tourists and residents to see and do.

“If they tell us what they’re interested in, we can give them a pretty good game plan of what they can do to spend their day or their next couple days if they want,” she said.

Depending on your interests, you could go antiquing, visit re-ligious sites, take a hike or just pig out on a variety of cuisines.

For a more general tour, begin your day with breakfast at one of Sarpy County’s approximately 170 restaurants. Revis said the exact number changes almost daily. You’ll find about 100 American, Asian, Mexican and other full-service restau-rants, plus some 70 fast-food locations.

“There’s plenty of opportunities for people to find anything that their little heart desires to eat,” she said.

Then take a brisk walk in Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd. North in Bellevue.

“Every year, they bring in a major display. And this year is going to be a display on the ice age,” Revis said. The exhibit will be in place from July 1 through Sept. 30.

Don’t like dirt trails? Stroll down the forest’s mile-long boardwalk.

“It’s birdwatcher paradise down there,” Revis said. “If you’re lucky, you’ll spot the deer and the wild turkey.”

Follow the forest visit with a trip to the Sarpy County His-torical Museum, 2402 Clay St. in Bellevue, then have lunch at (or on the way) to Shadow Lake Towne Center at 72nd Street and Nebraska Highway 370, which draws shoppers and diners from western Iowa and from south of Sarpy County.

“It’s growing continuously,” Revis said of the center. “We can hardly keep up to date on what’s there. There’s new restaurants being opened every few months, or a new store coming in.”

Then take in a game or concert at Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way, followed by a relaxing line or two of bowling at Leopard Lanes, 601 Chateau Drive in Bellevue, or some fishing at Walnut Creek, south of Nebraska Highway 370 and west of 96th Street.

Along the way, stop by 12703 Westport Parkway in La Vista for a look at outdoor gear from Cabela’s, which bills itself as the World’s Foremost Outfitter.

Finish your day with a trip to the Old-Fashioned Soda Foun-tain, 205 Main St. in Springfield, or stomp some grapes at the nearby Soaring Wings Vineyard, which regularly offers live music, plus special dinners and other events throughout the year.

If your interests are more specialized, consider one of these mini tours suggested by Revis, whether it’s baseball season or not.

Take me out to the ballgame . . . . . and the forest, the shopping center and more.

antIQuES and CoLLECtIbLESThe Brass Armadillo Antique Mall — There’s a lot to see in this 30,000-square-foot antiques cornucopia, with 300 booths and cases. At 10666 Sapp Brothers Drive, near the Interstate 80 and Nebraska Highway 50 interchange.

Mission Ave. Antiques — Glassware, brewiana, retro decor, and vintage photos and postcards are just some of the offerings at this 608 W. Mission Ave. store in Old Towne Bellevue.

Antiques on Franklin — Among other items, you’ll find enamelware, antique chairs, tables, candles and a variety of Pyrex in this Bellevue store at 2217 Franklin St.

RELIGIouS

outdooRSAk-Sar-Ben Aquarium and Schramm Park State Recreation Area — Located near Gretna at 21004 W. Highway 31, this attraction includes the state’s first fish hatchery (now operated as a museum), a 331-acre park and the aquarium, which features species native to Nebraska.

Fontenelle Forest and Acorn Acres — The forest offers activities for all ages. Acorn Acres, which is designed for kids, includes a treehouse, digging area, miniature waterfall, butterfly garden and more.

Sumtur Amphitheater — In Papillion at 11691 S. 108th St., the amphitheater features plenty of family entertainment, including the free-admission Starlite Movie Series, which begins May 20 with a showing of “Shrek Forever After.”

Vala’s Pumpkin Patch — You’ll find bonfires, picnics, stage shows, pig races, games, pumpkins, hayrack rides, pedal cars and other delights at this attraction in Gretna at 12102 S. 180th St. Open full time Sept. 17 and 18, and Sept. 23 through Oct. 31.

Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch — Pick fruit, attend a festival, walk through a corn maze and take a hayrack ride at this Papillion attraction at 11001 S. 48th St. Open full time mid-August through Oct. 31.

Chalco Hills Recreation Area — Fishing, hiking and biking are just a few of the activities available at Chalco Hills, which includes the 250-acre Wehrspann Lake. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission stocks the lake with walleye, large-mouth bass, sunfish and other popular fish species. The main entrance is at 154th Street and Giles Road.

KIdSPapio Fun Park — A game arcade, batting cages, miniature golf, go-karts and more are part of this indoor-outdoor family entertainment facility in Papillion at 210 E. Lincoln St.

Papio Bay Aquatic Center — This 5-acre swimming and outdoor recreation area at 815 Halleck St. in Papillion includes two water slides, zero-depth pool, wading pool with children’s butterfly slide, two sand volleyball courts and 1- and 3-meter diving boards. Pool opens for the season May 28.

Tiny Town Village — This play area includes a library building, tiny train, playhouse and other structures right-sized for young children. Opens for the season June 1. In Gretna at Nebraska Crossing off Interstate 80 at Exit 432.

For more information about Sarpy County attractions, visit www.gosarpy.com.

Contact the writer: 402-444-1397, howard.marcus@owh.com

Holy Family Shrine — Located high on a hill at 23132 Pflug Road in Gretna, the shrine is visible from Interstate 80. Mass is held every Saturday at 10 a.m.

Old Presbyterian Church — Completed in 1858 and expanded in 1904, this church building at 2002 Franklin St. in Bellevue has been maintained as a historic landmark since 1961.

Grotto at St. Columbans — Situated in St. Columbans, Neb., an unincorporated community in Bellevue, the grotto is maintained by the Missionary Society of St. Columbans, also known as the Columban Fathers. The site includes headquarters for the Society in the United States.

From Mission Avenue, go north on Calhoun Street for two blocks, then up the driveway. A short walking trail leads to the grotto.

1-800-GoSarpy (1-800-467-2779)www.GoSarpy.com

Sarpy County Tourism 1-80, Exit 432, 14333 S. Hwy 31- Gretna, NE 68028

BELLEVUE

GRETNA SP

RINGFIELD

OFFUTTAFB

LAVISTA PAPILLIONRETNA SP FUTTTT A

GRETE NA SP OFFU

TTTT AFBLAVISTAT PAPP PILLIONG LALL VISTATT P LION

We invite you to join us at Werner Park for a

Storm Chasers game this season!

For bookings go to www.embassysuites.omahalavista.comUpcoming Home Games April 16,17,18 VS Nashville, April 19,20,21,22 VS Memphis

Future Home Games Also Available Online

From

$149

Embassy Suites StaycationIncludes: Overnight stay in a 2-room suite, Manager’s Evening reception, Cooked to order buffet breakfast,and 4 Box Tickets to an Omaha Storm Chaser’s home game

Ranked #1 in the World 2009-2010Just a few minutes east on Highway 370Highway 370 & 72nd Street, PapillionMon-Sat 10-9, Sun 12-6ShadowLakeShopping.com

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O M A H A WO R L D - H E R A L D10 Storm ChaSerS

C

The 5,000-pound scoreboard features a Borsheim’s clock that is 12 feet in diameter. The scoreboard will include a pitch speed display, the score by innings and a video board that is 16 feet high and 31 feet wide. Sitting atop the scoreboard is a 42-foot-wide by 14-foot-high Werner Park sign that is roughly the size of a Werner Enterprises semitrailer truck.

The scoreboard

Turn to the stadium map on Page 7 and find the flag marked C to see where the

Werner Park scoreboard stands.

H o W a r d K . M a r c u S / T H E W o r l d - H E r a l d

oN the maP

City of Papillion Half Marathon, 10K and Community Fun

WalkPresented by Alegent Health-Midlands

Hospital

SUNDAY, MAY 15TH 2011Start and Finish at

Papillion-La Vista Stadium

Fun Scenic Race Course, Great Atmosphere, Professional Timing

FEES: Half Marathon $45, 10K $35Fun Walk 13 & Up $10

Fun Walk 12 & Under FREE with canned food donation.

Open to all ages! A portion of the proceeds to benefi t the Nebraska Special Olympics. Entry

fee must be received by May 1st, late fees will be added thereafter.

MUSICBOUNCE HOUSES

VENDORS & MORE!

Call 402-597-2041 or register online at www.papillionhalfmarathon.org

City of PapillionHalf Marathon, 10KKand Community Funity Fun

WalkPresented by Alegent Health-MPre h-Midlands

HospitalH

AY, MAY 15SUNDAY, 15TH 20111Start and Finish at St

pillion-La Vista StadiumPap

enic Race Course,Fun ScenGreat Atmosphere, Great AProfessional Timingessio

FEES: Half Marathon $45, 10K $35n $4Fun Walk 13 & Up $10& Up

Fun Walk 12 & Under FREE with canned foodEE witd tidonation.

Open to all ages! A portion of the proceeds to A portion of the pbenefi t the Nebraska Special Olympics. EntrySpecial Olym

fee must be received b ay 1by May 1st, late fees will be, late added thereafter. d thereafter.

MUMUSICBOUNCEHOUSES

VVENDORS& MORE!&&&& && &

Call 402-597-2041 or register online atwww.papillionhalfmarathon.orgwww.papillionhalfmarathon.org

Nebraska Motorcycle Safety Training

2011 Course Offerings & ScheduleThis program is sanctioned by Nebraska

Motorcycle Safety Program and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Call: 402-827-9927

Nebbrraska MotoorcycleNebraska MotorcycleSSaafety TraiiniinngSafety Training

2011 Coursse Offerings & ScheduuleThis program is sanctioned by Nebraska

Motorcyccle Safety Program and the Motorccycle Safety Foundation

CaCallll: 40402-2-827-7-9927Call: 402-827-9927

ThefuTure

O M A H A WO R L D - H E R A L D S u n D Ay, A p R i L 1 0 , 2 0 1 1 11

By Mike Watkins

WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

With Werner Park and the Omaha Storm Chasers already in place, the surround-ing land, dubbed Pennant Place, will see business, residential and entertainment growth, most likely within the next five to seven years. The following are vision statements from interested players in this physically and economically expanding area of Papillion and Sarpy County.

Sights set high for Pennant Place development

‘An unpArAlleled combinATion’ “The Pennant Place development brings together an unparalleled combination of exceptional access, geography, location, demographics and planned growth with a pro-business climate. Add Werner Park, a recently completed world-class ballpark in the center of the development plus two recreational areas adjacent, and you have a recipe for immediate success. Pennant Place then goes further by providing a plan for a fully developed mixed-use development designed to create a consumer experience that is unlike any other — the feel of an urban pedestrian streetscape with the ease of vehicle-centered entertainment facilities and large-scale retail.”

Roger Langpaul, 360 Real Estate (developer)

‘A big Tourism drAw’“I expect Werner Park, the Storm Chasers and the surrounding development to be a big tourism draw for Papillion and Sarpy County. Add in other nearby attractions and businesses like Embassy Suites, Cabela’s, Mahoney State Park and Strategic Air & Space Museum along the I-80 interchange, and it will be a tremendous area of growth and economic activity. People can come catch a ballgame and then stay in the area for a variety of entertainment activities, shopping, restaurants, etc. It’s hard to quantify at this point, but Pennant Place adds another amenity to the area and improves Sarpy County’s and metro Omaha’s overall quality of life.”

David Black, Papillion mayor

‘The seed for new developmenT’“Werner Park and the Omaha Storm Chasers are an exciting, new entertainment option for folks of all ages in Sarpy County and the metro. Families, friends and business clients can enjoy AAA baseball, meeting rooms, kids’ play area and food in a brand new space. It is exciting to have it opening this spring, and we look forward to additional business growth in the area. Werner Park is the seed for new development along Highway 370 between Papillion and Gretna, offering a terrific new location for restaurants, lounges, shopping and other entertainment venues. It also will bring baseball fans (and those that tag along) to existing businesses along the 370 corridor and throughout Sarpy County.”

Jane Nielsen, president, Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce

‘A premier mixed-use locATion’“Pennant Place is a great location where, like Shadow Lake and the Ak-Sar-Ben area, people can live, work and play in the same area. People are looking for that these days because their time is valuable, and if they can do the majority of their shopping in the same location where they work and live — and take in a baseball game with the Storm Chasers — it allows them more time with their family. I see this as a premier mixed-use location that will have a significant impact on Sarpy County economically and socially.”

Toby Churchill, executive director, Sarpy County Economic Development Corp.

Langpaul

Black

Nielsen

Churchill

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The bullpens are in right-center field and are staggered by height. The home team will warm up in the lower bullpen and the visitors above. The best view of the bullpens will be from along a fence in the right-field berm area. Fans will be able to line the fence to watch the

pitchers warm up, heckle the opposition and maybe even snag a baseball or

autograph.

on The mAp

Double-stacked bullpens

Turn to the stadium map on Page 7 and find

the flag marked D to see where the double-stacked bullpens are in

Werner Park.

H o w a r D K . M a r c u S / T H e w o r l D - H e r a l D

The bullpen arrangement at Werner Park will allow an up-close view of players as they warm up.

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(next door to Crescent Moon)

3570 Farnam • 402.905.2603

www.beercornerusa.com

O M A H A WO R L D - H E R A L D12 Storm ChaSerS

The beverage service at Werner Park will include the Bottoms Up Draft Beer System.

“We’re going to be the first venue in Omaha to have it,” said John LaChance of Ovations Food Services. Using the system, a cup of beer can be filled through a small hole in the bottom. A small, flat, washer-like piece of metal surrounds the hole, which is sealed by a souvenir magnet.

“The service is four to five times as fast as draw-ing on a regular beer system,” LaChance said. “You can fill 51 beers in a minute.”

The system will be put into play in the Quality Brands Downdraught Bar under the scoreboard.

On tap

Section 125, Row 11, Seat 1. Because of the design of the grandstand seating, this seat ends up as the

only one in its row. Turn to the stadium map on Page 7 and find the flag marked E to see where

the seat is located in Werner Park.

oN the maP

The loneliest seat in the house

K E N T S I E V E R S / T H E W O R L D - H E R A L D

e

H O W A R D K . M A R c u S / T H E W O R L D - H E R A L D