TD Ameritrade Park, located in Omaha, Nebraska, is the home stadium of the NCAA Division I baseball program of Creighton University. The stadium opened in 2011 and has a seating capacity of over 24,000 people. It is named after TD Ameritrade, a large online broker based in Omaha that purchased the naming rights. TD Ameritrade Park has quickly become one of the premier college baseball stadiums in the country.
When was TD Ameritrade Park built?
Construction on TD Ameritrade Park began in 2010 after Creighton University received approval and funding for the new stadium. The stadium was built on the site of the old Rosenblatt Stadium, which was the previous home of Creighton baseball as well as the former site of the College World Series for over 60 years. Rosenblatt Stadium was demolished in 2010 to make way for the new ballpark.
TD Ameritrade Park had its grand opening on April 19, 2011 for a game between the Creighton Bluejays and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. It took a little over a year to complete construction of the stadium. The total cost was around $27 million funded through private donations, corporate partnerships, and bonds.
What are the main features of the stadium?
Some key features of TD Ameritrade Park include:
- Over 24,000 seats located close to the field for an intimate fan experience.
- 60 luxury suites and a high-tech indoor club located along the first base concourse.
- A state-of-the-art HD video scoreboard measuring 38 ft by 28 ft.
- Wide concourses with open sightlines to view the action.
- Dedicated kids’ zone with wiffle ball field and video games.
- Expansive grass berms beyond the outfield walls for seating.
- Omaha Zoo bullpen featuring bleachers for fans to watch pitchers warm up.
The dimensions of the field are 330 feet down the lines, 375 feet to the power alleys, and 408 feet to center field. The ballpark was designed to honor baseball’s history while providing top-tier amenities for fans and players alike.
Notable games and events at TD Ameritrade Park
In its first decade, TD Ameritrade Park has already hosted some very memorable and historic games and events:
- 2011 to present: Home stadium of Creighton Bluejays baseball team.
- 2012 and 2015: Host site for NCAA Men’s College World Series.
- 2013 and 2014: Big East Baseball Tournament held at stadium.
- 2015: First collegiate baseball game ever televised by Fox Sports 1 was at TD Ameritrade Park between Creighton and Nebraska.
- 2019: Largest regular season crowd of 19,181 fans attended game between Creighton and Nebraska.
- 2022: Hosted first ever Big East/Big 12 Battle matchup between Creighton and TCU baseball teams.
In addition to college baseball, TD Ameritrade Park has also hosted high school games, state championships, concerts, and other community events over the years. It continues to be one of the top destinations in the Midwest to watch top-notch Division I baseball.
How has the stadium impacted Creighton baseball?
The opening of TD Ameritrade Park has coincided with the most successful decade in Creighton baseball history. Some of the impacts the new stadium has had include:
- Attendance at Creighton games has sharply increased from an average of 1,000 fans at their old facility to over 4,000 per game at TD Ameritrade Park.
- The program has made 5 NCAA Tournament appearances and advanced to 2 Super Regionals since 2011.
- Creighton has gone from being in the Missouri Valley Conference to joining the Big East Conference in 2013.
- Modern amenities have helped in recruiting higher level talent to the program.
- Fan support and revenue have increased through corporate sponsorships and suite sales.
- The team recorded their highest ever end of season ranking in 2020 at #7 in the national polls.
The success has also contributed to Omaha’s reputation as one of America’s top baseball towns. TD Ameritrade Park has become a huge asset in maintaining Omaha’s connection to the College World Series.
Are there plans for any future enhancements or renovations?
Currently, there are no major renovations scheduled for TD Ameritrade Park in the near future. Being less than 15 years old, the ballpark is still modern and highly functional for Creighton baseball.
However, there are always smaller scale enhancement projects each year. Recent upgrades have included:
- Installing solar panels on roof deck to generate sustainable energy.
- Converting concession stands to use LED lighting.
- Improving WiFi connectivity for fans throughout the stadium.
- Adding more interactive features to video board.
- Upgrading audio systems for clearer sound.
Any larger scale renovations will likely wait until nearer to 2030. Possible future upgrades could include newer video boards, additional seating, more luxury suites, or revamping concession areas. But the stadium overall remains very modern and accommodating for college baseball.
How has the home field advantage impacted Creighton’s performance?
Playing in TD Ameritrade Park has provided a noticeable home field advantage for the Creighton Bluejays over the past decade. Some of the key benefits include:
- The team has an impressive .729 winning percentage at home since 2011.
- Average attendance over 4,000 fans per game provides a much louder and intimidating environment for opponents.
- The compact stadium design places fans closer to the action compared to many opposing ballparks.
- Familiarity with the park’s dimensions helps Creighton hitters and pitchers strategize more effectively.
- Higher recruiting success leads to more homegrown talent playing before a friendly crowd.
- Revenue from the stadium provides more resources for top notch coaches, facilities and equipment.
All of these factors motivate the players to perform at their peak ability. The most dramatic example was in 2019 when Creighton won an incredible 29 of 35 home games against only 9 road wins. Having a top-notch ballpark fans can be proud of has proven instrumental to Creighton baseball’s newfound national prominence.
Conclusion
The opening of TD Ameritrade Park in 2011 has been a complete game changer for Creighton baseball. In its first decade, the spectacular new stadium has hosted some memorable games, propelled Creighton into being a consistent NCAA Tournament team, provided an intimidating home field advantage, and cemented Omaha as a premier destination for college baseball fans. While no major renovations are imminent, the stadium will continue to be a showplace ballpark for years to come. With TD Ameritrade Park as their home, the future remains bright for Creighton baseball to enhance their national stature and tradition of excellence.