Baseball at the ’Blatt in 2011?

Keep the wrecking ball on hold.

Rosenblatt Stadium’s demise probably won’t come as swiftly as first thought. In fact, Creighton might play its 2011 baseball schedule at Rosenblatt.

“It’s been discussed,’’ Athletic Director Bruce Rasmussen said. “I don’t think anyone is in favor of tearing down Rosenblatt after the last pitch of the Royals’ season next year. I think everyone is saying let’s not be in a hurry.

“Rosenblatt is a nice insurance policy in case something happens.’’

Creighton is negotiating with the City of Omaha and MECA to play its baseball games at the downtown stadium, which is scheduled for completion in time for the 2011 College World Series. The stadium is expected to be open for part of college baseball’s regular season that year.

Rasmussen said that while no agreement has been reached, he anticipates that something will be decided this summer.

“We haven’t made any progress the last couple of months, nor did we expect to,’’ Rasmussen said. “We’ve all been involved in taking care of this year’s College World Series. That includes the NCAA, MECA, the city and Creighton. “I anticipate now that we’ve gotten past the Series, something will be done soon. We are not in a panic because we don’t have a written agreement. We’re still two years away from playing there.’’

And if the new downtown stadium isn’t completed in time for Creighton’s season in the spring of 2011, Creighton coach Ed Servais said, Rosenblatt would make for a fine alternative. In fact, the Jays wouldn’t mind playing some games that spring at both Rosenblatt and the new stadium.

“From all indications, the new stadium will be done,’’ Servais said. “Hopefully we’ll have a chance to play a game or two there in 2011. But they’re going to have to maintain Rosenblatt for the spring of 2011, and hopefully we can help with that by getting out there and playing.’’

Creighton has played a portion of its schedule at Rosenblatt in recent seasons. The Bluejays played nine games there this season, and two — including their annual May meeting with Nebraska — were canceled because of the weather.

Creighton plays the rest of its home games at its on-campus sports complex.

One drawback to playing at Rosenblatt or the new downtown stadium is that the size of the facility dwarfs the turnout for Creighton games. Rosenblatt seats more than 23,000 in its present configuration. The new stadium’s capacity will exceed 24,000.

Creighton averaged 791 for its home games this season and about 1,500 for its games at Rosenblatt.

“I think in a perfect world, you wouldn’t play in a 24,000- or 25,000-seat stadium,’’ Servais said. “But I always try to look at the positives and the negatives, and the positives far outweigh any of the negatives of playing in the new stadium.

“It’s not 50-50. It’s not even close. Sure, if we have 2,500 people at a game, it’s going to appear that no one is there. But to be able to bring a recruit into that facility, to play our games there, that’s going to be nothing but positive.’’

Another plus if Creighton does move into the new stadium is that the school might have a chance to host the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. Wichita State has hosted the tournament 20 of the past 27 seasons.

“The new stadium gives us some viable options that we can really get excited about,’’ Servais said. “We are determined to move the program forward. There is talk about us hosting the conference tournament in the very near future.

“That would be a huge step for Creighton baseball if we could get into the mix. I think we have a shot. It would let folks know in our league and in the Midwest that Creighton is continually moving its program forward.’’

Contact the writer:

679-2298, steve.pivovar@owh.com

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