The city that Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey has mentioned most as a possibility to steal the College World Series away wasn't on base with the pick-off attempt until the Omaha World-Herald published a story this week.
Indianapolis media learned from the World-Herald's story that the National Collegiate Athletic Association had not specified an accompanying site in its list of championship events for 2011. This led to several news stories, including one in the Indianapolis Business Journal that read, in part:
Despite Indianapolis leaders' interest in hosting the lucrative event, Dedman said Indiana Sports Corp. has not had contact with NCAA officials about bidding for the event. "Our understanding is the bid is not open at this time," he said.
But Omaha officials appear leery of Indianapolis.
The city's daily newspaper, the Omaha World-Herald reported today that, "Indianapolis has the reputation of a shark striking when other cities sleep."
One Indianapolis TV station, NBC affiliate WTHR, interviewed World-Herald reporter C. David Kotok, who wrote the article in Tuesday's editions.
"When people speculate, I think Indy comes to mind because you have a modern stadium right downtown, things the NCAA likes. The NCAA likes events in Indy," Kotok said in a phone interview.
The NCAA let cities know this month the College World Series may be up for bid.
In an email to Eyewitness News, a spokesperson said, "It is true the contract expires in 2010, but the NCAA is in current discussions with the city of Omaha about future options with the College World Series. There has not been any discussion about moving the CWS to Indianapolis or any other city."
Yet to be made public (by the mayor's office or any other Omaha media outlet) is the original newspaper article Fahey has mentioned repeatedly in his attempt to win support for a new ballpark in Omaha. One that he distributed to City Council members earlier this month was generated from recent discussion of a new stadium.
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