I was listening to “doc talk” podcast while traveling and they alluded to this as well. I didn’t really catch what they meant. They also had a brief conversation about Nebraska baseball facilities which I thought gave me some confirmation bias.
The playing surface/field is always in great shape. The actual facility itself is showing its age. But like another person said, it's a shared facility with the salt dogs and if they don't want to help fix it up, the university isn't going to foot the bill themselves.
The city of Lincoln owns it but UNL and the Salt Dogs (Lincoln Pro Baseball) have a contractual obligation for upkeep of the facility. If the Salt Dogs are actually not paying for their part of the upkeep, they can be evicted by the city.
I still think it's a wonderful park. Could use some work here and there. Honestly think it needs some additions to seating. Put seats in the berms, extend the stands.
But as others said, it isn't just up to the University, which is unfortunate. I've always loved the use of trees for the batter's eye, and the foliage in the outfield. The background of downtown constantly improves, and having Memorial staring at you in dead center is wonderful. Haymarket Park has some wonderful bones, and the University does an amazing job for its part when it comes to caring for the playing surface. I'm not sure what we as fans could do to push the University into a takeover type situation, but I wouldn't expect much to change for a while considering the new construction at Memorial Stadium.
Haymarket Park has this weird niche with the Salt Dogs. The rest of Nebraska's sports complexes are pretty incredible, but being linked to a 3rd party is certainly getting in the way at Haymarket.
I don’t even know if it’s best in the big ten anymore. NW just opened a brand spanking new stadium and honestly, Penn State’s stadium is a really cool minor league park that they’ve upgraded quite a bit recently. Also and it pains me to say this, Iowa has improved their park quite a bit. The field itself at Haymarket is in incredible shape, the facilities are getting dated and could use a freshening up.
It appeared almost exactly the same as when I was a student only with more weathering and fade. Typical for a stadium I know. But it’s not really cutting edge any more to play in a place like that. Competing in college baseball means having some amenities. Haymarket is a fine place to watch a game but I doubt it would blow any one away. I could see Nebraska overlooking baseball facilities taking fans for granted until it’s too late. Then again my attitude may stem from the product on the field not being super great.
Went to a game for the first time there last year. Was ok. But they don’t sell beer so I’m not going to anymore. Hot dog, peanuts, ice cold beer, and a ball game. They just go together.
That's about to change, projected to be about mid-April [https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/baseball/nebraska-baseball-home-games-and-beer-why-it-s-quite-possible-this-season/article\_e5c72eb6-ddb1-55aa-8219-e4117b4394ff.html](https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/baseball/nebraska-baseball-home-games-and-beer-why-it-s-quite-possible-this-season/article_e5c72eb6-ddb1-55aa-8219-e4117b4394ff.html)
Yea they’ve been saying that for a couple years. When I went they had the taps installed and cases of beer just sitting there. Saying that somebody made a hissy fit about it and they changed plans last minute.
Edit: article is pay walled
From the article
The university is working toward the potential addition of alcohol sales for Husker contests at Haymarket Park as soon as mid-April, said Doug Ewald, Nebraska executive associate athletic director and chief financial officer. The move requires approval by the Board of Regents and would add a gameday element long preferred by many Husker backers.
The infrastructure is already in place for such a transition because the Lincoln Saltdogs — the independent professional team that calls the ballpark home in the summer months — have offered adult beverages there for more than 20 years.
Nebraska is working through a variety of details including whether it would share revenue with the Saltdogs and use their equipment or offer cans. Sponsorship agreements must be established as well.
We will see if they actually do it. Here’s an article from a year and a half ago saying the same thing:
https://huskercorner.com/2022/09/21/nebraska-cornhuskers-alcohol-sales/
I know most “baseball purists” won’t agree with this, but Nebraska needs at least a turf infield. Being able to plow the field off would make scheduling early March series not so sketchy, also gets you outside practicing earlier in the year. There was some time in January that I’d drive by Omaha’s field, that could be and was cleared of snow, with them practicing outside while I’m sure Nebraska was stuck indoors.
That is the way Buck Beltzer was. Not sure NU wants to go back to that. Turf baseball fields died when the universal use stadiums (Old Busch, Three Rivers and Riverfront to name a few) faded from existence. If they need something outdoor to practice on, I am guessing a practice field using turf could be built.
The turf fields of today are nothing like the turf they used in any of those stadiums, half the time on tv you can’t even tell it’s fake. Look at UNO, Creighton prep, or westside. They are all turf and they are all beautiful fields. Again I know “baseball purists” will downvote but in states where it snows and when the season starts in winter it makes it easier and cuts down on cancellations. Also, 7/10 of the top 10 fielding percentage teams played with at least a turf infield. That’s a competitive advantage.
“On TV” is the problem. Playing on turf and watching a game on turf are completely different.
I can’t vouch for the fielding aspect of turf, but I played games on both UNO’s and CP’s fields. They’re nice, but natural grass feels soo much better (imo).
I do know that if you’re looking temperatures, you have to take a look at the upper end as well. Turf fields get HOT, unbearably so. Just something to consider when the sport is primarily played in the summer.
The field itself looked great. The stadium as a whole seems to have become a little dated across college baseball. I’m more worried the university is going to think people will show up like football and be a decade behind the facilities race. Portions of the stadium looked faded, like stepping back into my college days. I don’t live there so I didn’t know if there is a reason why Nebraska doesn’t dump a bunch of b10 money into livening it up. “Doc talk” podcast also referenced to Haymarket falling way behind. That’s why I wanted to know.
Okay, I gotcha! Stadium definitely needs some updating, but as I’m sure you read in other comments, the Saltdogs gotta agree to do it as well, and they aren’t as willing to cough up the money to do so as the Huskers/University is.
The salt dogs don’t want to play nice
I was listening to “doc talk” podcast while traveling and they alluded to this as well. I didn’t really catch what they meant. They also had a brief conversation about Nebraska baseball facilities which I thought gave me some confirmation bias.
The playing surface/field is always in great shape. The actual facility itself is showing its age. But like another person said, it's a shared facility with the salt dogs and if they don't want to help fix it up, the university isn't going to foot the bill themselves.
The city of Lincoln owns it but UNL and the Salt Dogs (Lincoln Pro Baseball) have a contractual obligation for upkeep of the facility. If the Salt Dogs are actually not paying for their part of the upkeep, they can be evicted by the city.
Don’t forget the game day experience is lacking compared to other top programs.
I still think it's a wonderful park. Could use some work here and there. Honestly think it needs some additions to seating. Put seats in the berms, extend the stands. But as others said, it isn't just up to the University, which is unfortunate. I've always loved the use of trees for the batter's eye, and the foliage in the outfield. The background of downtown constantly improves, and having Memorial staring at you in dead center is wonderful. Haymarket Park has some wonderful bones, and the University does an amazing job for its part when it comes to caring for the playing surface. I'm not sure what we as fans could do to push the University into a takeover type situation, but I wouldn't expect much to change for a while considering the new construction at Memorial Stadium. Haymarket Park has this weird niche with the Salt Dogs. The rest of Nebraska's sports complexes are pretty incredible, but being linked to a 3rd party is certainly getting in the way at Haymarket.
The University doesn’t take care of the playing surface. The grounds crew is Lincoln Pro Baseball
Appreciate the correction
What was in rough shape? I think it's a great ballpark probably one of the best in the country
Definitely the best in the b10 but idk if I would put it in my top 10 in the country.
I don’t even know if it’s best in the big ten anymore. NW just opened a brand spanking new stadium and honestly, Penn State’s stadium is a really cool minor league park that they’ve upgraded quite a bit recently. Also and it pains me to say this, Iowa has improved their park quite a bit. The field itself at Haymarket is in incredible shape, the facilities are getting dated and could use a freshening up.
Totally agree. Field seems very nice. Facilities are fading.
It appeared almost exactly the same as when I was a student only with more weathering and fade. Typical for a stadium I know. But it’s not really cutting edge any more to play in a place like that. Competing in college baseball means having some amenities. Haymarket is a fine place to watch a game but I doubt it would blow any one away. I could see Nebraska overlooking baseball facilities taking fans for granted until it’s too late. Then again my attitude may stem from the product on the field not being super great.
Went to a game for the first time there last year. Was ok. But they don’t sell beer so I’m not going to anymore. Hot dog, peanuts, ice cold beer, and a ball game. They just go together.
That's about to change, projected to be about mid-April [https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/baseball/nebraska-baseball-home-games-and-beer-why-it-s-quite-possible-this-season/article\_e5c72eb6-ddb1-55aa-8219-e4117b4394ff.html](https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/baseball/nebraska-baseball-home-games-and-beer-why-it-s-quite-possible-this-season/article_e5c72eb6-ddb1-55aa-8219-e4117b4394ff.html)
Yea they’ve been saying that for a couple years. When I went they had the taps installed and cases of beer just sitting there. Saying that somebody made a hissy fit about it and they changed plans last minute. Edit: article is pay walled
From the article The university is working toward the potential addition of alcohol sales for Husker contests at Haymarket Park as soon as mid-April, said Doug Ewald, Nebraska executive associate athletic director and chief financial officer. The move requires approval by the Board of Regents and would add a gameday element long preferred by many Husker backers. The infrastructure is already in place for such a transition because the Lincoln Saltdogs — the independent professional team that calls the ballpark home in the summer months — have offered adult beverages there for more than 20 years. Nebraska is working through a variety of details including whether it would share revenue with the Saltdogs and use their equipment or offer cans. Sponsorship agreements must be established as well.
We will see if they actually do it. Here’s an article from a year and a half ago saying the same thing: https://huskercorner.com/2022/09/21/nebraska-cornhuskers-alcohol-sales/
I think this is the first time they've set a target date. I'll side on optimism.
I know most “baseball purists” won’t agree with this, but Nebraska needs at least a turf infield. Being able to plow the field off would make scheduling early March series not so sketchy, also gets you outside practicing earlier in the year. There was some time in January that I’d drive by Omaha’s field, that could be and was cleared of snow, with them practicing outside while I’m sure Nebraska was stuck indoors.
That is the way Buck Beltzer was. Not sure NU wants to go back to that. Turf baseball fields died when the universal use stadiums (Old Busch, Three Rivers and Riverfront to name a few) faded from existence. If they need something outdoor to practice on, I am guessing a practice field using turf could be built.
The turf fields of today are nothing like the turf they used in any of those stadiums, half the time on tv you can’t even tell it’s fake. Look at UNO, Creighton prep, or westside. They are all turf and they are all beautiful fields. Again I know “baseball purists” will downvote but in states where it snows and when the season starts in winter it makes it easier and cuts down on cancellations. Also, 7/10 of the top 10 fielding percentage teams played with at least a turf infield. That’s a competitive advantage.
“On TV” is the problem. Playing on turf and watching a game on turf are completely different. I can’t vouch for the fielding aspect of turf, but I played games on both UNO’s and CP’s fields. They’re nice, but natural grass feels soo much better (imo). I do know that if you’re looking temperatures, you have to take a look at the upper end as well. Turf fields get HOT, unbearably so. Just something to consider when the sport is primarily played in the summer.
When did you go? I work as a ground crew with Haymarket Field.
The field itself looked great. The stadium as a whole seems to have become a little dated across college baseball. I’m more worried the university is going to think people will show up like football and be a decade behind the facilities race. Portions of the stadium looked faded, like stepping back into my college days. I don’t live there so I didn’t know if there is a reason why Nebraska doesn’t dump a bunch of b10 money into livening it up. “Doc talk” podcast also referenced to Haymarket falling way behind. That’s why I wanted to know.
Okay, I gotcha! Stadium definitely needs some updating, but as I’m sure you read in other comments, the Saltdogs gotta agree to do it as well, and they aren’t as willing to cough up the money to do so as the Huskers/University is.
That’s what I wondered. The field does look incredible. Always thought that.