Rosenblatt demolition begins

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The demolition of Rosenblatt Stadium, the longtime home of the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., has begun.

A large backhoe began knocking down pillars at the stadium entrance on Wednesday. Rosenblatt was home to college baseball's premier event from 1950 to 2010, but has stood mostly idle the past two years.

Russ Mapes was among some 50 people who showed up to pay their final respects. The retired police officer watched his first game at the stadium in the early 1960s. He took a few pictures and left before the backhoe showed up. He said he couldn't bear to watch.

The Omaha Zoo Foundation bought the property to expand the adjacent zoo. The series is now held at a new ballpark downtown.

Tags: sports, stadium