SARPY COUNTY TO CONSIDER UPGRADES AT WERNER PARK TO MEET NEW MLB STANDARDS

SARPY COUNTY- Before the next time an umpire shouts “play ball” at Sarpy County’s Werner Park, the decade-old ballpark could be in line for some upgrades.

However, fans likely won’t notice the possible improvements, which are mainly targeted for player and staffing areas.

Per new standards outlined by Major League Baseball, all minor league ballparks must comply with a set of facility requirements. According to an article published on Ballpark Digest, those requirements include separate areas for female staffers, including umpires, upgraded nutrition areas, upgraded training facilities and upgraded field lights. Clubhouses for both the home and visiting teams also must be 1,000 square feet or larger.

Beyond the possibility of upgraded field lighting, Storm Chasers President Martie Cordaro said, “I don’t know if there’s any one thing that stands out that would be different from a fan’s perspective.”

The scale of the upgrades at Werner Park, located near Papillion, remains to be seen pending the completion of a $55,000 feasibility study being conducted by Omaha engineering firm DLR Group.

DLR Group is expected to present its study to the county — which owns the ballpark that the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers play in — by Oct. 31. Sarpy County entered into the contract with DLR in July after issuing a request for proposals in April.

Any upcoming renovations would be the latest in a ballpark that has seen its share of touch-ups since it opened in 2011.

In late 2019 and early 2020, the ballpark underwent a $2.4 million renovation so that it could be used as a soccer field by Union Omaha.

For the full article click HERE