OMAHA, Neb. — LSU loves Omaha, and Omaha loves LSU right back.
The Tigers are back in Omaha for the 18th time in school history, all trips occurring within the past 30 years.
“Omaha is amazing,” said Tiffany Deshotel, who is making her first trip to the College World Series. “People are amazing, the police are amazing. Everything to do is so much fun, we have had a blast so far.”
The large contingent of Tiger fans have created a nickname for TD Ameritrade Park.
“Alex Box North.”
Joy Hammatt is one of the reasons for that moniker.
“This is my 17th time coming,” Hammat said. “I’ve come three times without the team. I’ve been coming since ‘91, and I’ve made lots of friends so I stay with them now.”
Hammatt said that she brings a large ice chest of fish and shrimp to cook for her friends in Omaha during the first two days LSU plays.
Hammatt has also seen the change from Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium to TD Ameritrade Park, and while she said it is harder to lead cheers, the park is an upgrade aesthetically and is more suited for tailgating than the old Rosenblatt.
“The parking is way bigger and better for tailgating now,” Hammatt said. “It is nice being close to downtown, and people can ride the shuttles for a quarter. It’s different, but the stadium is nicer, the bathrooms are better. It’s kind of like going from the old Box to the new Box.”
“We always have a great time, and even back in ‘91 there is just so many more LSU fans up here than any other school. The city of Omaha has embraced LSU fans.”
With her frequent trips to Omaha, Hammatt has developed friends in the state.
One of those is Omaha native Dan Mize.
“People from down there are a lot like Nebraskans,” Mize said. “You can come up, talk to people, and if you ask a question they don’t buzz you off. The best apart that is people from Louisiana ask you a question, and then say ‘Hey come over here and try this.’”
A friend of Mize, who lived in Louisiana, but now lives in Omaha, said that LSU never fails to bring the largest crowd, and that the tradition of people in both states are similar.
“LSU has been coming up here for so long, I started watching LSU back in the 90s when Skip was coaching and I was a kid,” Mize said. “The fans were great. You’d walk by them, and they’d want you to come over and try the food, but you didn’t know what was in it.”
“It’s a wonderful love affair between Omaha and LSU fans,” Hammatt said.
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LSU senior second basemen Cole Freeman (8) dives safely back to first base during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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The LSU Tigers jump and cheer in their pregame huddle in front of the Tigers’ dugout before their game against Florida on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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The LSU Tigers gather for a short prayer during warm-ups before their 4-3 loss to Florida on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU falls to Florida in game one of the College World Series finals 4-3 on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU freshmen third basemen Josh Smith (4) throws the ball to first base for an out during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU falls to Florida in game one of the College World Series finals 4-3 on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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The LSU Tigers line up for the National Anthem before the Tigers’ 4-3 loss to the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU head baseball coach Paul Maineri meets with Florida head baseball coach Kevin O’Sullivan near home plate before the Tigers’ 4-3 loss to the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU players and Florida players line up for the National Anthem before the Tigers’ 4-3 loss to the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior pitcher Russell Reynolds (45) releases a pitch during their 4-3 loss against Florida on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU junior catcher Michael Papierski (2) catches an incoming pitch as it flies over home plate during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against Florida on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior pitcher Russell Reynolds (45) throws the ball to first base for an attempted out during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against Florida on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior pitcher Russell Reynolds (45) throws the ball to first base for an attempted out during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against Florida on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior second basemen Cole Freeman (8) tags out Florida’s junior infielder Dalton Guthrie (5) at second base during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior second basemen Cole Freeman (8) tags out Florida’s junior infielder Dalton Guthrie (5) at second base during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU sophomore outfielder Antoine Duplantis (20) hits a pop fly to center field during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior second basemen Cole Freeman (8) dives safely back to first base during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU freshmen outfielder Zach Watson (9) takes a swing at a pitch during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior second basemen Cole Freeman (8) twist around to catch a pop fly during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior short stop Kramer Robertson (3) tags out Florida senior outfielder Ryan Larson (66) at second base during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior second basemen Cole Freemen (8) hits a line drive towards third base during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU freshman outfielder Zach Watson (9) begins to dive towards first base as Florida sophomore pitcher Brady Singer (51) throws the ball to first base during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU freshman infielder Josh Smith (4) watches as a pitch approaches home plate during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU freshman outfielder Zach Watson (9) runs to third base as a fellow Tiger hits the ball to left field during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU freshman outfielder Zach Watson (9) runs to third base as a fellow Tiger hits the ball to left field during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU freshman outfielder Zach Watson (9) rounds third base as a fellow Tiger hits the ball to left field during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU junior catcher Michael Papierski (2) hits the ball down the third base line during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU freshman pitcher Nick Bush (29) follows through with a pitch during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior infielder Cole Freeman (8) rushes to first base during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior infielder Cole Freeman (8) waits on first base for a pass during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU freshman infielder Jake Slaughter (5) raises his glove for a quick pass during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior pitcher Hunter Newman (55) follows through with a pitch during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior pitcher Hunter Newman (55) follows through with a pitch during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior pitcher Paul Newman (55) watches first base a Florida runner leads off the bag during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior pitcher Paul Newman (55) sits in the Tigers’ dugout during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior infielder Cole Freeman (8) tips off a ball toward the Tigers’ dugout during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior short stop Kramer Robertson (3) runs back to the Tigers’ dugout after being called out at second base during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior short stop Kramer Robertson (3) runs back to the Tigers’ dugout after being called out at second base during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior infielder Cole Freeman (8) hits a line drive past the pitcher’s mound during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU sophomore outfielder Antonie Duplantis (20) takes a swing at an incoming pitch during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU senior short stop Kramer Robertson (3) gets low to field a ball during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU freshmen third basemen Josh Smith (4) bodies a ball at third base during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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Florida sophomore pitcher Brady Singer (51) watches an LSU runner on third during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU junior infielder Greg Deichmann (7) rushes to second base during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU junior infielder Greg Deichmann (7) dives for second base during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU junior infielder Greg Deichmann (7) dives for second base during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU junior infielder Greg Deichmann (7) dives safely at second base during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU junior infielder Greg Deichmann (7) yells toward the Tigers’ dugout from second base after being called safe during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU junior infielder Greg Deichmann (7) dashes to third base during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU junior infielder Greg Deichmann (7) yells toward the Tigers’ dugout after scoring at home plate during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU junior infielder Greg Deichmann (7) yells toward the Tigers’ dugout after scoring at home plate during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU freshman infielder Josh Smith (4) begins to walk to the Tigers’ dugot after Florida nails a third out during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU freshman infielder Josh Smith (4) yells into his helmet after Florida nails a third out during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU junior catcher Michael Papierski (2) walks back to the dugout after striking out during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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LSU sophomore infielder Chris Reid (17) walks back to the Tigers’ dugout after striking out during the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Gators on Monday June 26, 2017, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
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