By Katie Knapp Schubert
Papillion, NE – The former Omaha Royals are now the Omaha Storm Chasers.
Team officials announced the new name at a community event Monday evening in La Vista. The team has been the AAA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals for 42 years. For all but three of those years, they were known as the Omaha Royals. 1,500 names were submitted and nine finalists chosen in a name-the-team contest.
Storm Chasers Vice President and General Manager Martie Cordaro says the new name, along with a new stadium, represent a fresh start for minor league baseball in the Omaha area. Werner Park is under construction at 126th Street and Highway 370 in Papillion.
The Omaha Storm Chasers open their 2011 season at Werner Park April 15.