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Who would have ever thought that a term like “slumpbuster” could elicit so many smiles?
While everyone in town knows about the College World Series, the Omaha SlumpBuster tournament—a Little League event—takes place simultaneously. It attracts thousands of kids ages 9-14 and their families, all needing food.
The SlumpBuster Festival will take place on Friday, June 20, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Council Bluffs Sports Complex. The event will feature a Fundamental Team Challenge, a Giant Wooden Bat Bonfire, fireworks, pin trading, inflatable activities, tournament merchandise, and a vendor row.
More importantly, the event not only highlights the talents of young baseball players, but also fosters community engagement and family togetherness. It gives an opportunity for families to enjoy both the tournament and local dining establishments, such as Home Team Cookout.
“They're pumped up, and they're ready to go,” said Elizabeth Tietsort, who, along with her husband Jacob, owns Home Team Cookout in Council Bluffs. "So, they come in, and it's just always a good time watching kids get to sit together and have team dinners. We can seat a good amount of people. So, that's the fun part: we're able [to seat] a group of 50. We're like, ‘come on in!’”
The Tietsorts are hardly strangers to America's favorite pastime, citing a deep-rooted love for the game that runs in their family.
“Our kids played baseball,” Elizabeth shared. “My dad and my son [both] played in the SlumpBuster tournament when [they were] younger. So, it's pretty neat for us.”
Just like any reputable sports team, the members of Home Team Cookout approach the dynamic SlumpBuster environment with a well-defined strategy: always be prepared.
“We look forward to it every year,” said Elizabeth. “We know to get ready. We hire on [more] help. So, they have, like, three different youth baseball tournaments during the College World Series, but that one, I believe, has over 1,000 teams in it. They come in with big groups, and I think they start down here in Twin City, and then they branch out to Omaha. They go to Carter Lake and a few other places. But when they are first all grouped together, they come down here, so then everybody's staying in the hotels around us, [which] makes it really nice for business!”
The husband-and-wife team of Home Team Cookout noted that the challenge and fun of handling such large crowds only adds to their restaurant's unique charm.
Then again, borrowing from a classic sports movie, if you cook it, they will come.
“We have big portions, so people just fill up!” said Elizabeth. “They never leave hungry, that’s for sure. We go through a lot of bigger burgers, tenderloins, and [other] home-cooked meals. We have an oversized tenderloin that's really big. We offer a smaller version now because they were too big for a lot of people. But they're homemade. Everything's fresh, so it's delicious.”
Jacob Tietsort couldn’t help but gush over the size of one of the burgers they offer.
“We have a burger that’s, like, three patties,” he said, grinning. “It’s the heavy hitter, at a pound and a half.”
Elizabeth also noted the entertainment value in seeing customers as they stare into the face of an imminent food coma.
“It's funny to see people's faces when you bring it out,” she added. “They’re like, ‘is this a food challenge?!’”
Elizabeth reiterated her enthusiasm for the tournaments, highlighting the beneficial effects on their business.
“I think it's the excitement of just watching [the kids] do something they love and just be able to be kids and enjoy the sport,” said Elizabeth. “I know my staff gets excited about it as well.”
The SlumpBuster tournament continues to foster a sense of unity and joy, making it a cherished tradition that the community eagerly expects, each year.
“That's what we wanted–a family restaurant,” said Elizabeth. “So, seeing the families come in and get to enjoy themselves is pretty cool!”
This article originally appeared in the June 2025 issue of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
