From the Desk of the GM - Archive - Feb. 9, 2009

(Note: This post first appeared on the Goldeyes.com blogs)

We hope you enjoy reading the various blogs that will appear on our website. Many people with various backgrounds will blog here, from manager Rick Forney and some of the players to the voice of the Goldeyes Paul Edmonds and National Post columnist Scott Taylor.

My blog will focus primarily on off-field activities around the Goldeyes office. I’ll leave the on-field discussion to the experts, namely the players, Rick, the coaches, Paul and Scott.

Since receiving our 2009 schedule in November, we’ve been hard at work to make sure every game will have an exciting theme, fantastic giveaway or exotic trip giveaway so you leave the park entertained every time you come.

Some of the highlights of the 2009 promotional schedule are:

Celebrating 10 years at Canwest Park. It’s hard to believe we’ve already been playing ball downtown for 10 years. Seems like yesterday I was standing in a gravel lot littered with old shopping carts and broken glass. By the end of the first week of June, more than three million fans will have enjoyed Goldeyes baseball at Canwest Park.

Donnie Smith Day – we will retire the jersey of the local boy on Tuesday, July 21. As part of that evening, the first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive a spectacular canvas art print featuring Donnie Smith.

Flashback Fridays – every Friday regular season home game, one popular former Goldeyes player will return to renew acquaintances, throw out the opening pitch and sign autographs. Check out our website for who is coming and when.

Canada Day – this is a game you will want to be sure to attend. The Goldeyes will wear replicas of the jerseys worn 10 years ago by the bronze-medal winning Canadian team at the Pan Am Games. A huge thank you to Greg Hamilton and Baseball Canada for granting us permission to wear the replicas and supplying the caps. Following the game, the jerseys will be autographed by the players and auctioned off.

Entertainment acts – we will have a number of spectacular entertainment acts throughout the summer including:

• Mad Chad (May 23) – very funny entertainer, the highlight of his show is juggling three running chainsaws.
• Quick Change (June 10) – a couple that change their entire wardrobe repeatedly in front of the crowd in the blink of an eye. It will leave you saying “How did they do that?”
• Master of Illusion – Brian Glow (July 12) – Brian will bring his world-renowned act to the ballpark that afternoon. I don’t want to give too much away, but many fans will be involved along with everyone’s favourite mascot, Goldie.
• Dave the Horn Guy (July 26) – Dave has 25 horns strapped to his jumpsuit and he performs a “body orchestra”. He has appeared on Jay Leno, America’s Got Talent as well as many NBA half-time shows.

Check back weekly as we continue to confirm many more promotions. In addition to updating you on exciting activities coming up at Goldeyes games this summer, I’ll also take you inside life at the Goldeyes office and what goes on at the ballpark between the final game of one season and opening day of the next.

I look forward to writing this blog and hope you enjoy reading it.

Watch for my next blog where I talk about the first annual Goldeyes cruise….