"March Madness"
The madness has officially begun.
The player releases from affiliated baseball started last week and seem to be picking up pace. I have decided to do things a little differently as I’m sure many of you can tell by the lack of press releases announcing player signings.
Not to worry I am really working hard and not out on a family vacation, although I must admit I can use one right about now. My mornings usually start at 6:30am to wake up David for school unless Erik has plans on an earlier wake up time. I head right down stairs to the computer to check e-mails and look over releases that I may have received late at night. I feed and dress the kids for school and send them on their way then its back to the computer and now the phone. I have become pretty handy at multi-tasking. I figured out how to have a conversation on speaker phone, send text messages and go over release sheets/look up players at the same time. This craziness goes on for the better part of the day and most of the evening.
In years past I have had most of my roster signed by March 1st and have been finished putting my team together by the 10th of April. With the lack of releases throughout the winter has forced me to change plans and wait it out until the affiliated releases start thus creating more last minute work for me, my coaches, Andrew and Jonathan. SORRY GUYS!
I’m really excited about the players we have in place so far. Should be an exciting season. Stay tuned.
-- Rick
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - Mar. 30, 2009
“Coming Soon to the Ballpark Near You – Part I”
I’ll be completely honest, after writing 12 blogs about various topics, I didn’t really have a topic for today’s edition. However, after soliciting some ideas from some staff members, it turned out there was actually quite a bit to write about. So, I’ve split my ramblings into two parts, one for today and one for Wednesday. Here goes:
Dave the Horn Guy, who will be performing at the July 26 game, sent us an email with a link to a personalized promo video. You will quickly see that Dave is a very humble guy that has some shyness issues. Well, maybe not. It should be a great show, make sure you’ve got your tickets for the July 26 game to see what else he has in store for us. Click on this link, then click “Open” to view the video. It’s a fairly large file (80MB), but well worth the wait for it to download.
(If you can't wait, click here to watch Dave the Horn Guy's video on YouTube)
We’ve got some great new on-field and in-stand promotions planned for this year.
A new promotion called “Our House”, sponsored by the Winnipeg Real Estate News, will feature a fan selected from the stands being interviewed by our man in the stands, Dan Chase, to find out where they are from and some other informal personal information. Those selected for the in-stand promotion will receive a $50.00 gift card from RONA Home & Garden. Oh, and the song “Our House” by Madness will accompany the new promotion.
The Quaker State race, sponsored by Magnum Oil, will move from the field to the video board at 15 selected games. The animated race will feature four batting helmets on wheels racing around the bases. Each section in the ballpark will be assigned a different helmet and will cheer it on. Someone in the winning helmet’s section will win a great prize from our good friends at Magnum Oil and Quaker State.
The Alumni Association of the University of Manitoba is sponsoring a new promotion called “Name that Alumnus”. At 15 games, one lucky fan gets to go on field, where they are asked a multiple-choice question about the province's largest university. The answer will relate to a graduate of the University of Manitoba.
One parting note... Thanks to everyone who came out to the Brian Glow Show at the Burton Cummings Theatre last Thursday. Brian put on a great show as always, and the food from Hu’s on First was spectacular, as usual.
Another parting note… Belated congrats to Paul Edmonds who was presented this year’s “Communications & Leadership” award by the Winnipeg Toastmasters Club at their 65th anniversary celebration on March 16. This follows his “Broadcaster of the Year” award presented by Ballpark Digest in October.
Next blog… Coming Soon to the Ballpark Near You – Part II
Until next time…
-- Andrew
I’ll be completely honest, after writing 12 blogs about various topics, I didn’t really have a topic for today’s edition. However, after soliciting some ideas from some staff members, it turned out there was actually quite a bit to write about. So, I’ve split my ramblings into two parts, one for today and one for Wednesday. Here goes:
Dave the Horn Guy, who will be performing at the July 26 game, sent us an email with a link to a personalized promo video. You will quickly see that Dave is a very humble guy that has some shyness issues. Well, maybe not. It should be a great show, make sure you’ve got your tickets for the July 26 game to see what else he has in store for us. Click on this link, then click “Open” to view the video. It’s a fairly large file (80MB), but well worth the wait for it to download.
(If you can't wait, click here to watch Dave the Horn Guy's video on YouTube)
We’ve got some great new on-field and in-stand promotions planned for this year.
A new promotion called “Our House”, sponsored by the Winnipeg Real Estate News, will feature a fan selected from the stands being interviewed by our man in the stands, Dan Chase, to find out where they are from and some other informal personal information. Those selected for the in-stand promotion will receive a $50.00 gift card from RONA Home & Garden. Oh, and the song “Our House” by Madness will accompany the new promotion.
The Quaker State race, sponsored by Magnum Oil, will move from the field to the video board at 15 selected games. The animated race will feature four batting helmets on wheels racing around the bases. Each section in the ballpark will be assigned a different helmet and will cheer it on. Someone in the winning helmet’s section will win a great prize from our good friends at Magnum Oil and Quaker State.
The Alumni Association of the University of Manitoba is sponsoring a new promotion called “Name that Alumnus”. At 15 games, one lucky fan gets to go on field, where they are asked a multiple-choice question about the province's largest university. The answer will relate to a graduate of the University of Manitoba.
One parting note... Thanks to everyone who came out to the Brian Glow Show at the Burton Cummings Theatre last Thursday. Brian put on a great show as always, and the food from Hu’s on First was spectacular, as usual.
Another parting note… Belated congrats to Paul Edmonds who was presented this year’s “Communications & Leadership” award by the Winnipeg Toastmasters Club at their 65th anniversary celebration on March 16. This follows his “Broadcaster of the Year” award presented by Ballpark Digest in October.
Next blog… Coming Soon to the Ballpark Near You – Part II
Until next time…
-- Andrew
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - Mar. 25, 2009
“And so it begins…”
Well, the busy part of the year officially gets under way tomorrow evening, Thursday, March 26. The Goldeyes will host a spectacular magic show put on by Master of Illusion, Brian Glow. It will be the first of approximately 60 events that the Goldeyes will host this summer including two exhibition and 48 regular season games. If all goes according to plan, we will have a number of playoff dates to add to the number of events!
The season can be equal parts exciting, exhausting, rewarding and frustrating. These adjectives don’t just refer to the full time and summer staff, it also refers to the families of the Goldeyes employees, players and coaches. Anyone who has worked for a professional sports team knows the time commitment required, not just for them, but for their support at home as well. For Paul Edmonds, the summer is even more hectic as he is not only at every home game, but drives to and calls every away game as well.
So, to all the husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters of those who work or play for a professional sports team, I salute you. Without you, we all wouldn’t be able to do what we do.
A few parting notes… Following up on my blog about the “Stuff in my office” where I mentioned the “BALLGAME TODAY” sign, I am pleased to announce that Matthew Friesen from John Henry Creations was able to come through and produce a few more for me. Watch for one of these signs hanging in Bernie Clement’s Pembina Chrysler dealership at 300 Pembina Highway and the offices of Golder & Associates at 25 Scurfield Boulevard this summer.
Kudos to Regan Katz of our office who yesterday officially obtained his pilot’s licence. It’s something he’s been working towards for a couple years and all the hard work, studying and many hours in the air culminated in him getting his licence. Good for you Regan!
Until next time…
-- Andrew
Well, the busy part of the year officially gets under way tomorrow evening, Thursday, March 26. The Goldeyes will host a spectacular magic show put on by Master of Illusion, Brian Glow. It will be the first of approximately 60 events that the Goldeyes will host this summer including two exhibition and 48 regular season games. If all goes according to plan, we will have a number of playoff dates to add to the number of events!
The season can be equal parts exciting, exhausting, rewarding and frustrating. These adjectives don’t just refer to the full time and summer staff, it also refers to the families of the Goldeyes employees, players and coaches. Anyone who has worked for a professional sports team knows the time commitment required, not just for them, but for their support at home as well. For Paul Edmonds, the summer is even more hectic as he is not only at every home game, but drives to and calls every away game as well.
So, to all the husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters of those who work or play for a professional sports team, I salute you. Without you, we all wouldn’t be able to do what we do.
A few parting notes… Following up on my blog about the “Stuff in my office” where I mentioned the “BALLGAME TODAY” sign, I am pleased to announce that Matthew Friesen from John Henry Creations was able to come through and produce a few more for me. Watch for one of these signs hanging in Bernie Clement’s Pembina Chrysler dealership at 300 Pembina Highway and the offices of Golder & Associates at 25 Scurfield Boulevard this summer.
Kudos to Regan Katz of our office who yesterday officially obtained his pilot’s licence. It’s something he’s been working towards for a couple years and all the hard work, studying and many hours in the air culminated in him getting his licence. Good for you Regan!
Until next time…
-- Andrew
Monday, March 23, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - Mar. 23, 2009
“K’s for Kids Update”
On March 4, I wrote about the K’s for Kids program that the Goldeyes has in place to raise funds for the Field of Dreams Foundation. To date, a total of $3.00 has been pledged per Goldeyes strikeout at home for the upcoming season. There is still two months until opening day, so there is still plenty of time to reach or surpass the 2005 record-setting mark of $14.35 per strikeout that was pledged.
Also, as was mentioned in the March 4 blog, if you send the K’s for Kids form back by June 30 and mark “GM BLOG” at the top, you will be entered to win a skysuite for a night during July or August. As of today, no one has taken me up on that offer.
In case you missed the March 4th blog, K’s for Kids is a program where you pledge a certain dollar amount per strikeout thrown by a Goldeyes pitcher at home. So, if the Goldeyes throw 300 strikeouts and you pledged 10 cents per strikeout, it would cost you $30 at the end of the season. Not only will you get a tax receipt from the FOD Foundation, you have the chance of getting the use of a skysuite for a night for the small investment of $30! (Retail value of $850)
This blog appears the same day as the Field of Dreams Foundation Board meets to discuss how we can raise more funds for the Foundation. Our discussion will primarily be about the K’s for Kids program and what we can do to get out the word about it. Watch for new things at the ballpark promoting the program.
If you don’t feel like scrolling down the page to find the last blog about K’s for Kids, you can click here to get the pledge form.
The more money that is raised, the more children’s charities will benefit!
Next blog… “First event of the season”
Until next time…
-- Andrew
On March 4, I wrote about the K’s for Kids program that the Goldeyes has in place to raise funds for the Field of Dreams Foundation. To date, a total of $3.00 has been pledged per Goldeyes strikeout at home for the upcoming season. There is still two months until opening day, so there is still plenty of time to reach or surpass the 2005 record-setting mark of $14.35 per strikeout that was pledged.
Also, as was mentioned in the March 4 blog, if you send the K’s for Kids form back by June 30 and mark “GM BLOG” at the top, you will be entered to win a skysuite for a night during July or August. As of today, no one has taken me up on that offer.
In case you missed the March 4th blog, K’s for Kids is a program where you pledge a certain dollar amount per strikeout thrown by a Goldeyes pitcher at home. So, if the Goldeyes throw 300 strikeouts and you pledged 10 cents per strikeout, it would cost you $30 at the end of the season. Not only will you get a tax receipt from the FOD Foundation, you have the chance of getting the use of a skysuite for a night for the small investment of $30! (Retail value of $850)
This blog appears the same day as the Field of Dreams Foundation Board meets to discuss how we can raise more funds for the Foundation. Our discussion will primarily be about the K’s for Kids program and what we can do to get out the word about it. Watch for new things at the ballpark promoting the program.
If you don’t feel like scrolling down the page to find the last blog about K’s for Kids, you can click here to get the pledge form.
The more money that is raised, the more children’s charities will benefit!
Next blog… “First event of the season”
Until next time…
-- Andrew
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - Mar. 18, 2009
“Where Are They Now? Office Staff Edition”
It is always well documented when a former Goldeyes player graduates from the Northern League and does well at the major league level, eg. George Sherrill, Jeff Zimmerman, Brian Myrow, etc. What doesn’t get talked about much is how well people have done after working in the Goldeyes front office. Working for a minor league sports franchise doesn’t just give baseball players a chance to hone their skills and advance their careers, it is also a great place to learn a vast array of job functions and skills.
I will no doubt forget someone in this list, so if you feel I erroneously omitted you, please accept my apologies and send me an email with what you are doing now, and I will be sure to update this blog.
Below is a list, in no particular order, of people who worked for the Goldeyes, the years they worked and where they are working now:
Kevin East (1994-1995) – Key Account Manager, Kimberly Clark
Jeremy Feuer (1995-1996) – Lawyer, Olschewski & Feuer
Barb McTavish (1994-2008) – Operations Manager, Winnipeg Soccer Federation Indoor Soccer Complex
Lorraine Maciboric (1998-2006) – Executive Director, The Tallman Foundation
Brent Borbridge (1996-1998) – Account Manager, National Leasing
Devon Kashton (1996-1997) – General Manager, Winnipeg Soccer Federation Indoor Soccer Complex
Mitch Brennan (1999-2001) – National Manager of Product Advancement, Ticketmaster Canada
Darren McCabe (2004-2007) – Primary Care Paramedic (PCP), Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service
Tom Thiessen (2001-2004) – Executive Director, Building Owners and Managers Association of Manitoba
John Hindle (1994-2001) – author, novel “Jackrabbits in the Outfield”
Tracy Smith (1995-2004) – Regional Supervisor–Donor Services Representatives, Canadian Blood Services
Arthur O’Bright (1994) – General Manager, Texas Motorplex
Tracy Blackmore (1998-2003) – Teacher, grades 1, 2 & 3, Prince Edward Elementary School
Jana Thorsteinson (1994-1995) – Assistant Executive Director, University of Manitoba Alumni Association
Sherri Perrett (2000-2001) – Booking Manager, Burton Cummings Theatre
Scott Hebert (1994-1996) – Owner, Excel Fitness Incorporated
As you can see, a very impressive list! The minor leagues are not just a breeding ground for future major leaguers, it’s also a source for future captains of industry in Canada and around the world.
Next blog… “An Update on K’s for Kids”
Until next time…
-- Andrew
It is always well documented when a former Goldeyes player graduates from the Northern League and does well at the major league level, eg. George Sherrill, Jeff Zimmerman, Brian Myrow, etc. What doesn’t get talked about much is how well people have done after working in the Goldeyes front office. Working for a minor league sports franchise doesn’t just give baseball players a chance to hone their skills and advance their careers, it is also a great place to learn a vast array of job functions and skills.
I will no doubt forget someone in this list, so if you feel I erroneously omitted you, please accept my apologies and send me an email with what you are doing now, and I will be sure to update this blog.
Below is a list, in no particular order, of people who worked for the Goldeyes, the years they worked and where they are working now:
Kevin East (1994-1995) – Key Account Manager, Kimberly Clark
Jeremy Feuer (1995-1996) – Lawyer, Olschewski & Feuer
Barb McTavish (1994-2008) – Operations Manager, Winnipeg Soccer Federation Indoor Soccer Complex
Lorraine Maciboric (1998-2006) – Executive Director, The Tallman Foundation
Brent Borbridge (1996-1998) – Account Manager, National Leasing
Devon Kashton (1996-1997) – General Manager, Winnipeg Soccer Federation Indoor Soccer Complex
Mitch Brennan (1999-2001) – National Manager of Product Advancement, Ticketmaster Canada
Darren McCabe (2004-2007) – Primary Care Paramedic (PCP), Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service
Tom Thiessen (2001-2004) – Executive Director, Building Owners and Managers Association of Manitoba
John Hindle (1994-2001) – author, novel “Jackrabbits in the Outfield”
Tracy Smith (1995-2004) – Regional Supervisor–Donor Services Representatives, Canadian Blood Services
Arthur O’Bright (1994) – General Manager, Texas Motorplex
Tracy Blackmore (1998-2003) – Teacher, grades 1, 2 & 3, Prince Edward Elementary School
Jana Thorsteinson (1994-1995) – Assistant Executive Director, University of Manitoba Alumni Association
Sherri Perrett (2000-2001) – Booking Manager, Burton Cummings Theatre
Scott Hebert (1994-1996) – Owner, Excel Fitness Incorporated
As you can see, a very impressive list! The minor leagues are not just a breeding ground for future major leaguers, it’s also a source for future captains of industry in Canada and around the world.
Next blog… “An Update on K’s for Kids”
Until next time…
-- Andrew
Monday, March 16, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - Mar. 16, 2009
“Staff Survey”
Every once in a while on this blog, I will provide a glimpse into the Goldeyes front office staff and on-field coaching staff and put on display the wide variety of personalities we have working here. So, with that in mind, I emailed a survey with some varied topical questions that I think will give you a true glimpse into the minds of the people behind Goldeyes baseball. Feel free to form your own opinion of the staff based on their answers. I made some editors notes beside some of the answers in italics. I also allocated some awards to some staff for their answers.
Celebrity Crush
Jonathan – Kelly Clarkson
Angela – Richard Dean Anderson
Bonnie – Hugh Jackman
Kevin – does my girlfriend count? If not then Elisha Cuthbert. (Sappy Award)
Andrew – Kaley Cuoco
Paul Edmonds (Radioguy) – Lindsay Lohan – until she flaked out recently
Blake – Carrie Underwood
Sarah – Josh Duhamel
Dennis – June Allyson
Paul Duque (El Duque) – (current) Kristen Bell; (all-time) Jennifer Aniston
Regan – Elisha Cuthbert
Dan – Julie Andrews
Shane – Kate Beckinsale
Jason – Paul Edmonds
Judy – Bill Pullman, Hugh Jackman
Scott Taylor – Stevie Nicks, Carrie Underwood and Kaley Cuoco
Scott Horn – Kate Beckinsale
Tom – Danica Patrick
Rick – Marissa Miller
Rudy – Jennifer Lopez
Most embarrassing song on your iPod
Jonathan – Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus
Angela – Thriller – Michael Jackson
Bonnie – no iPod :(
Kevin – Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
Andrew – Put a Ring On It - Beyonce
Radioguy – no iPod
Blake – All or Nothing – O-Town
Sarah – I’m Too Sexy – Right Said Fred
Dennis – what’s an iPod??
El Duque – entire album “Aquarium” by Aqua
Regan – Rhythm of the Night – Real McCoy
Dan – no iPod
Shane – Benny & the Jets (unplugged MTV version)
Jason – no iPod
Judy – no iPod
Scott Taylor – Let’s go racin’ boys – Toby Lightman (Nascar song from Fox TV)
Scott Horn – Barbie Song – Pink
Tom – no iPod
Rick – Too Shy – Kaja Goo Goo
Rudy – Gold Digger – Kanye West
Least favourite sport
Jonathan – golf
Angela – soccer
Bonnie – golf
Kevin – NBA Basketball – I’d rather watch paint dry
Andrew – soccer
Radioguy – soccer
Blake – basketball
Sarah – curling
Dennis – rodeo
El Duque – poker – I like playing, but why do they show it on sports channels?
Regan - basketball
Dan – fishing – can’t sit still!
Shane – none… unless you consider figure skating a sport instead of a performance
Jason – basketball – I’m too short
Judy – to play – curling – I do enough sweeping at home, to watch – boxing
Scott Taylor – poker (is it a sport?)
Scott Horn – cricket
Tom – curling
Rick – tennis
Rudy – synchronized swimming
Guilty pleasure
Jonathan – sweet chili heat Doritos and Cherry Nibs
Angela – reality tv shows (too many of them)
Bonnie – Bones tv series
Kevin – Saturday mornings, I like to watch Hannah Montana
Andrew – chocolate covered cherries and blueberries from Rocky Mountain
Radioguy – chips
Blake – video games
Sarah – shopping, purses and shoes specifically
Dennis – ogling
El Duque – I still watch wrestling once in a while
Regan – answer did not comply with CRTC standards
Dan – three cheese pizza
Shane – I really like to buy shoes (because my size is a pain to find)
Jason – Slurpees
Judy – eccle cakes and chai tea lattes
Scott Taylor – anything Disney
Scott Horn – chocolate cheesecake
Tom – none
Rick – chicken wings
Rudy – Johnny Walker Gold Label
If I could have one superpower it would be
Jonathan – invisibility
Angela – flying/teleportation
Bonnie – time travel – I would have started to work here years ago! (Suckup Award)
Kevin – I wish I could melt snow and ice just by looking at it, I hate winter!
Andrew – time travel
Radioguy – ability to fly
Blake – time travel
Sarah – invisibility
Dennis – X-Ray vision
El Duque – ability to fly
Regan – ability to fly
Dan – ability to fly
Shane – ability to read my boss’s mind
Jason – ability to predict the future
Judy – ability to disappear
Scott Taylor – invisibility
Scott Horn – telekinesis
Tom – ability to fly
Rick – ability to read minds
Rudy – X-Ray vision
What I’m doing at work when no one’s watching
Jonathan – buying stuff on eBay
Angela – planning my next vacation
Bonnie – reading Twilight for the millionth time
Kevin – dreaming of the day when the Leafs win the Stanley Cup
Andrew – making my picks on ESPN.com’s “Streak for the Cash”
Radioguy – reading out-of-town newspapers on-line
Blake – checking out Chicago Blackhawks news
Sarah – watching aerobics videos BUT only on my lunch break :)
Dennis – not applicable
El Duque – handling my “bid’ness”
Regan – filling out surveys for Andrew
Dan – playing on-line poker (Honesty award)
Shane – reading espn.com or tsn.ca
Jason – I do what I want, but unlike some, I don’t have a tv in my office. For real, it would be checking the stock index and U.S. exchange rate, no wonder I’m depressed.
Judy – always working (BS award)
Scott Taylor – watching baseball on MLB.com
Scott Horn – wondering what everyone else is doing
Tom – sudoku
Rick – catching a 10 minute nap
Rudy – text messaging
If I could be on a reality show, it would be
Jonathan – Survivor
Angela – The mature Bachelorette
Bonnie – The Bachelorette
Kevin – Amazing Race
Andrew – The Apprentice
Radioguy – Survivor
Blake – Bromance
Sarah – a tie between Amazing Race and The Hills
Dennis – the one in the jungle (I’m pretty sure he means Survivor)
El Duque – Amazing Race
Regan – Amazing Race
Dan – The Apprentice
Shane – Pros vs. Joes
Jason – Survivor
Judy – I loathe reality shows. Wouldn’t want to be on any.
Scott Taylor – Wipeout
Scott Horn – Fear Factor
Tom – don’t watch them
Rick – Big Break
Rudy – From G’s to Gents
Blondes, Brunettes or Redheads
Jonathan – brunettes
Angela - brunettes
Bonnie – brunettes
Kevin – doesn’t matter as long as she cheers for the Leafs
Andrew – brunettes
Radioguy – blondes
Blake – blondes
Sarah – all of the above
Dennis – bald heads
El Duque – why exclude anyone from the party?
Regan - brunettes
Dan – blondes
Shane – redheads
Jason – whoever will take me… what colour is Jen’s hair, red
Judy – brunettes
Scott Taylor – all of the above
Scott Horn – brunettes
Tom – blondes
Rick – brunettes
Rudy – brunettes
Plain, pepperoni or other
Jonathan – pepperoni
Angela – no pizza for me!
Bonnie – Hawaiian
Kevin – pepperoni and mushroom
Andrew – double pepperoni & double cheese
Radioguy – pepperoni
Blake – pepperoni
Sarah – pepperoni
Dennis – beef, bacon & mushroom
El Duque – other – supreme… wait, we’re talking about pizza, right?
Regan - pepperoni
Dan – lactose intolerant
Shane – shrimp & meatball
Jason – other
Judy – other – lots of junk!
Scott Taylor – Little Caesar’s Three Meat Treat (just $7.95)
Scott Horn – loaded
Tom – other
Rick – other
Rudy – pepperoni
I own ___ pairs of shoes
Jonathan – 11
Angela – 35 at least
Bonnie – 24
Kevin – was 3 until I started working here, now it’s 4… 4th pair are for putting the tarp on the field
Andrew – 32
Radioguy – 4
Blake – 8
Sarah – 40+… wow I didn’t realize how many pairs I had
Dennis – 5 and a half
El Duque – 11
Regan – I ran out of fingers, less than Andrew, more than my Mom
Dan – 6
Shane – lots but still not enough
Jason – 9, but one pair will soon be in the garbage
Judy – at least 20 – if I wasn’t meant to have them, they wouldn’t make them in my size
Scott Taylor – 14
Scott Horn – 24
Tom – 15
Rick – 7
Rudy – 15
Next blog… Wednesday, March 18 “Where are they Now? – Office Staff edition”
Until next time…
-- Andrew
Every once in a while on this blog, I will provide a glimpse into the Goldeyes front office staff and on-field coaching staff and put on display the wide variety of personalities we have working here. So, with that in mind, I emailed a survey with some varied topical questions that I think will give you a true glimpse into the minds of the people behind Goldeyes baseball. Feel free to form your own opinion of the staff based on their answers. I made some editors notes beside some of the answers in italics. I also allocated some awards to some staff for their answers.
Celebrity Crush
Jonathan – Kelly Clarkson
Angela – Richard Dean Anderson
Bonnie – Hugh Jackman
Kevin – does my girlfriend count? If not then Elisha Cuthbert. (Sappy Award)
Andrew – Kaley Cuoco
Paul Edmonds (Radioguy) – Lindsay Lohan – until she flaked out recently
Blake – Carrie Underwood
Sarah – Josh Duhamel
Dennis – June Allyson
Paul Duque (El Duque) – (current) Kristen Bell; (all-time) Jennifer Aniston
Regan – Elisha Cuthbert
Dan – Julie Andrews
Shane – Kate Beckinsale
Jason – Paul Edmonds
Judy – Bill Pullman, Hugh Jackman
Scott Taylor – Stevie Nicks, Carrie Underwood and Kaley Cuoco
Scott Horn – Kate Beckinsale
Tom – Danica Patrick
Rick – Marissa Miller
Rudy – Jennifer Lopez
Most embarrassing song on your iPod
Jonathan – Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus
Angela – Thriller – Michael Jackson
Bonnie – no iPod :(
Kevin – Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
Andrew – Put a Ring On It - Beyonce
Radioguy – no iPod
Blake – All or Nothing – O-Town
Sarah – I’m Too Sexy – Right Said Fred
Dennis – what’s an iPod??
El Duque – entire album “Aquarium” by Aqua
Regan – Rhythm of the Night – Real McCoy
Dan – no iPod
Shane – Benny & the Jets (unplugged MTV version)
Jason – no iPod
Judy – no iPod
Scott Taylor – Let’s go racin’ boys – Toby Lightman (Nascar song from Fox TV)
Scott Horn – Barbie Song – Pink
Tom – no iPod
Rick – Too Shy – Kaja Goo Goo
Rudy – Gold Digger – Kanye West
Least favourite sport
Jonathan – golf
Angela – soccer
Bonnie – golf
Kevin – NBA Basketball – I’d rather watch paint dry
Andrew – soccer
Radioguy – soccer
Blake – basketball
Sarah – curling
Dennis – rodeo
El Duque – poker – I like playing, but why do they show it on sports channels?
Regan - basketball
Dan – fishing – can’t sit still!
Shane – none… unless you consider figure skating a sport instead of a performance
Jason – basketball – I’m too short
Judy – to play – curling – I do enough sweeping at home, to watch – boxing
Scott Taylor – poker (is it a sport?)
Scott Horn – cricket
Tom – curling
Rick – tennis
Rudy – synchronized swimming
Guilty pleasure
Jonathan – sweet chili heat Doritos and Cherry Nibs
Angela – reality tv shows (too many of them)
Bonnie – Bones tv series
Kevin – Saturday mornings, I like to watch Hannah Montana
Andrew – chocolate covered cherries and blueberries from Rocky Mountain
Radioguy – chips
Blake – video games
Sarah – shopping, purses and shoes specifically
Dennis – ogling
El Duque – I still watch wrestling once in a while
Regan – answer did not comply with CRTC standards
Dan – three cheese pizza
Shane – I really like to buy shoes (because my size is a pain to find)
Jason – Slurpees
Judy – eccle cakes and chai tea lattes
Scott Taylor – anything Disney
Scott Horn – chocolate cheesecake
Tom – none
Rick – chicken wings
Rudy – Johnny Walker Gold Label
If I could have one superpower it would be
Jonathan – invisibility
Angela – flying/teleportation
Bonnie – time travel – I would have started to work here years ago! (Suckup Award)
Kevin – I wish I could melt snow and ice just by looking at it, I hate winter!
Andrew – time travel
Radioguy – ability to fly
Blake – time travel
Sarah – invisibility
Dennis – X-Ray vision
El Duque – ability to fly
Regan – ability to fly
Dan – ability to fly
Shane – ability to read my boss’s mind
Jason – ability to predict the future
Judy – ability to disappear
Scott Taylor – invisibility
Scott Horn – telekinesis
Tom – ability to fly
Rick – ability to read minds
Rudy – X-Ray vision
What I’m doing at work when no one’s watching
Jonathan – buying stuff on eBay
Angela – planning my next vacation
Bonnie – reading Twilight for the millionth time
Kevin – dreaming of the day when the Leafs win the Stanley Cup
Andrew – making my picks on ESPN.com’s “Streak for the Cash”
Radioguy – reading out-of-town newspapers on-line
Blake – checking out Chicago Blackhawks news
Sarah – watching aerobics videos BUT only on my lunch break :)
Dennis – not applicable
El Duque – handling my “bid’ness”
Regan – filling out surveys for Andrew
Dan – playing on-line poker (Honesty award)
Shane – reading espn.com or tsn.ca
Jason – I do what I want, but unlike some, I don’t have a tv in my office. For real, it would be checking the stock index and U.S. exchange rate, no wonder I’m depressed.
Judy – always working (BS award)
Scott Taylor – watching baseball on MLB.com
Scott Horn – wondering what everyone else is doing
Tom – sudoku
Rick – catching a 10 minute nap
Rudy – text messaging
If I could be on a reality show, it would be
Jonathan – Survivor
Angela – The mature Bachelorette
Bonnie – The Bachelorette
Kevin – Amazing Race
Andrew – The Apprentice
Radioguy – Survivor
Blake – Bromance
Sarah – a tie between Amazing Race and The Hills
Dennis – the one in the jungle (I’m pretty sure he means Survivor)
El Duque – Amazing Race
Regan – Amazing Race
Dan – The Apprentice
Shane – Pros vs. Joes
Jason – Survivor
Judy – I loathe reality shows. Wouldn’t want to be on any.
Scott Taylor – Wipeout
Scott Horn – Fear Factor
Tom – don’t watch them
Rick – Big Break
Rudy – From G’s to Gents
Blondes, Brunettes or Redheads
Jonathan – brunettes
Angela - brunettes
Bonnie – brunettes
Kevin – doesn’t matter as long as she cheers for the Leafs
Andrew – brunettes
Radioguy – blondes
Blake – blondes
Sarah – all of the above
Dennis – bald heads
El Duque – why exclude anyone from the party?
Regan - brunettes
Dan – blondes
Shane – redheads
Jason – whoever will take me… what colour is Jen’s hair, red
Judy – brunettes
Scott Taylor – all of the above
Scott Horn – brunettes
Tom – blondes
Rick – brunettes
Rudy – brunettes
Plain, pepperoni or other
Jonathan – pepperoni
Angela – no pizza for me!
Bonnie – Hawaiian
Kevin – pepperoni and mushroom
Andrew – double pepperoni & double cheese
Radioguy – pepperoni
Blake – pepperoni
Sarah – pepperoni
Dennis – beef, bacon & mushroom
El Duque – other – supreme… wait, we’re talking about pizza, right?
Regan - pepperoni
Dan – lactose intolerant
Shane – shrimp & meatball
Jason – other
Judy – other – lots of junk!
Scott Taylor – Little Caesar’s Three Meat Treat (just $7.95)
Scott Horn – loaded
Tom – other
Rick – other
Rudy – pepperoni
I own ___ pairs of shoes
Jonathan – 11
Angela – 35 at least
Bonnie – 24
Kevin – was 3 until I started working here, now it’s 4… 4th pair are for putting the tarp on the field
Andrew – 32
Radioguy – 4
Blake – 8
Sarah – 40+… wow I didn’t realize how many pairs I had
Dennis – 5 and a half
El Duque – 11
Regan – I ran out of fingers, less than Andrew, more than my Mom
Dan – 6
Shane – lots but still not enough
Jason – 9, but one pair will soon be in the garbage
Judy – at least 20 – if I wasn’t meant to have them, they wouldn’t make them in my size
Scott Taylor – 14
Scott Horn – 24
Tom – 15
Rick – 7
Rudy – 15
Next blog… Wednesday, March 18 “Where are they Now? – Office Staff edition”
Until next time…
-- Andrew
Thursday, March 12, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - Mar. 12, 2009
“(Half) Marathon Man”
It was about this time three years ago that I decided I would try and run the Winnipeg Police Service Half Marathon in late April of 2006. I trained for it, probably not as much as I should have, but I did train. I ended up finishing the race with a time that I was very pleased with. When I finished, I told my wife, my Mom and Dad and just about anyone else within earshot, that I would never do that again. It was something I wanted to cross off my “life list” or what has more recently been popularized as a “bucket list”, and since I had now completed it, I didn’t feel there was a need to do it again.
Well, as usual, my memory is very short and last week, I decided I would give it another go. I started training regularly on February 16 and have been running three or four times a week. After filling out the on-line form I began soliciting pledges from family, friends, colleagues, friends of the Goldeyes, etc. It quickly began to sink in that I was now committed to doing this. People have pledged their hard earned money to the Canadian Cancer Society with the expectation that I not only participate in the run, but actually finish the race!
You may be saying to yourself, “what’s the big deal, it’s only 21 km, that should be no problem!” and you’d be right. However, for those who know me, know that I’m not the healthiest of people out there. I like burgers, fries and gravy, and just about anything that can be deep-fried. I’ve also been known to have a cigar now and then and there have been very few times in my adult life I’ve turned down a frosty beverage (BTW, I’m not encouraging the use of these products, I’m simply painting the picture). Well, continuing to eat three McDonald’s double cheeseburgers while driving from one meeting to another or enjoying the aforementioned vices, and training to run a half-marathon don’t go very well together. I am certainly not foolish enough to say I will be giving any of these things up, but for the next two months, they will be kept to a minimum.
The run is in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. I am currently collecting pledges for the run. If you are interested in donating to this very worthwhile cause, please click here to do so (Editor's Note: if the link isn't working -- probably because of all the people making pledges -- please try again later in the day). I would like to thank all those who have supported the Canadian Cancer Society by pledging me so far and thank you to those who might do so in the future.
One parting note…Only 71 days remaining until opening day, 46 days until players start arriving, 51 days until the Annual Open House and only 60 days until our first exhibition game against the St. Paul Saints.
Next blog – “Meet the Staff”
Until next time…
-- Andrew
It was about this time three years ago that I decided I would try and run the Winnipeg Police Service Half Marathon in late April of 2006. I trained for it, probably not as much as I should have, but I did train. I ended up finishing the race with a time that I was very pleased with. When I finished, I told my wife, my Mom and Dad and just about anyone else within earshot, that I would never do that again. It was something I wanted to cross off my “life list” or what has more recently been popularized as a “bucket list”, and since I had now completed it, I didn’t feel there was a need to do it again.
Well, as usual, my memory is very short and last week, I decided I would give it another go. I started training regularly on February 16 and have been running three or four times a week. After filling out the on-line form I began soliciting pledges from family, friends, colleagues, friends of the Goldeyes, etc. It quickly began to sink in that I was now committed to doing this. People have pledged their hard earned money to the Canadian Cancer Society with the expectation that I not only participate in the run, but actually finish the race!
You may be saying to yourself, “what’s the big deal, it’s only 21 km, that should be no problem!” and you’d be right. However, for those who know me, know that I’m not the healthiest of people out there. I like burgers, fries and gravy, and just about anything that can be deep-fried. I’ve also been known to have a cigar now and then and there have been very few times in my adult life I’ve turned down a frosty beverage (BTW, I’m not encouraging the use of these products, I’m simply painting the picture). Well, continuing to eat three McDonald’s double cheeseburgers while driving from one meeting to another or enjoying the aforementioned vices, and training to run a half-marathon don’t go very well together. I am certainly not foolish enough to say I will be giving any of these things up, but for the next two months, they will be kept to a minimum.
The run is in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. I am currently collecting pledges for the run. If you are interested in donating to this very worthwhile cause, please click here to do so (Editor's Note: if the link isn't working -- probably because of all the people making pledges -- please try again later in the day). I would like to thank all those who have supported the Canadian Cancer Society by pledging me so far and thank you to those who might do so in the future.
One parting note…Only 71 days remaining until opening day, 46 days until players start arriving, 51 days until the Annual Open House and only 60 days until our first exhibition game against the St. Paul Saints.
Next blog – “Meet the Staff”
Until next time…
-- Andrew
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Radio Guy's Blog - Mar. 10, 2009
"A New Enterprise"
Let me first say that this whole blog thing is a new enterprise for me – one that I’ll probably pursue to get better at as time progresses. However, one thing I’ve noticed about blogging and bloggers is there seems to be more of them than actual readers! However, if you know of where I can pick up some more readers, then let me know.
Let’s face it, this winter hasn’t exactly been conducive for a lot of outdoor activities. In fact, I think I can pinpoint about four days in total since the Holidays that you even think about venturing outside with the kids for any extended period. However, that obviously didn’t resonate with one of my friends recently who ask why I didn’t take my oldest son out to play shinny on the local rink more often? He said it was “the best way to toughen kids up.” To which I retorted: “Isn’t everyone that lives here between Oct. 1 and March 30 already tough enough, and further toughening based on the weather is actually being guilty of stupidity?” That pretty much ended the conversation on toughness.
For the record, isn’t just about time we stopped casually referring to the James A. Richardson International Airport by its full name and graduated to reference our soon-to-be-new terminal as just Richardson International? When you hear O’Hare, Pearson and LaGuardia, you automatically know where these airports are located, right? Let’s think big, people.
I have this to say on the whole steroid issue in baseball: Whatever happened to “Just Say No?”
I scratch my head sometimes in bewilderment when I read stories about player contracts in baseball. For instance, where is the baseline for what went on last month when 2008 Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum re-signs for one year with San Francisco for just $650,000 and slugger Manny Ramirez rejects an initial offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers that would pay him $45 million over two years. I fail to understand the disparity, especially when every team is clamoring for better pitching.
Still with baseball, get used to superstar players opting out the World Baseball Classic in years to come even more so than this year. That is unless Major League Baseball and its Player’s Association can get together and have those players that are not injured seriously committed to participation in the event. Otherwise an epidemic is just around the corner and the tournament will become a junior national event at-best in the future.
Speaking of the WBC, I’m going to watch with a lot of interest to see if the Japanese can repeat again. They certainly impressed me four years ago with their small-ball game and I’m wondering if any of the other nations have any game plan to counteract that this time around.
It would be the understatement of the 2009 if I didn’t admit that the announcement regarding an expansion franchise in Zion, Illinois was a huge breath of fresh air around every Northern League office. Certainly, Kevin Costner’s association with the new club will add to the credibility of the franchise and league overall, but now some serious works needs to be done in getting a team in the Minneapolis area.
Next time you have a chance, ask Goldeyes’ pitcher Brandon Kintzler about his first winter in Winnipeg. And be sure to query him on washing his truck on a cold December night, only to show up at work the next day three hours late when he couldn’t open the doors the next morning on the frozen vehicle.
One of the biggest thrills I’ve experienced this off-season so far was being able to read to my oldest son’s Grade 1 class at Earl Grey School in February. His teacher put my boy on a stool right beside me and I was able to hold his and his classmate’s attention for an hour (How? I don’t know) while reading a selection of about four books. If you’ve never read to a kid or haven’t for a while, I would encourage you to do so. You might find you get more out of it than the kid.
Peace, out!
-- Paul
Monday, March 9, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - Mar. 9, 2009
“Relay for Life”
I’ve learned a lot about blogs over the last month. I’ve learned that blogs can be informative, insightful, serious, philosophical, goofy or strange. The most important thing I’ve learned is that blogs are whatever the writer has on their mind at that particular time. So far I think mine have been informative and at times a little bit goofy. The one you are about to read will likely be the closest to the serious side that I will write.
Every once in a while, the Goldeyes are fortunate enough to be involved with some fantastic fundraising events. On Friday, May 29 between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. the following day, a very exciting event will be held at Canwest Park. The Canadian Cancer Society will hold its “Relay for Life” event at the ballpark. The 12-hour relay walk will take place around the warning track and everyone involved will be camping out on the outfield grass.
The following appears on the Canadian Cancer Society’s website:
"The Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life is more than just a fundraiser. It is an opportunity to get together with family and friends and celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and fight back in the hope of finding a cure for this terrible disease. Relay is fun, fulfilling, and your participation gives strength to our mission to eradicate cancer. Walk with us in this inspirational 12-hour overnight event as we come together and fight to make cancer history.”
There are many ways to get involved. Check out the Relay for Life website. You can:
Create a new team
Join an existing team
Pledge a participant
Buy a luminary
Volunteer your time at the event
Join the Survivors victory lap
When approached by Kathy Joshua, a member of the volunteer organizing committee, it didn’t take long for the Goldeyes organization to jump on board. This event not only provides funding that will one day put an end to this terrible disease, it also provides hope to the people going through treatment and the families and friends who support them.
There are very few people in the world that haven’t been touched by cancer in one form or another. With permission of his parents, Hank and Cynthia, I’d like to tell you about a little boy named Harry who touched the lives of many people.
Last summer at the “Relay for Life”, “Prince” Harry (as he was affectionately referred to as), had a great time at the event, playing with his big sister and Mom and Dad, enjoying a day away from the hospital where he had spent a considerable amount of time since he was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer on February 22, 2008. It was a day that he was able to enjoy away from the ongoing chemo and radiation treatments, away from the Children’s Hospital, away from daily reminders that he was a very sick little boy. It was a day for his family to enjoy being with Harry and enjoy this happy, inspiring, joy-filled little boy and remember what it was like before the doctors initially diagnosed him with a very rare and, without a transplant, a highly probable fatal form of liver cancer. The world lost Prince Harry on August 3, 2008, less than two months after the Relay for Life. The reason it was so easy for me to get involved with this event is that if the dollars that are raised at the Relay for Life can help another “Prince Harry” enjoy a second, or third, or better yet, a 60th instead of just a first birthday, then it is all worth it. Below you can see pictures from last year’s Relay for Life of Hank, Cynthia and Harry and another that has the whole family including Harry’s sister Lydia.
Harry loved watching the transit bus. He enjoyed watching it as he played in Aubrey Park. If you have the opportunity of riding the #10 Wolseley bus, think of Harry.
Harry’s story is a sad one with a sad ending. With the money that is raised and the research that is being done, they don’t all end that way. There are good stories and positive endings out there. Someone close to me was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer two-and-a-half years ago. Due to the research and advancements that have been made because of money from events like this, this person was able to have a successful thyroidectomy (total removal of the thyroid gland). With ongoing treatment including prescribed thyroid medication, follow-up scans have shown no cancer residual. Because of events like Relay for Life, I am able to write about this person in the present tense and not the past tense.
One parting note… congrats to Jeff Hnatiuk for being named this year’s “Impact Player” as chosen by the Winnipeg Free Press. For those who didn’t have a chance to read the two-page spread in the Press on Saturday, February 28, Mr. Hnatiuk was chosen by the Free Press sports staff and members of the sporting community in Manitoba as the most influential sports figure in the province. Kudos to Gary Lawless, the rest of the Free Press sports team and the selection panel for putting together the top ten. I was fortunate to be part of the selection panel. After reading the article I’m not sure how to interpret the fact that I had five of the eventual top ten on the list I had submitted. There were some on the final list that I agree with and some that I don’t. But that’s the beauty of these lists, the discussion that leads up to and follows the final decision is usually a lot of fun.
Next blog – “(Half) Marathon Man”
Until next time…
-- Andrew
I’ve learned a lot about blogs over the last month. I’ve learned that blogs can be informative, insightful, serious, philosophical, goofy or strange. The most important thing I’ve learned is that blogs are whatever the writer has on their mind at that particular time. So far I think mine have been informative and at times a little bit goofy. The one you are about to read will likely be the closest to the serious side that I will write.
Every once in a while, the Goldeyes are fortunate enough to be involved with some fantastic fundraising events. On Friday, May 29 between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. the following day, a very exciting event will be held at Canwest Park. The Canadian Cancer Society will hold its “Relay for Life” event at the ballpark. The 12-hour relay walk will take place around the warning track and everyone involved will be camping out on the outfield grass.
The following appears on the Canadian Cancer Society’s website:
"The Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life is more than just a fundraiser. It is an opportunity to get together with family and friends and celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and fight back in the hope of finding a cure for this terrible disease. Relay is fun, fulfilling, and your participation gives strength to our mission to eradicate cancer. Walk with us in this inspirational 12-hour overnight event as we come together and fight to make cancer history.”
There are many ways to get involved. Check out the Relay for Life website. You can:
Create a new team
Join an existing team
Pledge a participant
Buy a luminary
Volunteer your time at the event
Join the Survivors victory lap
When approached by Kathy Joshua, a member of the volunteer organizing committee, it didn’t take long for the Goldeyes organization to jump on board. This event not only provides funding that will one day put an end to this terrible disease, it also provides hope to the people going through treatment and the families and friends who support them.
There are very few people in the world that haven’t been touched by cancer in one form or another. With permission of his parents, Hank and Cynthia, I’d like to tell you about a little boy named Harry who touched the lives of many people.
Last summer at the “Relay for Life”, “Prince” Harry (as he was affectionately referred to as), had a great time at the event, playing with his big sister and Mom and Dad, enjoying a day away from the hospital where he had spent a considerable amount of time since he was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer on February 22, 2008. It was a day that he was able to enjoy away from the ongoing chemo and radiation treatments, away from the Children’s Hospital, away from daily reminders that he was a very sick little boy. It was a day for his family to enjoy being with Harry and enjoy this happy, inspiring, joy-filled little boy and remember what it was like before the doctors initially diagnosed him with a very rare and, without a transplant, a highly probable fatal form of liver cancer. The world lost Prince Harry on August 3, 2008, less than two months after the Relay for Life. The reason it was so easy for me to get involved with this event is that if the dollars that are raised at the Relay for Life can help another “Prince Harry” enjoy a second, or third, or better yet, a 60th instead of just a first birthday, then it is all worth it. Below you can see pictures from last year’s Relay for Life of Hank, Cynthia and Harry and another that has the whole family including Harry’s sister Lydia.
Harry loved watching the transit bus. He enjoyed watching it as he played in Aubrey Park. If you have the opportunity of riding the #10 Wolseley bus, think of Harry.
Harry’s story is a sad one with a sad ending. With the money that is raised and the research that is being done, they don’t all end that way. There are good stories and positive endings out there. Someone close to me was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer two-and-a-half years ago. Due to the research and advancements that have been made because of money from events like this, this person was able to have a successful thyroidectomy (total removal of the thyroid gland). With ongoing treatment including prescribed thyroid medication, follow-up scans have shown no cancer residual. Because of events like Relay for Life, I am able to write about this person in the present tense and not the past tense.
One parting note… congrats to Jeff Hnatiuk for being named this year’s “Impact Player” as chosen by the Winnipeg Free Press. For those who didn’t have a chance to read the two-page spread in the Press on Saturday, February 28, Mr. Hnatiuk was chosen by the Free Press sports staff and members of the sporting community in Manitoba as the most influential sports figure in the province. Kudos to Gary Lawless, the rest of the Free Press sports team and the selection panel for putting together the top ten. I was fortunate to be part of the selection panel. After reading the article I’m not sure how to interpret the fact that I had five of the eventual top ten on the list I had submitted. There were some on the final list that I agree with and some that I don’t. But that’s the beauty of these lists, the discussion that leads up to and follows the final decision is usually a lot of fun.
Next blog – “(Half) Marathon Man”
Until next time…
-- Andrew
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Clubhouse Blog - Mar. 5, 2009
"Open Season"
One of the first signs that winter is soon to be over is that spring training highlights are constantly on ESPN. With that being said we had our first major snow storm here in Maryland. I woke up to a 6 inch dumping Monday and most of the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area received around 8 to 12 inches.
Things are starting to get real busy for me with the baseball season fast approaching. This winter was a strange one with the lack of release transactions from affiliated baseball teams. There are not as many free agent players available to us Indy ball managers as in years past, meaning fewer phone calls and even fewer signings.
For me that usually means extreme anxiety. Just knowing the countdown to opening day is on and not having as many players in place as I have had in years past can make me a little crazy at times. I often tell myself there will be ton of talented baseball players that will get released in spring training that will be interested in continuing their careers. Just one problem with that, every other independent club is in the same situation as I am and we will be competing against each other for their services. Tom and Rudy have been a great help to me as always as has Andrew and Jonathan. Stay tuned, it should be a very interesting March and April for the transaction wires in each independent league.
During the winter I have been fortunate enough to coach basketball at the recreation level. I have to tell you some days it’s more difficult than managing the Goldeyes! Christopher’s basketball season came to a close this weekend with a first round loss in the playoffs. I told the kids they lost because of poor coaching. David will be playing in the 12U league championship this coming Saturday against a very strong team from Thurmont, Maryland. I can’t wait. Rebekah is keeping busy with her dance classes and sweet little Erik is busy being a stinker. Erika joined the work force for the first time in 8 years. I’m so proud of her.
That’s all I have for now. My phone is ringing and I need to close this deal on a future Goldeyes player. Wish me luck!
-- Rick Forney
One of the first signs that winter is soon to be over is that spring training highlights are constantly on ESPN. With that being said we had our first major snow storm here in Maryland. I woke up to a 6 inch dumping Monday and most of the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area received around 8 to 12 inches.
Things are starting to get real busy for me with the baseball season fast approaching. This winter was a strange one with the lack of release transactions from affiliated baseball teams. There are not as many free agent players available to us Indy ball managers as in years past, meaning fewer phone calls and even fewer signings.
For me that usually means extreme anxiety. Just knowing the countdown to opening day is on and not having as many players in place as I have had in years past can make me a little crazy at times. I often tell myself there will be ton of talented baseball players that will get released in spring training that will be interested in continuing their careers. Just one problem with that, every other independent club is in the same situation as I am and we will be competing against each other for their services. Tom and Rudy have been a great help to me as always as has Andrew and Jonathan. Stay tuned, it should be a very interesting March and April for the transaction wires in each independent league.
During the winter I have been fortunate enough to coach basketball at the recreation level. I have to tell you some days it’s more difficult than managing the Goldeyes! Christopher’s basketball season came to a close this weekend with a first round loss in the playoffs. I told the kids they lost because of poor coaching. David will be playing in the 12U league championship this coming Saturday against a very strong team from Thurmont, Maryland. I can’t wait. Rebekah is keeping busy with her dance classes and sweet little Erik is busy being a stinker. Erika joined the work force for the first time in 8 years. I’m so proud of her.
That’s all I have for now. My phone is ringing and I need to close this deal on a future Goldeyes player. Wish me luck!
-- Rick Forney
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - Mar. 4, 2009
“K’s for Kids”
Years ago, long-time season ticket holders Steve and Bonnie Heller, also known as the “K Couple” that sit above the visitors dugout and put up K’s every time a Goldeyes pitcher strikes out an opposing batter, came up with a fantastic fund-raising idea that everyone can get involved with. It’s called the K’s for Kids promotion and it works like this. Fans are asked to pledge a certain monetary amount, whether it is one dollar or one cent per strikeout, thrown by a Goldeyes pitcher at home during the season. Last year, Goldeyes pitchers threw 318 strikeouts at home. So, if you pledged 10 cents per strikeout, you would have been invoiced at the end of the year for $31.80.
Every year, beginning in 2001, we have mailed out K’s for Kids pledge forms to all season ticket and mini pack holders with their pickup letters in April. In addition, we make the forms available on the website and at the Subway fan services booth at each game. However, every year it seems to be the same people who sign up and every year the money raised through this effort remains virtually the same. Which got me thinking about the almost limitless possibilities this opportunity has. So, I decided to do some math and came up with the following:
Working with a number of 300,000 fans per season, if only one per cent (or 3,000) of those fans participated in the program and pledged five cents per strikeout with an average of 300 strikeouts thrown by Goldeyes pitchers, the amount donated would be $15 per person. Multiplied by 3,000 fans, that would add up to $45,000 that would go to the Field of Dreams Foundation, which would end up in the hands of children’s charities in Manitoba. To take the math a little further, even if 3,000 fans pledged one cent per strikeout, or $3 per person, that would still be $9,000, which is more than the program currently raises.
For added incentive to get involved with this program, if you donate $15 to the K’s for Kids program, you’ll receive a $15 charitable tax receipt that you can use to reduce your taxes on next year’s tax return.
To get things rolling for 2009, I am pledging $1 per strikeout.
To really spice things up, if you send in your form by June 30 and write “GM BLOG” at the top of your form, you will be entered to win a Goldeyes skysuite for a night sometime during July or August this summer. If you’re the winner, you can pick the night!
If you would like to get involved, please click here to view the form and print it out.
One parting note… I had a great time reading at David Livingstone School last week. Not sure how I was included with some real celebrity readers, but did my best to stumble through my book “Reading is good for you because…”. Janet Stewart from CBC and I read to the Kindergarten and Nursery School kids. I am certainly glad I read before Janet, she was very funny and entertaining. Kudos to Lorraine Maciboric from the Tallman Foundation for setting that up with the school. Below is a photo of the celebrity readers, and me!
Years ago, long-time season ticket holders Steve and Bonnie Heller, also known as the “K Couple” that sit above the visitors dugout and put up K’s every time a Goldeyes pitcher strikes out an opposing batter, came up with a fantastic fund-raising idea that everyone can get involved with. It’s called the K’s for Kids promotion and it works like this. Fans are asked to pledge a certain monetary amount, whether it is one dollar or one cent per strikeout, thrown by a Goldeyes pitcher at home during the season. Last year, Goldeyes pitchers threw 318 strikeouts at home. So, if you pledged 10 cents per strikeout, you would have been invoiced at the end of the year for $31.80.
Every year, beginning in 2001, we have mailed out K’s for Kids pledge forms to all season ticket and mini pack holders with their pickup letters in April. In addition, we make the forms available on the website and at the Subway fan services booth at each game. However, every year it seems to be the same people who sign up and every year the money raised through this effort remains virtually the same. Which got me thinking about the almost limitless possibilities this opportunity has. So, I decided to do some math and came up with the following:
Working with a number of 300,000 fans per season, if only one per cent (or 3,000) of those fans participated in the program and pledged five cents per strikeout with an average of 300 strikeouts thrown by Goldeyes pitchers, the amount donated would be $15 per person. Multiplied by 3,000 fans, that would add up to $45,000 that would go to the Field of Dreams Foundation, which would end up in the hands of children’s charities in Manitoba. To take the math a little further, even if 3,000 fans pledged one cent per strikeout, or $3 per person, that would still be $9,000, which is more than the program currently raises.
For added incentive to get involved with this program, if you donate $15 to the K’s for Kids program, you’ll receive a $15 charitable tax receipt that you can use to reduce your taxes on next year’s tax return.
To get things rolling for 2009, I am pledging $1 per strikeout.
To really spice things up, if you send in your form by June 30 and write “GM BLOG” at the top of your form, you will be entered to win a Goldeyes skysuite for a night sometime during July or August this summer. If you’re the winner, you can pick the night!
If you would like to get involved, please click here to view the form and print it out.
One parting note… I had a great time reading at David Livingstone School last week. Not sure how I was included with some real celebrity readers, but did my best to stumble through my book “Reading is good for you because…”. Janet Stewart from CBC and I read to the Kindergarten and Nursery School kids. I am certainly glad I read before Janet, she was very funny and entertaining. Kudos to Lorraine Maciboric from the Tallman Foundation for setting that up with the school. Below is a photo of the celebrity readers, and me!
My next blog…Monday, March 9 – “Relay for Life”
Until next time…
Until next time…
--Andrew
Monday, March 2, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - Mar. 2, 2009
“Best Value for your Money”
You can’t turn on the radio or TV or open a newspaper these days without being bombarded with bad news about the economy. Doom and gloom surrounds us on a daily basis. Times are tough out there and the phrase “disposable income” seems like an oxymoron. You may be wondering where I’m going with all this, so here it is. At the Goldeyes, we realize that families’ budgets are being squeezed tighter and tighter every day. However, we also know that even during these difficult times, people still need to get out once in a while and have some fun.
“$20 gets a family of four through the door” – Sam said those words before we opened the doors to Canwest Park back in 1999 and we’re still saying them now. When we opened the ballpark in June of ’99, there were 800 seats available each game for $5 each. 10 years later we continue to make it even more affordable to come to the park and for 2009, there will be 1,200 seats at each game available for only $5 each.
We believe there is absolutely no better value for your entertainment dollar than going to a Goldeyes game. Not only is there great baseball to watch on the field, but most games have a giveaway item, fireworks show or an entertainment act, and at all games there is free stuff thrown into the crowd throughout the game. If you catch a free ice cream or a bag of potato chips or a bag of sunflower seeds – Boom! – you’ve almost made your $5 back! Even at the $10, $12 or $16 ticket levels, we still believe there isn’t a better way to be entertained for three hours for the money.
If you buy a group package and bring out your staff, clients, friends or family, everyone gets a free souvenir. You basically get your money back with each group ticket purchased by getting a great Goldeyes souvenir to take home!
We are celebrating playing at Canwest Park for 10 years and have introduced some additional benefits for being a season ticket or mini pack holder. Here they are:
BENEFITS OF SEASON TICKET PACKAGE:
- Same seats for all 48 regular season, two exhibition and six potential playoff games.
- 15% discount at The Dugout Goldeyes Souvenir Store
- Invitations to the annual pre-season “Meet The Goldeyes”, Fan Appreciation Barbecue and “World Series Party” events (exclusive to season ticket holders)
- Benefits of our “Catch & Release” program
- Preferred parking opportunities
- Special discounts and offers from a variety of Goldeyes partners and vendors
- First right of refusal for a variety of events, concerts and shows at Canwest Park and other venues
In addition to these benefits that season ticket holders receive every year, as a 10th year celebration bonus, for every season ticket held, holders will receive:
- Two Goldeyes 2009 home games at no charge
- One $10 Goldie’s Grill Gift Certificate
- One $10 Hu’s on First Gift Certificate
If a full season ticket is too much, our five different nine-game mini packs might be perfect for you. The five different packages are: first half, second half, mid week, Saturdays and Sundays. Many different options for many different types of Goldeyes fan.
BENEFITS OF 9-GAME MINI PACKS:
- Same seats for each game in the 9-game package
- 10% discount at The Dugout Goldeyes Souvenir Store
The special BONUS you’ll receive for each mini pack purchased:
- $10 Ticket Gift Certificate for any 2009 Goldeyes Home Game
- $10 Goldie’s Grill Gift Certificate
To get your ticket packages, click here or call the Goldeyes box office and speak with Dennis, Blake or Brandon at 982-2273.
One parting note…Kudos to the Winnipeg Goldeyes fans for helping raise significant funds for the Field of Dreams Foundation again in 2008. The Foundation raised and distributed more than $150,000 to 40 children’s charities in Manitoba bringing the year-to-date total to more than $1.1 million. In my next blog, I will talk about an easy way to get involved with the Field of Dreams fundraising efforts through the K’s for Kids promotion.
Until next time…
-- Andrew
You can’t turn on the radio or TV or open a newspaper these days without being bombarded with bad news about the economy. Doom and gloom surrounds us on a daily basis. Times are tough out there and the phrase “disposable income” seems like an oxymoron. You may be wondering where I’m going with all this, so here it is. At the Goldeyes, we realize that families’ budgets are being squeezed tighter and tighter every day. However, we also know that even during these difficult times, people still need to get out once in a while and have some fun.
“$20 gets a family of four through the door” – Sam said those words before we opened the doors to Canwest Park back in 1999 and we’re still saying them now. When we opened the ballpark in June of ’99, there were 800 seats available each game for $5 each. 10 years later we continue to make it even more affordable to come to the park and for 2009, there will be 1,200 seats at each game available for only $5 each.
We believe there is absolutely no better value for your entertainment dollar than going to a Goldeyes game. Not only is there great baseball to watch on the field, but most games have a giveaway item, fireworks show or an entertainment act, and at all games there is free stuff thrown into the crowd throughout the game. If you catch a free ice cream or a bag of potato chips or a bag of sunflower seeds – Boom! – you’ve almost made your $5 back! Even at the $10, $12 or $16 ticket levels, we still believe there isn’t a better way to be entertained for three hours for the money.
If you buy a group package and bring out your staff, clients, friends or family, everyone gets a free souvenir. You basically get your money back with each group ticket purchased by getting a great Goldeyes souvenir to take home!
We are celebrating playing at Canwest Park for 10 years and have introduced some additional benefits for being a season ticket or mini pack holder. Here they are:
BENEFITS OF SEASON TICKET PACKAGE:
- Same seats for all 48 regular season, two exhibition and six potential playoff games.
- 15% discount at The Dugout Goldeyes Souvenir Store
- Invitations to the annual pre-season “Meet The Goldeyes”, Fan Appreciation Barbecue and “World Series Party” events (exclusive to season ticket holders)
- Benefits of our “Catch & Release” program
- Preferred parking opportunities
- Special discounts and offers from a variety of Goldeyes partners and vendors
- First right of refusal for a variety of events, concerts and shows at Canwest Park and other venues
In addition to these benefits that season ticket holders receive every year, as a 10th year celebration bonus, for every season ticket held, holders will receive:
- Two Goldeyes 2009 home games at no charge
- One $10 Goldie’s Grill Gift Certificate
- One $10 Hu’s on First Gift Certificate
If a full season ticket is too much, our five different nine-game mini packs might be perfect for you. The five different packages are: first half, second half, mid week, Saturdays and Sundays. Many different options for many different types of Goldeyes fan.
BENEFITS OF 9-GAME MINI PACKS:
- Same seats for each game in the 9-game package
- 10% discount at The Dugout Goldeyes Souvenir Store
The special BONUS you’ll receive for each mini pack purchased:
- $10 Ticket Gift Certificate for any 2009 Goldeyes Home Game
- $10 Goldie’s Grill Gift Certificate
To get your ticket packages, click here or call the Goldeyes box office and speak with Dennis, Blake or Brandon at 982-2273.
One parting note…Kudos to the Winnipeg Goldeyes fans for helping raise significant funds for the Field of Dreams Foundation again in 2008. The Foundation raised and distributed more than $150,000 to 40 children’s charities in Manitoba bringing the year-to-date total to more than $1.1 million. In my next blog, I will talk about an easy way to get involved with the Field of Dreams fundraising efforts through the K’s for Kids promotion.
Until next time…
-- Andrew
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