“K’s for Kids and Golf Tournament Update”
I’ve discussed the Field of Dreams Foundation K’s for Kids program a few times in this blog.
Here’s an update:
The response so far this year has been fantastic, with a total of $17.38 being pledged to date for each strikeout that a Goldeyes pitcher tosses at home this season. Goldeyes fans (a total of 26 to be exact) have already surpassed the record mark of $14.38 that was reached in 2005. With 43 home games remaining including tonight, it would be great to reach $30 or $40 per strikeout by the end of the season. In addition to the great support from the fans, our good friends at Fillmore Riley came on board as the title sponsor of the program. Watch for a Fillmore Riley K’s for Kids “tote board” to be placed at the entrance of Gate 3 very soon! Download a K’s for Kids pledge here.
The Field of Dreams Foundation Charity Golf Tournament has enjoyed great success over the years selling out each of the last 10 years. This year’s tournament is on July 20 at Bel Acres Golf & Country Club. Unfortunately, due to a number of reasons including the sluggish economy and a number of other golf tournaments going on that day, it isn’t quite sold out yet. We still have a limited number of individual, team and hole sponsorship spaces yet to be filled. If you would like information about the 15th annual golf tournament, please call me at 982-2273 and I’ll send you out some information. If you’ve ever wanted to get into this fantastic tournament, but haven’t been able to in the past because it was sold out, now is your chance. It’s a great day out on the golf course and a great way to get to know your Winnipeg Goldeyes team.
Anyone who has played in the tournament before can tell you the following:
1. The prizes are fantastic – everyone who plays in the tournament goes home with a great prize. Some of the prizes that will be there this year are; golf shoes, golf bags embroidered with the Goldeyes logo, golf clubs and many other prizes donated by our valued corporate sponsors.
2. The dinner is spectacular – Crystal and the clubhouse staff put on a steak dinner with all the trimmings.
3. The hole prizes are worth aiming for – all the par 3’s along with a few other holes have contests for closest to the pin, longest drive or closest to the middle of the fairway and there are prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd at each one.
4. The fun – from the time you tee off at 1 until the time you leave after the dinner, we guarantee you will have a blast out on the course with the Goldeyes player or staff member who is on your team.
For up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter at either www.twitter.com/Wpg_Goldeyes or www.twitter.com/GoldeyesGM.
Until next time...
-- Andrew
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - May 25, 2009
"Opening Weekend - A Review"
Three down, 45 to go. With opening weekend now behind us, here’s a review of what happened on and off the field.
Opening night was great, even with the near zero degree weather, the fan support was fantastic and the team made it very exciting in the ninth. Even though we lost in extra innings that night, Goldeyes fans got a glimpse of the 2009 Goldeyes and their “never quit” attitude. That attitude and determination was on display again on Sunday afternoon when the Fish came back from a 5-1 deficit to win in 10 innings, 6-5. More on that later.
May 22 – Opening Night. A good crowd on hand despite the weather. Troy Fortin received a fantastic Goldeyes welcome back to the ballpark. The first of eight Flashback Fridays was a huge success, looking forward to the next seven! For a complete list of future Flashback Friday guests, click here. Goldeyes ended up losing opening night 13-12 in 10 innings.
May 23 – Faron Hall was here to throw out the ceremonial opening pitch. He did a great job, one of the best ceremonial pitches I’ve seen at Canwest! Goldeyes lost 7-4.
May 24 – As we have become accustomed to on Sundays over the past number of years, this Sunday game was exciting as ever. Trailing 5-1 going to the bottom of seven, we scored two in the seventh and two more in the ninth to tie it up at 5. In the bottom of 10, Cody Ehlers drove in Adam Frost from second to score the winning run. It was exciting to win in that fashion and even better to avoid being swept by the T-Bones.
Looking forward to tonight’s game which is Jamaica trip giveaway night sponsored by Air Canada Vacations. One lucky fan in attendance will win an all-inclusive trip for two to Jamaica. After the winter we just had, who wouldn’t want to get away once it gets cold again?
For up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter at either www.twitter.com/Wpg_Goldeyes or www.twitter.com/GoldeyesGM.
Until next time…
Three down, 45 to go. With opening weekend now behind us, here’s a review of what happened on and off the field.
Opening night was great, even with the near zero degree weather, the fan support was fantastic and the team made it very exciting in the ninth. Even though we lost in extra innings that night, Goldeyes fans got a glimpse of the 2009 Goldeyes and their “never quit” attitude. That attitude and determination was on display again on Sunday afternoon when the Fish came back from a 5-1 deficit to win in 10 innings, 6-5. More on that later.
May 22 – Opening Night. A good crowd on hand despite the weather. Troy Fortin received a fantastic Goldeyes welcome back to the ballpark. The first of eight Flashback Fridays was a huge success, looking forward to the next seven! For a complete list of future Flashback Friday guests, click here. Goldeyes ended up losing opening night 13-12 in 10 innings.
May 23 – Faron Hall was here to throw out the ceremonial opening pitch. He did a great job, one of the best ceremonial pitches I’ve seen at Canwest! Goldeyes lost 7-4.
May 24 – As we have become accustomed to on Sundays over the past number of years, this Sunday game was exciting as ever. Trailing 5-1 going to the bottom of seven, we scored two in the seventh and two more in the ninth to tie it up at 5. In the bottom of 10, Cody Ehlers drove in Adam Frost from second to score the winning run. It was exciting to win in that fashion and even better to avoid being swept by the T-Bones.
Looking forward to tonight’s game which is Jamaica trip giveaway night sponsored by Air Canada Vacations. One lucky fan in attendance will win an all-inclusive trip for two to Jamaica. After the winter we just had, who wouldn’t want to get away once it gets cold again?
For up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter at either www.twitter.com/Wpg_Goldeyes or www.twitter.com/GoldeyesGM.
Until next time…
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - May 20, 2009
“Opening Weekend 2009”
The Goldeyes will be at home this coming weekend for Arby’s Opening Weekend 2009, May 22-24 and then Gary comes to town for three May 25-27. There is a ton of stuff happening at the park. Some of the highlights are:
Friday, May 22, 7 p.m. vs. Kansas City T-Bones. Flashback Friday – Goldeyes will be wearing retro replica jerseys and hats worn from 1994 to 2002. Troy Fortin will be at the park to throw out the opening pitch and sign autographs. Troy Fortin player cards will be handed out at the gates along with the 2009 magnet schedules. Fireworks after the game. What would be better to put your 2009 magnet schedule on than a new bar fridge courtesy of our good friends at Rona? We will be giving away a brand new bar fridge autographed by the entire 2009 Goldeyes team on Friday night.
Also, at some point during the game, the Goldeyes and their fans will send Get Well Soon wishes via Shaw’s TV broadcast to former pitcher Donnie Smith, who is recovering from heart surgery. In addition, there will be a giant card fans can sign either on the promenade before entering the park or after entering the park on the concourse.
Saturday, May 23, 6 p.m. vs. Kansas City T-Bones. Mad Chad is in the house to entertain and amuse, the highlight of the night will be when he juggles three chainsaws!
Also, the night will see local hero Faron Hall and Joey Mousseau, the young man he pulled from the Red River earlier this month, toss out an opening pitch.
Sunday, May 24, 1:30 p.m. vs. Kansas City T-Bones. Goldie’s Home Run Gang Day. All members of Goldie’s Home Run Gang will have the opportunity to go on field for a chat from a member of the Goldeyes. If your child is not yet a member of the junior fan club, check out the website for details on how to sign them up.
Monday, May 25, 7 p.m. vs. Gary SouthShore RailCats. Jamaica Trip Giveaway day and Island Theme. Be in attendance for your chance to win an all-inclusive trip for two to Jamaica courtesy of the good people at Air Canada Vacations.
Tuesday, May 26, 7 p.m. vs. Gary SouthShore RailCats. School Patrols Night. Where else in Winnipeg can you see 1,200 kids geared up in bright orange vests?
Wednesday, May 27, 7 p.m. vs. Gary SouthShore RailCats. We will honour world famous Winnipeg artist Roman Swiderek at the game. Mr. Swiderek was commissioned to paint a picture of Canwest Park and it is spectacular. Come to the ballpark to meet Roman and see if he can throw a baseball as well as he can paint!
It should be a great six days to open the home version of the 2009 campaign. From fireworks to giveaways to special guests, the place to be in Winnipeg this weekend will be Canwest Park.
Tickets start at just $5. "A family of four through the door for just $20!"
Get your tickets here.
For up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter at either http://twitter.com/Wpg_Goldeyes or http://twitter.com/GoldeyesGM.
Until next time…
-- Andrew
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - May 13, 2009
“And so it begins…Season #16”
It’s hard to believe that the Goldeyes will start their 16th Northern League season on Friday. Seems like yesterday I was reading the Free Press one Saturday in April of 1994 and saw an ad for tickets for Winnipeg’s new, yet to be named, baseball team. For a baseball fan like myself, this was very exciting news. I didn’t know anything about the Northern League at the time, but it didn’t really matter, professional baseball was coming to Winnipeg and I wanted to be a part of it. Countless phone calls and one round golf with Sam Katz later, I was hired to work for the team and the rest, as they say, is history. I’m still here and still loving every minute of being involved with Manitoba’s professional baseball team.
I can thank my Dad for my love of baseball. My Dad, my brother Doug and I spent many a summer touring around the Midwest to watch major league games at various ballparks including the Metrodome, Wrigley Field, old and new Comiskey Parks, Busch Stadium, County Stadium and Royals Stadium. We would often watch a game in one city then hop in the van and travel overnight to the next city and watch a game in a different park the next night.
So, as we start our 16th season of baseball, why not bring someone special to you to the ballpark and introduce this great game? It’s not just a fantastic way to spend an afternoon or evening, it’s a great way to create some lifelong memories.
For up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter at either www.twitter.com/Wpg_Goldeyes or www.twitter.com/GoldeyesGM.
Until next time…
-- Andrew
It’s hard to believe that the Goldeyes will start their 16th Northern League season on Friday. Seems like yesterday I was reading the Free Press one Saturday in April of 1994 and saw an ad for tickets for Winnipeg’s new, yet to be named, baseball team. For a baseball fan like myself, this was very exciting news. I didn’t know anything about the Northern League at the time, but it didn’t really matter, professional baseball was coming to Winnipeg and I wanted to be a part of it. Countless phone calls and one round golf with Sam Katz later, I was hired to work for the team and the rest, as they say, is history. I’m still here and still loving every minute of being involved with Manitoba’s professional baseball team.
I can thank my Dad for my love of baseball. My Dad, my brother Doug and I spent many a summer touring around the Midwest to watch major league games at various ballparks including the Metrodome, Wrigley Field, old and new Comiskey Parks, Busch Stadium, County Stadium and Royals Stadium. We would often watch a game in one city then hop in the van and travel overnight to the next city and watch a game in a different park the next night.
So, as we start our 16th season of baseball, why not bring someone special to you to the ballpark and introduce this great game? It’s not just a fantastic way to spend an afternoon or evening, it’s a great way to create some lifelong memories.
For up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter at either www.twitter.com/Wpg_Goldeyes or www.twitter.com/GoldeyesGM.
Until next time…
-- Andrew
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - May 12, 2009
"IBN Sports Update"
To follow up on my last blog about our home games being broadcast live on-line on www.ibnsports.com, the first Goldeyes home game to be on-line will be the home opener on May 22. Also, don’t forget to catch the Goldeyes season opener live from Kansas City on May 15 on www.ibnsports.com.
-- Andrew
To follow up on my last blog about our home games being broadcast live on-line on www.ibnsports.com, the first Goldeyes home game to be on-line will be the home opener on May 22. Also, don’t forget to catch the Goldeyes season opener live from Kansas City on May 15 on www.ibnsports.com.
-- Andrew
Monday, May 11, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - May 11, 2009
“First Home Exhibition Game”
The Goldeyes host the St. Paul Saints tonight and tomorrow afternoon at Canwest Park. It will be the first time the Goldeyes have hosted the Saints since July 31, 2005 and the first time an American Association team has ventured north of the border. It should be an exciting couple of games with former Goldeyes Brandon Kintzler and Jeff DeSmidt on the Saints’ squad. The Saints team also features some former big leaguers in Craig Brazell (NY Mets-2004 & KC-2007), Todd Self (Houston-2005) and Kerry Ligtenberg (Atlanta-1997-2002, Baltimore-2003, Toronto-2004 & Arizona-2005). Should be a good test for the 2009 Goldeyes as Rick and the coaching staff look to pare down the team from 26 to 22 to start this year’s campaign.
Don’t forget, the Goldeyes will open the 2009 campaign on Friday, May 15 in Kansas City against the defending Northern League Champion T-Bones. A week later, the T-Bones will visit Canwest Park on May 22 for the 2009 home opener. As always, there will be fireworks that night following the game put on by our good friends at Archangel Fireworks.
All Goldeyes games can be heard live on 1290 CFRW with the voice of the Goldeyes Paul Edmonds. And, if you want to watch the games while you listen, you can watch them on ibnsports.com this year. All games played in Kansas City, Gary and Winnipeg will be live on the net at ibnsports. Also, a total of 23 games will be aired live on Shaw Cable 9.
On another note… A new concession will be operating at Canwest Park this summer and we are all very excited about it. Paul Duque from the office sent me the following info about Lovey’s BBQ:
“Menu for their concourse kiosk (located in the former Sushi 101 kiosk near right field by the Patio Deck) will consist of pulled pork, chopped beef and chicken breast sandwiches at $6.50 each. Skysuites platter options include chopped brisket and pulled pork, pit beans, potato salad, coleslaw, buns, and a bottle of sweet or spicy BBQ sauce.
Their main location is Unit 1 - 208 Marion Street in St. Boniface. They have been in business less than a year and have just expanded their space to include a 30-seat private room that they can use for overflow and lineups on Friday and Saturday nights.
Owners Roger (dad) and Jocelyne (daughter) LeBleu are lovely people!
Check out their website for full in-store menu and details."
The team went there on Sunday, May 3 for a post-workout meal and were all thoroughly impressed. Rumour has it that a certain field manager will be making an appearance there for Wednesday wing nights!
And finally, for up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter at either www.twitter.com/Wpg_Goldeyes or www.twitter.com/GoldeyesGM.
Until next time…
-- Andrew
The Goldeyes host the St. Paul Saints tonight and tomorrow afternoon at Canwest Park. It will be the first time the Goldeyes have hosted the Saints since July 31, 2005 and the first time an American Association team has ventured north of the border. It should be an exciting couple of games with former Goldeyes Brandon Kintzler and Jeff DeSmidt on the Saints’ squad. The Saints team also features some former big leaguers in Craig Brazell (NY Mets-2004 & KC-2007), Todd Self (Houston-2005) and Kerry Ligtenberg (Atlanta-1997-2002, Baltimore-2003, Toronto-2004 & Arizona-2005). Should be a good test for the 2009 Goldeyes as Rick and the coaching staff look to pare down the team from 26 to 22 to start this year’s campaign.
Don’t forget, the Goldeyes will open the 2009 campaign on Friday, May 15 in Kansas City against the defending Northern League Champion T-Bones. A week later, the T-Bones will visit Canwest Park on May 22 for the 2009 home opener. As always, there will be fireworks that night following the game put on by our good friends at Archangel Fireworks.
All Goldeyes games can be heard live on 1290 CFRW with the voice of the Goldeyes Paul Edmonds. And, if you want to watch the games while you listen, you can watch them on ibnsports.com this year. All games played in Kansas City, Gary and Winnipeg will be live on the net at ibnsports. Also, a total of 23 games will be aired live on Shaw Cable 9.
On another note… A new concession will be operating at Canwest Park this summer and we are all very excited about it. Paul Duque from the office sent me the following info about Lovey’s BBQ:
“Menu for their concourse kiosk (located in the former Sushi 101 kiosk near right field by the Patio Deck) will consist of pulled pork, chopped beef and chicken breast sandwiches at $6.50 each. Skysuites platter options include chopped brisket and pulled pork, pit beans, potato salad, coleslaw, buns, and a bottle of sweet or spicy BBQ sauce.
Their main location is Unit 1 - 208 Marion Street in St. Boniface. They have been in business less than a year and have just expanded their space to include a 30-seat private room that they can use for overflow and lineups on Friday and Saturday nights.
Owners Roger (dad) and Jocelyne (daughter) LeBleu are lovely people!
Check out their website for full in-store menu and details."
The team went there on Sunday, May 3 for a post-workout meal and were all thoroughly impressed. Rumour has it that a certain field manager will be making an appearance there for Wednesday wing nights!
And finally, for up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter at either www.twitter.com/Wpg_Goldeyes or www.twitter.com/GoldeyesGM.
Until next time…
-- Andrew
Thursday, May 7, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - May 7, 2009
“First Exhibition Game”
With four days of training camp in the books, the Goldeyes ventured out on the road this past Monday night to play what would be their only exhibition game against a Northern League opponent. All five other pre-season games are against former Northern League, and now American Association teams, namely St. Paul, Lincoln and Sioux Falls.
Some highlights from Monday’s game…West hit a two-run homer, Asanovich was 2-2, Pfinsgraff went four innings, no runs, three hits, no walks, three strikeouts, Odom threw two innings, no runs, no hits, four strikeouts.
Monday’s game will be the only game that the Goldeyes play this year that is not on 1290 CFRW. You can catch the five remaining exhibition games plus the 96 regular season games either on your radio dial at 1290 AM CFRW or on-line at www.cfrw.ca.
The rest of the exhibition games are as follows:
Friday, May 8 – 7 p.m. at Sioux Falls vs. Sioux Falls
Saturday, May 9 – 4 p.m. at Sioux Falls vs. Lincoln
Sunday, May 10 – 1 p.m. at St. Paul
Monday, May 11 – 7 p.m. at Canwest Park vs. St. Paul
Tuesday, May 12 – Noon at Canwest Park vs. St. Paul
I’ve heard many times since the beginning of the 2006 season that our fans want to see more variety in teams that visit Canwest Park. Well, on May 11 and 12, they will get that chance when the Saints come to town for a two-game set. It may just be exhibition, but knowing how competitive George Tsamis’s teams have been over the years, those two games will be anything but exhibition-like.
The Goldeyes will open the 2009 campaign on Friday, May 15 in Kansas City against the defending Northern League Champion T-Bones. A week later, the T-Bones will visit Canwest Park on May 22 for the 2009 home opener. As always, there will be fireworks that night following the game put on by our good friends at Archangel Fireworks.
Until next time…
-- Andrew
With four days of training camp in the books, the Goldeyes ventured out on the road this past Monday night to play what would be their only exhibition game against a Northern League opponent. All five other pre-season games are against former Northern League, and now American Association teams, namely St. Paul, Lincoln and Sioux Falls.
Some highlights from Monday’s game…West hit a two-run homer, Asanovich was 2-2, Pfinsgraff went four innings, no runs, three hits, no walks, three strikeouts, Odom threw two innings, no runs, no hits, four strikeouts.
Monday’s game will be the only game that the Goldeyes play this year that is not on 1290 CFRW. You can catch the five remaining exhibition games plus the 96 regular season games either on your radio dial at 1290 AM CFRW or on-line at www.cfrw.ca.
The rest of the exhibition games are as follows:
Friday, May 8 – 7 p.m. at Sioux Falls vs. Sioux Falls
Saturday, May 9 – 4 p.m. at Sioux Falls vs. Lincoln
Sunday, May 10 – 1 p.m. at St. Paul
Monday, May 11 – 7 p.m. at Canwest Park vs. St. Paul
Tuesday, May 12 – Noon at Canwest Park vs. St. Paul
I’ve heard many times since the beginning of the 2006 season that our fans want to see more variety in teams that visit Canwest Park. Well, on May 11 and 12, they will get that chance when the Saints come to town for a two-game set. It may just be exhibition, but knowing how competitive George Tsamis’s teams have been over the years, those two games will be anything but exhibition-like.
The Goldeyes will open the 2009 campaign on Friday, May 15 in Kansas City against the defending Northern League Champion T-Bones. A week later, the T-Bones will visit Canwest Park on May 22 for the 2009 home opener. As always, there will be fireworks that night following the game put on by our good friends at Archangel Fireworks.
Until next time…
-- Andrew
Monday, May 4, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - May 4, 2009
“Another fantastic Open House”
Saturday’s open house was another great day. This was our 16th annual open house and it may have been the best yet, at least from the weather standpoint. Over the years, we have had some very cold, rainy, snowy days for our open house. So, to wake up yesterday to clear skies and about 13 degrees (okay, it wasn’t 13 first thing in the morning, but it got there), it was a load off my mind. It was also a load off the minds of the other 20 or so Goldeyes staff members who make an event like yesterday happen.
Some staff have been through this day many times before, whereas there are some it was their first time. It’s a bit of an eye-opener for those who have never experienced the open house. The day is full of “controlled chaos” with things that we hadn’t planned for popping up every once in a while. You would think after 15 years, we would have seen it all but every year, something comes up that we weren’t expecting.
The fan turnout was spectacular, the weather was as good as we could have hoped for, individual ticket sales went well and the 2009 Goldeyes squad looked great practicing on the field.
One final note… A huge thank you to all those who sponsored me for yesterday’s Winnipeg Police Service half marathon. With your help, I was able to raise more than $1,300 for the Canadian Cancer Society. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Until next time…
-- Andrew
Saturday’s open house was another great day. This was our 16th annual open house and it may have been the best yet, at least from the weather standpoint. Over the years, we have had some very cold, rainy, snowy days for our open house. So, to wake up yesterday to clear skies and about 13 degrees (okay, it wasn’t 13 first thing in the morning, but it got there), it was a load off my mind. It was also a load off the minds of the other 20 or so Goldeyes staff members who make an event like yesterday happen.
Some staff have been through this day many times before, whereas there are some it was their first time. It’s a bit of an eye-opener for those who have never experienced the open house. The day is full of “controlled chaos” with things that we hadn’t planned for popping up every once in a while. You would think after 15 years, we would have seen it all but every year, something comes up that we weren’t expecting.
The fan turnout was spectacular, the weather was as good as we could have hoped for, individual ticket sales went well and the 2009 Goldeyes squad looked great practicing on the field.
One final note… A huge thank you to all those who sponsored me for yesterday’s Winnipeg Police Service half marathon. With your help, I was able to raise more than $1,300 for the Canadian Cancer Society. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Until next time…
-- Andrew
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