From the Desk of the GM - July 30, 2009

“Upcoming homestand – August 4-9, 2009”

It’s hard to believe there are just 16 regular season home games remaining this season. The season has flown by so far. There are some great games coming up with some special guests and some great promotions. Check them out:

Tuesday, August 4 vs. Joliet JackHammers – 7 p.m. – It’s Luau Night at the ballpark with game sponsor and good friend of the Goldeyes, the Manitoba Pork Council. Everyone knows a guy who likes to wear Hawaiian shirts all the time, to pretty much any event, well, here’s your chance to bring that guy to a place where he won’t stick out like a sore thumb. Fortunately for me, I am that guy, so with my wardrobe, I’ll fit right in! The sound and fury experts from Archangel Fireworks will be here to put on their usual spectacular show after the game.

On Tuesday, August 4, several members of the Goldeyes will drop by city libraries to read to children in their annual effort to promote literacy and support the summer reading club. It’s the eleventh year for the promotion and will see players visit the following libraries:
• Fort Garry - 1360 Pembina Highway
• Louis Riel - 1168 Dakota Street
• Sir William Stephenson - 765 Keewatin Avenue
• Westwood - 66 Allard Avenue
• West Kildonan - 365 Jefferson Avenue

Wednesday, August 5 vs. JackHammers – 7 p.m. – Library Night. We will be collecting books this night to be donated to those less fortunate. Quoting a press release from resident communications guru, Jonathan Green, “Donated books can be dropped off next Wednesday (August 5) as fans enter the ballpark. The Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick will have about 60 volunteers collecting and boxing the books, including reps from the Girl Guides of Canada, the Manitoba Book Publishers Association, the Prairie Pathfinders, the Winnipeg Trails Association and the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre.”

Again on Wednesday, August 5, Goldeyes players will be reading to children at Winnipeg libraries. The Goldeyes will visit the following libraries this day:
• Henderson - 1-1050 Henderson Highway
• Millennium - 251 Donald Street
• St. James-Assiniboia - 1910 Portage Avenue
• St. Vital - 6 Fermor Avenue

Thursday, August 6 vs. JackHammers – 7 p.m. – Pajama Party and bed giveaway. Fans are invited to wear their PJ’s to the park this night. One lucky fan will walk away with a Queen Size Serta Perfect Sleeper bed courtesy of our very good friends at Dufresne Furniture & Appliance and Serta Mattress. All you have to do to be eligible to win is be at the game. If we draw your seat location, you win!

Game sponsor is Monart and they will be giving away three beautiful Babe Ruth framed prints and will be auctioning off a third, with proceeds to the Goldeyes Field of Dreams Foundation.


Friday, August 7 vs. Schaumburg Flyers – 7 p.m. – Flashback Friday with Chad Thornhill. Come down to the park and say hi (or hola, he speaks fluent Spanish) to former shortstop and coach Chad Thornhill. Chad will be throwing out the opening pitch, signing autographs and saying hi to old and new friends.

Also on this night, thanks to 3M Automotive and Rondex (Brett MacNeil and Bret Greenwood), Todd Scott (world famous duct tape sculptor) is going to make a sculpture of Goldie using 3M Masking Tape. It will be a departure from what he usually does because masking tape doesn't boast the same colours or pliability as duct tape. So it will be a test for him. It will be interactive. He will already have a finished product at the game and kids will be invited to help with the sculpture and colour it (with markers).

Saturday, August 8 vs. Flyers – 6 p.m. – End of the Roll is the game sponsor this night. Season ticket and corporate sponsors will enjoy a pre-game BBQ with the players and have the opportunity to watch batting practice.

Sunday, August 9 vs. Flyers – 1:30 p.m. – Tin Lunch box giveaway. The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive a tin lunchbox courtesy of Pepsi. Anyone who has kids knows how valuable these not only fashionable but also functional items can be.

Coming up soon, more Goldeyes memories submitted by readers of this blog.

For up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter.

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Until next time…

From the Desk of the GM - July 29, 2009

"Favourite Goldeyes Memory"

In the last edition of this blog, I talked about Donnie Smith jersey retirement night on July 21 as being one of my favourite Goldeyes memories. I then invited readers to submit their favourites. I picked a few good ones and posted them below.

From Michael Elves -

“Thankfully - and unsurprisingly - I've had a lot of great Goldeyes memories over the years, but if I had to choose it would likely be Demetrius Heath's suicide squeeze last summer to win the game against our biggest rivals, Fargo. Thirteenth inning, clutch play and one that I had never seen before other than on a highlight reel. The game had gone on loooong, some of our friends had left but we stuck it out and I was so glad we had.”
- Goldeyes vs. RedHawks – August 12, 2008 – Goldeyes won 6-5 in 13 innings.

From Josh Buchholz (General Manager – Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks)

“My favorite Goldeyes memory is Game 3 of the 1998 playoffs…Sparks vs. Schmidt…even though we lost…greatest game I’ve ever seen.”







- Goldeyes vs. RedHawks – September 6, 1998 – Fish won 6-5 in 13 innings.
- George Schmidt for Fargo went 6 1/3 in relief giving up one run.
- Jeff Sparks for Winnipeg went 5 1/3 in relief giving up one hit, no runs and 12 strikeouts.

Feel free to keep the memory emails coming to andrew@goldeyes.com, I will be revisiting this theme as the summer goes on.

Next blog will feature the next six game homestand which starts Tuesday, August 4 and ends Sunday, August 9.

For up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter.

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Until next time…

From the Desk of the GM - July 24, 2009

"Favourite Goldeyes Memory"

I've been with the Goldeyes almost since day one in 1994. I joined the team about 10 games into the season that year. Using some quick math, I think I've seen over 700 home games during the last 15+ seasons. There have been so many great memories at both Winnipeg Stadium and Canwest Park, it's hard to pick one that would be at the top of the list for my favourite.

This past Tuesday, July 21 would certainly be in the top 5. The jersey retirement ceremony for Donnie Smith was an event I will remember for a long time. This night wasn't just about retiring the number of one of the best pitchers in Goldeyes and Northern League history, it was more than that. It was a night to celebrate what Donnie went through just to be able to walk out on field to take part in the festivities. Many readers of this blog know all about Donnie's health problems and the very scary moments that occurred at St. Boniface Hospital during the spring.

Seeing Donnie, his wife Tara and sons Tyler and Colson on the field that night and the joy on their faces when the curtain dropped uncovering the "SMITH 21" sign in left field, was something I won't soon forget.

Judging by the lineup for autographs, which lasted the entire game, Donnie still has a lot of fans in Winnipeg. Even with five skysuites full of friends and family waiting to visit with him during the game, he not only signed autographs for the first three innings, he came back to the concourse and signed for another three innings after his tv and radio interviews were finished in the sixth.


The entire ceremony went off without a hitch, from the Goldeyes players and baseball buddies all wearing Smith t-shirts, to the presentations of the framed jersey from Scott Neiles and Rick Forney to the presentation of a Goldeyes ring and Community Service award from Sam Katz.


Now that I've shared one of my favourite memories, I'd like to hear yours. Send me a note at andrew@goldeyes.com and I'll post some of them in my next blog. Please let me know if you would like your name posted along with your note.

For up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter.

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Until next time…

From the Desk of the GM - July 16, 2009

“Upcoming homestand – July 21-26, 2009”

We've packed a ton of great stuff into these next six games:


Tuesday, July 21 vs. Kansas City T-Bones – 7 p.m. – Donnie Smith Night – This is a game a lot of fans and Goldeyes staff members have been looking forward to since we announced the jersey retirement on January 21. For the past six months, we have been hard at work planning this night and the pre-game ceremony that will honour the local lad for his accomplishments and dedication to the Goldeyes organization on and off the field since 1998. The ceremony should be a fun event and no doubt emotional for Donnie, his wife Tara, their two boys Tyler and Colson, their parents and friends who will be in attendance.

The first 2,500 fans at the park will receive a fantastic canvas print of Donnie Smith, sponsored by Pepsi and the Winnipeg Free Press.

Wednesday, July 22 vs. T-Bones – 7 p.m. – Shirt off our Backs Night – Come on down to the park this night and have a chance to go on field and take a jersey right off a players back. We will be giving these game worn items away using such methods as lucky program and fishlines prizes, seat location draws and some other top secret methods. Cambrian Credit Union has been the sponsor of this fantastic theme game since 1997. It is with their help, we have been able to give away more than 140 Goldeyes players and coaches jerseys over the past 12 years.

Thursday, July 23 vs. T-Bones – 6 p.m. – Turn Back the Clock Night – We turn back the clocks to the 50's and 60's next Thursday. Starting things off will be Free Ride performing as the Beatles on the Winnipeg Free Press entertainment stage on the promenadedue prior to the game. After the game, Free Ride will be back to perform as the Rolling Stones. Due to weather we’ve had this spring and early summer that hasn't been conducive to growing corn, the players won’t be running through a corn field in left field, but they will be driven on field in vintage T-Birds. Goldeyes players will be wearing their 50's uniforms and watch out for the Goldeyes staff who will be doing their best (or worst) "Grease" impressions.


Friday, July 24 vs. Gary SouthShore RailCats – 7 p.m. – Flashback Friday with Rafael Gross. Raffy was not only one of the best pitchers ever to wear a Goldeyes uniform, but was also one of the finest pitchers in Northern League history. A few highlights of Raffy’s career:

• Baseball America All-Independent team in 2001 and 2003
• Three-time Northern League All-Star
• Goldeyes franchise leader in victories with 36
• Northern League Pitcher of the Year in 2003
• Selected to the All-Goldeyes team in 2003

Fireworks after the game! This is the rescheduled fireworks show that was originally scheduled for July 10, however, due to the 15 inning affair that night, noise by-laws prevented us from shooting them off that night. Archangel Fireworks continues to provide shows full of shock and awe.

Saturday, July 25 vs. Gary – 6 p.m. – Christmas in July – with the weather we’ve had for most of the spring and summer, it’s almost felt like Christmas since December, so instead of dwelling on the below normal temperatures, we’re going to celebrate it on July 25! The ballpark will be decorated like it’s December 25th and throughout the game, we will be giving away nine $50 gift certificates for Granny’s so you will have a head start when the real thing rolls around in five months. Watch for the Manitoba Hydro float on the promenade and a display table on the concourse where you can get information about next November’s Manitoba Hydro Power Smart Parade.

Sunday, July 26 vs. Gary – 7 p.m. – Dave the Horn Guy – the fourth and final entertainment act of the summer. Dave has a lot to live up to after Mad Chad, Quick Change and Brian Glow were all spectacular in entertaining the fans.

How do I get tickets to these action packed games you might ask? Simply call 780-3333, visit the Goldeyes box office or click on the following links for each specific game:

Tuesday, July 21 at 7 pm
Wednesday, July 22 at 7 pm
Thursday, July 23 at 6 pm
Friday, July 24 at 7 pm
Saturday, July 25 at 6 pm
Sunday, July 26 at 1:30 pm

For up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter.

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Until next time…

From the Desk of the GM - July 10, 2009

"Upcoming series information, etc."

With the first half in the books, we look forward to the second half of the schedule and hopefully the team can duplicate or better their first half successes.

At the 2009 Northern League All-Star Game in Joliet this past Tuesday, the Goldeyes represented Winnipeg and the Great Plains team very well. Read all about who did what here.
Here are a few photos from the all-star break featuring Chris Browne (GM of KC), Wally Backman (manager of Joliet) and Josh Buchholz (GM of Fargo) golfing, Josh and the JackHammer statue and Juan Diaz taking a mighty swing during the home run derby:


The lineup of promotions for this weekend's series against the RailCats:

Friday, July 10 vs. Gary SouthShore RailCats at 7 pm - Flashback Friday with Dan Guehne and fireworks after the game!

Saturday, July 11 vs. RailCats at 6 pm - Ballgame and a movie. Stick around after the game, stay in your seats or grab a patch of grass in the outfield and watch Kung Fu Panda on the video board. Where else in Winnipeg can you watch Fish and Cats battle it out on the field and then see a giant panda, snake, tiger, praying mantis and a crane battle it out with a crazy snow leopard, kung fu style, on a large video board? I'm guessing nowhere else but Canwest Park.

Sunday, July 12 vs. RailCats at 1:30 pm - Master of Illusion Brian Glow is in the house and will be entertaining from start to finish. I don't want to spoil the surprises he has in store, but I can guarantee that you will leave the ballpark saying "how did he do that?".


On a completely unrelated note...a huge thank you to my wife for putting up with my eclectic taste in music and accompanying me to the Green Day concert last night. It was a fantastic show with the band playing a great selection of new and old songs, ending the two and a half hour show with my personal favorite "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)". Thanks Carleigh!

For up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter.

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Until next time…

From the Desk of the GM - July 3, 2009

“A review of the first half at Canwest Park”

Flashback Fridays – the first four Flashback Friday guests have been fantastic. Not only did the guests themselves and the fans have a great time, in the case of Brian Duva and Carmine Cappuccio, their families did as well. Brian and Carmine brought their wives and two children to see the city they called home while they played for the Goldeyes.

Troy Fortin, Chris Kokinda, Duva and Cappuccio were the first four of eight flashback Friday guests this year, with another four coming in the second half of the home schedule. The lineup in July and August is as follows:

Friday, July 10 – Dan Guehne
Friday, July 24 – Rafael Gross
Friday, August 7 – Chad Thornhill (was originally scheduled to be Jeff Zimmerman, but he is pitching in Seattle’s organization and will be unavailable that date)
Friday, August 28 – Ryan Robertson

Entertainment acts – Mad Chad and Quick Change. To spice up the entertainment aspect of Goldeyes games, we booked four different entertainment acts this summer. The first two, Mad Chad and Quick Change, were very entertaining. People are still asking themselves two questions: 1. How does someone decide they would like to juggle three chainsaws?, and 2. How did they change their clothes so fast without us seeing how they did it?

Home record – The Goldeyes ended the first half with a home record of 15 wins and 7 losses. Being someone who enjoys stats and breaking down the numbers, I’ve broken down our record at home:

Monday – 1-2
Tuesday – 4-0
Wednesday – 2-1
Thursday – 1-0
Friday – 1-2
Saturday – 2-1
Sunday – 4-1

Double headers – 3-1

Weather – The home schedule started out cold, then warmed up a little, then it rained…a lot, then it finally got nice out for our final four games of the first half. We had three rainouts in June, including back to back rainouts on June 26 and 27. It was the first time we had back to back rainouts since May 29 and 30 in 2004.

Attendance – our attendance started slow, which can largely be attributed to the near freezing temperatures and large amount of rain the city endured most of May and early June, but did pick up near the end of June. We ended the first half with an average attendance of 6,001 (120,023 in 20 openings). Even with the slow start, the Goldeyes lead all of independent baseball in average attendance. The next two closest teams are the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League (5,647) and the St. Paul Saints of the American Association (5,167). Goldeyes fans have proven throughout the years that they are the best in baseball. They come out when the temperature is near zero, when the winds are blowing through Canwest at 70 km/hr and they come out even when the heavens have opened up, dropping five inches of rain on the field, with the hope that we will still play the game.

Canada Day – Everything except the final outcome of the game on Canada Day was spectacular. The team looked great in their replica 1999 Team Canada jerseys and hats, the weather was beautiful and the place was packed near capacity with flag-waving, face painted fans. As with just about everything we do, we can always do it better. On this day, it was the fact that we neglected to put up our red and white bunting in honour of Canada Day. It was something we hadn’t thought of because we just purchased the new bunting prior to the 2008 season and we didn’t have a game on Canada Day last year. Prior to 2008, we had the traditional red, white and blue bunting, which was obviously not appropriate to put up on Canada Day. It is something that has been noted and will be fixed for next July 1 game we have.

A brief preview of upcoming promotions in the second half home schedule:

July 10 - Flashback Friday - Dan Guehne & Fireworks after the game
July 11 - Ball game and a movie - stick around after the game and watch a movie on the video board from the field
July 12 - The magic of Brian Glow
July 21 - Donnie Smith jersey retirement night
July 22 - Shirt off our Backs night
July 23 - Special 6 pm start and Turn Back the Clock Night
July 24 - Flashback Friday - Rafael Gross
July 25 - Christmas in July
July 26 - Dave the Horn Guy
August 4 - Luau at the ballpark & Fireworks after the game
August 5 - Bookmark Giveaway Night
August 6 - Pajama Party!
August 7 - Flashback Friday - Chad Thornhill
August 8 - Pre-game BBQ for season ticket holders
August 9 - Tin Lunch Box Giveaway
August 17 - 40th anniversary of Woodstock celebration
August 18 - Double header starting at 6 pm & Fireworks after the game
August 19 - Special mid-week noon game
August 24 - Country Night!
August 28 - Flashback Friday - Ryan Robertson
August 30 - Second half team photo giveaway and on-field autograph session
August 31 - Fan Appreciation Day, Player Card Set giveaway & Fireworks!

For up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter.

GoldeyesGM on Twitter
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Until next time…