Happy New Year and Stuff Like That

Well, 2010 is racing to a close. It will be a memorable year for many reasons, but primarily because of the fact that, well, we actually got the season of the ground and despite some first-year challenges, it was by many accounts a success. 40K+ fans, a pennant race, and some incredible players means that 2010 will hold a special place in my heart.

I have a sneaking suspicion that 2011 will be as (if not more) memorable, but for different reasons. In addition to a few more ballgames, we have some special events lined up for the stadium (more on that later), and at least one of them will have an importance on the national scale. Our fans will see an improved product on the field, our sponsors will see more fans in the park, and our players will see an improvement over the experience from year 1. It will be exciting not because it is brand new but because it will be improved.

 Please be safe tonight...we need you alive and well at Borleske this summer. And as a last shout out to people who loved the Montreal Expos as much as I did, please enjoy our new alternate cap for 2011 - a tribute to the great team from the Stade Olympique. Check out this link if you want to pick one up: http://bit.ly/hR1Pge That great city may never again have an MLB team, but they had the coolest hat of the 80s.

Winter Can't Pass Fast Enough...

We have had finicky winter weather so far this December. To start the month off, we received about 6 inches of snow. Then it warmed up (into the 60s at one point!!). Then, this past weekend, the snow started again. Well, Sweet Lou got tired of waiting, and decided to take matters into his own hands. Check out this video on our newly launched YouTube Channel (YouTube/WWSweets). Can't wait until the season!

Del Taco Fans unite

For those fans from Southern California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona - there is a little treasure here in Walla Walla that will remind you of home, $.59 chicken soft tacos, crinkle-cut french fries, and great shakes, and they have just joined as a corporate partner for 2011. Del Taco (I'm hungry writing about it) has partnered with the Sweets to bring the Family and Friends 4-Pack to life. It is 4 tickets to a single game, 4 Sweets caps, and 4 free combo meals at the College Place Del Taco - for $44. It is a $108 value for $44 - pretty good deal if you ask me. In addition to the four pack, they will have radio, signage and other brand integration pieces within Borleske Stadium and at wallawallasweets.com.

What excites me about this deal is that it is a national-quality partner taking a risk on our team's ability to drive people to their single store in the area. We can do big things for our partners because of a passionate fan base that truly embraces this team and it's players. It will be fun to activate with them and to have a few chicken softs and crinkle-cut french fries this summer. For more information on the deal and when it is available to the public, click HERE.

Shop Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27

Cynics disagree with the motive behind it, but at it's core it is a great concept.

This is pretty cool. Despite the cynicism behind who is presenting it (large credit card companies), the idea of it is very noble. As a small shop on an historic Main Street, we certainly fit into the "small business" category. We employ all local people, we invest the money back in the community, so this is something that I hope people respond to. I am not a "shop local" freak - but I do think that it is an important part of the economic mix. And what better way to overcome the cold with the thought that pitchers and catchers report in 78 days with a Sweets cap or sweatshirt? Good times...


Come say hello at the Sweets Shoppe - open Friday, Nov. 26 and Saturday, Nov. 27 (the "official" Shop Small Business Saturday)! See you then...and if you can't make it down, we can be your "mom and pop" shop online (still fulfilled right here in Walla Walla, WA) - here is the Sweets Shoppe link: http://www.wallawallasweets.com/shoppe/

Big Signing...Big Big Signing

Huge signing for us - these guys were big contributors last season, great members of the community, and the type of player that we want. Glad we were able to get them back - the team is coming together nicely.



http://www.wallawallasweets.com/news/stories/index.html?article_id=142

Growth one series at a time

The WCL approved the 2011 schedule this morning (the full schedule will be released later this month). The highlights include an increase from 24 to 27 league games - meaning 54 league games, and we have added 6 additional games (3 2-game sets) to get to 33 home games at Borleske for the 2011 season (a STEAL for season ticket holders - because we set the prices while we were still at 31...great for the fans!).

It is exciting to see the growth of the league - painful at times (with the loss of Moses Lake this season - a market we hope to resurrect soon - we are staying at 9 teams this year), but still a far stretch from what it was 6-7 years ago. It makes me appreciate people like Jim Corcoran and Jim Richards, who a decade ago had the vision to see that baseball at this level could be successful as a business. Major Leagues? Nope. Fun, engaging, great baseball and a powerful way to reach fans for businesses in an affordable manner? Yep.

The Sweets Shoppe re-opens next Monday - fans will love the new gear, and with our talented retail manager Katie running the show - look for us to have continually great gear for people to choose from, especially at the holidays.


More signings to come - stay tuned.

All-Star Outfield

I am very excited about our outfield for the 2011 season. We have only released two of the signings in the outfield (Kelani Brackenridge of Hawaii and Brett Jacobs of Washington State), but the other names (coming soon) are as talented as they get at this level. Kelani was a draft pick as a senior in high school (Tampa Bay, 44th round), and figures to be a big part of the Rainbow Warriors push to return to the NCAA tournament in 2011 (after a trip to the Regionals in 2010).

If you are from Southeastern Washington and follow baseball, then Brett Jacobs name should ring a bell. In addition to being the State 4A Player of the Year as a junior, hit .429 as a senior in high school, was a 2X all-state selection and led a team from Richland, WA to Williamsport, PA for the LLWS in 2003.

With how big the outfield plays at Borleske, our outfield is an important piece of the lineup, and I think Sweets fans will like who is out their every night.