Host Families

Still could use a few more host families. The basics:

1. A bed
2. A Shower
3. The ability to help a player get to the ballpark
4. A love of baseball and free tickets

The commitment is for the summer, but with players gone for half the summer (on the road), it equates to about 30 days. Questions? Call us at 509.522.BALL (2255) or email us here. Check out this page for more detailed info on host families.

39 days to go!

League Meetings - Kelso (Cowlitz Co.)

Well, in Longview-Kelso today and tomorrow for the WCL semi-annual meetings. It is always a fun part of this kind of thing - getting together with other league leaders and to learn from each other. You learn what is and isn't working in each market - one goal I have for this weekend is to see what can be done to better brand the league as a whole. Individually, clubs in our league do a great job in their individual markets, but a growth area for the league is building a brand identity that doesn't take away from what each team is doing, but strengthens individual efforts because Bend vs. Kitsap means something to fans in Walla Walla - like Texas vs. Los Angeles means something to fans of the Seattle Mariners. It will help recruit better talent to the playing field as well.

What are your ideas for building brand recognition of the league outside of individual markets?

So, I forgot the pictures...

But, we really did move into our new offices on Main Street. The natural light is great, and it is awesome to be out of the dungeon. Retail displays start going up, and we will add some pictures and "accent" items and we will host a ribbon-cutting grand opening on May 11...the merchandise is going to be fantastic.

On the player front, I am really excited about the players that we have recruited. We have some players that I think will be real stars in this league. Solid OPS guys at the plate, pitchers that throw strikes...it will be great to see what happens as the season unfolds.

Stop by and say hello in the new digs.

April 4 is the target...

That we have to move into our new offices. This post would be better with updated pictures - sorry about that - I will make sure we have them up tomorrow. That will give us a month to get it ready for the ribbon cutting/grand opening, which will be a great time. Here are some dates to pay attention to:

May 11 - ribbon cutting/grand opening of the store
May 12 - Single-game tickets will go on sale (pending availability!)

Some cool news today - all the player BP gear arrived today - fleece tops, dri-fit tee-shirts, dri-fit shorts and travel bags - is getting me pumped for the season's arrival. We meet Wednesday with a contractor to start the bid process on the Phase II improvements (finally), and tomorrow we put the finishing touches on the revised concessions beer and wine plan.

This was also a nice surprise in the paper today - http://union-bulletin.com/stories/2010/03/22/walla-wallans-relish-sweets - the phone began to ring off the hook as soon as the paper was hitting the stands (from 3 pm - it's an afternoon paper - until 6:15, we received 24 phone calls and sold 4 season tickets, 2 family plans, and 2 1/2 season plans). The details aren't exactly correct, but still - great pub.

Pics tomorrow!

And we are under 90 days...

We now have less than 90 days left until we open Borleske Stadium with Sweets baseball. We had our "90 days until Opening Day" meeting on Wednesday, and our to-do list currently sits at about 200 items to do. Some are 1-and-dones (order staff shirts), others are ongoing (sponsor fulfillment). Either way, a lot to do in a short window. But we'll get there...

Losing my Edge!

Sorry - this should have been up on Sunday, but I'm losing my edge...! Here is a fun feature that will help you keep track of what our players are doing, etc.

Enjoy: http://bit.ly/d4hzHN

Ides of March...just around the corner

As I get older, time passes far too quickly. It has been 6 months since we arrived in Walla Walla, and it is hard to believe that pitchers and catchers have already reported. Here is a quick update on where the club is at:

• We have almost completed our roster. Tomorrow will be a release highlighting some top junior college talent that has been scouted by Steve Avila. Avila is a former Indians scout and one of the top baseball people in the Pacific Northwest, and has been working as a special adviser to the GM and Jeff, our director of player development. Avila has been a champ in identifying pro-quality juco talent, and we are excited to help them progress their careers.
• Ticket sales and sponsorships continue to be brisk. Nearly 60% of our available season ticket inventory is gone, as families start to realize the value in getting season tickets. The reality is the best seats, price and benefits will go to season ticket holders. Click here to see the benefits and to learn how to get yours.
• Our Facebook family continues to grow - I am excited to see how we can help connect people both in the ballpark and online. Twitter is growing as well...join us!
• Partnerships are growing - as soon as our wall is full (getting close) I will let you know who they are. Actually, you can see a growing list here. I am excited to see how many businesses are local businesses - if you own or operate a local business, this is where people will be in the summertime! Join us - here are some of the reasons why and here are some of the options. Because we control our inventory, we can put something together that is customized to your needs.
• Join us Friday, Feb. 26 at 5:30 for sandwiches, sodas, and treats and to learn about host families. This isn't a commitment to be a host family - just a place to come have questions answered about the program, and see if there is an interest to join. Here is the info.

On a personal note, I want to thank the paramedics who came to the house the other night and saved my life...insulin reactions are not fun, and I am grateful for the people that are trained to save peoples lives. What a great act of service. The dislocated shoulder is no fun, but at least I am alive to feel it! Guess I won't be pitching this year...