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December 3, 2004 - POWER KIOSK OPEN AT CHARLESTON TOWN CENTER
The Power hope that you and your families had a great Thanksgiving weekend as we near the end of the calendar year and inch closer to the holidays. With opening day at the new ballpark only 134 days away, the time to order tickets is fading fast. To order your tickets to the new park call 344-2287. There are plenty of packages available so call now to get your seats. In this week’s newsletter we’ll detail some of the merchandise available at the kiosk, and we also had a chance to sit down and talk to Mark Mueller, the Milwaukee Brewers assistant to player development.
Some of you have already seen it, but for those who haven’t, what are you waiting for? Come on down to the West Virginia Power’s kiosk at Charleston Town Center. The kiosk is located on the first floor of the mall near the JC Penny’s Court. It opened on Friday November 26th and will be open throughout the holiday season. Fans can purchase all kinds of merchandise, group outings, along with partial and full season tickets as well. The kiosk has 6 different kinds of new Power hats and 20 different kinds of shirts. The kiosk has Men’s apparel, Women’s apparel and even a few items for the little one’s along with the infamous power mini bats. Plug the power gear into your wardrobe this holiday season. Merchandise will also be available at the Power front offices in the Old Bob Evans next to Charleston Town Center.
Q AND A SESSION WITH MARK MUELLER, MILWAUKEE BREWERS’ ASSISTANT TO PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
This week we were fortunate enough to sit down and talk to Mark Mueller of the Milwaukee Brewers about a variety of topics relating to the 2005 season. This week’s newsletter we will include the first half of the interview, and the 2nd half of the interview will be in next week’s newsletter. Andy Barch conducted the Q and A session with Mark.
AB: First off Mark, give us some background information on yourself and tell us what you do for the Milwaukee Brewers.
MM: I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Lacrosse in May of 2003 with a degree in Sports Management. During the 2003 season I served as an intern with the Milwaukee Brewers in the scouting department. After my internship expired at the end of the season, the Brewers brought me on full time. I was hired after the season as a player development assistant. I work closely with our Director of Player Development Reid Nichols.
AB: Everyone is interested to know who we can look forward to seeing on the field from the Brewers organization here in Charleston during the 2005 season. If you had to guess right now in early April, which players would you say have a good chance of coming here, and what do you know about them?
MM: Obviously nothing is set in stone right now, and we’ll have to see what happens in Spring Training, but here are some of the guys who may be in Charleston.
Hernan Irabarren: A Second Baseman who was outstanding in 2004. He is from Venezuela and was named the 2004 Arizona Summer League MVP. He has incredible bat speed, hit over .400 last year, he’s a very smart player and despite playing the last 2 weeks of the season in Beloit, he still earned MVP honors in the summer league.
Alcides Escobar: A very young player who is very aggressive and still learning the intricacies of the game. Escobar is a shortstop who has an above average glove with a bat that is starting to come around. He is only 17 years old and has a lot of room to grow physically. He is more of a table setter than anything else. Like Irabarren, he is from Venezuela and works extremely hard.
Steven Sollmann: Steve is an older guy, one of the few guys playing at this level who played a few years in college. He is a utility infielder who played mostly third base last season. He is a team leader with fantastic work ethic, comparable to Jack Wilson of the Pirates. He was named the Brewers minor league player of the month in August of 2004. Sollmann, a former member of the Fighting Irish will be one to watch in spring training.
Josh Baker: Baker is a 2004 draftee who played his college ball at Rice. Lance Berkman of the Houston Astros is his brother in law. In 2004 he started a few games and he played the piggyback role for a few games as well. He has a sharp fastball that hits the low 90’s, he throws a slider and a changeup. There is a good possibility that he may be in the Power starting rotation.
Charlie Fermaint: Charlie is another very young player in the system. The 2005 season will be his 3rd in the Brewers system and when the 2005 season starts he will be 19 years old. Fermaint is a 5-tool player with tons of potential but he is still extremely raw. He is a Center Fielder with a decent amount of speed and an above average glove. He has shown flashes of brilliance in his first 2 seasons but has been a bit inconsistent.
Grant Richardson: Richardson is regarded as one of the nicest guys in the organization. He has a lot of pop in his bat but will not hit a ton of homeruns. He is a First Baseman with a lot of power to the gaps. Hits from the left side of the plate, and is a guy who will make a big splash in the middle of the order. His speed, glove and base running skills are about average. Richardson attended Washington State. Hit extremely well in Helena last season.
Mark Rogers: Rogers is a 2004 First Round Pick with lots of potential. He is in the process of tweaking his mechanics but has a ton of ability. He throws across his body and is a power pitcher. His fastball runs in the mid 90’s, he has a real nice curveball and he is working on a changeup. Rogers is a top of the rotation type pitcher who has the tools to make it to the big show. The Maine native was named the 3rd best prospect in the Arizona Summer League by Baseball America.
In next week’s newsletter we will update the construction process at the new stadium, and we will include the second half of the interview with Mark Mueller of the Milwaukee Brewers. Tickets to the new ballpark and new Power Merchandise are still available! Call 344-2287, visit the kiosk at Charleston Town Center or stop by the Power front offices at the corner of Quarrier and Court Street right next to Charleston Town Center. Have a great week and thank you for supporting the West Virginia Power.
December 10, 2004 - With the holidays right around the corner and opening day only 125 days away, the power are keeping a close eye on construction and looking forward to getting the new era of baseball started in Charleston. The Power hope that you and yours are having a very safe and happy holiday season. In this week’s newsletter we will continue the conversation with Mark Mueller, the Milwaukee Brewers Assistant Director of Player Development, and we will give you a construction update as well. Don’t forget that the Power Kiosk will remain open at the Charleston Town Center until Christmas.
CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES ON THE EAST END
The construction at the new ballpark on the East End is progressing quite nicely. The cement pouring process in the seating bowl is nearly complete and should be done soon. Only two more sections need to be poured and the process could be finished as early as next week.
The installation of the individual seats and handrails will begin shortly after the cement is poured in the final two sections of the seating bowl. After the seating bowl is complete, the construction of the structures (the press box, bathrooms, concession stands etc.) will begin as well. As for the playing field, the pieces are in place for the process to take off. The construction crew is in the process of adjusting the sub grade but in order to do so they must wait for the ground to dry or freeze. Once that happens, they can adjust it and then wait to get it approved. After the approval they will begin to pour approximately 4 inches of gravel and 6 inches of sand, which will be followed by the sod.
MARK MUELLER INTERVIEW PART 2:
AB: Mark everyone wants to know who will coach the Power in the 2005 season. Who are the likely candidates on the coaching staff?
MM: The coaching situation is still in limbo. There is still an opening in Triple A due to a void left by Cecil Cooper who took a job with the Houston Astros. Once someone is hired to take his spot it could have a trickle down effect and we may have to re-shuffle the deck, which gives us so many different possibilities. We should have a much better idea by the first of the year.
AB: A lot of big league clubs have former big leaguers as their roving instructors, who make appearances in each city of their affiliates. Are there any rovers or special assistants that will make an appearance in Charleston next season?
MM: Of our rovers and instructors the biggest name is Reid Nichols, our Director of Player Development. Reid was an outfielder for the Red Sox and Expos. Other than Reid, most of our rovers and Assistants are minor leaguers. Gord Ash, the Brewers Assistant General Manager may make a trip to Charleston. Norberto Martin, who spent some time in Charleston, and played some in the big leagues will serve as the infielding instructor for the Brewers and will be in Charleston a bit in 2005.
AB: Before coming to Charleston, the Brewers’ Single A affiliate was the Beloit Snappers. What were some of the reasons for the move to Charleston?
MM: In the Midwest League the average age of teams is usually a bit older than those of teams in the South Atlantic League. The Sally League is a much younger league and we have a younger team, which we believe will help us match up better and be very competitive. The new stadium and new facilities were obviously huge factors as well. In addition, the climate in Charleston is much more favorable in April than it is in Beloit. We have had snow outs in Beloit before.
AB: Last years affiliate, the Toronto BlueJays, did not steal many bases, or call for many sacrifices or hit and runs. They also typically drafted older players who had college experience. What is the Brewers’ philosophy?
MM: The Brewers draft all kinds of players from high school players to players at every level of college. We target the best players and age is never a factor. We also look for guys who we feel have the best long term potential. We stress plate discipline, we do steal bases and we play the National League style of baseball to prepare our guys for the big leagues.
We don’t have many real powerful guys who will hit a ton of homeruns, but we have speedy guys who shoot for the gaps. We also will call hit and runs, we’ ll manufacture runs and play small ball.
NEXT WEEK’S PREVIEW
In next week’s article we will preview another one of the Power Staff members. In addition we will also discuss the new West Virginia Power Radio Deal. Earlier this week the Power teamed up with the West Virginia Radio Corporation and we will discuss the details in next week’s newsletter. We would also like to thank Mark Mueller of the Milwaukee Brewers for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk to us. The West Virginia Power thanks you for your support. Please have a great week.
December 17, 2004 - With the holidays near, Power fans have a lot of reasons to cheer. Full and Partial Season Tickets are still available at the Power Kiosk and Front Offices or by calling 344-2287. The Power Kiosk at Charleston Town Center will remain open until Christmas and there is all kinds of merchandise available. In this week’s newsletter we will discuss the new West Virginia Power Radio deal and we will get a chance to talk to the man who handles the finances of the Power, Jeremy Young.
POWER STRIKE STATEWIDE RADIO DEAL
The West Virginia Power will be very easy to follow both at home and on the road in the 2005 season. Andy Milovich, General Manager of the West Virginia Power, announced that the team has entered into a partnership with West Virginia Radio Corporation for the Power broadcasts through the 2009 season. The partnership will make the Power broadcasts available to potential affiliates across the state by carrying the signal via the West Virginia Radio Corporation satellite.
The games will be broadcast on ESPN Radio 1490 on a full-time basis and will be covered on WCHS 580 AM when not conflicting with the Cincinnati Reds broadcasts. Additionally, the Power has agreed to terms with WRVC 930 AM in Huntington, the flagship station for Marshall University Sports. The station will clear the entire 140 game schedule.
“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to work with the West Virginia Radio Corporation,” said Milovich. We are committed to working together to expand the West Virginia Power fan base across Southern West Virginia and will begin working on adding additional affiliate partners immediately.”
The Team announced that the incredibly strong promotional relationship with West Virginia Radio will continue as well.
“The Wolf’s Two-for-Tuesdays,” the newly developed “V100 Buck Nights” and “WCHS 580 Business Persons’ Specials” are just the beginning of promotionally packed schedule. “West Virginia Radio Corporation is extremely aggressive promotionally and they fit very well with our organization philosophically. We intend to create an entertainment level and atmosphere that has never been accomplished in Charleston’s professional baseball history. West Virginia Radio Corporation is a major step forward in accomplishing those objectives.”
Andy “Bull” Barch will conduct the radio broadcasts for the Power. The 2005 season will be his 2nd with the team. THE POWER ARE “ACCOUNTING” ON YOUNG IN 2005
There aren’t very many of us who head into work everyday because we just cant get enough of the grind Monday through Friday. Most of us do it with one thing in mind, a paycheck every couple of weeks to make it all worthwhile. While Andy Milovich signs the checks for the members of the Power, another man handles the payroll for the West Virginia Power and his name is Jeremy Young. Jeremy, 26, joined the team a month into the 2004 season and serves as the team’s accountant.
As the Accountant for the Power, Jeremy takes care of the staff’s payroll, he keeps track of the accounts payable and accounts receivable, and he manages the money that comes in and the money that goes out, basically monitoring the teams finances. He does all of this in addition to a variety of other miscellaneous tasks on a day-to-day basis. Jeremy’s loves working with the Power because it gives him a tremendous opportunity to work with the community. He also enjoys it because he gets to work with a group of guys who are mostly of his age and he gets to be a part of the only minor league team in the area.
Before he became a member of the West Virginia Power, Jeremy had quite a basketball career while at Nitro High School. He graduated from Nitro High School in 1996 and later went on to play for Glenville State College. While at Nitro, he earned several special honors. In 1996 he earned first team All Kanawha County accolades. He was also an All State Special Honorable Mention and made 2nd Team All Mountain State Athletic Conference.
After High School, Jeremy played two years of basketball while attending Glenville State College and then transferred to WVU, where he graduated in 2001 with a degree in Management and Information systems. Going to WVU was a thrill for Jeremy because he is a lifelong mountaineer fan; he was born and raised in Cross Lanes where he constantly rooted for WVU.
Jeremy has just recently been introduced to the world of fatherhood. On September 30th, Jeremy’s wife Stephanie gave birth to their beautiful daughter Madelyn. Randy Johnson once said that after a horrible outing, he could instantly forget about his performance when he arrived home and saw the excited look on his little daughter’s face. Jeremy views fatherhood in that very same way. It doesn’t matter how bad the day might have been at work, when Jeremy comes home and sees his 3-month-old daughter Madelyn smiling back at him, the worries of the work day instantly vanish. The first three months of Madelyn’s life have been very exciting but Jeremy knows that the best is yet to come.
Now that the holidays have come and gone, less than 100 days remain until the home opener at the brand new ballpark. The Power staff hopes that you and yours had a very safe and happy holiday season. Since our last newsletter went out, the field staff for the 2005 season has been announced, and we will take a look at the coaches who will lead the Power into battle in this week’s newsletter. Tickets and merchandise are still available at the Power Front Offices in the Old Bob Evans next to Charleston Town Center but the kiosk at the mall is no longer open. For more information call 344-2287.
AVILES WILL LEAD THE POWER IN 2005
The Power Coaching Staff has been announced for the 2005 season and Ramon Aviles will serve as the Power manager. He will be joined by pitching coach Mark Littell, hitting coach Tony Diggs and Trainer Alan Diamond.
The 2005 season will be Aviles’s first with the Brewers organization. He is currently managing Carolina in the Puerto Rico Winter League where he is working with current and former Major League players including Edgard Clemente, Yadier Molina, Cesar Crespo, Orlando Merced, Rick Ankiel and Joey Hamilton.
He has had extensive coaching and managing experience at the minor league level within the Philadelphia Phillies organization serving as a manager at every level from Rookie ball to Triple A. Most recently, he was a coach for the Gulf Coast League Phillies in 2003.
He played in the Major Leagues for parts of four seasons appearing in 1977 for Boston and 1979-81 for the Philadelphia Phillies. Aviles, an infielder, played in 117 games compiling a .268 batting average with two home runs and 24 RBI.
Mark Littell brings his 35 years of professional baseball experience to West Virginia. Littell pitched eight and a half seasons in the Major Leagues. After stints with the Kansas City Royals in 1973 and 1975, Littell became a Royals big league regular in 1976 when he went 8-4 with 16 saves and a miniscule 2.08 ERA. His Royals made the post-season in ’76 and ’77 and he then moved on to St. Louis where he was part of the 1982 Cardinals’ World Championship squad, before retiring in 1983. In 2003, his pitchers led Helena to a Pioneer League best 58 wins.
Tony Diggs will serve as the Power hitting coach in his 2nd season with the Brewers organization as a coach. The Brewers drafted Tony Diggs in the 6th round of the 1989 draft. Diggs began his coaching career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1998 and spent two seasons as the Peoria Chiefs hitting coach before coaching in the Australian Baseball League in 2000 and 2001. In 2002 he returned to Peoria to serve as their hitting coach for the next two seasons. Last season Diggs was the hitting coach for the Beloit Snappers.
Alan Diamond is the Athletic Trainer for the Power. Diamond has extensive experience in the Midwest League where he was the athletic trainer for the Kane County Cougars in 2000 before joining the Snappers for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. In 2000, Diamond was named the Midwest League Trainer of the year.
In the coming weeks the Power hopes to include interviews with Aviles, Littell, Diggs and Diamond in the newsletter before the beginning of the season. Next week we will get to know Jeremy Taylor, who served as a retail intern last year and is now a Ticket Sales Account Executive with the Power. We will also take a look at some of the special promotional dates on the 2005 Calendar at the new ballpark. The West Virginia Power thanks you for subscribing to the weekly newsletter. Have a great week.
Only 90 days remain until the opening of the brand new ballpark. Believe it or not, opening day is exactly 3 months from today. The coaching staff has been announced, the construction crew has made a lot of progress on the east end and the pieces are in place for a magical summer of baseball in Charleston. In this week’s newsletter we will profile Ticket Sales Executive Jeremy Taylor, and we will preview some of the promotions at the ballpark in the 2005 season.
THURSDAY NIGHT’S OFFER “BUCK”ETS OF FUN
Two for Tuesday’s became a permanent fixture at Watt Powell Park in its final years of existence offering the infamous two for the price of one special on fountain and draft beverages all throughout the game. The Two for Tuesday promotion remains in tact and will be the talk of the town on Tuesday’s when it hits the new ballpark on the East End this summer. However it won’t be the only affordable weeknight option at the ballpark due to the arrival of the new Buck Night’s. Buck Night’s offer discounted prices on tickets, drinks and hot dogs all throughout the game. Buck Night’s will be featured every Thursday home game at the new park with the exception of opening night. Hot Dogs, 12 oz. Beers, 12 oz. soft drinks and bleacher seats will be $1 dollar each and box seats will only be $3 dollars. There will be a total of 10 buck night’s at the new park and 11 Two for Tuesdays during the 2005 season. There are specific partial season ticket packages for Two for Tuesdays and Buck Night’s, call 344-2287 for more information.
TAYLOR TAKES THE NEXT STEP
One man managed the Meow Mart in the 2004 season, that man was Jeremy Taylor. Jeremy, nicknamed J-Rock by his peers in the office was the Alley Cats’ retail manager in the 2004 season, overseeing all aspects of the Alley Cats’ merchandise. When last season ended, Jeremy decided to take on a bigger role within the organization. Now, Jeremy is one of a few Ticket Sales Executives with the Power.
Baseball has always been a part or Jeremy’s life. He grew up playing baseball, and played it all the way through high school. He played Third Base and Shortstop for 3 years at George Washington High School where he graduated in 1999. Baseball is his favorite sport because it requires one to be mentally sharp and requires more than just simple physical tools to succeed. Jeremy watched the Wheelers win the South Atlantic League Championship back in 1990 when he was only 9 years old, an experience he describes as his fondest baseball memory.
In his free time Jeremy likes to fish, watch reality television shows, play video games and he watches a wide variety of sporting events. Jeremy loves the reality show “Nick and Jessica”. He’s also a big fan of wrestling and “Ghost Hunters” which is a show about TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) on the Sci-Fi Channel. His favorite movie of all time is “Super Troopers” and he is a big fan of Chris Farley and Jim Carey. He would one day like to be on Saturday Night Live or have his own sitcom.
Jeremy currently lives in Charleston, and was born in raised in Southern Charleston. He is the oldest of 4 children in his family. He’s got a pair of younger brothers and a younger sister. Jeremy’s favorite aspect of being a Ticket Sales Executive is interacting with the community and taking part in the behind the scenes activities that make the operation successful.
TONY DIGGS TO HIGHLIGHT NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER
Tony Diggs, the Power Hitting Coach in 2005 will sit down with Andy Barch in next week’s newsletter. Ramon Aviles in penciled in for an interview the week after next. Tickets and Power Merchandise are currently on sale at the Power Front Offices located at 450 Quarrier Street next to Charleston Town Center. Thank you for supporting the West Virginia Power, have a great week. To unsubscribe to the newsletter please reply and type “unsubscribe” in the subject box.
01/21/05 - South Atlantic League (SAL) West Virginia Power
Just before the Holidays, the Power coaching staff was announced and everybody wants to get to know the coaches who will lead the Power in the 2005 season. In this week’s newsletter we will sit down with the man who will lead the Power sluggers, Power hitting coach Tony Diggs. Though the home opener is less than 3 months away, there are still opportunities to purchase group outings, season and partial season tickets by calling 344-2287.
POWER JOB FAIR WILL TAKE PLACE IN EARLY MARCH
If you are interested in being a game day employee at the brand new ballpark, then you need to mark Saturday March 5th down on your calendar. On Saturday March 5th, the Power will host a job fair for game day employees and it will take place at the Power Front Offices, located at the Old Bob Evans next to Charleston Town Center. The Job Fair will run from noon to 4 p.m. All those interested in working in concessions, souvenir stands, retail, the kids area, and those interested in being suite attendants are highly encouraged to attend. For more information on the Power Job Fair call the front office at 344-2287.
Q AND A SESSION WITH TONY DIGGS
Born in the Sunshine state where the sun shines all year round, Tony Diggs grew up an avid fan of baseball and idolized Pete Rose and Ozzie Smith. Years later, he now lives in Beloit, Wisconsin with his wife of 12 years and 7 children. Originally drafted by the Brewers in 1989, Tony played in the Milwaukee and St. Louis organizations until he retired in 1996. Today he enjoys sharing his experiences in baseball and watching players of today hold onto and apply the information that he shares with them. This week he sat down with our own Andy Barch for a Q and A session. AB=Andy Barch TD=Tony Diggs.
AB: What was your best memory or moment during your playing days?
TD: My two favorites include playing for Joe Torre in big league camp during the spring of 1995, and winning the championship at the AAA level playing for the Louisville Redbirds. Watching the way Torre controlled the team was absolutely amazing. I came a single away from hitting for the cycle in that game.
AB: Ozzie Smith and Pete Rose are two of your favorite players of all time, what fascinates you about those two?
TD: I loved Pete Rose’s style on the field, he was just incredible in every aspect of the game. When I met Pete, I was in awe of him just because I couldn’t believe that I had met a guy I grew up idolizing. I always loved Ozzie’s speed and style at shortstop and I loved watching him enjoy the game the way he did. I met Ozzie late in his career when I was with the Cardinals. He was such a class act and he was different from Rose in that he wouldn’t let you be in awe of him because he didn’t want you to think differently about him just because he was a superstar.
AB: Ozzie and Pete may have been your favorite players of all time, but who would you say was your favorite teammate of all time?
TD: My favorite teammate was Gordon Powell, a third baseman in the Brewers organization. He still to this day is one of my great friends and he had an outstanding outlook on the game. He had a tremendous amount of talent but injuries prevented him from making it to the big leagues. Gordon had every reason to be bitter about his situation but he never let that affect him. He brought a lot of energy to our team in Beloit, he was a class clown and had a great understanding of life.
AB: Who had the biggest influence on your life?
TD: Without question, it would be my parents. They were very strict and gave me a great sense of discipline and character. I had a total of 5 siblings and they did a great job of keeping us in line and teaching us core values that would help us all succeed in life.
AB: While baseball has been your claim to fame and ultimately had a huge impact on your life, were you ever heavily involved in any other sports?
TD: Yes, matter of fact, I originally signed my letter of intent at the University of Florida to play football. I was a Wide Receiver and a Defensive Back in High School, but later decided to play baseball instead. Had I stuck with football and played at Florida, I would have played with Emmit Smith, John L. Williams and Ricky Nattiel.
AB: You are a big hunter in the off-season, what do you hunt exactly and what do you enjoy about hunting?
TD: I hunt deer, turkey and pheasant. I’ve always loved hunting for different reasons. I just enjoy being in the woods because of all the details you see in the wildlife. It can be very relaxing. I also enjoy the challenge of hunting, which involves matching wits with animals like deer who are incredibly smart.
NEXT WEEK
Next week we will give you an update on the new West Virginia Power Website, which is near completion. We will also discuss some of the promotional ideas that will highlight the 2005 season, and sit down with Power Pitching Coach Mark Littell. The Power would like to thank hitting coach Tony Diggs for taking some time to talk to us and we would also like to thank all of your for supporting Power Baseball. Have a great week.
<b><font size=4>Power website up and running</font></b>
01/26/05 - South Atlantic League (SAL) West Virginia Power
There are now only 10 weeks remaining until the home opener at the brand new ballpark. The construction process will be taken to another level now that the lights have been installed allowing the construction crew to work a third shift through the night. You can take a look at the construction via the live webcam at http://63.126.209.45/. In this week’s newsletter Andy Barch sits down with Power Pitching Coach Mark Littell and we will also take a look at the new power website which is now up and running at www.wvpower.com.
WEST VIRGINIA POWER WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING
The West Virginia Power unveiled their new website on Wednesday morning at www.wvpower.com.
The Power has partnered with Terradon Communications, a national leader in web-site development that is headquartered in Nitro, on the construction of the new website. “Terradon’s “Content Management System” was instrumental in creating the partnership,” said Power General Manager Andy Milovich. “It will allow us to utilize the web-site as the premier source for information on the West Virginia Power.”
The new website is incredibly user friendly and will provide up-to-the-minute information on all aspects of the West Virginia Power. The site features information on ticket packages, group outings, merchandise, promotions, employment opportunities, events at the park, and construction up-dates via the stadium construction cam that provides a live look at the stadium construction. Tickets will be available for purchase on the web-site once single game tickets have been placed on-sale. Fans have an opportunity to register to receive the team’s newsletter at the site to receive even more information on West Virginia Power news.
Q AND A SESSION WITH MARK LITTELL
33 years in the world of professional baseball can provide one with many stories to tell, many experiences that will never be forgotten, and an incredible amount of knowledge to pass on to those who are just getting their careers started. The 2005 season will be Power Pitching Coach Mark Littell’s 34th in professional baseball. His career began back in 1971 when the Kansas City Royals drafted him right out of high school in the 12th round and baseball has been a major part of his life ever since. In 1982 his playing days came to an end, but he ended his career on a winning note as a member of the World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals squad. He’s been coaching ever since during the regular season and still does a lot of work with high school kids in the off-season. He sat down with our own Andy Barch for this week’s newsletter. AB=Andy Barch ML=Mark Littell
AB: Before we get into the baseball questions, tell us about your family. What kind of family life do you lead?
ML: I’ve lived in Arizona for the past 12 years. I live with my wife Sanna. We’ve now been married for 6 years. I don’t have any children, but I do have a dog named Harper and a cat named Domino.
AB: What do you do in the off-season to keep you busy?
ML: I conduct a lot of 1 on 1 sessions with kids, mostly high school players. I’m out on the field with them basically every day trying to help them improve. I also have a lot of interest in automobiles. I own a few cars from different eras myself. Older cars interest me particularly and I’ve always enjoyed studying the evolution of automobiles over the years. Studying the parts, models and different modifications of cars over the years is something that I have always enjoyed.
AB: You spent a significant amount of time in the big leagues, who were some of the big name players that you spent some time with?
ML: My time with the Cardinals and Royals provided me with a lot of great experience with some great players. I came through the Royals system with George Brett. He and I were drafted the same year and I roomed with him when we both played in Billings during the 1971 season. He was extremely loose, a very funny guy, great to be around and really had fun doing what he did. I also roomed with Lou Pinella for a road trip when I was 20 years old. He was very loose as well, but he was always on the go. I also played with Ozzie Smith, Keith Hernandez, Harmon Killebrew, Buck Martinez and Jim Caat who pitched 26 years in the big leagues and earned 16 gold gloves.
AB: What were some of your best moments during your playing days?
ML: I don’t remember occasions in particular but I do recall single seasons in which I was able to excel. The 1976 season was a big one for me. I was very consistent, I became more of a strikeout pitcher and I made my mark as a relief pitcher when relievers were just on the rise.
AB: What would you say were some of your worst moments?
ML: My worst moments came when I was injured only because I really hated having to sit back and watch. Knowing that you cannot contribute really eats away at you. When I wasn’t injured, I’d say what was most frustrating was going into the 9th inning and giving up a series of runs. As a reliever that was the one thing that really irked me.
AB: Having spent last year in Helena you are very familiar with some of the pitchers who will be here in West Virginia. What can you tell us about these guys?
ML: A lot of the guys we had last year were burned out because they had played so much prior to the beginning of the season, so we tried to protect those guys as much as possible. They did a great job of buying into my system later in the season and they didn’t waste many pitches. Josh Baker, Derek DeCarlo, Josh Wahpepah and Robert Wooley were the guys who really stood out in my mind on last year’s Helena team.
AB: What kind of approach do you suggest your players take when they are on the mound?
ML: I always teach my players to work quickly. I like for my guys to use a very simple approach by stressing the infamous KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) system. Throwing through the mit, changing speeds on pitches and getting off the mound quickly are the characteristics I want my guys to focus on. I tell them that if they can put the ball in play after 3 pitches, then they are doing something right. Tempo, getting off the mound quickly and not beating around the bush are aspects of the game that I’d like all of my pitchers to display. Of the guys I’ve taught so far, most have the physical tools to get them where they need to be. My job is to make them tougher mentally, because the pitcher who breaks mentally first will lose. I am still learning on the field, and I understand that I have to have the trust of my players to be effective. One thing I’ve learned is that you cannot try to buffalo the players. You’ve got to be down to earth with them, and let them know that you are there to help them.
02/07/05 - South Atlantic League (SAL) West Virginia Power
The Power will begin play in the 2005 season at Hagerstown in 59 days and the home opener will hit the capital city in just 66 days. The promotional schedule continues to fill up every single week and will be released within the next week. In this week's article we will preview the “Martha Stewart Release Party” which is scheduled for Saturday April 16th. We will also hear from 2005 field manager Ramon Aviles for the first time since being named manager of the Power. For those who haven't had a chance to check out the new Power Website, check it out at www.wvpower.com. MARTHA STEWART RELEASE PARTY
After the Opening Night I and II festivities have ceased, the Power will fire up the first weekend at the new park with a “Martha Stewart Release Party” against Hagerstown on Saturday April 16th. The Power have several activities planned for the party which will entertainl all those in attendance. To begin, all those who can prove that they are named either “Martha” or “Stewart” will get in for free. The Power will host segments throughout the game featuring Gardening Tips with Groundskeeper Eric Bailey and Cooking Tips with Ryan Montgomery the Director of Concessions. In addition, the employees will wear orange jumpsuits and the ushers will wear moles and Martha wigs. There will be Martha Stewart K-Mart items given away throughout the game and the Power will conduct a Martha Stewart look-alike contest. More details on the release party to come as we get closer to the season.
Q AND A WITH RAMON AVILES
In his native town of Nati, Puerto Rico, Ramon Aviles currently resides in the city in which he was born and bread, spending his off-seasons running, reading the bible and conducting baseball clinics. At 56 years old, he expects his 35th year of professional baseball in 2005 with the West Virginia Power to be very exciting. Ramon spent his playing days with the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers organizations. He was a part of the 1980 World Series Championship team for Philadelphia, and he has collected a total of 25 different championships in his coaching and playing career. Ramon took some time to talk to Andy Barch this week about baseball and life. AB=Andy Barch RA=Ramon Aviles
AB: Before the baseball questions, tell us about your family life, what kind of family do you have?
RA: I don't have a real big family, but it's big enough. My father was a cop in Puerto Rico and I have 3 brothers and a sister. I have currently been married for 24 years; I have a daughter, a son, a 10-year-old granddaughter and a 16-month-old grandson.
AB: When did it all begin for you in baseball?
RA: I started playing street ball in Puerto Rico when I was 7 years old. I played every position in little league and in high school. I signed with an amateur team in Puerto Rico in 1966 as a 2nd baseman. I continued to play amateur ball in Puerto Rico for two years. In December of 1969 I signed with the Boston Red Sox as a free agent. I made my professional debut in 1970 for Greenville, SC.
AB: You played with the Phillies, Red Sox and spent a short amount of time with the Rangers during your 14-year playing career, who were some of the high profile athletes that you played with?
RA: When I was with the Red Sox, I played with Carlton Fisk, Carl Yastremski, George Scott and many others when I was called up. I was part of the World Series Champion Phillies team in 1980 and I played with Steve Carlton, Larry Bowa, Pete Rose and Mike Schmidt. This year marks the 25th anniversary of that team.
AB: Take us through your coaching career. How much time did u take off after your playing days were over before you went into coaching?
RA: I didn't take any time off at all, matter of fact, my coaching career began in 1983 which was also my last year as a player. I entered spring training in 1983 as a player but halfway through the spring the Phillies asked me to be a player Coach in Portland, Oregon for the Pacific Coast league team. That year I played shortstop and we won the PCL championship. In 1984 I was a coach in the Northwest League in Bend, Oregon. I coached the Clearwater team in the Florida State League in the 1985 season, which was Clearwater's first season in that league. In 1986 I was a coach for the Reading Phillies of the Eastern League. I was the manager of the Spartanburg team in the South Atlantic League in 1987. I went to Orchard Beach the AAA affiliate as a coach in 1988. In 1992 I went back to Reading as a Coach. From 1990-92 I managed the Batavia Muckdogs of the New York Penn League. From 1993-98 I was the infield-roving instructor for the Phillies. I filled in as the manager for the AAA Scranton team during the 1996 season when Butch Hobson ran into some legal problems. In 1999 and 2000 I managed the Gulf Coast League Phillies. I went back to Clearwater as the manager for the 2001 season, in 2002 I was the hitting coach for the Lakewood BlueClaws and in 2003 I was the infield coach for the Gulf Coast team.
AB: You've experienced a lot in 34 previous years of baseball, what are some of your best and worst moments in this game?
RA: My worst moment came in 1977 after I was called up to play the Red Sox. They happened to be in Yankee Stadium when I was called up. My manager Don Zimmer told me that if we beat the Yankees 2 out of 3 games, that I would play the first 2 games in the series against Detroit. We swept the Yankees and I didn't play at all against Detroit. I only had 1 at bat in 3 months. That was not the only time he lied to me. This taught me a valuable lesson in coaching. Now, regardless of how much the truth might hurt one of my players, I always tell them the truth whether it's the answer they want or not. I'm always honest with them, and I never lie to them. My two best moments came with the Phillies. I recorded my first major league hit against Charlie Hough at Dodger Stadium. It was a 2 run single to left field back in 1979. My other favorite moment was winning the World Series Championship with the Phillies back in 1980.
AB: Aside from running and reading the bible, what are some of the other off the field activities are you involved in?
RA: I can't keep myself away from the game. I am always watching baseball, or looking over stat sheets, thinking about the lineup and getting to know my players better. I watch a lot of baseball on TV to study the managing styles of other managers and try to apply the things that I learn by emulating them in different situations. One of my instructors once told me that if you are learning at least one new thing a day, then you're learning at least 365 new things a year. I am always learning and trying to find ways to get better at what I do.
QUICK REMINDER
Don't forget that the Power Job Fair will take place from noon-4 pm on Saturday March 4th. All those who would like to be game day employees are highly encouraged to attend. Those interested in working in concessions, souvenir stands, retail, the kids area, and those interested in being suite attendants need to head to the Power Front Offices at the Old Bob Evans next to Charleston Town Center. Season Tickets and partial season tickets are still available. Call 344-2287 or check out the website at www.wvpower.com. We would like to thank to Ramon Aviles for joining us this week and thanks to all of you for supporting the West Virginia Power. Have a great week.
<b><font size=4>Power unveil new mascots</font></b>
The West Virginia Power unveiled their new mascots on Thursday. The Super Hero-themed Power Pack will feature five mascots in total. Four of the mascots are loosely based on energy sources that factored into the team's name selection and the fifth mascot features a throwback named “Charley.”
“The Power are excited to announce our “Power Pack” of five mascots that will entertain fans of all ages at the new East End Ballpark,” said General Manager Andy Milovich. “We felt we had a unique opportunity to have a family of mascots which tie into both the team name and the history of baseball in Charleston. When you look at minor league teams around the country the mascot is always a top draw for the fans in attendance. As a result you consistently see the mascot followed throughout the stadium by a group of children. With a collection of five mascots, virtually unheard of in minor league baseball and throughout professional sports, we feel more children will have the opportunity to interact with our new characters throughout the games.”
Four of the five mascots were developed to tie in the team name Power. The first character and ring leader of the group is “Axe” who represents coal. Axe has a superhero body with a miner's helmet on his head and pick axe in hand. Representing natural gas is “Pyro” a character whose hair is replaced with flames. “Gusty” features a jovial look on his face and propeller on his head that represents power generated through wind. The final power related character is “Hydro” representing hydroelectric energy. The smallest character of our group, Hydro's head is a large tear drop with a baseball cap on top. “Each of the mascots has a unique personality and look” said Milovich. “We feel that each fan will have someone to identify with and make the entertainment experience even more personal.”
The fifth and final mascot represents the history of baseball in Charleston. “Charley” is a throwback to the original Charleston team the Charleston Charlies. Charley has a baseball head, wears a derby, along with red suspenders similar to a baseball's stitching. “Our organization understands the importance of baseball and its rich history in Charleston. The Charley character will create an opportunity for the parents to share baseball memories of their childhood with their children” said General Manager Andy Milovich.
The mascots designs are available on the West Virginia Power web-site at www.wvpower.com.
POWER JOB FAIR
Keep Saturday, March 5th marked on your calendars if you would like to be a game day employee at the new park. The Power will be accepting applications for mascots, promotions, vendors, ticket takers, ushers, concessions and kid zone supervisors. The Job Fair will run from noon to 4 pm on Saturday, March 5th. For more information, call 344-BATS.
BOOSTER CLUB MEETINGS SCHEDULED
The West Virginia Power now officially has a Booster Club. There are 2 important meetings coming up that the booster club would like to announce. The first meeting will be held on Monday, March 14th at 6:30 pm. The election of officers will take place at this meeting. For more information e-mail Sarah Frail at slfrail@yahoo.com.
The second meeting is Saturday, April 2nd from 3-7 pm at Contemporary Galleries, 1210 Smith Street on the 6th Floor. This will be the membership drive meeting and social. Interested persons can come, sign up to join, and there is a possibility those who attend will have the opportunity to take tours of the park.
CHECK THE POWER WEBSITE FOR UPDATES
The Power website continues to provide updates on promotional nights and construction on the East End. New pictures of the ballpark are displayed throughout the week and there is also a link to the webcam. Keep checking www.wvpower.com for more updates or call the Power front offices at 344-BATS (2287). The Power would like to thank Marty Nash for taking some time to talk to us, and the Power would like to thank you for your support. Have a great week.
<b><font size=4>Power comments about mascot</font></b>
“Though we had preferred to purchase the mascots locally and received some quotes and renderings from Dale Morton Mascot Studios in Hurricane, West Virginia, the renderings did not accurately reflect the mascot drawings we had presented Mr. Morton. When comparing the presentation materials and track records of Maydwell Mascots with those of Mr. Morton, we were unfortunately forced to purchase the mascot uniforms from a company located out of market” said West Virginia Power General Manager Andy Milovich.
“It is always our preference to purchase from a local company whenever possible, but we cannot sacrifice the image of the team, its mascots, or operate our business haphazardly in order to do so. The West Virginia Power will spend close to $3 million dollars locally on start-up and operational expenses in 2005 including office furniture, concessions equipment, concessions supplies, contracting work, and other expenses. It's unfortunate that we must address this situation due to a business that was either incapable of meeting our needs or failed to invest the time to make a professional presentation” said Milovich. “The team would also encourage fans to view the correct and final versions of the mascots at the team's web-site due to the incorrect versions apparently released to the media through Mr. Morton which ran inaccurately in the Charleston Gazette.”
“We are extremely excited about the mascots we are developing. Five mascots allow us to provide something unique that will appeal to the many tastes of our fan base. It provides us flexibility to create our own “sausage type race,” develop a mascot band, and spend more time in the community on appearances.”
WELCOME TO “NASH”VILLE
One of the latest additions to the Power front office staff has a host of experience in the sports industry. Marty Nash's experience ranges from being a General Manager in the New York Penn League for Little Falls, NY to being a General Manager for the Wheeling Nailers of the East Coast Hockey League.
Today, Mr. Nash holds the title of “Senior Sales Executive” for the Power, and the team is reaping the benefits of his arrival already. Marty returned to West Virginia 17 months ago and worked with Charter Communications before coming to the Power. Marty has been with the Power since January 3rd and he is really looking forward to opening up the new stadium in just 49 days. This week he sat down and spoke with Andy Barch about life, and his future with the Power.
AB=ANDY BARCH MN=MARTY NASH
AB: You've spent a lot of time in West Virginia since breaking into the business, but where did it all begin for you?
MN: I am originally from Oswego, NY and graduated from SUNY- Brockport with degrees in Business and Sports Administration. My first job was as a General Manager in the New York-Penn. League in Little Falls NY. Dwight Gooden was on that team for a very short period of time, as was Steve Phillips, the former New York Mets General Manager.
AB: Growing up, what sports did you play and were there any athletes or teams that you enjoyed watching in particular?
MN: I played both ice hockey and soccer in high school and college. I was a center in hockey and I was a mid-fielder in soccer. My favorite teams are the Cleveland Browns in the NFL, and I am a huge University of North Carolina Basketball fan. As for athletes, I enjoyed watching Bobby Hull for the Chicago Blackhawks as I was growing up.
AB: Being in sports for many years, you've experienced the grueling off-seasons and witnessed all of the hard work that goes into making the operation a success. What is your favorite part of working in sports?
MN: My favorite part of working in this industry is coming to the ballpark on a game night and having a large crowd and knowing that you played a small part in making it happen. I think this season is really going to be a special one for not only the city of Charleston, but the surrounding areas as well. The first season in a new stadium is always the best, and those who come to experience it will find that out themselves.
AB: While working for the Power consumes your time during the day, would you agree that your most important job begins when you get home every day?
MN: Absolutely, it seems our lives revolve around our two sons, Ryan (11) and Jayson (10) students at Overbrook Elementary. Eydie, my wife is the Deputy Clerk at the Supreme Court here in Charleston. She is a native of Wheeling, WV. I coach the boys at the South Charleston Ice Arena in ice hockey. They both also play Little League baseball. All three keep me very busy and very happy when I arrive home.
<b>Power season approaches</b>
03/05/05 - South Atlantic League (SAL) West Virginia Power
Now that the month of March is upon us, less than 6 weeks and a total of 40 days remain until Appalachian Power Park opens it's doors and a new chapter of baseball in West Virginia begins. Tickets are still available at the Power Front Offices or by calling 344-2287. In this week's newsletter we will talk to Power groundskeeper Eric Bailey, and review the changes in the Power Booster Club meetings.
BOOSTER CLUB MEETING RE-SCHEDULED
After receiving an outstanding amount of inquiries about their first meeting, the West Virginia Power Booster Club Meeting has been moved. Originally scheduled for Friday, March 11th at the Pauley Residence, the meeting has been moved to Monday, March 14th and will now take place on the bottom floor of the Athletic Club at Embassy Suites on 300 Court Street in Charleston. There will be food and drinks available for purchase. Debbie Elia and Sara Frail will be at the Power Job Fair on Saturday March 5th to answer any questions and field more requests about the Booster Club for all those who are still interested. If you are not able to make it to the job fair to talk to Sara or Debbie but are still interested in being a member of the booster club, please e-mail Sara Frail at slfrail@yahoo.com.
BAILEY KEEPS HIS FEET ON THE GROUND
Many great names have graced historic Watt Powell Park with their presence. Few if any have seen and experienced as many of those great names as Power Groundskeeper Eric Bailey. Better known to the community as “E”, Bailey has a fun loving personality that appeals to all. The general consensus amongst those in the area is that if you can't get a long with E, then you can't get a long with anybody. This week, E shared his illustrious history at the Watt with us.
Eric attended games at Watt Powell Park as a child, but didn't begin working at the historic venue until he was 12 years old. Red Hartman offered E a job working in a variety of different roles as a 12 year old kid at Watt Powell Park and Blackwell Field. In return, Hartman gave E ham sandwiches for his hard work around both ballparks. Baseball returned to Charleston after a minor hiatus in 1971, bringing Bailey back to the Park for youth baseball and Charleston Charlies games. “Charlies games were a lot of fun to go to back in the day,” said Bailey. “Watching guys like Dave Parker come through and excite the crowd really made for an exciting atmosphere at the Watt.” That was only the tip of the Iceberg at the Watt for Eric Bailey.
The Charlies lost a couple of catchers during the 1974 season due to call-ups and injuries. At the time, E didn't know it, but this opened the window of opportunity for him. Bill Smith, a writer for the Charleston Daily Mail cracked a joke about a local college or high school catcher possibly coming out to help out the Charlies in the bullpen where they needed a catcher to fill the void left by those who left. Red Hartman, who gave E his start at the Watt earlier, was the trainer for the Charlies at the time. Red was able to talk E into meeting with the team GM Carl Steinfeldt about being the bullpen catcher for the Charlies. Eric met with Carl in the morning, and he was catching in the bullpen later on that night. He continued to catch in the bullpen for 2 more years. “That was an experience that I'll never forget. My jersey is still hanging up over at Muirad's,” said Bailey.
Eric took over as the clubhouse manager for the home and visiting clubhouses in 1977. Shortly after the season, he began coaching baseball games and just attending games at the Watt. In 1983 E started to coach Big League Baseball Teams (16 to 18 year olds) and began playing games at the Watt in addition to helping out on the grounds crew when the team was out of town. E took on the role as the official scorer in the 2001 season and he held that title all the way up until the end of the 2004 season. Eric will be the Head Groundskeeper at the new park in 2005.
NEXT WEEK
In next week's newsletter the Power will discuss the Little League Weekend at Appalachian Power Park, and give a construction update. Time is running out to get involved in the Power Community Days for the 2005 season. Call the Power Front Offices at 344-2287 for more information.
03/11/05 - South Atlantic League (SAL) West Virginia Power
The season will begin in less than a month and opening day at Appalachian Power Park is only 34 days away. This week the sod was laid at the new park and the construction on the field surface is nearly complete. Appalachian Power Park will serve as the host to more than just baseball this summer, we'll explain later in the newsletter. We will also discuss the National Anthem Tryouts for the 2005 season. Finally, we will discuss Little League Weekend at Appalachian Power Park.
POWER TO HOST LITTLE LEAGUE WEEKEND IN MAY
The West Virginia Power will host a Little League Weekend at Appalachian Power Park during the first weekend in May.
The Events will take place on Saturday May 7th and Sunday May 8th at Appalachian Power Park. During the Little League Weekend the Power will host a pre-registered clinic featuring Power players, which will be free of charge to those who participate.
The Power will also raise money for individual leagues and districts as well. Half of the proceeds will go back to the individual Little League's and Little League Districts. For every $7 dollar box seat that is purchased, $2.50 is donated back to the Little League itself and $1.00 is donated back to the district in which the league is located.
During the weekend, there will be a special pre-game parade to recognize all of the little league teams on the field. There will also be an opportunity for a member of one of the team's to throw out the first pitch or sing the national anthem.
The Power is also going to give the Little League's a chance to earn a Power-Ful Makeover. For each league that reserves a total of 300 box seats or more, the Power Grounds Crew led by Eric Bailey, will make a special appearance at their field of play and give it a Power-ful makeover. The Power will edge the infield and baselines, rebuild the pitcher's mound and batter's box, and re-line the foul lines.
THE POWER TO HOST NATIONAL ANTHEM TRYOUTS
The West Virginia Power will host tryouts for National Anthem Singers on Saturday March 19th at the Eddie King Gymnasium on the University of Charleston Campus.
Those who participate will have the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at Appalachian Power Park during the inaugural season. The tryouts will take place from Noon to 2 PM at the Eddie King Gymnasium on the University of Charleston Campus located at 2300 MacCorkle Avenue.
Tryouts are open to the public. No pre-registration necessary to participate in the event. The Power front Office staff will evaluate the performances at the tryouts. If a potential singer is unable to attend, they may send a tape or CD to the Power Front offices addressed:
Chad Hodson
C/o West Virginia Power
450 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV 25064
Jam Presents “The Rock N Roll Doubleheader” Tour Featuring Def Leppard and Brian Adams in Concert at Appalachian Power Park on August 7th
Appalachian Power Park will host more than just the great American past time in it's inaugural season. Bryan Adams and Def Leppard will co-headline a “Rock N Roll Doubleheader” concert at Appalachian Power Park on Sunday August 7th. Tickets to the event will go on sale on Saturday April 2nd.
Two of the most popular rock acts to ever take the stage will team up for the first time and perform at 26 minor league baseball stadiums across the U.S. Def Leppard and Bryan Adams, combined, have sold more than 100-million albums worldwide. Each made their album debut in 1980and 25 years later they are still hitting homeruns as each releases a new album in 2005. Only five rock groups can claim two original albums selling 10,000,000+ copies each in the U.S.: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Van Halen and Def Leppard. The British band's blockbuster Pyromania hit #2 and 10 times platinum; Hysteria soared even higher#1 and 13 times platinum. Still swinging for the fences, this coming May they'll release Rock Of Ages: The Definitive Collection , the band's biggest-ever “best of” album and the first two-CD set in the group's phenomenal career. Bryan Adams' meteoric rise on the charts began with his 3rd album, Cuts Like A Knife that landed in the Top 10 and was soon followed by the No. 1 charted Reckless! In addition to his albums, Adams film credits include “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” which topped the U.S. charts for 7 weeks and became the longest running #1 in the history of the British charts. His other #1s include“Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?,” “Heaven” and “All For Love”. The Grammy-Award winning artist has been nominated for 3 Oscars and 3 Golden Globe Awards for music, he has received 18 Juno Awards (Grammy equivalent in Canada), an American Music Award, Five ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards for Most Performed Song from a Motion Picture. This spring will see the release of Adams' most recent CD, Room Service, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard European Top 100 Album Chart!
A LOOK AHEAD
A quick reminder that the Power Booster Club Meeting has been changed. The meeting has been switched to this Monday March 14th on the bottom floor of the Athletic Club at Embassy Suites on 300 Court Street in Charleston. Mini Packs and Full Season Tickets are still available by visiting the Power Front Office or calling 344-2287. The West Virginia Power would like to thank you for your support of Power Baseball. Have a great week.
<b>Power prep continues</b>
03/18/05 - South Atlantic League (SAL) West Virginia Power
The beginning of the season is less than 3 weeks away, and in just 27 days, Appalachian Power Park will open its doors to the public for a spectacular opening day event. Single Game Tickets will go on sale April 2nd at the Power Front Offices. To beat the rush on April 2nd, get your hands on opening day tickets by purchasing season tickets, a 10 game weekend package or a 25 game package. For more information call the Power Front Offices at 344-2287. This edition of the newsletter will feature the new scoreboard at Appalachian Power Park, the unveiling of the new uniforms, and a preview of the new Power pitching coach, John Curtis.
POWER UNIFORMS UNVEILED
After months of anticipation, the Power uniforms have finally been unveiled. The home jerseys are white with a gold and black piping on the collar and sleeves. The front is emblazoned with “Power” and the letters on the front and numbers on the back are layered gold and cream to create a shadowed image. The home jerseys will be worn with the moss cap.
The away jerseys are grey with a gold and black piping on the collar and sleeves. The front is adorned with “West Virginia” and the letters on the front and numbers on the back are layered gold and cream to create a shadowed image. The away jerseys will be worn with the gold cap.
The batting practice jerseys are black with “Power” stitched on the front with the letters on the front and numbers on the back layered gold and cream to create a shadowed image. The batting practice jerseys will be worn with the black batting practice hats.
“We are excited to release the jersey designs to the public. The unveiling of the jerseys brings the team one step closer to Opening Day at Appalachian Power Park on April 14th,” stated General Manager Andy Milovich. “We are confident when fans have a chance to see the entire package with jerseys and hats, they will be excited with the team's choices.”
Fans can check out pictures of the Power jerseys at the team website www.wvpower.com.
CURTIS TO REPLACE LITTELL AS POWER PITCHING COACH
When the Power announced their field staff back in December, it was announced that Mark Littell would lead the Power pitching staff. This week the Power announced that Mark Littell will not join the Power in 2005 and John Curtis will replace him.
John Curtis played 16 years in the Major Leagues and pitched with five different teams from 1970-1984. Curtis, a 1st Round pick by the Boston Red Sox in the Supplemental Draft in 1968, played the role of a starter and a reliever in his career.
His big league career began in 1970 with the Boston Red Sox. Curtis was with the Red Sox until 1973. He began a 3-year run with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974 and was primarily a starter with the Cards until he left for San Francisco in 1977. John was with the Giants until the 1980 season when he began his first of two stints with the San Diego Padres. After two years in San Diego, John left for his first go around with the California Angels in 1982. John played in California during the 1982 season and found his way back to San Diego that same year, only to return to California in 1983 for the final two years of his career.
John was out of baseball from 1984 until 2000, when he served as the pitching coach for Long Beach, CA in the Western Baseball League until 2002. The Brewers hired him in 2003. For the past two seasons he has been in the Brewers system as the pitching coach for the High Desert Mavericks of the California League.
John went 89-97, had a 3.96 ERA, recorded 14 shutouts, 42 complete games and pitched 1, 641 innings during his major league career.
John played in Charleston as a visiting player back in the early 1970's when he was with Louisville.
SCOREBOARD INSTALLED AT APPALACHIAN POWER PARK
It will be very difficult to miss the massive scoreboard structure in Left-Center Field the next time you drive past Appalachian Power Park. The scoreboard, purchased from Daktronics, stands 65 feet tall by 72 feet wide. At 4680 square feet, the new scoreboard is one of the largest in all of minor league baseball. Daktronics, based out of Brookings, South Dakota, has installed tens of thousands of scoreboards and display systems in more than 70 countries since their founding in 1968 and is recognized as a world leader in scoreboards, electronic displays and large screen video systems. Daktronics enjoys a strong reputation for delivering quality, reliable products, supported by top-notch service.
Recently, Daktronics has designed scoreboards in new stadiums for the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Tigers, and Houston Astros. Their top of the line scoreboards can also be found at minor league ballparks around the country such as Lake Elsinore Storm, Buffalo Bisons, and Altoona Curve.
“The installation of the scoreboard represents a large piece of the puzzle for the new ballpark. It is such an amazing structure that people can see it from Interstate 64. We are extremely excited about the new scoreboard's capabilities and we anticipate fans will be overwhelmed with its promotional abilities,” stated Power General Manager Andy Milovich. “The video board itself is 288 square feet which will allow us to show movies, replay footage, or even the NCAA tournament during this time of year. If fans have the opportunity to drive past the stadium and witness the progress, I guarantee they will be as excited for the April 14th Opening Day as are myself and the entire Power staff.”
<b>Power gear up for opener</b>
03/26/05 - South Atlantic League (SAL) West Virginia Power
The off-season is nearing its end and the Power will be in action 12 days from now against the Hagerstown Suns at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, Maryland. As the off-season winds down, the Power are gearing up for the inaugural season at Appalachian Power Park. Single Game Tickets and opening day tickets will go on sale Saturday, April 2nd at 10:00 AM at the Power Front Offices next to the Charleston Town Center Mall in the Former Bob Evans Restaurant. The Power plan to make this an outstanding event, providing fun, games and excitement for all those who attend.
In this week’s newsletter we will take a look at the Opening Day Ticket Auction and we will discuss the Power Booster Club Adopt a Player Program. The Q and A Session with Power Pitching Coach John Curtis will be published in next week’s newsletter.
THE WEST VIRGINIA POWER ADOPT A PLAYER PROGRAM IS LOOKING FOR HOST FAMILIES The West Virginia Power Adopt a Player Program serves as the support group for the players who are in Charleston for the summer. They help the players set up apartments by loaning items that they can use for the summer(couches, TV’s, bed, sheets, blankets, pots and pans), they host monthly dinners, give them road trip bags and they are their cheering section and give them home cooking, making Charleston a home away from home.
The Adopt a Player program is a section of the Power Boosters Club. The Power Boosters will be putting together a yearbook for the players this season and it will be given to them at the end of the season. The host families will be able to purchase one as well. This will include all news articles on the team and many pictures of all the players who pass through Charleston this season.
We are also looking for more host families who speak Spanish as well.
If you are interested in becoming a host family or need more information contact Robin Black at 727-2893 or email at Jblack1979@aol.com. The Power Booster Club is always looking for host families.
POWER TO AUCTION OFF THE FIRST FOUR TICKETS TO OPENING NIGHT
The West Virginia Power are offering the opportunity for a lucky fan to win, via auction, the first four tickets to Opening Night at Appalachian Power Park on April 14.
Auction X-press is assisting the Power Auction of the tickets with all proceeds benefiting the YMCA Scholarship Program. The YMCA Scholarship Program benefits less fortunate children by allowing them to participate in youth summer camps and other activities run by the YMCA to promote a healthier lifestyle. The programs include memberships, childcare, and summer day camps. The fund enables individuals from all backgrounds and financial circumstances to participate in the programs.
Auction X-press is your local eBay consignment store dedicated to providing a simple, fast, and convenient way to sell your items on eBay. Their office is located at 4216 MacCorkle Ave. or they can be contacted at 304-925-SELL (7355).
The Opening Day ticket package includes: four (4) box seat tickets to Opening Night at Appalachian Power Park on Thursday, April 14th, four (4) Power team hats, four (4) Power t-shirts, four (4) Power souvenir programs, four (4) coupons redeemable for a hot dog, soft drink and a bag of chips and four (4) autographed team baseballs, and a certificate of authenticity.
Interested parties can begin bidding on the Opening Night ticket package at any time. The bidding will be done online and the auction can be accessed via the Power website www.wvpower.com or at the specific listing itself at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=6520634277&ssPageNam.
The Power will announce the winner of the auction on Friday, April 1st, one day before single game tickets go on sale at the Power front offices, located at the former Bob Evans next to the Charleston Town Center, at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 2nd.
<b>Power opening day rapidly approaching</b>
04/02/05 - South Atlantic League (SAL) West Virginia Power
The countdown continues toward opening day, and the beginning of the 2005 season is less than a week away. As Appalachian Power Park continues to take shape, the buzz in the community continues to grow about the Inaugural season at the brand new park. In this week’s newsletter, we will preview the 2005 promotional schedule, discuss Saturday’s events, which feature the Booster Club Meeting and the Individual Ticket Sales Event, and we will get to know Power pitching coach John Curtis.
FIRST DAY OF INDIVIDUAL GAME TICKET SALES – APRIL 2
The West Virginia Power, Class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers have announced details for the first day of individual game ticket sales for the inaugural season at Appalachian Power Park.
Tickets for the new ballpark are $7.00 for a box seat and $5.00 for a bleacher reserve seat. The Power will release an additional 500 standing room only (SRO) tickets for Opening Day on April 14. To guarantee tickets for Opening Day many fans have chosen to purchase one of the three Power ticket packages which include Opening Day tickets. Ticket packages which guarantee Opening Day tickets start as low as $50.
Individual game tickets will be available at 10:00am on Saturday, April 2 at the Power offices located at the former Bob Evans next to the Charleston Town Center located on the corner of Quarrier and Court St. Individual game tickets will be available online and via phone beginning at noon on Saturday the 2nd.
In the event any fans choose to camp out overnight in anticipation of the first day of ticket sales, the Power front office will provide food and beverages to the faithful fans.
“Based on the volume of calls and people visiting our offices, I anticipate selling out Opening Day within the first couple of hours of ticket sales.” cited Power General Manager Andy Milovich. “With only 16 days until the opener at Appalachian Power Park you can feel the anticipation and buzz within the community.”
POWER ANNOUNCE PACKED 2005 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE The West Virginia Power have announced their 2005 promotional schedule on Friday. The Power have worked all off season to bring a full promotional schedule to Appalachian Power Park for the summer of 2005.
The Power will host multiple giveaway nights throughout the summer highlighted by a Batting Practice Hat giveaway on Saturday, June 11, a Floppy Hat giveaway on May 21, and a Golf Towel on June 8.
The Power will also welcome multiple entertainers to Appalachian Power Park this summer. The lineup includes a visit from the Zooperstars on April 21, Myron Noodleman on April 30, and the classic Blues Brothers on August 3.
The Power have packed the schedule with a bevy of theme nights to entertain fans throughout the summer. The team leads off with the much-anticipated “Martha Stewart Release Party” on Saturday April 16. The team will celebrate Martha’s stay in West Virginia with video board segments, prizes, look-a-like contests and more. Saturday, May 21 is Gilligan Island Night where the park will be decked out in “deserted island” theme and everyone is encouraged to dress up as their favorite Gilligan Island character. In mid July, the Power will role out Heritage Week, featuring Greek Night, German Night, and Latina Noche, to name a few. On Friday, August 5, the Power will celebrate a local legend with Mothman Night. There will be a little mystery and excitement throughout the night featuring prizes as well as a viewing of the movie after the game on the video board. These nights are just a sampling of the theme nights scheduled for this summer at Appalachian Power Park.
The Power will carry on the tradition of Two-for-Tuesdays to Appalachian Power Park. There are eleven Tuesday home games through the season, which will feature two for the price of one soft drinks and beer. The Power introduces Buck Nights at every Thursday home game excluding Opening Night. Buck Nights will feature $3.00 Box seats, $1.00 Bleacher Reserved seats as well as $1.00 hot dogs, soda, and 12-ounce beers. The nine Friday nights at the ballpark this summer will feature a post game Fireworks extravaganza.
For more information, or to view the entire 2005 Power Promotional Schedule, check out the Power website at www.wvpower.com.
POWER BOOSTER CLUB
The Power Booster Club will host a membership meeting at Contemporary Galleries, this Saturday, April 2nd from 3-7 PM. Membership Applications will be available at the meeting, the Booster Club will be recruiting new members at this time, there is a possibility that those who attend may be able to tour the new ballpark and refreshments will be served throughout the evening. For more information, please contact Brent Pauley with any questions at bpauley@mailwv.com.
Q AND A SESSION WITH JOHN CURTIS
What do you do in the off-season to keep you busy?
I make my home in Long Beach, California, where I live with my wife and two cats. I have been living there since 2000. In the off-season, I spend a lot of time with my wife. We both enjoy walking, but basically we're homebodies. I am an energetic reader, and my tastes run to historical fiction, sports literature, and poetry. I am also a freelance writer, and I review books on baseball and other sports for the "San Diego Union-Tribune." I am working on a book about pitching, and I'd like to write some fiction at some point. I have plenty of story ideas and some notes, but nothing worth submitting for publication at this time. Before we get into the baseball questions, tell us about your family. What kind of family life do you lead?
It is just my wife and me, as I said, and our two cats. My wife's name is Mary-Ann Petino (she kept her last name), and we have been married for almost 23 years. We met while I was playing for the San Diego Padres. Mary-Ann was the director of volunteers at Scripps Clinic, and I had decided that I wanted to volunteer there. The team doctor for the Padres, who was the chief of orthopedic surgery at Scripps, wrote a letter of introduction for me. When Mary-Ann received it, she was aghast. She told the doctor that it would be against hospital policy to allow a priest to volunteer. She thought by "Padre" that I was a member of the cloth, not a baseball player. That's how we met. You spent a significant amount of time in the big leagues, who were some of the big name players that you spent some time with?
In Boston, I played with Hall of Famers Carl Yastrzemski, Carlton Fisk, and other stars like Rico Petrocelli, Luis Tiant, and Dwight Evans. In St. Louis, my teammates included Hall of Famers Bob Gibson and Lou Brock and catcher Ted simmons. With the Giants, I had the privilege to play with Hall of Famer Willie McCovey and batting champ Bill Madlock. With the Angels, I played with Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson and Rod Carew, as well as Bobby Grich, Bob Boone, and Tommy John. I feel terribly fortunate to have played with them, and I can't begin to tell you all the greats I pitched against. What were some of your best and worst moments during your playing days? I had so many good moments, but among the best were back-to-back, 1-0 shutouts while I was with the Red Sox and later when I was pitching for the Giants. The worst moments..., why I've forgotten them. Just kidding. One I remember was a game against the Braves when I was playing for the Cardinals. Skipper Red Schoendienst put me in to the game to pinch run, and I got thrown out at second after making too wide a turn on a single to right field. "I thought you could run the bases," he said when I got back to the bench. "I thought I could, too," I said rather sheepishly.
What kind of approach do you suggest your players take when they are on the mound?
I tell our pitchers to work ahead in the count, work fast, and to value their pitches. I like to preach minimum effort for maximum effect, which simply means use as few pitches as possible to get the hitters out. We're looking for ground balls and for our pitchers to use all their pitches. Who are what has really surprised you so far in spring training?
So far, I have only been able to work with a few of the pitchers we'll break camp with. I have been impressed with the maturity and stuff of right-hander Mark Rogers, who was Milwaukee's No. 1 draft choice last year. I believe he'll be with us in Charleston, but that's about all I can say about our prospective players at this time. I simply don't know who's going to be with us.
NEXT WEEK
Next week we will take an in depth look at the Power players. The players will arrive in Charleston this Monday and we will show you who is on the team. We will also recap the first ball game of the season, which takes place this Thursday, April 7th in Hagerstown. The Power would like to thank all of you for your support of Power baseball. Have a great week.
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