Jamie Reynolds will
introduce Earl Heath, who recently retired after 45
years in the computer software field. Earl has a B.S. from
the University of Nebraska and has taught courses at Troy
State University.
Since retirement, Earl and his wife, Jan,
have spent a lot of time traveling, playing with their
grandchildren and catching up on the "honey-do" lists. Earl
has also increased his involvement with civic clubs (Rotary,
Toastmaster, etc.), Whitfield United Methodist Church and
several local service projects; AARP, Food Bank, etc..
He will report to us
on the new Volunteers In Police Service (VIPS) project which
assist the Montgomery Police Department.
LAST
WEEKS PROGRAM
Milt
Livingston
introduced
Megan Frazer, General Manager of Sales and Marketing
for the Montgomery Biscuits.
She has a
degree from the University of Michigan, and has extensive
experience with professional sports marketing in acquiring
franchises and opening new markets to minor league
baseball. She worked for the Toledo Mud Hens, who has had
success for decades.
Megan had
a slide presentation of the Biscuits new home in the new
stadium downtown. There were shots of the park and
surrounding area. She thanked us for having her and said we
were a great group. She knew that everyone shares a
different opinion about the name Biscuits for the team.
She said
she had worked for the Toledo Mud Hens, which has had that
name since 1896.
Full time
minor league teams go back a long way and their ownership
group; she doesn't consider herself an owner, but a part of
that, because she has spent a good part of her career with
them. The members of the group are full time base
entrepreneurs and that is what they do for a living. They
come into a community and execute their plan to start a
team. They don't want to appeal only to fans, but to
families.
We are
lucky to have AA here, because we know baseball is important
as entertainment. They know if they only focus on those
people who like baseball; the stadium would not be a
success. They would never suggest to a community like our,
who invested $26 million, that the park was just for
baseball fans. If the marketing is really going to work it
has to be for family entertainment. The group has done this
in 16 states and has been successful; being number one.
She
compared some cities to Montgomery's situation and the
downtown environment. Of those 6 cities, all of them have
downtown environments; Lansing, Michigan,
Dayton, Ohio,
Joliet, Illinois, Gary Indiana, Deer Lake, Ohio and
Charleston, West Virginia.
Why wasn't
the stadium built in East Montgomery where the growth is
taking place? That wouldn't anchor the market. The ball
park downtown would revitalize the center of town. No
longer will families have to go to Atlanta to see a game and
spend over $100. Our prices will be $6.00, $8.00, $10.00
and $12.00; every family can afford a ticket. One of the
fair things is comparing it to bowling, movies, etc. and the
prices of other family entertainment.
The
strategy in some places is to give away free tickets or for
$1.00. If you give away free tickets, people won't come
unless they get a free ticket. Rather than give a discount;
it doesn't help if you pay $2.00 and your neighbor pays
$8.00. How frustrating is that? The city is responsible
for capitol improvements in the ball park. If the stadium
gets run down people won't come. Lansing, Michigan has been
successful for several years. It is important to have a AAA
team; some players skip to AA. Tampa Bay had too many other
interests; they released part of their team.
Some
stadiums have other activities, a haunted house, sunrise
services, concerts, etc. Lansing had an ice skating rink,
which would not work here.
In
Montgomery smaller crowds will make the 4,500 seats look
full. The Lansing stadium, show on screen, seats 5,000.
Teams are
ranked A to triple A. There are different levels of AAA.
Players had to be drafted by Tampa Bay to play for the
Biscuits.
Montgomery
has a utility stadium. People can see the whole area
wherever they are seated. All concessions are open air and
you don't lose sight of them. The seating levels range from
boxes to the recreation area. There will be a club car bar
in the train shed. Ticket owners can go there and have
meetings.
Building a
ball park is like building a house; the second one is a lot
different. The group learn how to improve the design of
stadiums as they build them.
There will
be a Whistle Stop Diner, which will seat 50 people. A
smaller area will be the Locomotive Bar with a bistro
atmosphere. There are going to be 20 suites, 10 being held
for businesses. They have the ability to go outside in the
open air. There will be different things to do every year.
The name Biscuits was chosen, because everyone loves
biscuits. It crosses social lines, but it ties together the
community.
An
overview of the stadium and surrounding area was shown.
LAST
WEEK'S GUESTS
Frank Wells
had his grandson, Michael Fritz, Jr.,
who was staying with him.
George
Wilson had his wife, Linda
and her mother, Bits Van Landigham, who was with them
for the holidays. Bits sewed a patch on our banner.
ENTERTAINMENT
Al "Elvis"
McLellan sang a song that
was popular in the late 50's; "Ring of the Road". He led
everyone in singing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" for our
speaker, Megan Frazer.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY
President Winstead
read a bumper sticker he had seen; "If you can read, thank a
teacher; If you can read in English, thank a soldier".
VETERAN'S
DAY
Barnie Paulson, Jean Ash, Dough
Speight, Frank Wells and George Oetting passed out
goodies to the veterans at the V.A. Hospital. Cards from
the students at Dalraida School were given out. George
reported that there was a 103 year old veteran there. They
would like to pass out cards at Christmas.
George told us
about the Imperial War Museum for airplanes at Duckford,
England. He passed around a book he got there.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 6th,
Shopping with children at J.C. Penney's
December 19th, the Club's Christmas Party
Dick
Bennett said the dates for RIF will be announced soon.
Volunteers will be needed to read the students.
Jerry
Evelan gave a peanut report. He said the closing date
is approaching and we need to sell the remaining peanuts.
November 17th there was a Board meeting.
LAST
DAY
Last week was Ed Gillespie's
last day with the Club. We are going to miss you Ed.
FAST
STARTERS IN THE SHELL GAME
