About Last Night

I typically get into work about 10 or so on gamedays, but by the time I put together stat packs and media notes, it's often after lunch before I get around to blogging again (thus, why I'm just writing this at 12:10 when I've been here for over two hours already).

Anyhow, I know that you see a 16-5 loss last night, 3 errors, 9 walks, and no hits after the second inning, and think that this team is in trouble. I'm really not all that worried.

Obviously, last night was bad. However, it's just one of 140 games to be played in the regular season. I promise you there will be other bad losses over the next six months. There will also be some blowout wins. A good baseball expression is that you are never as good as your best win, but you're never as bad as your worst loss.

Aside from the bad things listed above, there were a few encouraging things. Early on, the hitting was great, particularly going the opposite way. Despite the three errors, there were some fine defensive plays turned in (particularly the second inning play by Chris Owings and the dig out of the dirt by Bobby Stone).

The weather should be better tonight, so let's hope that the play on the field is as well.

Thawing Out

Brrrr, it was cold out there tonight, and the long game with a big loss certainly didn't make it feel any better. I'm finally starting to warm up, as I hope the players are too.

I'm calling it a night for now, but I'll have some thoughts on the Opening Night loss when I get to work on Friday morning.

Today's Weather

Well, it's not nearly as good as it was on Monday night for the exhibition game. It is currently in the 30's and rainy. However, I just went to weather.com and it is forecasting that the rain will move out and the temperature might get into the mid-40's, so we're still holding out hope for a game.

A couple of notes:

-If we are unable to play tonight, the two teams, our GM, and the Midwest League would have to decide when to play a doubleheader (either Friday or Saturday). There are a number of factors that go into that decision.

-The Dyngus Day celebration will still go on as planned tonight, even if we do get rained out. A $12 ticket gets you into the Polish buffet in the Upper Deck, plus a ticket to the game.

Again, as of now, the game is still on and we're hoping we can get it played. If anything changes, you'll know both on www.silverhawks.com and on my blog.

It's Friday

Which means we are less than a week from Opening Day, and only 3 days away from the exhibition game with Notre Dame.

Monday's game with Notre Dame is at 5:30 PM, will be a 7-inning contest, and a portion of the proceeds will once again benefit the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation for Niemann-Pick Type C Disease.

Thursday's regular season opener is at 6:30 PM against the Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate). For $12, you can be a part of our Dyngus Day Buffet in the Upper Deck. More details at www.silverhawks.com.

All games, including the exhibition, will be broadcast locally on 1620 ESPN Radio. They will also be streamed online. More details to follow on radio broadcasts!

Inside the Front Office

A lot of people have asked me what happens during the offseason inside a baseball front office. Basically, we just play video games, have pizza parties, and take long afternoon naps.

In all seriousness, the offseason to a baseball front office is more important than the season. Over the past 5-6 months, the Silver Hawks staff has been preparing for the 2010 season in every possible way. I know that seems obvious, but a lot more work goes into it than people realize.

Just think...

-Every promotional night you experience at the stadium was planned during the offseason
-Every giveaway item was thought up, designed, made, and purchased during the offseason
-Every employee you interact with (concessions, ushers, ticket takers) was hired during the offseason
-Every ad you see or hear (billboards, programs, radio) was sold to area businesses during the offseason
-Every piece of merchandise you buy was designed, reviewed, and ordered during the offseason
-Every change you see to the stadium was done during the offseason
-And so much more

Basically, we spend 6 months of the offseason planning 6 months of the season. I know I haven't been in South Bend very long, but I feel that what we have planned for the 2010 season will make it the best season of Silver Hawks baseball yet.

The fan support last year was tremendous, despite horrible weather when the team was at home. We look for bigger and better crowds this season at the Cove, but you'll also be able to see the players and Swoop out and about in the community a lot more this season than in years past.

Individual game tickets go on sale online March 1st at www.silverhawks.com and at the box office on March 13th.

42 Days until Opening Day
39 Days until the Silver vs. Gold Exhibition with Notre Dame

A Few Random Thoughts

-It's hard to believe that we are only 93 days away from Opening Day 2010. We're now closer to the start of the 2010 season than the end of the 2009 season. Coming back from the holidays, you're starting to see a sense of urgency around the office already.

-The Baseball Hall of Fame vote is announced tomorrow. You'll see the stories everywhere, but there's only one place to get your favorite broadcaster's reaction...right here on the OBB.

-I got a Wii for Christmas. My right shoulder/elbow hasn't been the same since my sister destroyed me in Wii Sports Boxing that night. I'll take suggestions for what games I should buy in the comments below. If anyone is still in the giving mood from the holidays, games can be sent to my attention at Coveleski Stadium :)

-My beloved Cincinnati Bengals are in the playoffs. Don't bother me on Saturday afternoon (or for the next week after that if they lose)

-We're working on a few more interviews for the "Catching Up With" series on www.silverhawks.com. I'll link you to them when they are complete.

Finally, I'll blog as often as I can to get you ready for the season. If my posting seems sporadic, it's because I'm going to be busy with sales calls and working on the media guide. I'll try to have at least one post a day, and sometimes more. Just keep checking back often, as I know you do. I appreciate all the people that come here daily, and love to hear comments from you either in the comments sections to the posts, or you can email me at oserey@silverhawks.com.

Thanks!

It's 2:31 AM...I should be asleep

But, of course, I'm not. Why? Because I rarely sleep at the end of baseball season.

After the game, we boarded the bus, and despite the tough loss tonight the players were in a good mood. For three days, the Silver Hawks went head-to-head with the best team in Minor League Baseball (in terms of win/loss record) and quite honestly, outplayed the TinCaps in many aspects. They knew they had battled until the very end and gave it a great shot.

We arrived back to the stadium around 1, and the players packed up their equipment, said their goodbyes, and headed on their way. Some are driving through the night to go home, others have early flights out of the country, while still more players have flights at various times throughout the day tomorrow. It all happens pretty quickly. One minute you're on the field battling to make the next round, the next minute you are packing your bags, and a few hours later you are either in Arizona for instructs or home for the winter.

Some players will be back in South Bend next year. Some will move up to Visalia. Some may retire. Some may be released. That's how it works in Minor League Baseball.

But through it all, I am thrilled to have met each and every one of the players, coaches, and even some parents and grandparents along the way, and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

I will continue to blog through the offseason, and hope that even if your sons/grandsons/brothers/friends don't play here any longer, that you stop in and say hello from time to time.

Thanks for following the blog all season long, and as I said on the air tonight, "less than 7 months until Opening Day 2010."

Thanks again and Go Hawks!