Welcome to the Offseason

The offseason always comes with mixed feelings for me. For one, I hate that the baseball season is over and it will be almost 7 months until I broadcast another game. On the other hand, the baseball season completely drains me physically, and when it ends I'm ready to have my nights and weekends off again.

Unfortunately, I've never had a chance to broadcast a championship team, but obviously, that would be the ideal situation. You get an extra two weeks to call games, and then you go out with a win and can fully enjoy the offseason without the feeling that there is unfinished business.

Anyhow, as the previous post states, I'll be blogging throughout the offseason, but not nearly as often. Think 1-2 posts per weekday as opposed to 3-4.

I'll be back later today with some predictions for the Midwest League playoffs which get underway tonight.

Offseason Blogging

To answer your questions:

Yes, I still blog during the offseason.

No, I don't have 3-4 posts a day like I sometimes do during the season.

I'm enjoying a day off of work today, and I'll get back to the blog on Wednesday.

Thanks for a great season!

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

Your Favorite Offseason Sport

The poll results are in, here are your favorite sports in the offseason:

College Football (40%)
Pro Football (20%)
NHL (20%)
NCAA Basketball (16%)
Other (4%) -- I'm curious as to what this would be.
NBA and Local High School Sports did not receive any votes.

My favorite is NCAA Basketball, followed by the NFL and College Football, for what it's worth.