Marlins Weigh In

Coach Bergman Not Returning

2011-09-23T16:12:00.003-04:00

This week has been very difficult for us as Coach Bergman (Bergy, as we like to call him), the only manager the Morehead City Marlins have ever known, will step down. He has to take care of some personal issues at home and will be unable to coach next summer.

Coach Bergman was one of the most recognizable coaches the Coastal Plain League has ever had. He brought the University of Central Florida back to national prominence when he was at the helm. Of course Coach Bergman has been retired for a few years, but he still has the burning passion to step on the field and instruct and lead young men.

I had a wonderful time getting to know Coach Bergman and look forward to continuing our relationship. But now the fun begins. Our owner has been on the phone with players and coaches everyday. Coaches want to know who our manager is going to be. Recruiting the 2012 team depends a lot on what coach will be on the bench. So this next week or so is very important to our 2012 season.

Ten Years Later

2011-09-09T11:13:00.004-04:00

It's hard to imagine that it's been 10 years since the 9/11 attacks on the United States. The United States and the world have changed dramatically since that eventful day. Sports have changed. We've all changed. It's probably the only event that I particularly don't like to talk about or even watch on tv. I'm sure there are millions of other people who feel the same way. So come Sunday, it's certainly gonna be hard for me to turn on the television or even go on the computer.

I do remember the commissioner of MLB ordering games to cease for a week, but players wanted to play. I remember the historic World Series and the way the whole country came together regardless of who won (rooting for my hometown Yanks). Baseball obviously was the last thing anyone wanted to talk about, but it actually brought people closer.

But I will do one thing on Sunday: I'll say a prayer for the American lives that were lost in the vicious attacks on September 11, 2001 as well as the lives that were lost fighting for our country. Please do the same thing if you can. We shall never forget.

The Lists

2011-09-09T10:42:00.003-04:00

Every year, after each summer league season, Baseball America and Perfect Game release their top prospect rankings. Baseball America ranked the top 10 in the CPL and Perfect Game ranked the top the 50 in the CPL. But both top prospect lists looked very different. Although, the one thing in common is that Joe Sclafani, Chase McDonald, and Shawn Armstrong all were tabbed by coaches as some of the best players in the league.

It's certainly nice to see the lists after the season, because we put in a lot of time to put the team together and the players put in a lot of time and hard work also. I have no doubt in my mind that all three will have successful professional careers if they choose that path (Shawn Armstrong was drafted this year and signed with Cleveland Indians).

Roster Taking Shape

2011-09-02T10:43:00.003-04:00

This is the time of the year where it's first come first serve. Every team in every summer collegiate league is looking for that next big star and recruiting starts the day after the season ends. Needless to say we were very disappointed we missed the playoffs by one game last year and we look to build another competitive team.

Some general managers participate in the recruiting process and some do not. Fortunately enough, Buddy Bengel our owner and our manager have a lot of connections and they take pride in putting the 2012 roster together. They both have been constantly on the phone talking to coaches and trying to put the best team on the field for next year. It's certainly a long process and a very difficult one. Some guys work out better than others but that's the nature of the business. Trying to find 27 guys that all buy into the program is the most difficult. The organization that recruits this kind of team usually wins 9 out of 10 times. Talent plays a role, but signing players that want nothing else but to perform well and will do everything in their power to succeed is what we're looking for. *Throwing 92-94 mph with run does help though*

Scheduling Season

2011-09-02T10:27:00.002-04:00

It's that time of the year again. We embark upon the painstaking process that is known has game scheduling. Well, we don't make up the schedule but we have to put in schedule requests like "no games on the days it rains in the summer." Ok, that was a terrible joke.

Some requests for example are 'Mondays'. Say we have an incredible Monday promotion during the season and this promotion draws many fans, we would ask for Mondays. Generally, the norm around baseball circles is that Thursday's (Thirsty Thursdays), Fridays, and Saturdays are the best days of the week. We'll certainly play on those days but some more than others.

We're also working on scheduling a few exhibition games this year. So we have to put in schedule requests based upon when that exhibition team will be in town to play us. Holidays are easy to work with when it comes to promotional scheduling. Father's Day is always a good one and July 4th is the best one. Most teams will ask for a home game on or around July 4th.

This year, opening day in the league is scheduled for May 29th with the All-Star festivities taking place July 22-23. So keep those dates open.

Scheduling gets much more in depth once the schedule actually comes out which I expect in October.

The Calm After the Storm

2011-09-02T09:59:00.002-04:00

Luckily, Hurricane Irene was downgraded to a category 1 just before it touched down in North Carolina or else it could have been a lot worse.

Morehead City did receive some damage but it's nothing that can't be fixed in a reasonable amount of time. Big Rock Stadium did have some flooding and minor damage in case y'all wanted to know. I think we all have to be thankful that we're in relatively good shape after Irene.

I, like many others, did not evacuate for the hurricane. We kind of felt like we owed it to Morehead City and Carteret County to help out if a situation called for it. This was my first official hurricane, and it was a lot scarier than I anticipated it would be. I didn't get much sleep when the hurricane hit in the middle of the night and I certainly thought my dog would be the first one hiding in the corner. She slept through the whole thing.

We eventually went to New Bern to check on some things. New Bern was hit particularly hard. Huge trees laid in the streets. Huge trees laid on houses. Floods were all over the place. It was pretty bad. Once again, I reiterate that it was a category 1. Just unbelievable.

The hurricane then slowly made it's way up New England and absolutely flooded everything in it's path. My hometown in NJ was flooded beyond belief. There's a river that runs straight through my town and needless to say the river ran all over the place afterward. Luckily my family and friends were all unharmed. Hurricane season can't pass soon enough.

McDonald and Sclafani Still Receiving Awards

2011-08-24T16:13:00.002-04:00

Today, Perfect Game released their annual summer collegiate all-american list and former Marlins Chase McDonald and Joe Sclafani received recognition. Please see the link below:

Perfectgame.org

Marlins Rank 33rd in Attendance

2011-08-24T16:09:00.002-04:00

Recently, the annual Summer Collegiate Top 50 per game average attendance rankings were released. The Marlins came in at 33 in the nation, up nine spots from last year. Check out the link below:

Ballpark Business

THE Earthquake

2011-08-24T15:50:00.002-04:00

Or the train passing by. Whatever you want to call it. At around 1:52 PM yesterday afternoon, a 5.9 earthquake that originated in Charlottesville, NC shook the east coast. The earthquake was felt from North Carolina to New York. I was not one of those people and I'm kind of disappointed. Is that wrong?

My brother texted me at about 2 PM and asked if I felt that earthquake. Considering he lives in New Jersey, that was quite alarming. What was even more alarming was that my brother didn't text me back for about 15 minutes. I literally scoured the internet for information about the quake and quickly found out that it was nothing serious. I'm glad everyone is ok, but jeez, at least knock a pen off my desk or something. I never experienced an earthquake before and still think I haven't after yesterday, although I'm convincing myself that maybe I felt something just so that I converse with people who had.

An earthquake and a hurricane in the same week, that must be some kind of record. Although this hurricane doesn't seem to be a joke. Tomorrow we'll start lockdown mode here in the office and at the ballpark.

Carolina Hurricane...not the hockey team

2011-08-23T09:55:00.004-04:00

As the season has come to a close, we're trying to wrap up some things at the ballpark and at the office. I feel kind of guilty as the blog had to go to the waste-side yet again. For shame. We certainly did a pretty good job with Facebook and Twitter this year. But enough of the apologizing.

Hurricane Irene is due here at the conclusion of the week. We'll probably head over to the park and take down the tent and our big Marlin. From what I can gather, we've been pretty lucky here in the last few years so I guess we're due. Knock on wood. I've only been in one hurricane before which ironically was in North Carolina when I was about 15. We were on a family vacation in the Outer Banks and really was a scary experience. We'll just have to bunker down and wait it out. So stay down and stay safe. I'm not familiar with hurricane protocol, but I now feel the urge to do a little more research.

Odds and Ends

2011-04-12T12:22:00.004-04:00

It's been quite some time since I last blogged, and I certainly apologize for that. We have entered our busy season and of course everything always happens at once. But that's what keeps life exciting, right? I'll try and keep you up to speed in 300 words or less.

-Two weeks ago I attended league meetings in Holly Springs, NC. We touched upon just about everything there is talk about....umpires, post game meals, scorekeeping, webpass, social marketing etc. It was a very constructive meeting.

-Also, our best friend Finn had attended the Morehead City Little League opening ceremonies. Talk about a turn out. There had to have been at least 300 people there. Finn certainly had his hands full. He was able to take many pictures with fans throughout the evening. The Marlins were generous enough to donate some tickets and merchandise to the little league for their ceremony.

-Our wonderful MHC Marlins Club is really getting after it. They recently had attended the Newport Pig Pickin' and were able to talk to our fans about a number of different things. They definitely have been making a push for host families for the season. We are about half way there.

-This past weekend, Carteret General Hospital held their annual gala as a fundraiser for the new cancer center. That was a great time. I met a lot of people that were fans of the team that I haven't seen before. We also donated some silent auction items for this event including an authentic home jersey! We are always happy to support people who support us and especially support such a great cause.

- Yesterday, our first intern started working in the office. His name is Chris also. I think he is going to do a wonderful job for us. He is from Richlands I believe and he served in the Air Force for some time as well.

- Hopefully, within the next couple of weeks we'll have our pocket schedule available. This is by far our best promotional or marketing piece. So keep a look out!

- Oh and how can I forget....season tickets should be in next week! Hooray! So if you ordered season tickets, they can be picked up at our office or we will deliver them to you.

- MLB game have started. I am an avid fantasy baseball fan and have been since college. If you need any tips, please let me know. I must admit though, since I am a Yankees fan, I am partial to them.

-Random thoughts, I know. But the season is almost here. Mark your calenders for June 1st, Big Rock Stadium will be 'rockin'.

Marlins Seeking Host Families

2011-04-12T12:21:00.001-04:00

The Morehead City Marlins Baseball Team is currently searching for host families for the 2011 summer season. The Marlins extend an open hand to all Carteret County communities for player, coach, and intern housing.

During a player’s summer league experience, most are in a very different atmosphere by being away from their family and friends. Host families play an important role in each player’s summer experience by providing them with a comfortable setting. The Marlins encourage host families to help their respective player(s) become situated with their new environment in Carteret County. This is also a great opportunity for surrounding communities to help further the development of these college athletes as baseball players and as people.

All host families are required to provide adequate housing for their respective player(s) during the summer season. Most players are expected to arrive by late May, but some may be arriving at a later date due to postseason play. There may be conditional players placed until regular contracted players arrive. The Marlins season, including playoffs, will conclude no later than August 15.

This is a unique experience for host families that have children, as players will serve as influential role models. The Marlins expect and encourage all players to be respectful to each family as well as the rules of the household and each family to be considerate to their player(s) and their grueling baseball schedule.

All host families will receive season tickets to all 29 regular season games including all home playoff games. As the newest member of the Coastal Plain League, the Marlins provide a family-fun atmosphere and each player would love to see the support of their respective host family in the grandstand. Many host families from last season have formed close relationships with their player(s). This friendship can last for a number of years, well after the player’s career. In addition to the player and host parent relationship, many host families have become close with other host families in the program.

All host parents will be closely matched with their player by the needs and wants of both the player and the family. If you would like to be a part of our Marlins family by taking part in the program or have any questions or concerns, please contact our office immediately at (252) 269-9767.

Application Available for Big Rock Stadium Game Day Staff

2011-04-12T12:20:00.000-04:00

Are you looking for that fun summer job? Well, you’re in luck as the Morehead City Marlins Baseball Team is currently seeking applicants for all summer game day staff positions for the 2011 summer season.

The Marlins are looking to fill all positions including: ticket takers, ushers, vendors, cashiers, concessions, and others as well. This is a great summer job for high school and college students. All interested applicants must be available to work all 29 regular season home games and be at least 15 years of age. The Marlins Baseball season starts in late May and ends in middle August (playoffs included).

All interested individuals must pick up an application at 1921 Oglesby Road in Morehead City. Completed applications must also be returned to the same address. Selected applicants will be contacted for an interview in the future. All applicants must be energetic and work well with the public as the Marlins strive to ensure that all fans in attendance will have an unforgettable baseball experience. If there are any questions, please contact the Morehead City Marlins office at 252-269-9767.

Career Fair

2011-03-25T11:24:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, Buddy and I attended the Eastern North Carolina Career Fair at the Civic Center. This year's theme was quite appropriate-"Step up to the plate." Buddy was the Lunch and Learn guest speaker and was able to apply the world of baseball to marketing strategies. He is a dynamic speaker if you haven't had the chance to see him and he is available for all occasions...ok so I made that last part up, but he would be more than happy to discuss marketing opportunities and Marlins Baseball with anyone. Speaking of marketing and thinking outside the box, we unveiled one of our new marketing pieces...a life-size cardboard player cutout. These will be strategically placed around Carteret County. The one we brought with us was a picture of our All-Star third baseman from last season-Steve Marino.

We had the opportunity to meet new businesses in the area and learn a little bit more about some expanding companies. We also had the chance to promote our baseball team in preparation for the upcoming season and were able to speak to some job seekers about our available game day staff positions. We are looking for high school or college students who would like a part-time job in the summer. Any adults that wish to apply, please do. Adults would be great at ticket sales and ushering. Primarily we look for outgoing individuals as they make the atmosphere that much more enjoyable to our fans. A smile can go a long way. Some positions include: concessions, vendor, tickets taking, ticket sales, mascot, etc. You get the idea. I plan on writing a release within the next few days so everyone can get started on applying. If you would like more information or would like an application, please email me or stop by the office.

Marlins Add Two FIU Veteran Pitchers

2011-03-25T11:15:00.002-04:00

From our Press Release:

The Morehead City Marlins Baseball Team announced today the signings of junior right-handed pitchers Aaron Arboleya and Christian Malbrough, both from Florida International University.

As an integral part of the Florida International University’s rotation in 2010, Aaron Arboleya looks to use his experiences wherever the Panthers may need him. This season, Arboleya has already seen seven appearances out of the bullpen to the tune of a 4.32 ERA while holding his competition to a .233 batting average. With a 1-1 record on the season after 17 games, the Miramar, FL native has struck out eight batters, while only walking three in 8.1 innings. Arboleya is currently majoring in physical education.

Another member of the Panthers’ pitching squad will make the trip to Morehead City this summer. Christian Malbrough, a native from Bourg, LA, will also make an impact on the mound for the Marlins. Malbrough has seen limited time on the rubber for the FIU bullpen, but has been quite impressive by striking out seven hitters in only 3.1 innings. Malbrough is currently pursuing a degree in general studies.

“Both Aaron and Christian can fill really important roles with our team,” said Marlins Manager Jay Bergman. “Either player can start or relieve and will provide quality innings throughout the summer.”

Florida International University, a division I team, participates in the Sun Belt Conference. A season ago, the Panthers baseball team rattled off five-straight games in the double-elimination conference tournament to earn SBC championship for the first time since 1999. The team would eventually earn a NCAA Regional berth appearance for their accomplishments and ultimately finished the season with a 36-25 record. With a great start in 2011, the 12-5 FIU baseball team stands to retain their conference championship.

_____________________________________________________

My take:

Malbrough and Arboleya will both provide multiple innings throughout the summer, whether that's in the bullpen or as members of the rotation. Coach Bergman, along with his staff will have to make those decisions. It can only help our team that both players are juniors. Experience and proper development is really important to summer collegiate baseball and we believe both players will be able to contribute on a high level. Sometimes there is a big difference between freshman and junior players, but really it depends on a lot of different factors.

Marlins Hire Broadcaster

2011-03-21T13:41:00.000-04:00

From our Press Release:

The Morehead City Marlins announced today that Daron Vaught has been hired as the play-by-play broadcaster on CPL Web Pass and media relations director for the 2011 season.

Vaught, a Mass Communications student at Emory & Henry College in southwestern Virginia, will bring an array of sports and media experience to Morehead City. Vaught, who played Division III baseball at E&H for two seasons, plays an integral part in sports coverage for WEHC-FM, Emory & Henry’s campus radio station. He serves as the primary play-by-play broadcaster for Wasps and Lady Wasps basketball games, and he hosts halftime shows for Emory & Henry football games. Vaught also anchors the sports portion of E&H’s campus television production, “Emory & Henry Reports,” and is often published as a guest writer on MrSportsbook.com. He is a candidate for the coveted Jim Nantz Award, given by the Sports Talent Agency of America to the best collegiate sportscaster in the nation.

“Baseball is obviously a deep passion of mine, so I am very thankful for this opportunity,” said Vaught. “I look forward to spending the summer on the Crystal Coast, and I can’t wait to get started.”

In the summer of 2010, Vaught was also hired by Appalachian Mountain Studios to host the reality television show “Back To The Woods,” which was shot on the Virginia Creeper Trail and featured current “Survivor: Redemption Island” contestant Ralph Kiser.

“Daron will be a welcomed addition to our organization this summer as we embark upon our second season,” said Marlins General Manager Christopher Marmo. “He already has a wealth of experience which will be beneficial to the start of his professional career in Morehead City.”

A junior, Vaught is set to graduate in May of 2012 with a double major in Mass Communications and English, as well as a minor in Sport Management. He is also a member of the Bonner Scholarship Program and is very active in community service, particularly coaching youth sports.

Carteret County Chamber of Commerce

2011-03-17T15:16:00.002-04:00

Working in baseball the last 5 years, it's really important to become involved in the community and to join certain groups. One such group in Carteret County is the Chamber of Commerce. They do such a wonderful job of creating social events for local businesses. Working with other Chamber of Commerce's in North Carolina in the past, the desire and commitment was just not there. I applaud Mike Wagoner and his staff for the great job they do year in and year out.

The Chamber have been huge supporters of the local baseball team from the beginning and want to see it grow and thrive in the future like we do. Because of this, we have decided to become chamber ambassadors and help the Chamber out in any way we can. If you're not a member, I highly recommend pursuing a membership with the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce. And if you would like to know more about upcoming chamber events or our experiences with the chamber, please ask.

For all information relating to the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce, please visit: http://www.nccoastchamber.com/

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T14:55:00.004-04:00

The Marlins would like to wish everyone a wonderful and safe St. Patrick's Day. I am not Irish as it's kind of obvious since my last name ends in 'O'. But the non-Irish have a right to celebrate since it's a national holiday. Most St. Patty's days coincide with spring break, so it gives an opportunity for people to spend time with friends and family and that's always a plus in my book. It also gives me the excuse to wear green, one of my favorite colors, besides MHC Marlins blue of course.

Baseball has seen some great 'purely' Irish players over the years, namely (cough cough) Mark McGwire, Ed Delahanty, Mike 'King' Kelly, John McGraw, and Ed Walsh. Some other 'mixed heritage' Irishmen include Derek Jeter, Connie Mack, Paul O'Neill, and Steve Garvey. The Irish have certainly made an impact on the game of baseball that's for sure and it's important to recognize them on their special day.

So whatever you might be doing tonight with your friends and family, please be responsible.

Japan

2011-03-14T14:10:00.003-04:00

Last Friday, one of the worst natural disasters occurred as Japan was hit with an 8.9 earthquake that set off a train reaction of tsunamis. Over the last few years we have seen many countries, including our own, succumb to the power of nature. There is such a helpless feeling when something like this happens, but there are ways to help out, including donations.

Japan has become rich in baseball tradition over the course of the last century. Baseball took off after a few MLB all-stars showcased their talent overseas in 1934 as part of their Far East Tour. You may have heard of one of them: George Herman (Babe) Ruth. Shortly after in 1936, Japan had created their own professional baseball league.

The culture of Japan has always interested me, in particular Samurais and their discipline. As a baseball fan, I began to follow the development of other baseball cultures closely. Japan's discipline and focus have led to a very different, but exciting style of baseball. The game has certainly evolved because of the Japanese impact. Actually, there are baseball schools in Japan where kids practice baseball every single day, mixed in with education of course.

Japanese players have certainly changed the American game to an extent. Players like Ichiro, Matsui, and Nomo have all made their mark on American soil. I will look for more Japanese imports in the near future. We all hope that Japan rebounds quickly and our thoughts and prayers are with every Japanese player in America as well as their entire country.

The Process of Recruiting

2011-03-04T16:18:00.004-05:00

Every year, 30 or so summer collegiate leagues around the nation compete to recruit/sign the best college baseball players in the nation. Typically, the recruiting starts the day after the season ends, which generally is in middle-late August. What is each team looking for? That depends on who you ask. Each coach/organization come from a different background and only they know what they want in a player. With that said, we strive to recruit players that are obviously talented ballplayers. Every team wants to win and the Marlins are no different. At the same time, we also recruit high character athletes as well. Most dedicated players understand the importance of summer collegiate baseball, but there are some that do not. We are facilitating the process of becoming a professional baseball player. Each player is here to refine their skills so that down the road they will be more prepared for tougher competition and ultimately will mature in the process.

Each player will be under a microscope by their family, friends, scouts, teammates, coaches, staff, and mainly...you the fans. Players serve as role models and pillars of the community and are required to act in a professional manner on and off the field. They represent our organization as each wear the 'Marlins' across their chest. We expect them to engage in proper activities off the field and perform on a high level between the lines. With character athletes, it makes it easier to play as a team and teamwork ultimately leads to winning. I've seen super talented players in this league, but eventually struggle because they are not 'team-players'. I certainly give most, if not all the credit to our Manager Jay Bergman. He's certainly been around the game for quite some time and not only knows the game inside and out but commands respect. He is also an effective communicator and leader. He wants every player to learn more about the game of baseball and apply it down the road.

Coach Bergman has done the majority of the recruiting this year and has put together a wonderful group of guys. Recruiting is all about who you know and who trusts you. Fortunately for the Marlins, Coach Bergman has many connections in Texas and Florida in particular where these areas are perceived as 'baseball hotbeds'. I on the other hand do not do any of the recruiting. I handle all contracts though. Many organizations are quite different where roles are reversed.

I believe I touched upon some of this in a previous blog, but schools must have to trust each summer organization. You don't want a summer coach to run a pitcher in the ground or have someone catch 50 games. Just doesn't work like that. They are only human and the wear and tear of the game can be extreme a lot of the time. Ideally, any and every coach wants to put the best team on the field. If you don't perform well, then we will find someone else to do it. Just like anything in life. Winning certainly is a great remedy for the long summer season. It also brings more fans out to the ball park.

We do try to sign local players from the area, but we are searching for specific players. Once again talent and character is what we are looking for. Our coaches have been doing this for a long period of time and they are pretty good at it. We let them do what they are best at and that's finding the best kids possible to play in Morehead City for the summer.

There are 27 spots available on each roster in the Coastal Plain League and each one is as important as the next. The roster is ever-changing throughout the offseason and during the season as well. Every year there are injuries/problems, but each team has to deal with that as well. It's part of the game.

At the end of the day, every player was targeted and recruited for a reason; because we believe they will be a valuable asset to our organization and community. After one successful season in the books, the results have been seen. You win on and off the field.

So you want to work in Sports?

2011-03-01T12:32:00.004-05:00

Lately, a lot of individuals that I have met with have asked me how I became involved baseball. I certainly enjoy questions like these as it allows me the opportunity to ask the same questions. I like to hear the different backgrounds that people come from. It's quite interesting to me. So it sparked an idea for a blog.

So you like sports and want to become involved in it. I've interviewed about 150 potential interns in the last 5 years and many stand out compared to others. Let's start off with the basics.

When I was deciding on which colleges were right for me, I certainly had no idea what I wanted to do in the future. And that's ok. I would probably make a list of your interests and hobbies and apply those interests when applying to college. For example, I had a great desire to work in baseball, but I also had an affinity for history, in particular archaeology. So I applied to a school that had both a sport management and archaeology programs. I knew I wanted to do one or other. After a year at college, I officially changed my major to sport management. I was able to take general classes the first year that were required for both majors.

While in school, internships are ingrained in every student's brain. And you know what, teachers and professors are correct. Unfortunately, I started the internship train later than most students (Junior year), but it's never too late to gain experience. I firmly believe that real-world experience shapes most students. I know many situations are different; students would rather work part time and save money in the summer. That's great too as it shows responsibility, but employers won't ask about that part time job at the restaurant...unless you want to open up your own. I want to know about sport related work experiences, in particular baseball.

Internships are fairly easy to obtain; you just need to know where to look for them (there are plenty of sport job sites with internships listings being posted every day). If you walk into any business and ask if they would like free help, 9 out of 10 would say, "absolutely". And I can guarantee that 10th one is going out of business in the near future. It's recommended that you find an internship that compensates you for your work and time, as it certainly makes things a little easier. The experience alone is worth more than a few hundred bucks in your pocket in the summer. Remember, that internships and work experiences related to your potential career will separate you from your competition. Ultimately, that is what you want to do. Apply to internships that are relative to the field you want to work in. I've had finance majors email me and tell me they would be a perfect fit for our internship program with no prior sport experience. You think they would sign up to sweep peanuts off the grandstand? Internships are not supposed to be easy. You might have to travel far away from your friends and family, but employers will see that commitment.

There are many different types of sport organizations around the nation (professional, non-profits, amateur, marketing firms, agencies, associations, apparel companies, etc.). They all are looking for young and eager interns to help with their daily operations. And they all involve hard work and long hours. You want to make that impression so that you can use your boss as a reference. A teacher once told me, "If I am going to write a reference letter and signing my name to it, I am going to be 100% honest." So you want to make a good impression.

This is all pretty much common sense stuff, but it works and people do need to be told such things. While we are on common sense, please make sure all emails, cover letters, and especially resumes use correct grammar. I am as guilty as any on this blog, but this is not a job interview.

Everyone started off in the same place, at least 95% of the population. They all took the initiative and decided to better their lives and careers. Sports is about long hours and hard work. It's exciting to actually get paid to do something you love. I enjoy when fans come up to me and say they had a wonderful time at the game. That is the ultimate compliment. But it takes time. Most likely, you'll start off at the bottom of the ladder and will have to work your up. I promise, it will be worth it in the end.

None of this is groundbreaking information, but it's information that needs to be said time and time again. And it's information most everyone accepts after graduation. I didn't get into specific details, but it is certainly a start in the right direction.

***Sales experience and effective communication is key***

Oberacker Honored Again

2011-03-01T12:30:00.000-05:00

(Editor’s note: The below release is from the Tennessee Tech Athletics website, http://www.ttusports.com)

Senior outfielder Chad Oberacker was selected as one of 30 baseball student-athletes selected as candidates for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for excellence on and off the field. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.

Oberacker, who maintains a 3.3 GPA in physical therapy, is on pace to graduate this spring. After graduation he would like to attend physical therapy school and earn his doctorate before opening an outpatient physical therapy clinic with his cousin, who specializes in personal fitness. Last year he was named to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District team.

“I believe that teamwork is first and foremost the no. 1 goal,” Oberacker said. “Having a successful team makes every individual successful in itself. I give 110% in everything I do, whether it is school work, baseball, lifting or playing Monopoly with my sister when I was a kid. I fight through adversity throughout my life, particularly 2 years ago. In May 2009 I had to have an emergency appendectomy with two weeks left in the season and our team battling for a spot in the OVC tournament. I only missed eight days and returned to help us sweep Jacksonville State and clinch a spot in the playoffs. I believe that putting others first is a great character in a person and I hate feeling like I let others down, so I don’t let it happen.”

Oberacker has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and helped out teaching students about the game at a local high school. He’s also an active member of the All-Saints Parish chorus and sometimes plays the violin as part of the mass with the choir.

As a junior, Oberacker led the Ohio Valley Conference with a .452 batting average and 108 total hits, which ranked third and fourth in the nation, respectively. He also led the team and conference in doubles on his way to first-team all-conference honors. He also drove in 70 runs and was named the school’s co-Male Athlete of the Year. Despite being drafted in the 19th round of the MLB draft, Oberacker opted to return for his senior season. His career batting average of .395 takes top honors in Tech history.

During the 2010 summer, Oberacker started 37 games for the Morehead City Marlins. In that time, he batted .258 with 13 runs and 24 RBIs. Furthermore, he had three doubles and a pair of triples to go with eight stolen bases.

The 2011 candidate class includes 15 student-athletes with cumulative grade point averages of better than a 3.5, including three with perfect 4.0 GPAs. Seven are from teams ranked in the Collegiate Baseball preseason top 35 poll.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

Lowe’s, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, will announce the winner June 24 at the NCAA College World Series® in Omaha.

For more information on all the candidates, visit http://www.seniorCLASSaward.com.

MHC Marlins Club Formed

2011-02-28T13:01:00.001-05:00

From our Press Release:

With the 2011 season rapidly approaching, the Morehead City Marlins have officially announced the formation of the MHC Marlins Club. Originally formed by local fans of the Marlins on February 3rd, the MHC Marlins Club will serve as a support system for the Marlins players and staff throughout the year.

The MHC Marlins Club was designed to support players and staff, as well as creating a strong and enthusiastic fan base for the organization. In addition to promoting Morehead City Marlins Baseball, the Club will assist in recruiting host families, help secure jobs for players, and plan team-oriented events. The Club allows fans the opportunity to have a voice and to share ideas under the guidance of the Marlins organization while reaching Club goals.

“We were approached with this idea at the completion of last season by a number of our host families,” said Marlins General Manager Christopher Marmo. “They had a wonderful experience last year and wanted to become more involved within our organization. Our new support system will help each player get more acclimated in Carteret County within a short period of time.”

Doug Arden of Newport will preside as President during the inaugural year of the Club. Lorie Avery of Morehead City was selected as Vice President and Misty Penny of Morehead City will serve as Secretary/Treasurer. The MHC Marlins Club is an organization aimed at elevating the support of the Morehead City Marlins Baseball Team. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 3rd at 7:00 pm at Morehead City Country Club. Membership dues vary from $20-$40 and designation of member responsibility is determined by each members’ daily schedule. Anyone interested in becoming a member is encouraged to attend.

All Marlins fans can now follow the MHC Marlins Club via Facebook; simply search MHC Marlins Club. The Club will meet the first Thursday of every month to discuss ideas and to effectively plan club events.

For more information on how you can support the MHC Marlins Club please email the MHC Marlins Club at mhcmarlinsclub@yahoo.com.

Marlins Sign Two Ivy Leaguers

2011-02-24T11:18:00.002-05:00

From our Press Release:

Morehead City, N.C. - The Morehead City Marlins announced today that the team has received commitments from two players representing schools in the Ivy League. The Marlins welcome both Brian Billigen and Jake Carlson to the 2011 squad.

Brian Billigen, a junior at Cornell University, started 37 games in the outfield as a sophomore for the Big Red. He hit .291 and was tied for the team lead in home runs with five. During a breakout freshman season at Cornell, Billigen hit .404 and was named second-team All-Ivy League. Billigen also played in the Coastal Plain League in 2010, as well, as he recorded a .325 batting average, six home runs, and 34 runs batted in for the Edenton Steamers. He was named to the American CPL All-Stars and participated in the Coastal Plain League’s Home Run Derby.

“Brian’s got a chance, professionally, to be a great prospect,” said Marlins manager, Jay Bergman. “He has a good arm that he showed against us in the playoffs last year, and he’ll be a middle of the order guy in our lineup.”

A junior at Dartmouth College, Jake Carlson will contribute to the Marlins outfield with his outstanding defensive capability. During the NCAA Regional Championships last season, Carlson made SportsCenter’s daily ‘Top 10’ with a diving catch against Miami University. The second-team All-Ivy outfielder will also solidify Morehead City’s lineup with his exceptional bat. As a sophomore at Dartmouth, Carlson hit .313 in 163 plate appearances. Last summer, Carlson was also participated in the Coastal Plain League, batting .245 and stealing 16 bases for the Fayetteville SwampDogs.

“Jake’s a tremendous player, as we saw all of last summer,” said Coach Bergman. “He has a lot of pop in his bat, and he has great foot speed. He’ll be a welcomed addition to our outfield.”

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My take:

Brian Billigen seems to be one of the key players next season for us. Edenton did not play in our division, but I do remember Brian at the all star game and during the playoffs. He can just about do it all on the diamond. He has surprisingly good power despite his small frame. That has to do with his quick stroke and ability to drive the ball. I can't wait to see him play everyday.

I don't remember watching Jake Carlson last year as I was once again running around the concourse during the games. But I do know he is an exceptional outfielder, with the ability to chase down balls with the best of them. Our spacious field only plays to his strengths. Another player I can't wait to see in action during the summer.

Overall, two great and talented kids.

Great Weekend

2011-02-24T10:50:00.003-05:00

This past weekend three Division II college teams broke in Big Rock Stadium for the baseball season. The weather was absolutely amazing. We couldn't have picked a better weekend.

These three teams traveled the 10-12 hours to Morehead City because of the snow that covered their fields. All three teams spent multiple nights at our sponsor hotels. One team wanted to eat as a group for dinner one night. So, we brought 30-35 people to one particular restaurant (a Marlins sponsor) for dinner. The other teams wanted to do their own thing for dinner so they ate at many restaurants around Morehead City. Just trying to do our part in this tough economy.

As for the games on Saturday and Sunday, there was a lot of preparation that was involved. Our owner did most of the field work for all the games. He also set up the soundsystem in the now completed press box. He had a country music playlist on for the teams during batting practice. which I don't think the teams liked very much. But hey, it's all about the southern hospitality. We set up our large picnic tent so that teams can stay out of the sun and eat lunch while waiting for the next game. Our owner made programs for the fans that were in attendance as well among other things.

We did have our concessions stand open, with hamburgers, hotdogs, soft drinks, gatorade, peanuts, sunflower seeds, chips, candy, coffee, hot chocolate, and grilled chicken. I mostly worked in the concession stand during the weekend. Someone has to do it.

And games were free to attend! That's right...free. Anyone could walk right in and check out some quality college baseball. It was nice to see some Marlin game regulars at the park this weekend. I enjoy talking to our fans about the upcoming season. I get excited when I talk about next season. It's a very busy time, but also very fun.

All in all, teams were very pleased with everything. They certainly liked their hotels and especially Big Rock Stadium. I have a feeling they will be back next season. We plan on having a high school tournament in April and another college tournament in May before we kick off our summer season. So stay tuned.

Baseball Hits the "Rock" this weekend

2011-02-14T12:15:00.002-05:00

From www.mhcmarlins.com:

As the CPL season quickly approaches, Carteret County fans do not have to wait any longer for collegiate baseball action. Morehead City plans to kick off baseball activities at Big Rock Stadium later this month. This February 19-20, Morehead City will host their first college baseball tournament in 2011.

C.W. Post-Long Island University, Felician College, and Southern Connecticut State University baseball programs will make the trek down south to the lovely Crystal Coast later this month for a three-team Division II tournament.

Southern Connecticut State University Baseball is no stranger to Carteret County. Last year, the Owls participated in the first ever college baseball tournament in Morehead City. While construction was still being completed at Big Rock Stadium early in 2010, Southern Connecticut State University played a handful of games at West Carteret High School. After finishing with 38 victories last season, the Owls placed 15th nationally in the 2011 College Baseball Lineup Preseason Poll.

C.W. Post-Long Island University is the second team to accept an invitation to the tournament this month. The Pioneers posted a school record 32 wins during the 2010 season. The Pioneers advanced to the NCAA East Regional Tournament last year, and were able to win their first Regional game in 25 years.

The third and final team to accept an invite to ‘The Rock’ for the February opening tournament is Felician College. The Northern New Jersey college program posted 26 wins in 2010 and also featured a member of the Morehead City Marlins rotation last season. Senior Joel Sanchez will once again take the mound at Big Rock Stadium where he helped pitch the Marlins to their first-ever South Division Championship. Sanchez dominated the CPL last season with a 4-1 record and a 2.04 ERA in 57.1 total innings pitched.

"This is a great opportunity to showcase talented schools from the North and to provide a little Southern hospitality as well," said Morehead City Marlins General Manager Christopher Marmo. "The Town of Morehead City built a fantastic facility to host events of this particular nature. Hopefully, down the road, we'll be able to schedule many other tournaments and events to really show what the Crystal Coast has to offer," added Marmo.

All games will be held on February 19-20 at Puck O'Neal Field at Big Rock Stadium. The tournament schedule will consist of three games on each day with game times set for 11:00 AM, 2:30 PM, and 5:00 PM. For more information, please call the Morehead City Marlins at (252) 269-9767.

Penguin Plunge

2011-02-14T11:49:00.006-05:00

Last week I went to a Polar Plunge at the community college to support a scholarship fund named in honor of Hannah Marie Loy. What a beautiful day it was and such a great event. I wanted to pass along information for those of you that would like to make a donation to the Hannah Marie Loy Memorial Scholarship.

From the Chamber Pulse:

Hannah died December 5, 2010. She was the daughter of Chamber member and Ambassador Lee Powell. Hannah was dual-enrolled at West Carteret High School and as a cosmetology student at the College. The scholarship will help a WCHS student enrolling in the cosmetology program at the College. Personal checks should be made out to the Carteret Community College Foundation (put Hannah Marie Loy Memorial Scholarship in the memo line), 3505 Arendell St., Morehead City, NC 28557. For information, call the Foundation at 222-6262.

Also, contributions are still being accepted for the Hannah Marie Loy Art Scholarship at WCHS. Make checks payable to West Carteret High School (with a note that your donation is for the scholarship) and mail to Jodi Cordova, West Carteret High School, 4700 Country Club Road, Morehead City, NC 28557. To purchase Hannah Marie Loy memorial T-shirts (to benefit the WCHS scholarship, call Lee Powell at 646-3703.

MAC Meeting

2011-02-11T15:02:00.003-05:00

This morning I was invited to the local Military Affairs Committee meeting to present a signed poster.

Last year we were especially excited to work with the Military All-Stars, a traveling baseball team of active members of military. They travel the country, mostly minor league teams, in an effort to raise money for the Wounded Warriors project. On July 5th, we were able to host them in an exhibition game at Big Rock Stadium.

July 5th was a Monday and generally doesn't draw your typical weekend crowd. We had such a wonderful turnout last season for this specific event, it was absolutely unbelievable. Our attendance that night was 1713....for a Monday. We presented this particular game to the MAC in an effort to effectively promote it's purpose and event. They were a wonderful help

As you know, I generally am seen running around the concourse and tend to overlook what is happening on the field. That particular night, I remember watching pre-game ceremonies and their promotions in awe. My favorite part of the night was 9:11. When the clock struck 9:11 PM, we had a moment of silence in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the events that took place on 9/11/01. I specifically remember our interns running a promotion about that time, because we thought we would have time to do so. I ran down from the press box and kicked them off the field so that we can do a moment of silence (sorry guys). Obviously, living so close to NYC while growing up and being personally affected by 9/11, this was by far the greatest moment in my opinion of the entire season.

I was able to present a team signed Military All-Stars poster to the MAC. They greatly appreciated it. We are currently working with the Military All-Stars in scheduling the same game for this season as well. Can't wait.

Marlins Sign to Owls

2011-02-10T11:51:00.004-05:00

From our Press Release:

The Morehead City Marlins announced today they have signed two players from powerhouse Rice University. Freshman left handed pitcher Kyle Mueller and sophomore catcher Geoff Perrott will have the opportunity to continue their rapport as batterymates at Puck O’Neal Field this summer.

A native of Kingwood, TX, Perrott started five games as catcher in 2010. Entering his second season, Perrott is scheduled to see increased time behind the plate for the Owls this spring. The right-handed hitting backstop collected four hits in limited play last spring season. Perrott continued his development last summer with the Vermont Mountaineers in the New England Collegiate League where he saw action in 23 games.

“Perrott, a letterwinner, is a defensive-minded catcher with great catch and throw capabilities,” said Marlins Manager Jay Bergman. “He also made solid improvements with the bat this fall.”

Mueller is an imposing presence from the left side of the mound. At 6-6 and 215 pounds, and considered extremely athletic for his size, Mueller’s opponents will have their work cut out this summer. He is expected to see time out of the bullpen in the spring for the Owls. Among their crop of talented freshman, Mueller is a member of Rice University’s 9th ranked recruiting class according to Baseball America. From Bellville, TX, Mueller was also a standout first baseman in high school and was the starting quarterback for the football team as well.

“Mueller is a big-bodied left-handed freshman who will see solid innings with the Owls and continue to improve,” commented Bergman.

Rice University, a Conference USA team, was awarded a regional appearance for their on-field success last season. The Owls finished the 2010 spring season strong with a record of 40-23. In their annual preseason team rankings, Baseball America tabbed the Owls 18th in the nation heading into this spring.

_________________________________________________________

My take:

I really don't have a hand in any of the recruiting. I let the experts do that and they are very good at this process. Some organizations are run differently in summer collegiate baseball. It has to do with networks and relationships with college programs and their coaches. Fortunately for your team, we had two great individuals handling the recruiting. But I certainly can identify talent when I see it and discuss players with our coaches and ownership.

Last season, we were very northern College/University heavy. Whereas this season, our Manager Jay Bergman has used his southern roots in recruiting. Starting with these two kids from Rice University, we do have a significant Texas tie this season. Manager Jay Bergman currently resides in Houston which certainly is an advantage in recruiting. Many of you know already, but he coached in Florida for many years as well. Our roster is also made up of a lot of Florida recruits too.

Perrott is our second signed catcher for the upcoming season. From my brief conversations with Manager Jay Bergman, he's very similar to Corey Bass. And both are actually sophomores too. He is known for his work behind the plate and his bat is coming along. Hopefully, he's able to stay healthy through the spring, because he will certainly see some time for Rice. Running is a big part of the CPL games and if we can neutralize that, we'll be in good shape.

Mueller is a gifted athlete in that he is exceptionally athletic given his height. This certainly bodes well for his development if he were to stay on the mound or not. He is projected as a pitcher on our roster. The ability to repeat a delivery at that height is not very easy and takes some time. I don't know whether he will be used as a reliever or starting pitcher, that is particularly up to his college coaches and our manager.

Anytime you can get kids from a big collegiate program, that certainly helps. They were recruited for a reason. But you can't look over talent from other places as well. We had a great bunch of kids last year and if we can replicate that team atmosphere, we'll have another great season.

Each week we will release a player or two. So look for upcoming roster announcements.

Marlins Welcome back McAllister, Sclafani, and Bass

2011-02-07T12:11:00.007-05:00

From the press release on mhcmarlins.com:

The Morehead City Marlins announced today they have signed three players from last year's South Division Championship team. The Marlins welcome back starting pitcher Brad McAllister, infielder Joe Sclafani, and catcher Corey Bass. Each returning player played a prominent role for the first-year Marlins during the 2010 summer season.

Brad McAllister, now a junior at Barry University, was one of the many aces that graced the mound for the Marlins last season. McAllister's mound presence and impeccable control landed him on the CPL National All-Star team and pegged as the team starter. In all, McAllister tossed four complete games, combined with a 7-1 record with only 12 walks in 9 games started. He was also honored as CPL 'Pitcher of the Week' during the first week of the 2010 season.

“Brad was our number one pitcher last year and we look forward to him having another solid season,” said Marlins Manager Jay Bergman.

Joe Sclafani, a junior out of Dartmouth College will once again wear the blue, white, and black for the Marlins this summer season. Sclafani was yet another member of the summer squad that had an exceptional year. Sclafani posted a .305 average in 154 at-bats with two homeruns and 16 RBI. Perhaps, most impressive was his .409 on-base percentage and his 34 total runs scored, tied for first on the team. For his work with the bat, Sclafani was named CPL 'Hitter of the Week' on two separate occasions during the summer season.

“Joe was our most consistent position player last summer and was our team leader on the field,” added Bergman.

Corey Bass, a sophomore at the University of North Florida, is the last returning member of the last year's team. As a freshman last season, Bass more than held his own behind the dish, a demanding position. A defensive specialist, Bass threw out an astonishing 42% of base runners during his 2010 campaign.

“Corey was the best catch and throw catcher in our division,” said Bergman.

_________________________________________________________

We had such a great team last season. the team certainly played together and played hard for the fans and Coach Bergman. All three returning players played extremely well and we're excited to have them back in 2011. As General Manager, I am very busy running around the ballpark on gameday, so I definitely don't get to watch the game very often. But from the little that was seen, I am still able to give you some information on each returning player.

Corey Bass was a freshman last season and immediately made an impact upon his arrival. He acted like a Sophomore or Junior which is rare in a freshman. As Coach Bergman pointed out, his defensive prowess separated him from the rest of the catchers in the division. He does a great job with his pop-up and release. The summer schedule is certainly a grueling one, and catchers need their rest each week. It was nice to have that stability behind the plate. Corey will be an integral part of our team next season.

Joe Sclafani was an interesting player to watch. He can play multiple infield positions and is a switch hitter. He has some surprising power for his size. He had a great season last year with Dartmouth and with his experience last season in the CPL, we believe he will be that much better. He has a knack for putting the bat on the ball and reaching base. In a pitcher's league like the CPL, that's extremely important.

Brad McAllister was one of the many workhorses that took the mound for us. His control and attitude seems to stand out from the rest. Brad has that pitcher's mentality. If you can hit it, great, we'll see what the defense does. If you can't, that's great too. He seems to put the ball wherever he wants at any time in the count. That is perhaps the most impressive. He'll certainly anchor our rotation next year and no doubt in my mind he'll be successful.

The Super Bowl

2011-02-07T11:49:00.003-05:00

Another football season has come to an end. With the the conclusion of Super Bowl, the NFL, ownership, and the players' union must now make critical decisions in regards to the near future. I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, so we'll leave the negotiation talks to the professionals.

Yesterday, we saw the Green Bay Packers, the favorite, upend the Pittsburg Steelers in a shootout. Before the game, I believed the Packers were going to win and were going to win in a blowout. I don't know why I thought that, maybe it was the absolute whoopin' my NY Giants received from the Packers. It looked as if there were just unstoppable. Also, I've never been a big Ben Roethlisberger fan...for obvious reasons. So, I felt really good about this game.

The Packers started off strong and for once an actual prediction of mine was about to come true. But then I realized, Big Ben has won the Super Bowl before. You just can't count him out. The Steelers came roaring back and had an opportunity with their last position. It wasn't meant to be. The Packers eventually were crowned Super Bowl champions in a pretty good game.

I honestly can't remember many of the commercials as I really didn't watch them. I heard they were mediocre at best. If every commercial was like every ESPN commercials, then we wouldn't be having this conversation. Speaking of mediocre, I am eager to see what happens to Christina Aguilera now. Her career is about to take a turn for the worst, if it hasn't already.

Well, the end of the football season signals the baseball season is about to get underway. For those of you that can't wait, Big Rock Stadium will host a college tournament this month. Please check out mhcmarlins.com for more information about the tournament.

All Groundhog's Day

2011-02-02T15:20:00.002-05:00

Today is one of the most unusual holidays in the United States. We basically rely on an animal to tell us whether or not spring will come early or not. It certainly sounds ridiculous but in Punxsutawney, PA it's a way of life. Great movie too for those that haven't seen it.

I have lived in North Carolina for four years now and I have never heard of Sir Walter Wally. Wally, hailing from the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh saw his shadow which tells us there are six more weeks of winter. Phil did not see his shadow which tells us spring will come early. Which groundhog to believe? It's a toss up. Wally does have a great name.

Let's go with Phil if your a Marlins fan. Baseball is right around the corner.

It's Been One Roller Coaster of a Year

2011-02-01T15:25:00.004-05:00

Today, February 1st marks the one year anniversary of my time in Morehead City and being involved with the Morehead City Marlins Baseball Team.

A year ago I was making my way down from NJ in a snowstorm/blizzard/Apocalypse. It took us 12 hours just to get to Richmond. We ended up staying the night, but that day/night will forever be in my mind as one of the worst experiences of my life. When your driving a Hyundai Elantra in the snow, you just don't think about baseball too much. Nothing against the car, in fact it's quite reliable, but I was scared.

As I approached Morehead City, I didn't know what to expect. In fact, I didn't know a lot of things about the team or the area, only from conversations with the Vice President. I did know that this was an established league and that this was something new I have never done before.

I have worked in two other areas of North Carolina within the league and Morehead City has definitely been the best experience of the bunch. Morehead City certainly has a lot of potential. I believe this is a baseball area and lots of people are looking for that 'other thing to do'. There have been many things that we have dealt with throughout the year, but in the end I am a better person for it and the so is the organization. By our standards, we had a very good first season but we certainly have a lot of work to do. When we stepped foot in Morehead City, our vision has not been established yet, but we are heading in the right direction.

The relationships that I have established within the community and the support that I have seen is something that I always wanted while working in the CPL. In fact, when I was studying Sport Management in school, working hand in hand with many people in the community and forming lasting relationships is the reason I am working in sports.

I am so very grateful for this opportunity that the Bengel family have given me. And from my interactions thus far, Carteret County is thankful for the experiences as well. Ultimately, that's what counts.

First Event in 2011

2011-02-01T15:17:00.001-05:00

From the Press Release:

As the CPL season quickly approaches, Carteret County fans do not have to wait any longer for collegiate baseball action. Morehead City plans to kick off baseball activities at Big Rock Stadium later this month. This February 19-20, Morehead City will host their first college baseball tournament in 2011.

All games will be held on February 18-19 at Puck O'Neal Field at Big Rock Stadium. The tournament schedule will consist of three games on each day with game times set for 11:00 AM, 2:30 PM, and 6:00 PM. For more information, please call the Morehead City Marlins at (252) 269-9767.

The Search Begins

2011-01-24T14:14:00.002-05:00

Over the past few weeks I have been accepting applications for our internship and broadcaster openings. These individuals play an important role in our organization each summer season. With such a small front office staff already, they are expected to take on a number of roles within our organization. We have a rule in the office, don't ever say it's not my job. We all have to assume responsibilities that might not fit what we currently signed up for, but if we all chip in and work as a team, everything will fall in it's place and we should have a great season.

Each intern has a number of responsibilities during the season. These include but are not limited to marketing, group sales, a lot of stadium operations, promotions, concessions, and ticket operations. Last year we had three hard working and wonderful interns. I tried to rotate their responsibilities during the season to make sure that they received the most experience during their internship. This internship is different than most internships. Every intern is expected to share ideas with the front office, we encourage it. We are not a minor league team, but we operate like one. With that said, we have to wear many different hats and input is always welcome. We'll bring along a few more interns this summer to help distribute the workload a little more. It's just a matter of finding host families for all of them. It will be hard to top last year's group. I've be involved in the CPL for four seasons, and our interns last year were one of the best, if not the best. If you were at any of the games, you saw our staff running around like crazy. That's the life on gameday.

As for the broadcast/media relations position, this person is an important part of the organization as well. First and foremost, they are the voice of the Marlins on the CPL Webpass (home games). They are responsible for updating the website with game stories and other Marlins news. They are also responsible for coordinating player and mascot appearances. Obviously we get a ton of requests during the season and not all of them can be fulfilled, but we try our best to do so. Players have a grueling schedule and do not have a lot of down time. They have just played 50+ games in college and play an additional 55+ games with us. I like the broadcaster to have a strong baseball background, because well he is ultimately the one conveying what is happening on the field to our fans that aren't at the game. A strong voice also helps, along with a strong writing background. This is a seasonal position that hopefully prepares them for the future. Last year, our broadcaster was almost flawless on Webpass and was a great addition to our front office staff. I'm happy to report he has accepted a full time position with a minor league team in Arkansas. Good luck to him!

Snow Again?

2011-01-24T14:04:00.002-05:00

Over this past weekend, the sky opened up yet again and we were blanketed with 5 inches of snow. Certainly not baseball weather, but the snow looks nice.

Anyways, I've already spent too much time talking about snow. Just wanted to let everyone know about the college baseball tournament that will grace Big Rock Stadium in February. The dates are February 18,19,20 and will feature three teams from the Northeast. We are working on a press release, so more details will be available in the near future. Speaking of press releases, we will get started on new player releases as well. We have a full roster already for the 2011 summer season and they are excited for the opportunity to play in front of such passionate fans. Stay tuned for that as well.

And so it snows...

2011-01-10T11:55:00.002-05:00

Today, it snowed it NC. Yes, I said snowed. I just want to make sure all of our local fans stay warm and stay safe on the roads. Enjoy it while you can!

Former Marlins Oberacker Honored

2011-01-10T11:54:00.001-05:00

Tennessee Tech star and former Morehead City Marlins outfielder, Chad Oberacker has been named first team All-America by College Baseball Lineup in the annual pre-season list. Oberacker was also selected by Louisville Slugger as he made their second team pre-season list. Lastly, he was named to the third team by the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association (NCBWA).

In the spring of 2010, for the Golden Eagles, Oberacker finished with an outstanding .452 average with 29 doubles, 5 triples, and 6 home runs. Oberacker also ended the campaign with 70 RBI and walked more than he struck out guiding his team to an Ohio Valley Conference title. For his hard work and success, the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the 19th round in the 2010 MLB First Year Amateur Player Draft. Oberacker had decided to return to Tennessee Tech for his senior season.

"It's a huge honor to be recognized before the season even starts, and it's a really big reflection on my teammates," Oberacker said. "We worked hard all last season as a team to keep getting better and finish where we did, and the team deserves credit for that. It's great to have this momentum headed into the season, it's only going to make us step up more and work harder," he also added.

While patrolling centerfield for the Marlins last summer season, Oberacker started 37 games and placed fourth on the team (at least 100 AB) with a respectable .258 average. He helped the Marlins to a 34-20 record and a CPL South Division title in their inaugural season.

2011

2011-01-05T15:20:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year's. I was snowed in back in New Jersey for one day. We had about two feet of snow, which certainly makes my list of top 5 snowstorms in my lifetime. At least it snowed around Christmas, which really puts me in the holiday spirit.

With a turn of the calender, 2011 brings about new changes and big steps for the Morehead City Marlins. We have some things planned for the new year. We have started a booster club that is designed to be a support system for the players and the team. The booster club creates awareness for the team and helps recruit host families among other things. If you would like more information about the booster club, please let me know. There are three college tournaments planned within the next months (February, April, and May) and potentially another exciting event that I have to keep *secret*. Maybe two secrets!!! But that has not been finalized just yet. More information will be put out about the tournaments in the near future. It's a big year for the Marlins as we continue to grow in Carteret County and I'm very excited to be in the middle of it. We are also working on establishing 'Marlins' travel ball teams. That's in the works too.

As for the team, we currently have a full roster for next year and believe our staff have fielded a competitive team. We'll start releasing players and assistant coaches as our season gets a little closer.

Christmas Time...yikes!

2010-12-22T13:52:00.003-05:00

As stated in a previous post, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for various reasons. Another reason is that we have more time to get ready for the upcoming season. A lot of people ask me, "What do you do in the offseason." Of course I then go into specifics about day to day activities in the office. Some people are just interested and some others really question baseball operations during the winter. I respect their questions and understand where they are coming from. But sometimes I want to say that a 56 game season doesn't happen overnight. It certainly takes a lot of time and patience. In fact, I probably consider the offseason to be a busier time than the season itself. It's a matter of putting the pieces in place for the season. If it's done right, then everything should work itself out.

I certainly enjoy Christmas as well, but I know once I step foot back in the office, the clock starts ticking until May 31, the first game of the season (on the road). And boy does time fly by. The good thing is that, 1) we now have a full offseason to get things ready and 2) we saw what worked and what didn't last season. I started in February last year and it definitely was a learning experience trying to start this organization from scratch. I think we did a pretty darn good job too. We have a foundation now and we have established ourselves in Carteret County. Now it's time to build on top of what is already in place. We are constantly looking for more support and this support can come in many different ways. All in all, it's what I enjoy doing. I like the daily challenges and certainly enjoy meeting new people.

But Christmas is fun too. My family is scattered all over the United States and this year, we'll all be together. I can't wait and hope all of you have a wonderful holiday as well.

Kinston Indians to Cease Operations in 2012

2010-12-17T14:50:00.003-05:00

When I woke up yesterday, that was the first thing that I heard. This situation, of course, might have a direct impact on our organization. And to be honest, I am not knowledgeable enough about the decision to really comment. I do know however that Kinston has a rich baseball history and the city certainly has benefited from the operation of the Indians franchise.

I have always enjoyed minor league baseball, and actually prefer going to these games instead of major league games for various reasons. Old minor league ball parks hold a special place in my heart and Kinston is surely one of them. The game of baseball was the same back in the day, but the meaning was different in my opinion. The rich history in places like Kinston will always be remembered. You can't take away fans' experiences. That's the most important thing.

It's unfortunate but these things happen. Minor league parks change affiliates all the time. It's all business. If it's not working out at the current time then something has to change. All in all, Kinston is losing a great thing for its city. I know the direct economic impact and social interaction that will be lost. I know many are saying, "What will the Marlins do now?" Truth is we are not going to change what we do here with this organization because of what is happening with Kinston. We are continuously growing each day and we'll be very fortunate to reach what the Indians have become in the Kinston market. We are very saddened by the events that have unfolded and Buddy and I have friends that work with the Indians. We are going to keep up our same marketing efforts and offer a great, family fun atmosphere.

As stated in the previous post, a good friend of mine, Ben Jones has assumed the General Manager position this year. I certainly wish him the best of luck again and if anyone can handle such responsibility, it's him. He'll put together a fantastic year for the fans, whether it's their last year or not. We all do the same thing...we think of new ways to entertain the fans while fielding a competitive team. He'll have my support and I'll have his. Simple as that.

The Baseball Fraternity

2010-12-13T14:13:00.002-05:00

Working in such a competitive field, you tend to meet a lot of different people. I was fortunate enough to work with and for a great individual by the name of Benjamin Jones. Mr. Jones allowed me to get started in the world of baseball. We both started in the CPL with the Wilson Tobs in 2007. After four seasons as General Manager of the Tobs, Mr. Jones decided to move on and accepted the same position with the Kinston Indians. He certainly was the perfect fit for this organization. No doubt he'll do a wonderful job in Kinston and I wish him the best of luck.

Tough Offseason

2010-12-13T14:07:00.002-05:00

The Marlins lost another member of it's family. A dear friend of ours was lost in a car accident just over a week ago. This friend and her family have been huge supporters of the Marlins since day one. In fact, Hannah's mother Lee was the first person I met when I came to Morehead City back in February. It's very unfortunate that things like this happen to such great people. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lee and her family and we'll certainly won't forget the impact Hannah had on peoples' lives.

Holiday Gifts

2010-12-02T15:39:00.003-05:00

The Marlins still have plenty of merchandise and ticket packages available for that special someone during the holiday season. We just unveiled the newest member of the Marlins line...a hooded sweatshirt. I must admit that I do prefer the cold weather as I grew up in NJ, so naturally I have been accustomed to wearing cold weather apparel most of my life. Hooded sweatshirts are one of my favorite things to wear and our new one is quite comfortable.

Also, season ticket packages can also be bought for the 2011 summer season. Along with season tickets, we are now offering a flex ticket book which contains 12 undated tickets for the regular season.

All of these Marlins items would make great gifts for the holiday season. We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season.

Thanksgiving

2010-12-02T15:22:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. You get to eat as much as you want, and when your done, you get to eat some more. You don't feel ashamed because you know everyone else is eating as much as you are. What's Thanksgiving without a little football also? The Lions and their annual blowout appearance usually doesn't do anything for me. That's a great game for nice nap.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to spend the holiday with my family this year. But that didn't stop me from attempting to cook Thanksgiving dinner myself. I'm not Rachel Ray, but I was certainly impressed with the turnout. I made enough to eat leftovers for five days! I'm not too keen on leftovers, but how can you go wrong with holiday food?

I hope all Marlins fans had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Christmas is right around the corner which gives us another excuse to eat as much as we can. Oh, how I can't wait.

The Marlins Remember

2010-11-16T15:38:00.003-05:00

Over the past couple of weeks, the Marlins lost two dear members of our family: Clyde King and 'Puck' O'Neal.

Clyde King, a native of Goldsboro spent basically his entire adult life in the world of professional baseball in some capicity, most notably with the New York Yankees. He was a player, coach, manager, general manager, and most importantly- a mentor. I've was lucky enough to meet Mr. King on two seperate occasions. Once during the Forest City All-Star Game luncheon and again during a Marlins game where he was honored as guest manager. His last mangerial win came on July 30th in Morehead City with his own Marlins jersey on. What a special treat for me, the players, and the fans.

Also, last week we learned of the passing of the generous 'Puck' O'Neal. I do not know Mr. O'Neal like most people do in Morehead City, but I do know none of what the Marlins have done and continue to do would have been possible without Mr. O'Neal's support. For his contributions, the field at Big Rock Stadium bears his name-Puck O'Neal at Big Rock Stadium. One of his dreams was to have a proper baseball facility to host legion games. With the help of City Council this offseason, Mr. O'Neal received the opportunity to throw out the first pitch on opening night, the Marlins first ever game at Big Rock Stadium in Morehead City. All the hard work by countless individuals all led up to opening night and the park was packed with 2146 fans. Mr. O'Neal will be forever remembered as a big baseball fan and generous individual. We would like to do something next season to honor his legacy. He surely would not want any recognitioin, but I think it's time and it's well deserved.

World Series

2010-11-09T09:51:00.003-05:00

Well, the San Francisco Giants prevailed in the end. As a Yankee fan I was secretly rooting for them. Although the Rangers certainly deserved to be in the World Series. Pitching always wins and the Giants showed why. I had given the Giants the slight edge to begin with but it wasn't by much. I really never expected them to hit much, but it's all about timely hitting.

Now that the World Series is over, what to do now? Do I have to watch basketball? I really have to wait five months for baseball again? Are you asking yourself these questions? Well don't worry, there are plenty of people just like you and I am one of them. Actually, baseball is played year-round all over the world in the fall and winter. There are leagues in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Arizona, Puerto Rico, Venezuela. Some games are even broadcast on TV. So keep a look out. A lot of upcoming prospects play in the Arizona Fall League, where as a lot of veterans play in the other leagues. Either way, it's baseball. I've heard that it's quite a big deal in Puerto Rico too.

I usually get the most enjoyment out of the Hot Stove rumors. A great resource is mlbtraderumors.com. This is a time where proposed trades are being discussed and free agents are looking for new homes. Sometimes I wonder what I enjoy more: the hot stove or actual baseball! MLB Winter Meetings are about to get underway next month. This is where all Major League GM's get together to discuss potential deals. I been to a couple winter meetings before and it's quite interesting to see all the general managers, players, and coaches walking about. Baseball is a business and the preparation for next season starts with Winter Meetings.

League Fall Meetings

2010-11-09T09:28:00.003-05:00

Each year the CPL has two general meetings during the spring and fall for all owners and general managers. Last Thursday the CPL had GM league meetings in Fayetteville. We usually discuss the league on a whole and how to improve operations for all 15 teams. In owner meetings, ideas sometimes are put to a vote, then this vote is usually discussed in the GM meetings. The owners definitely made some changes for next season. The CPL, like most leagues, would like to make changes for the betterment of all players, fans, owners, and staff. Over the course of the last four years, the league (and teams) have made big strides. Ideas usually start in meetings like these.

I won't go into detail because of confidentiality agreements, but we discussed the 2011 schedule, Rawlings (official CPL ball and bat), Zephyr (official CPL hat), Coastal Plain League logo, coach contracts, player contracts, roster number, conditional players, exhibition games, team programs, trainers, All-Star Game, and Petitt Cup Playoffs etc.

Also at the fall meetings, the Defensive and Offensive players of the year plaques are presented to their respective team. The organization of the year and the Petitt Cup is also presented to a team.

Analyzing the 2011 Schedule

2010-10-27T10:32:00.002-04:00

In the previous post, I briefly examined the process of putting a schedule together. We'll take a look at the finished product in this post.

We have three Monday home games, three Tuesdays, five Wednesdays, three Thursdays, five Fridays, four Saturdays, and lastly- five Sundays. As a General Manager, I am primarily concerned with home games. This gives us an opportunity to showcase our product to our fans throughout the summer. That's a given. So it's important to us to have a favorable schedule that ideally revolves around our fans' activities (e.g. weekend games). I touched upon the most favorable nights in the previous post. For the many not-so-favorable nights (weekdays), we have to make sure that our fans will have reason to come to the ballpark other than to see a baseball game. Ultimately, we provide 'entertainment' which happens to revolve around baseball. Establishing successful promotions to bring more people through the gates requires special attention and thought throughout the off-season. If it's worked in the past, then we usually do the same thing the following season, while upgrading plans for the promotional night. Minor league organizations usually borrow promotional ideas from other teams, because, well, it's a good idea and it's a new market. We'll try and put together a great promotional schedule, especially during the week. Fan input is always greatly appreciated.

Last year we had Military Mondays, in which we wore special camouflage uniforms to honor all members of the military. Fans certainly love different uniforms, but I certainly have nothing against our home whites. They look real sharp. We will certainly add Military Mondays to the 2011 schedule.

Looking at the 2011 schedule, we have seven home stands (two or more games in a row). I don't think I've ever had this many home stands before. We'll certainly be busy during the season. So if you can't find us, we'll probably be at the field! In contrast, we have four road trips and eight off days. Off days are particularly important because our players practically play year round. This gives them an opportunity to relax, recuperate, interact with their host families and teammates, and see the sights in Carteret County.

Some non South Division opponents include Asheville, Wilson, Peninsula, Petersburg, Gastonia, Edenton, and Martinsville. Once again, the schedule is heavily loaded with division opponents, which helps each clubs' travel situation.

The CPL All-Star festivities will take place on July17-18. A host site has yet to be determined, but that is usually a fun time. It's certainly a great honor for all the players. The last four All-Star games were held Forest City, Wilmington, Asheboro, and Columbia.

2011 Schedule Coming Soon

2010-10-19T10:26:00.003-04:00

The CPL recently released the preliminary team schedules for the 2011 season. Over the past week, we have been making trades with other teams to acquire specific dates to cut down on travel, increase off days for our players, and to also increase promotional opportunities for next season.

Usually, the most appealing days are Fridays and Saturdays for obvious reasons. Also, Thursday's (Thirsty Thursday) are also seen as appealing as 12 teams in the league can sell alcohol at their respective ballparks. Lastly, July 4th, depending on the city, usually is the biggest night of the year. When I was Wilson and Thomasville, July 4th easily drew the best crowds during the season. Firework shows are commonly known as the best promotion. In most markets, like Wilson and Thomasville, firework shows are generally a successful promotion. That gives some insight to what most teams are thinking of when the schedule is first released. Even though we are a summer collegiate team and not affiliated with minor league baseball, the same philosophy applies to all minor league teams, but on a bigger scale.

This year, the CPL's primary goal is to increase the level of play while decreasing travel. This year, the CPL has gone with an "unbalanced" schedule to help just that. Our fans get to see more out of division teams this year. Some road trips can really be draining for players and coaches, so the unbalanced schedule certainly helps the travel situation. Overall, I believe most teams will benefit from the new schedule structure.

The new completed schedule should be completed during the week and then we'll write a press release announcing the 2011 summer schedule. This is when the fun really begins....we'll start thinking about our promotional calendar. Stay tuned.

Forest City Named Organization of the Year

2010-10-01T11:21:00.002-04:00

Every year about this time, many front office staff members of the Coast Plain League get very uneasy. After another summer season of baseball in the books, there is one last thing that needs to be done in order to wrap up the season: announce the organization of the year. Yesterday, the CPL announced the Forest City Owls have won organization of the year. First, I would like to commend Forest City on a job well done and having a fantastic season. James Wolfe and his hard-working staff always do a phenomenal job.

There are many things that go into an evaluation of an organization for this award. Every organization essentially is graded on many different areas. Some of these area include: post game meals, league communication, field preparation, competitiveness, and community relationship. Every organization is graded by all other organizations, specifically in-division teams. For example, it's impossible for our organization to evaluate Wilson if we haven't played them this year. We can however evaluate Wilmington, Fayetteville, Columbia, and Florence. Players, coaches, staff, and umpires fill out evaluation forms toward the end of the season. These are used, along with CPL evaluations to determine organization of the year.

Unfortunately, Morehead City did not win in it's inaugural season. But that doesn't take away from the hard work that was put in by my staff and the players on a daily basis. I want to congratulate everyone for a very successful season. The Marlins are the newest organization in the league and it will take some time to make an impact in the community and in the league. It doesn't happen over night. I think we are certainly headed in the right direction and we were extremely happy with our first season.

Back at it Again

2010-09-24T11:51:00.002-04:00

I recently returned to Morehead City after a trip to Colorado. What an amazingly beautiful state. I recommend the detour if any are interested. I climbed a fourteener (14,000 + ft. mountain) and I definitely have new respect for individuals that do these types of things on a weekly basis. Hat tip to you. I went to a Colorado Rockies game at Coors Field. What an incredible ballpark and atmosphere. With the close division race, fans were really into the game. Well, after a much needed break, we are ready to start planning for next season.

We recently announced that we have rehired Coach Jay Bergman to lead the Marlins in the 2011 summer season. Buddy Bengel and Coach Bergman have already started the time consuming process of recruiting for next season. Each year about this time, we receive many inquiries from players wanting to play in the league and coaches offering background on potential players that would fit well with our organization. Trying to build a team that has both skill and character is really tough to do. Buddy and Coach Bergman have many relationships with schools around the nation. With that said, we are optimistic that we are going to have a very competitive team in 2011.

A Successful Season

2010-08-16T11:27:00.002-04:00

After 2.5 months and 56 + games, the season has come to an end. The Marlins locked up the third seed and home field advantage in the first round, but were upended by Edenton Steamers in three games. The first round used to be a "one and done" game, but now each round in the Petitt Cup format is a three game series.

The first game was a back and forth matchup between two good teams. The Marlins ended up on the wrong end in an extra inning affair. The Marlins then proceeded to travel to Edenton and win game two that was played over two days because of inclement weather. Unfortunately, with our travel schedule and constant battles down the stretch, the Marlins probably ran out of steam. The Marlins lost game three and the season came to a close. But, they sure left it all out on the field which is all that the coaching staff asks for.

Upon the Marlins arrival at Big Rock Stadium one last time, most of our host families were waiting (at 12:30 am) to congratulate the boys on a job well done. We are very thankful for the wonderful host families that we had this year. They were just unbelievable. Our organization and players were extremely lucky in the support that was given by each and every host family.

All in all, I think we had a very great season. Our team played really well throughout the season and we drew an average of 1161 fans a game. I was amazed to see the amount of interest in the actual game. Most of the Marlins fans were immersed in the games. I have only been living in Morehead City for six months, but many people have came up and thanked me for bringing this new event to Carteret County. The Bengel family deserve all the praise for that. My response is always the same, "I am just one small part of this like each and every fan is".

As I write this, I am back home where I grew up: New Jersey. After a busy but yet rewarding season, we needed to take a little time for ourselves. I needed to go home to see my dog, Pacey. Unfortunately, I had to leave her with my parents during the season because we were extremely busy. I had her during the baseball season in Thomasville last year, and I promised her I would never do that again. She was happy spending time with my family and running circles in the backyard.

Also, I plan on visiting my brother and his wife in Colorado in a week or so. He has been trying to get me to visit him for about a year now. I have never been to Colorado, but I hear it's amazing. I can't wait. When I get back, we'll start getting ready for Marlins season two!

Returning from the All-Star Game

2010-07-22T14:06:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, we returned from the All-Star game in Forest City. After a 6.5 hour trip there and back and a much needed nap, we are prepared for the final playoff run.

The Marlins represented well at the All-Star game: McAllister started for the National team, Marino started for the Americans at third base and had one hit, Carter was HBP and scored a run with two stolen bases, and lastly White had an impressive inning with two strikeouts with no runs against. Hopefully, our players had appreciated this wonderful recognition and accomplishment at the game.

I would like to congratulate the Forest City owls for putting on a wonderful event. James and his hard working staff put on a great show. I certainly had a great time. It's always nice to see many familiar faces around the league, especially the people that I worked with in the past. Maybe in the future, your Morehead City Marlins might be interested in hosting this event.

The Marlins are home tonight against a new opponent: the Peninsula Pilots out of the North division. They have been playing some terrific ball of late as well and it should be 'dog' fight. It's also Bark at the Park at Big Rock Stadium, in case anyone didn't get the above reference. This is one of my favorite promotions of the year. I certainly love dogs and it kills me that my dog is back home in NJ. I wish she were here to partake in the festivities. She would have a blast.

National All-Stars Announced

2010-07-14T14:31:00.000-04:00

- from mhcmarlins.com

The Coastal Plain League released the National team roster for the 2010 CPL All-Star game on Wednesday, and Morehead City Marlins right-hander Brad McAllister has been selected as the team’s starting pitcher.

A sophomore from Barry University, McAllister has anchored the Morehead City rotation in 2010. He leads the team with a 1.26 ERA that ranks sixth in the league – fourth among starting pitchers. McAllister is tied with Brent Powers for the team lead with five wins, is holding opponents to a .192 average and has struck out more than four times as many batters (34) as he has walked (8).

McAllister is the fourth Morehead City player selected to participate in the All-Star Game. On Tuesday, Steve Marino, Ben White and Justyn Carter were named to the American team.

American All-Stars Announced

2010-07-14T14:29:00.001-04:00

-from mhcmarlins.com

On Tuesday, the Coastal Plain League released the roster for one of the two teams that will square off in the 2010 CPL All-Star Game. Morehead City Marlins Steve Marino, Justyn Carter and Ben White will each compete for the American Team in the Jul. 20 contest.

Marino will start at third base for the American team. Though he does not have enough plate appearances to officially qualify for team-leading statistics, Marino carries a team-best .319 average and has scored 18 runs in 22 games played. The junior from Stony Brook has walked more often (12) than he has struck out (7) and has committed just two errors in CPL play.
A sophomore from St. Peter’s, Carter will back up Columbia’s Chase Vergason at second base. Carter leads Morehead City in runs scored (23), walks (24) and stolen bases (17), is tied for second with two home runs and ranks third in RBIs (18).

White is one of nine pitchers on the American team’s staff. He is currently 3-2 with a 2.69 ERA in summer action. The junior from Temple has held opposing batters to a .188 average and is second in the league with 54 strikeouts.

Representatives from all 15 CPL clubs voted on the All-Star selections. The All-Star head coaches – Florence’s Russell Carter and Forest City’s Matt Hayes – then drafted the selected players into the American and National teams. The National team roster will be announced in the coming days.

All-Stars

2010-07-12T16:37:00.002-04:00

This week the Coastal Plain League will announce its All-Star selections. This year's all-star festivities will take place in Forest City, North Carolina. They have a wonderful complex in Forest City and management does a real good job. I am looking forward to visiting Forest City again. Forest City was actually the newest team in the league until your Marlins moved to Morehead City.

I believe the Morehead City Marlins will be well-represented in this year's game. A lot of our players have put together real strong seasons thus far. The Coastal Plain League is usually a pitching dominated league, so many pitchers have had incredible seasons. If you're named an all-star as a pitcher, that certainly means something. Working in the league for four season now, I have seen many future minor leaguers play in this game.

The night before the game, the CPL will have a home run derby. That's usually fun to watch. Last year when I was with the HiToms, we were represented by Stewart Ijames from Louisville. He certainly was known for some moon shots. He didn't win it last year but he gave a great effort. Stewart was just drafted by the Yankees but hasn't signed yet. He is currently playing in the Cape Cod League this summer as a draft and follow player.

This is usually a great time to relax and talk to some of the other teams in the league. This also gives our players time to rest up for the stretch run to the Petitt Cup. They certainly need it.

If anyone wishes to know more about this all-star game or would like to attend, please call the Forest City Owls.

In Other Sports...........

2010-07-08T13:31:00.002-04:00

The Marlins are on the road tonight in Columbia. Our team currently sits in first place in the South division, just ahead of Fayetteville.

But to be honest, the talk around the sports world is not about the Marlins, it's about LeBron James and the "Decision" live on ESPN at 9 PM.

When I was younger, I very much enjoyed playing and watching basketball. I actually rooted for the Knicks. Then the Nets. Then no team at all. As a fan of competition I admire all athletes and sports. But I just lost the spark for basketball...until today. When LeBron James burst upon the scene a few years back, he was the player in my mind that was going to save the NBA in the post Jordan era. He was going to be the face of the NBA. And he has.

When I was in college, I saw Michael Jordan play for the first time with the Wizards at the tail end of his career. That particular game, Jordan posted 43 points and hit the game winning shot. He had more energy than any of his teammates and was literally diving on the court. Everything that I had seen on TV and everything that I read about him, well...was absolutely true. Seeing him play in person was one of the more special moments in my life.

James has that special trait in him as well, I believe. And that's why I am so intrigued by tonight's must-see television event. I don't think that I will ever become the basketball fan that I once was, but if James picks the Knicks or the Nets, there maybe hope for me at last.

July 4th and 5th

2010-07-06T13:39:00.003-04:00

The Marlins surely didn't disappoint their fans. The Marlins had a convincing victory over the Sharks on America's birthday and pulled out an unbelievable walk off win against the Military All-Stars the following night.

Usually July 4th is the biggest game of the year in terms of attendance and interest. When I was working in Wilson, 5153 people came out to watch the Tobs and fireworks. There were a couple factors working against us this year. Although Morehead City does have some fantastic firework shows. I hope all of our fans were able to come to the game and then check out the fireworks.

After the game I was able to catch the tail end of one such show. Working in baseball the past four Fourth of July's, I have yet to see an entire fireworks display. No worries though, I have the rest of my life to watch fireworks....and work them!

July 5th was a very special game for the Marlins and Morehead City. Once again the Marlins played the Heroes of the Diamond in an exhibition game. These players, made up of active duty military, barnstorm throughout the nation to raise money for Wounded Warriors. The pre-game ceremony was very emotional and moving. Unfortunately I was not able to focus on most of the ceremony because my assistance was required in the press box. I made sure that the Heroes of the Diamond script was followed. But I did hear many compliments. Local veteran and Military Affairs Committee member Bob Upchurch was the local Hero that was honored and presented with "Old Glory." Also, veteran Sam Sanford accompanied Bob and was also honored. Sam Sanford is well known in the area for his important work with Project We Care. For more information on how to help, please visit www.wecarevfw2401.org.

We certainly had a great crowd for the game. The Military All-Stars played hard and definitely put on a show for the Marlins fans. We all appreciate what they do for our country.

To our Heroes

2010-07-03T13:40:00.003-04:00

This past week the Marlins had shown their appreciation for the armed forces stationed throughout Carteret County. The Marlins held Military Monday and Salute to Heroes night during the week. Unfortunately, it rained throughout most of Wednesday's game. But the Military were well represented as three to four buses full of Heroes were in attendance. It was certainly great to see. They braved the rain and seemed to really get in the game. We certainly appreciated their support as they cheered on the Marlins. We especially appreciate what the armed forces, firemen, and law enforcement, etc. do for our country on a daily basis. To all of the Heroes out there, the Marlins salute you all.

I hold a special place in my heart for the people that put their lives on line for their country. There is nothing more admirable than that. Living in northern New Jersey, my family and friends were directly affected by the events of 9/11. Some of my friends lost brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and even parents. It's something that to this day, I will not talk about very often. It was an emotional time for everyone and it was great to see our 'Heroes' come together as one. Many of them lost their lives as well. The courage and bravery that was displayed will never be duplicated again.

The Marlins will again show their support for the Military by playing an exhibition game against the Military All-Stars this Monday, July 5th. I have never seen them play, but I hear that it is a must see event. I can't wait.

First Half Comes to a Close

2010-06-28T12:13:00.002-04:00

Over the last few days, the Marlins were fighting for the Division and home field advantage in the playoffs with the Florence RedWolves. After a loss Friday night and another hot streak by the 'Wolves, the Marlins remain in second place in the first half. Today is the last day of the first half of the season.

For those of you who would like know more about the playoff system, well let me enlighten you.

(Per League Manual)

The CPL will be divided into two separate Championship seasons. The team which has won the greatest percentage of games at the conclusion of each half shall be declared winner of that half of their Division in the CPL (East, West, and South).

Round 1 in the playoffs is best two -of-three series. Eight teams make the playoffs (6 division winners and 2-5 next best winning percentages). Essentially the same team can win the second half as well which opens up another playoff spot.

Round 2 is best two-of-three series.

The two winners of those second round series will advance to the Petitt Cup Championship Series. The Petitt Cup is best two-of-three series. This is the first year that all rounds will be broken down into series play.

On a Roll

2010-06-24T09:55:00.003-04:00

After a 10-10 start to the season the Marlins have won three straight games to take sole possession of second place in the South division. The Marlins finally finished the game last night with the Florence RedWolves. Our staff worked really hard on the field to make sure the playing surface was playable in order to finish the game.

The game was really important to the Marlins as the RedWolves were three games ahead going into last night's game. In front of an amazing crowd of 1336, the Marlins were able to tie it up in the bottom of the 6th before the skies opened up. As the team and staff rolled out the tarp, it ripped completely in half. One of the games we absolutely needed...and the tarp rips in half. Doesn't if always work like that? After probably 45 minutes of heavy rainfall ( and no tarp), the game looked lost. I have to admit, I thought we had no chance to finish the game. Luckily, the field has a state of the art drainage system. Within an hour most of the water had been drained. If the game was suspended, the game would have ended in a tie and not continued. As the first half comes to a close, a tie wouldn't have done us any good, especially with Florence up three games with five to play. In essence, we needed to finish that game and we needed a victory. And that's what happened.

I want to thank the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce for everything that they have done for us the past few months. As we received additional support last night from many chamber members, I wish it wouldn't have rained. It was a sweet win and I wish all were there to witness it.

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What about the U.S. soccer and tennis matches yesterday? What a day in sports. Just thought I would throw that in there.

Marlins Get Back in Win Column

2010-06-18T10:28:00.002-04:00

The Morehead City Marlins traveled to Fayetteville last night and exploded for 14 hits and collected 10 runs for the first time this season. Powers pitched a heck of a ballgame as the Marlins prevailed 10-2. Preston Shuey connected with his first home run of the season. I think it's safe to say that if we continue to hit and pitch like this, we'll be all right the rest of the way (ok, so I stated the obvious). It's always nice to come away with the victory in Fayetteville as they are always a tough team to play. They recruit and are coached well.

The Marlins currently sit in third place behind the Wilmington Sharks and the Florence RedWolves. The Marlins will travel to Florence tonight and return tomorrow to face the same foe. We are two games behind Florence, so these next two games are pivotal. The first half ends on June 28th which is right around the corner. As it stands now, despite being one game above .500, we are still in good position.

Marlin meets a Marlin Part Deux

2010-06-17T13:58:00.003-04:00

I should have saved the previous post title for this next entry.

Yesterday, at the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, Marlins mascot and local celebrity, Finn, made a surprise appearance. As it turned out, Finn was able to check out a Blue Marlin as it was weighed and hung for all to see. The 528 pound monster of a fish certainly brought a number of people out. This was my first opportunity to see the Big Rock Tournament in action. It was amazing to see the amount of interest there was and how many flashbulbs were going off. That Marlin that was reeled in was certainly huge. I can't imagine the one that was caught on Monday.

The Marlins baseball team had a small gathering yesterday at the Country Club of the Crystal Coast. We certainly appreciated the hospitality by Chip Chamberlain and his staff. The food was great as always.

The Marlins are currently in route to Fayetteville to take on the Swampdogs as we look to get back on track with a much needed win. It's going to be a hostile environment in Fayetteville as it is Thursday Thursday. Hopefully, our pitchers can block all the chatter out and focus on the game.

The Marlins meet a Marlin

2010-06-15T14:26:00.002-04:00

This week is rather unique for a team in the CPL. The Marlins only have one home game. This is a great week to prepare for other games and reflect on what needs to improve at the ballpark and make each fan's experience more rewarding. My hardworking staff also needs time to re-energize. Each home game requires about 15 hours of work. Sometimes more depending on the time of the game. When we have some down time, we certainly like to take a few moments for ourselves.

The Marlins are in Columbia tonight. We had a new catcher from NC State come in today, named Chris Schaeffer. We feel that our catcher rotation will remain strong and fresh throughout the season with the addition of Chris. The team probably won't get back until the early morning, but they have an off day to recover. We just might have some big plans for this off day, which includes some much needed team bonding (kind of like the Yankees did last year). We had a bunch of new guys that arrived within the past week. This upcoming off day is crucial for the stretch run in the first half of the season.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is underway in Morehead City. I was thinking about checking the event out yesterday, but I just couldn't make it out there. I heard that a fisherman caught a record Blue Marlin. Two of our players were in attendance to view the beast and had their picture taken with it. That picture can be seen on our facebook page. I think today is the day that I check this amazing tournament out.

The Long Road Ahead

2010-06-14T14:44:00.003-04:00

This past Saturday, the Marlins traveled to Columbia for a double header with the Blowfish. After a split and the long trip back to Morehead City, the Marlins were in action last night against the Wilmington Sharks. The Marlins were down early and couldn't catch up. The road trip might have had something to do with the outcome. Columbia is quite the haul from Morehead City. The Marlins now currently sit in third place in the division with a record of 9-8. Despite being one game over .500, the Marlins are in good shape this half.

Unfortunately, the Marlins couldn't pull out the win, but our groups had a blast: the Jacksonville Knights field of dreams team and birthday party members Jaydon and Ariana. We were really impressed with the turnout last night. I haven't had a chance to check out the action during the games, but I do hear the cheers and shouts from the fans. The fans are certainly immersing themselves in the game with each passing pitch.

The Effect has Officially Begun

2010-06-13T12:43:00.003-04:00

Well, the Marlins are off and running....err.... swimming. After probably the busiest month of my life, we are smack in the middle of our season and playing some decent ball. Through 16 games, the Marlins sit in 2nd place in the South division. Our conditional players played really well through the first week and half of the season. I commend them for their hard work and would like to thank every one of them for setting a standard both on and off the field. Now that most of our team has arrived, we can finally run the same lineup out there on a daily basis. This can only help our chances in making a run a the Petitt Cup. Two of our players were drafted in this year's MLB amateur draft: Juan Perez and Chad Oberacker. Juan Perez was drafted by the Colorado Rockies and already signed. Unfortunately, Juan was unable to make it to Morehead City, but we wish him the best of luck in his pro career. Chad was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and just reported this past Friday. We are thrilled to have him roaming center for us for the rest of the season.

The Marlins had a great opening night on May 28th and hopefully everyone had a chance to see what we have been talking about for three months. After seven home games, we are averaging about 1100 fans a game. We fully expect that number to increase as the season moves along. Big Rock Stadium is a beautiful place to play and we can't wait for the finishing touches on the stadium throughout the upcoming weeks.

I am very pleased with the overall product and the job my staff has done. We have 21 home dates left with many fun-filled activities planned. If you haven't had the chance to check out a game, we highly recommend it.

We Need Host Families!

2010-05-10T17:32:00.002-04:00

Over the last few weeks we have been extremely busy. We have announced our partnerships with Communities in School and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Coastal Carolina. We have attended the fantastic business after hours expo. We have solidified a PA Announcer, food vendors, and our promotional schedule. Our pocket schedules are in and are ready for distribution. When our interns come in next week, that will be job one for them.

Our mascot also arrived. We can't wait to unveil him. And yes it's a Marlin. That's all I can say. Oh and it has a huge nose, maybe too large. I swear, no more details. You'll just have to wait.

Most importantly, we have been searching for host families for the season for our players, coaches, interns, and staff. We are in need of at least 6-7 more supportive host families for the season. This host family program includes season tickets for the whole family and is a great experience for everyone involved. I have seen many great relationships formed from this particular program in the past. So, if you have a spare room in the house and want to help out the local baseball team, please give us a call. Really, host families are the backbone of this organization, along with our loyal sponsors. If you can help us out, it would be greatly appreciated.

Marlins News and Notes

2010-05-01T13:57:00.004-04:00

Usually when May 1st rolls around each year in the Coastal Plain League, General Managers realize that this is the month where everything takes shape. We basically have to cross our T's and dot our I's. From ownership down to the gameday staff, we all have to be on the same page. This will be my fourth opening day in the Coastal Plain League and probably the most exciting for me. We are working really hard putting the finishing touches on everything for opening weekend at Puck O'Neal Field (officially changed the name) at Big Rock Stadium.

In a couple weeks, our interns will arrive as well as our broadcaster. They will provide much needed additional help in preparation for the season. We all will be working around the clock, but the experience will be very rewarding in the end.

Our website is finally nearing completion as more content is being added each day. We have added a groups tab, and camps box, and our loyal sponsor links. Please check back each day as players will be released and events will be announced. Our promo schedule has been completed as well. Keep an eye out for our pocket schedules dispersed around the communities.

As you probably know already, the Marlins are still looking for host families for the summer season. If anyone would like information on host families, please contact me at any time.

Tonight, Buddy and I will be attending the Communities in Schools Spring Gala. There will be a special announcement made as well as some great Marlins auction items. If you haven't made any plans for tonight, I would advise everyone to go. See you there!

This has nothing to do with baseball, but from time to time I would like to share daily experiences in my life. And after all, that is what blogging is all about. So I went and got a haircut this morning at a place that shall remain nameless in preparation for tonight's festivities. Here is the conversation between the young lady and myself:

(actually talking about baseball and then it takes a turn for the worst)

Young Lady: Have you used any hair care products before?

Me: No I haven't. Why, should I be using hair care products?

Young Lady: No, but you might want to try Nexxus.

Me: What's that?

Young Lady: Well, it's kind of like Rogaine? It would help with thickening hair and keep hair from falling out.

Me (feeling inadequate and confused): Why, am I going bald?

Young Lady: No, not at all.

Me (now very confused): Oh, well ok.

- That definitely made my day.

30 Days and Counting....

2010-04-28T17:03:00.004-04:00

Wow. Only 30 days left until the Morehead City Marlins grace O'Neal Field at Big Rock Stadium in full uniform. The anticipation has got to be getting to everyone. I know we are really excited about this new summer collegiate franchise (if you can't tell).

Today, Buddy and I attended the Small Business Luncheon in Morehead City. Joan Lamson had received a rather unexpected award for her service to the business community through SCORE. Congrats to her. At this event, I learned a little more about Carteret County as it continues to grow.

In other news, Leadership Carteret have been nice enough to put on a 'Meet and Greet' with the Marlins on May 25th at the Boys and Girls Club to benefit the Boys and Girls Club. More information on this event will be passed along in the near future. If you are interested in attending, tickets can be purchased at the Marlins office or at Chalk and Gibbs. Stay tuned.

Promotional Schedule Just About Done

2010-04-26T11:02:00.002-04:00

One of the most important things during the baseball season is creating a pocket schedule for distribution around the communities. This is probably the most effective publicity outlet for any sports team. We have been working really hard to try and put this promotional schedule together for use on the pocket schedule. We have just about completed the schedule and it is ready to go to print in the near future.

We currently have a number of giveaways throughout the summer season and interesting promotions. I really want to share, but I don't want to ruin it for everyone. You can check it out for yourself once they are distributed. If you are a business owner and you would like a box of pocket schedules, please let us know and we can get those over to you ASAP. I'm so excited.

Marlins Make Appearance in Tree City

2010-04-26T10:30:00.002-04:00

With only a month quickly approaching until opening day, many items still have to be taken care of. One of these things were accomplished this past week as we have brought aboard a broadcaster and Director of Media Relations for the summer season. Alexander (Zander) Kean, graduating from the University of Miami in May, will be broadcasting all 29 home games on the CPL Webpass throughout the summer. We are very excited to bring Zander to Morehead City for our inaugural season.

In other news, Buddy Bengel and I were invited to attend the first annual Tree City Fair in Pine Knoll Shores this past Saturday. From 3pm - 6pm we were available to answer any questions and greet many Marlins fans. We had merchandise for sale, schedules, notepads, other pertinent information that were handed out. Luckily the rain did hold off for most of the afternoon, but it did detract from the festivities a little bit. Overall, it was a great chance for the Marlins to make another appearance and share in environment appreciation.

If you Build it, They will Come

2010-04-20T19:39:00.002-04:00

Today we had the annual spring general managers' meeting that the Marlins hosted. Basically, this is an operational and procedural meeting for the upcoming season. We touched upon umpires, player contracts, post game meals, apparel, radio, and plenty of other things. I would like to thank both Hampton Inns (Atlantic Beach and Morehead City) for accommodating all teams in attendance. I would also like to thank McCurdy's Restaurant and Deck for preparing a delicious lunch for everyone today.

After the meeting, some of the front office staff from the other teams wanted to see the new baseball stadium. We walked the grounds at O'Neal Field at Big Rock Stadium and shared our vision of the ballpark with them. They certainly found it to be a very nice facility. I think Morehead City is going to be very pleased with the outcome.

As some of you know, I have been involved with the Coastal Plain League for three seasons and I very much enjoy these meetings as I get to see some old friends and share ideas with other ballclubs. Maybe we'll think about hosting the fall meeting in the near future.

Tickets, Groups, and Camps Oh My!

2010-04-19T16:31:00.003-04:00

Once again, the Marlins will open up at Big Rock Stadium on May 28th. There are season tickets available for purchase online at mhcmarlins.com. The Marlins play a total of 29 home games during the season in a newly constructed and state of the art facility.

Also, the Marlins offer many different types of outings for all kinds of groups. This season, the Marlins will offer Field of Dreams (run on the field with players), Picnic outing (buffet style dinner at the park under private tent), birthday party (for that special kid...or adult), and camp (ages 6-16) packages that are available for purchase. We are working diligently at updating our website regarding group information. If you have any questions or would like to book a group, please give the office a call. You won't be disappointed.

Promotional Schedule Almost Done

2010-04-19T16:19:00.002-04:00

We have been working tirelessly on our promotional schedule for the upcoming season. Over the last couple weeks, we have added giveaways as well as some other interesting nights at the ball park.

Please keep a close eye out for the promo schedule on the website as well as pocket schedules around the communities. Filling all the dates on the schedule has been something I have always enjoyed. I have seen many crazy promotional nights at the ball park and the funny thing is...the crazier the event, the more people that will attend the game.

If anyone has any interesting ideas, please throw them our way as we are planning for next year already.

The Marlins are Here to Stay

2010-04-19T16:01:00.002-04:00

Just over a week ago, the city council voted to extend the use of Big Rock Stadium for the Marlins through the 2011 season. In other words, expect great competition from major Division I and II athletes in the Coastal Plain League for the next two seasons. How exciting is that! I have seen first hand the impact of such a facility in similar areas, and I believe only good things can come out this project.

The newest family-fun entertainment facility in Morehead City is certainly taking shape. The town of Morehead City is working really hard for a May 1st completion date. Remember, our home opener is right around the corner (only 39 days), so if you haven't bought your game or season tickets, please do so by visiting our website: mhcmarlins.com.

Marlins Odds and Ends

2010-03-25T17:04:00.002-04:00

- This week the Marlins are actively participating in, "Operation Thank You" coordinated by the Carteret Chamber of Commerce. In only two days we were able to hand out many chamber directories all over the county. If you happen to see us, please say, "Hi".

- The Marlins also announced the signing of two Dartmouth University players: right-handed pitcher Ryan Smith and infielder Joe Sclafini.

- St. Peter's sophomore infielder Justyn Carter has been named MAAC Player of the Week.

-The Marlins are also having an informational host family meeting on April 15 @ 6pm at the Hampton Inn in Morehead City. If you are interested, it is highly recommended to be in attendance.

The Winning Team

2010-03-23T12:08:00.002-04:00

After two nervous hours, my baseball fantasy team is set for the 2010 season. I usually draft about 3-4 teams for fun a year, but to be honest I just don't have the time anymore. There was a total of 10 teams in the draft and I picked 8th. I generally like to pick early or late as I like to have picks back to back. With only 10 teams this year, most teams are going to be competitive this year. Here is the team I ended up with:

1B Mark Teixeira
2B Howie Kendrick
3B Chipper Jones
SS Troy Tulowitzki, Stephen Drew
OF Curtis Granderson, Josh Hamilton, Jay Bruce, Jayson Werth, Adam Jones, Colby Rasmus
C Victor Martinez, Geovany Soto
SP Justin Verlander, Tommy Hanson, Jake Peavy, Chad Billingsly, AJ Burnett, Rich Harden, Scott Kazmir
RP Brad Lidge, Jason Frasor, Brandon Lyon

Analysis:
Overall, I am very happy with the way the draft turned out. I tended to choose quality rather than need. As for the offense, I like players that can hit for power and steal bases. The worst pick of the draft might have been Chipper Jones, but he was clearly the best 3B at the time I picked him. I am thinking about possibly trading for a 3B at some point. Josh Hamilton was also a risky pick, but I believe in him.

As for my pitchers, I draft them by K's mostly. K's mean low contact rate, means more outs, which lead to more wins. Simple as that. As you can see my closers are pretty weak, but I don't get caught up in drafting closers early. There is always someone available on the waiver wire. The closer position is like a game of musical chairs. Anyone can claim a seat (closer's role).

Anyways, I will have some actual Marlins news later in the week. Keep a look out.

March Makes Madness

2010-03-22T17:23:00.003-04:00

The first two rounds of the NCAA tournament have been played and I have come to the conclusion that I should stick to what I know best...baseball. Kansas, my pick to win the tournament, made an early round exit by the hands of Northern Iowa. My bracket officially went bust and I will just have to wait for next year. Oh, well. It's all fun and games until your bracket gets thrown in the garbage. I must say that the tournament has been very interesting so far. I like rooting for the underdogs as most people do. But seriously, Cornell, Northern Iowa, and St. Mary's...are you kidding me. I am pulling for St. Mary's as they seem to work the hardest and play with the most energy. Go Gaels.

When I wasn't ripping my bracket into a billion pieces, I spent this past weekend teaching baseball fundamentals to kids and promoting the Marlins at the West Carteret Baseball Camp/Clinic. With over 200 kids in attendance, this was a great opportunity to talk to people about our organization and help out in the community. That is what we like to do best. And the weather was great too! This event got the gears grinding for the upcoming season and beyond. We will have camps at the ballpark for kids ages 6-16 during our season. Marlins players and coaches will be coordinating five camps throughout the season.

Today is another special day for me. Tonight I will take part in a fantasy baseball draft. I have been playing fantasy baseball for fun for about nine years or so. I guess I consider myself an expert now. For those of you who want to know the results, my team will be announced tomorrow. Wish me luck!

The Main Attraction

2010-03-19T12:15:00.000-04:00

As the season draws near, there is much to be done before opening day (May 28th). Of all the tasks that need to be done, corporate partnerships is at the top of that list. Buddy Bengel and I are currently in the process of gathering local support around Carteret County. We offer unique marketing opportunities for local businesses in the area. There seems to be a lot of interest in what we are trying to do as we are one of the few entertainment attractions on the Crystal Coast. In a nutshell, we plan on providing an affordable family-fun atmosphere for locals, families on vacation, second home owners, and the military. During this summer season and many summer seasons to follow, baseball will be that entertainment outlet.

While gathering local support around the communities, we have been trying to educate the public about our organization. As a baseball organization, the Morehead City Marlins are the newest member of the Coastal Plain League. The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 14th season, the Coastal Plain League features 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The CPL gives players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. All players are housed with local host families for the summer.

With 70 days until the season officially kicks off (I shouldn't have started a countdown), we have our work cut out for us. Many things have to be accomplished within a very limited amount of time. Like previously stated, our main focus is finding local support around the area. After that, we also have to hire interns, a broadcaster, and game-day staff. Additionally, we have to put together our promotional schedule, find host families for our players, acquire food vendors for the season, provide post game meals for our players and umpires to name just a few items on our never-ending list. During this process, I plan on updating everyone as often as I can. So, please stay tuned.

Right now, the ball park (O'Neal Field at Big Rock Stadium) is progressing nicely. The concrete has been poured for the dugouts and the concourse is taking shape. Some of the next steps include seating arrangement and equipment installation. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to view the new park, the actual baseball field has been installed and maintained appropriately.

We really appreciate the positive responses we have received so far. Keep thinking baseball and spread the word that the Marlins are coming.