Hi – my name is Tom. I recently retired after a long career in finance, primarily at a telecommunications company (Telephone & Data Systems or TDS) and its subsidiary UScellular. More to come on that later…
But first – I love going to live sporting events. And what with it being summertime, Minor League Baseball is in season. Having been to my share of Major League games, I really appreciate the fun, lower stress, and (relatively) low cost of the Minor Leagues.
There are multiple minor league teams (in different leagues and with different business models) near where I live in suburban Chicago. I visited several in my first few weeks of retirement…
Come along for the journey.
The Beloit Sky Carp
On my last day of work, my wife, Beth and I drove the about 80 miles just across the Wisconsin border to see the Sky Carp face the Dayton Dragons.
I have been going to games in Beloit for over 15 years – my business travels took me frequently between Chicago and Madison, WI and Beloit is right on the way.
Unlike the teams in the immediate Chicago area that I visit, Beloit is an “affiliated” team – they are a farm team of the Miami Marlins, playing in the Midwest League. The Midwest League is a Class “High A” level league, the second of four levels on the way to the Major Leagues. The business model essentially is the Marlins select, assign and pay the players, and the organization in Beloit handles the business and marketing end.
When I first started attending games in Beloit, they were then called the Snappers (as in turtles) and played at Pohlman Field which was located in a Beloit city park. While it was a fantastically intimate place to watch a game, you know that the facilities are not up to snuff when during an in-game bathroom visit, the opposing team’s catcher steps up to the urinal next to yours because there are no facilities for them…true story.
Given that less than stellar stadium, Beloit was in danger of losing their affiliation – particularly when MLB did a significant streamlining of Minor League systems a few years ago. Much to their credit, Beloit city leaders and businesses came together and built the beautiful ABC Supply Stadium right on the shores of the Rock River in downtown Beloit, saving the team.
Unfortunately, they also insisted on changing the team’s name from Snappers (juicing the merch sales). After a fan vote, Sky Carp (a bird that does not migrate south in the winter) was the winner. Even more vexing, gone was the awesome team mascot Snappy D. Turtle, to be replaced by …Poopsie. Yes, Poopsie. Sigh…
Some observations from our visit:
- Parking wasn’t well-organized. There are two small lots directly adjoining the stadium. We went all the way into one before discovering it was full and needing to double back to the other, which created a jam.
- It was Bluey Night. I am not up on current small kid TV but am told that Bluey is mega-popular. There was a premium ticket package with a pre-game meet-and-greet with Bluey in costume. That led to a high population of children in attendance who did not fare well as the game wore on…
- Calling a foul for Excessive and Ill-Timed Use of Woooo: I am a huge fan of the ’80’s wrestling character the Nature Boy Ric Flair who was an arrogant, cheating, flamboyant womanizer. All things that I am not – which is probably why I like him so much. Anyway, like many sports venues, the Sky Carp pumped his trademarked “Woooo” over the PA at various times of the game. But folks let’s hold this for key moments – not a half-swing strike two by the opponent with one out and the bases-empty in the fifth inning.
- Even foul balls are sponsored. In the Minor Leagues, everything is sponsored.
- And, as in many ballparks, there is a Beer Batter promotion – where one opposing hitter is designated as the Beer Batter and, if thy strike out, there is a short-term deal on beer. But in Beloit, only a discount.
- We may have been just across the border, but the Wisconsin influence is heavy. Besides the New Glarus beer, and emphasis on brats and cheese curds at the concession stands, Roll Out the Barrel was played after Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the 7th inning stretch and Jump Around was played in the 8th inning. As I will write about in the fall, my daughter went to the University of Wisconsin and I continue to go to a football game or two at Camp Randall Stadium each year. Jump Around at Camp Randall is awesome. And I believe it should remain there.
- In a sign of (my) age, the Ball/Strike/Out indicators on the scoreboard were hard to read. I’m sure it was because of the protective netting. Yeah, that’s the reason…
But, it was a beautiful night and the Sky Carp rallied to win. A great way to spend my first night of freedom!
Tom