Paul over at Baysoxblog.com has started a series of Q&A’s with the bloggers and beat writers who cover some of the teams of the Double-A Eastern League. I was very fortunate to be asked to participate in Q&A session with him, which was conducted a few weeks ago.
Here is the lead paragraph for the interview.
“The next stop on our tour of the Eastern League is Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Will Bentzel of Senators Fans Unite was kind enough to take us on a little tour of the renovations of one of the most unique parks in professional baseball, takes a stab at the Senators 2009 line-up, and what the Senators are doing to improve on the lowest average attendance in the Eastern League in 2008.”
You can check out the entire Q&A session here (this is the link I prefer you use):
http://baysoxblog.com/2009/03/17/harrisburg-senators-preview-with-will-bentzel-of-senators-fans-unite/
The Q&A also appears on Baseball Daily Digest:
http://www.baseballdailydigest.com/blogs/2009/03/18/minor-notes-harrisburg-senators-preview-with-will-bentzel-of-senator-fans-unite/
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Q&A with me on Baysoxblog.com
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4 comments:
GREAT information, Will, especially about your favorite memories and stadium renovations!
According to what I have been reading - for the moment, Justin Maxwell has been assigned to Syracuse...Dee Brown has been released...and Ross Detwiler has been assigned to Harrisburg.
I agree with your comments about the terrible start times.
Developmental wise, under the new Nationals leadership, the players are rushed more than usual. Each player should be at one level for one year to fully develop at that level...no skipping of levels...no rushing of players.
In my opinion, the promotions are better for the week-ends, than during the week.
Jane
I too enjoyed the interview, and learning a lot of things I did not know about the Senators, it showed how knowledgeable you are on the subject and I will be excited to see the changes and attendance this year and next.
Keith
Im assuming the 7pm start times is to make it more in line with what most everyone else does (if that is such a problem, I cant see why most everyone else would ditch 7pm for another time). At least it works for me, being a 3rd shifter (gives me an extra hour of sleep before the game), but I can see where that extra hour can cut into someone wanting to stay at the game, due to work or school commitments. The one positive I can see though in the 7pm start times is that people that want to catch a game dont have to rush home from work, and get to the park in an hour.
Also, if you really want to go with odd Sunday start times, go to Washington (PA) for a Wild Things game. They have their Sunday games at night instead of any day time hours (The logic is so families can enjoy a Sunday game without getting roasted by the sun during the day), but with me and my girlfriend sometimes not getting out of church until 11:30 on Sundays, 2pm start times work for us as well, and I can assume is set up for church goers so, like with the 7pm start, they dont have to rush around to not miss the start of the game.
I do agree that, unlike last year, it does seem that the Senators are intent on bringing people to the game with all the promotions they have. I guess last year was a year for the new ownership to learn, and then go from there to see what worked, what didnt, and see what different things they can do. But IMO, the low attendance numbers the Senators had I dont think was just from the lack of promotions (having what was pretty much an atrocious team playing in an outdated park that usually gets invaded by mayflies doesnt help matters), but im sure with everything that happened with the team this past season, and what is going on for this season, I doubt we will see bad attendance numbers like we did last year.
And on the renovations, I kinda agree some of the stuff is probably not gonna be ready, but im sure some of the stuff, like the GA seating in the outfield) will be ready, at least some of the basics out there. Still got about about 3 1/2 weeks, until the Senators first game, so lots can happen between now and then.
Also got different favorite moments for the Senators (my very first game, which I clearly remember was the same night as the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in 1996), and Milton Bradley's homer (dont know how you forgot to mention that, cant go wrong with picking a moment that any kid dreams of doing, no matter it being Little League, High School, College, Minor, or Major League).
And yeah, I am quite excited for the future of the team. At least it isnt MLB run anymore, so we know the ownership of the Nats is at least going to try and get good prospects going through the system, instead of it being half-a'ed deal where its just pick a name, and go with it.
Sorry for being quite long winded, would of replied sooner, but had to think of how to go along with how to reply to it, thats all :)
I want to thank everyone for the support and feedback.
Steudler47: I appreciate your feed back.
The main reason for my issue with the 7PM start time is photography. It’s going to be difficult to get a fast enough shutter speed to freeze the peak action; especially early in the season. I’ve heard complaints from people with kids and it effecting their bed time and I can understand that as well. Because of the later starts on week nights may not be an option for people with small kids. People who work in the morning have also complained because games will end later. In my case I have to get up at 6 for work so the hour later start time means I get to bed an hour later (not to mention editing photos and posting them). So I’m guessing I will probably hit the bed around 1 or so.
The Sunday start times are okay with me. I have heard complaints from other fans though. You are correct; Church is the main reason for the Sunday time change.
The team last year was very good until the All-Star break and then they fell apart. Through the first few months of the season they had one of the best records in all of Double-A (30 teams). The facilities served there purpose but were outdated. My personal opinion is that they accepted the loss last year in anticipating a renovated stadium for 2009. That way they throw good money into promoting the renovated stadium and promotions and actually see a positive return on their investment.
Word I got directly from the construction crew is that everything will be ready. I still have doubts.
Between 96 and 2005 I only attended about 3 games. The last baseball game that I actually played in was in 04-05. I had a pretty good chance to do something after High School but bad knee injuries (both right and left) cut that short. I just couldn’t go around a baseball field knowing that I couldn’t play anymore. I got into photography in 05-06 and figured I’d try baseball photography. Needless to say I missed a large chunk of the Senators “glory days”. So I just picked personal favorites.
Your reply is greatly appreciated. I can’t wait for opening day. This is going to be an exciting year.
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