Ballpark Hunter
SportA podcast discussion on ballparks from the majors down to the amateurs. We talk about everything from the current trends to the grass.
Siste episoder av Ballpark Hunter podcast
- Ainsworth Field - Alan Swigonski (00:44:30)
Author and baseball fan Alan Swigonski is my guest this week and he discusses the grassroots effort to save Ainsworth Field in Erie, Pennsylvania, and restore it back to its former glory. He has been attending games there since he was a kid over 60-years-ago and wants to see a future generations of youngers enjoy the ballpark.
- Great Falls Voyagers - Colin McGuinn (00:38:25)
This week's guest is the GM of the Great Falls Voyagers Colin McGuinn. He shares his experience of working in professional sports and how that route took him to Montana. He has introduced tailgate parties at Friday and Saturday games and hopes to unveil more plans in the coming years.
- Schaumburg Boomers - Michael Larson (00:37:58)
My guest this week is Michael Larson, Executive Vice President & General Manager of the Schaumburg Boomers. He tells us his journey that led to his current position with the ball club and how they do things a little differently.
- Ballpark Visits, $19 Milkshakes, and Flying Mummies (00:30:12)
This week's episodes looks back at recent ballpark trips to Rate Field in Chicago and Block Stadium in East Chicago, Indiana. Rate Field is known for its amazing food and party-like atmosphere and Block Stadium is a 1942 grandstand updated for the 21st Century. I also look at the Name the Team contest with the Richmond Northwoods League team debuting in 2026.
- Miesville Mudhens (00:31:24)
My guest is former Miesville Mudhens pitcher Brian Meyers who know helps maintain operations at the club's ballpark. The Mudhens are members of Minnesota townball, a collection of amateur baseball teams that have a long history dating back over a century.
- Down East BirdDawgs - Kris Dumschat (00:29:00)
My guest this week is Kris Dumschat of the Down East BirdDawgs of the Frontier League. He is the team's Director of Marketing, Promotions & Fan Experience. Dumschat is helping to build the Bird Dawgs brand, focusing on bringing not only a talented baseball team to Kinston, but also by building a top-notch family fun experience for all the surrounding communities.
- Watertown Rapids - Candi Churchill (00:42:25)
My guest this week is Candi Churchill, GM of the Watertown Rapids. The ball club plays in the New York Collegiate Baseball League and play at the Duffy Fairgrounds. Churchill is in her first season with the Rapids and has served in the same position with the Watertown Wolves of the Federal Hockey League. She tells us what the orginazation has planned to bring the fans back the ballpark from game day promotions, community outreach, and plenty of media outreach.
- Bristol Blues - Jordan Scheiner (00:41:50)
My guest this week is the GM of the Bristol Blues Jordan Scheiner. The Blues play in the New England Collegiate Baseball League and offer an old-school atmosphere at Muzzy Field, a ballpark that has been hosting baseball since 1912. Scheiner also discusses the internship program and his experience playing baseball at Old Orchard Park in Maine.
- Vermont Mountaineers - Brian Gallagher (00:25:12)
My guest this week is the GM of the Vermont Mountaineers Brian Gallagher. They are members of the New England Collegiate Baseball League and are based in Montpellier. Their home ballpark is Recreation Field and offers charm of the past and the present.
- Marion Hungry Mothers - Kelsey Marchant (00:28:25)
The Marion Hungry Mothers are about to begin their inaugural season this summer and GM Kelsey Marchant is my guest tonight to tell me all about it!
- Sherbrooke Expos - Max Pelletier (00:45:33)
My guest tonight is Max Pelletier, GM of the Sherbrooke Expos of the Ligue de Baseball Majeur du Québec. A senior amateur league in the province of Quebec. Pelletier shares his experience running a franchise out of Stad Amedee-Roy, his team's commitment to winning, and the introduction of new uniforms and its own beer.
- Jersey Shore Blue Claws - What is a Benny? (00:39:58)
My guests this week will explain all of it as they have taken a local term and transformed it into what could be one of the more exciting promotions at a ballpark this summer at The Shore. Jersey Shore BlueClaws VP of Communications Greg Giombarrese and Gianna Fiocco, Director of Promotions & Entertainment, sit down to tell me what it is all about.
- Richmond Northwoods League - Matt Bomberg (00:40:04)
Matt Bomberg is my guest today and he talks about the brand new club coming to Richmond, Indiana, in 2026. The expansion franchise will play out of McBride Stadium and be a whole new era of baseball at the historic WPA venue. We discuss what will be done and who will be involved with the day-to-day operations in Richmond.
- Kansas City Baseball Trip Review (00:38:40)
I am solo this week as I talk a little baseball on my recent trip to Kansas City and Lawrence, Kansas. Do you enjoy baseball trips in early April in the Midwest or do you wait until the weather is warmer? Let me know!
- Matt Hiscox - Forest City Cobra Chickens (00:34:02)
Matt Hiscox is my guest and he is the media relations director and photographer for the London Majors of the Intercounty Baseball League. The team pulled off an April Fools prank that went viral when it announced they would be called the Forest City Cobra Chickens. Due to high demand, the team will rebrand for one night as the Cobra Chicken sometime this summer.
- Up to Chat - Mike Sellers, Part II (00:32:54)
My guest this week is Mike Sellers, the host of the Up to Chat podcast. This is the second part of our conversation. We get into a lively banter on baseball, logo rebranding, and everything else.
- Eau Claire Express - Craig Toycen (00:37:27)
My guest this week is the owner of the Eau Claire Express Craig Toycen. He shares his thoughts and plans for the Express in 2025, along with his past experiences in baseball.
- Up to Chat - Mike Sellers, Part I (00:32:44)
My guest this week is Mike Sellers, the host of the Up to Chat podcast. We get into a lively banter on baseball, logo rebranding, and everything else. The conversation is so good that we had to break it up into two parts.
- Chris Ferara - Newark Pilots (00:48:51)
The head coach of the Newark Pilots Chris Ferara is my guest this week. He talks about his first year as the skipper of the team and ideas he has to raise the awareness of the club in the area.
- Mal Romanin - St. Catharines PGCBL (00:30:34)
Mal Romanin is my guest, the co-owner and Director of Operations for the new baseball club in St. Catharines, Ontario, begining this summer in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League. Romanin is a 12-year vet in the Toronto Blue Jays communication department, and he gives us a glimpse of what to expect from his new club set to play this summer.
- Bring the A's Back to Philly! (00:57:24)
Tonight's conversation is about relocating the Athletics back to Philadelphia. Does that sound crazy? Is it crazier than playing in Sacramento for three years and hoping that a ballpark in Las Vegas gets built? The A's playing in the Philadelphia market might not be as far-fetched as it sounds, and my guest, pushing for a movement with his petition, gives us more details on what the city could look like as a two-team baseball town. https://www.change.org/p/mlb-bring-the-athletics-back-to-philadelphia
- American Ballpark Road Trip - Nicholas Carey (01:12:43)
Joining me again as a guest is Nicholas Carey of American Ballpark Road Trip. He talks about his passion for creating content for his YouTube page and the equipment used to showcase various ballparks throughout the country and abroad.
- Logovember 24 - Jason Moragas (01:07:51)
Jason Moragas returns to the show to review the newest logos and rebranding across the world of organized baseball this off-season. We rate are three favorites and three of our least favorites on this week's episode.
- Canadian Hockey League Tour - Kevin Jordan (00:48:06)
We take a break from ballparks this week. Kevin Jordan is my guest tonight, and he discusses his journey to all 60 Canadian Hockey League arenas. He shares his favorite arenas, memorable moments, and his future plans.
- Timber Rattlers Fauxback & Other Merchandise (00:30:28)
My guests this week are from the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers of the Midwest League. Sawyer Dam, the Merchandise & Retail Manager, and Ryan Moede, the VP of Business Operations, tell me how their collection of alternate identities helps with merchandise sales for the club.