RSN: From a JetHawks’ perspective, how did Lancaster become a Red Sox affiliate, and what do you see as the long-term future of the relationship?
BS: First and foremost, we are absolutely thrilled to be affiliated with one of the top teams in Major League Baseball and one that has such an incredible fan base. The affiliation came about in quick fashion after Arizona decided to leave Lancaster and we realized Los Angeles was going to bring their A club back to the West Coast to another location in our league. Once we learned of their decision, the communication was immediate between us and Boston as the Red Sox sought a high A team in the California League and we looked for a relationship that would be mutually beneficial. We agreed on a two-year PDC with the understanding that both sides wanted to ensure this relationship is a positive one as there are certainly logistical items both sides will be working through, now that parent and affiliate are on opposite sides of the country. From the first conversation, however, both sides welcomed each other and thus far we could not be happier.
RSN: What does the affiliation-switch mean for your fan base, and how will it affect branding? Are there many Red Sox fans in Antelope Valley?
BS: I have been amazed at how many Sox fans have “come out of the woodwork” since we made this announcement. Not only have fans responded positively in the Antelope Valley, but we have been hearing from fans from throughout Southern California who are excited at the prospect of being able to watch Fenway’s future stars right in their backyard. Certainly, the branding opportunities that are now available to us through the use of the Red Sox logo and name are priceless and we are continuing to develop ways that will maximize the exposure for not only our club, but the Red Sox as well in our community. Our 2007 slogan is “Become a Part of JetHawks Nation”, which is obviously a play on words in tribute to the most loyal fan base in sports, but it is also an invitation to those in our growing community to be a part of something special. We plan to develop several merchandise items that will showcase this slogan as well as items that will feature the co-branding of the JetHawks and Red Sox logos. Since the announcement, merchandise has been selling steadily and we expect that to continue as we get into the new year.
RSN: Wilmington’s ownership group was reportedly unhappy with how the Red Sox organization’s developmental philosophy impacted the product they put on the field. What expectations do the JetHawks have?
BS: From our ownership group down through our front office, we understand the role that a Major League affiliate plays in the overall development of future major league players. In the three years that I have been in Lancaster, we have been fortunate to watch several players make the quick jump from the JetHawks to Arizona or other Major League locales and that, to me, is as thrilling as anything, knowing we played a part in that player’s climb to the top. Certainly winning beats the alternative, but we also understand that we are not necessarily here to win, we are here to provide an environment where players assigned to Lancaster can have the opportunity to succeed and progress in their careers – exactly what Minor League Baseball is designed to do. Understanding our role in the big picture and the development of players is extremely important as I feel it helps in our relationship with the parent club.
RSN: Tell us a little about the history of the franchise, including ownership, and Clear Channel Stadium.
BS: We are entering our 12th season in Lancaster, where the team has been since it relocated from Riverside, California in 1996. We play in Clear Channel Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility that features 4,500 seats (total capacity can reach close to 7,000), and 12 luxury suites. The club has seen numerous players reach the big leagues after playing in Lancaster, including Jose Cruz, Jr, Brandon Webb and more recently, a crop of up-and-coming younger players including Stephen Drew, Conor Jackson, Carlos Quentin and rookie standout Dan Uggla.
Lancaster is owned by the Peter Carfagna family, one of three Minor League Baseball franchises that the Carfagna family owns, as they also have Everett, WA and Lake County, OH. Peter and his son, Pete (our Senior Vice President) reside in Cleveland, OH and both attended Harvard and the family has strong ties to the Boston area.
RSN: The California League is regarded as being hitter-friendly. How does Clear Channel Stadium play compared to the rest of the league, and what can Red Sox hitting and pitching prospects expect in their new west coast environment?
BS: We are located in the high desert region of Southern California at almost 2,500 feet above sea level so, naturally, because of the altitude, the ball is going to fly a little further here than in other ballparks. We are certainly a hitter-friendly ballpark, which can inflate some numbers on the offensive side, however, it can also teach our pitchers how to pitch and keep the ball down, obviously a crucial part of any pitcher’s repertoire. Many pitcher’s have gone on from Lancaster much improved because they learned to keep the ball from flying out of here and it made them better at locating pitches.
It is usually very cold here in April and May, with wind and chilly temperatures, however, once June hits, the wind still comes up in the afternoons but, typically by game time, when the sun is setting, the area cools off, the wind dies down and this creates a very comfortable evening for a ballgame. We do get our share of 14-12 ballgames, and plenty of home runs are hit in our facility, but by-and-large, fans are going to see some good baseball played here.
RSN: I recently read that snakes like to sun themselves on the infield at Clear Channel. Is there any truth to that?
BS: Although we do get the occasional tumbleweed blowing through the ballpark, I have yet to see any snakes enjoying themselves on our finely manicured playing surface!
RSN: What can Red Sox fans visiting the Lancaster area, and Antelope Valley, enjoy besides JetHawk baseball?
BS: Our area is known as “Aerospace Valley” as the Antelope Valley and nearby Edwards Air Force Base has been home to almost every significant aerospace accomplishment. There are a couple of parks with incredible displays of aircraft and downtown Lancaster features the Aerospace Walk of Fame. If you are lucky enough to get access to Edwards AFB, which is home to NASA Dryden (the base is the site of over 50 space shuttle landings) there are interesting aircraft displays there as well.
For the non-flying enthusiast, the area features many parks and Lancaster has a quaint downtown area with some shops and restaurants. Palmdale features the typical array of dining and retail chains. In addition, our proximity to the LA Basin provides a wealth of entertainment options within a short drive. Burbank and Hollywood, as well as beach communities and downtown LA are all within an hour to hour-and-a-half drive from Lancaster.
RSN: Frank Zappa is from Lancaster. With that in mind, what is the atmosphere like at JetHawks game?
BS: In addition to Zappa, visitors may be interested to know that John Wayne spent his formative years in Lancaster as well, another one of our community’s “claims to fame”. We continue to develop the environment that our fans enjoy when they attend a JetHawks game. Prior to last season, we added a state-of-the-art video board and that has provided added entertainment options to each of our games as we play fun movie clips, interactive games and other graphics throughout each game. Like many teams, we entertain throughout the game and we try to appeal to folks from all walks of life. Recently, we hired a gentleman who is a national promoter for a record label and has extensive experience in the entertainment industry. He will be overseeing all of our promotions and we believe, taking our show to the next level in creativity and interaction.
RSN: What do you have in place for radio coverage, and is there internet broadcasting of the games?
BS: We have a strong relationship with Clear Channel, obviously, and it extends into the broadcasts we offer our fans. Our flagship station is Magic 1340 AM, however, we are also simulcast about 15 times per season on FOX Sports 610 AM, which has a coverage area that expands from Las Vegas to San Diego, giving Sox fans in Southern California an opportunity to tune in when that station is not carrying its other professional sports programming. In addition, we offer live streaming from our website, www.JetHawks.com, where fans can listen in from across the nation. We continue to make our broadcasts interactive with in-game contests and opportunities for listeners to win great JetHawks prizes, and we also welcome fans who may want to test their broadcasting skills on the air when they visit The Hangar as Jeff Lasky will occasionally invite guests into the booth to share their experiences.
RSN: From a personal standpoint, what is your history in professional baseball?
BS: I grew up in the Bay Area of Northern California and began working as a seasonal employee while in high school with the San Jose Giants. Once in college, I was offered an internship with the Sioux Falls (SD) Canaries of the independent Northern League, where I stayed for nine seasons, the last two as the club’s General Manager. I graduated from a small college in Sioux Falls and it was with the Canaries that I learned this business from the ground up and where I also had the opportunity to work in player procurement as well. Being an independent club, we put together our rosters and I worked hand-in-hand with our field manager, former Major League manager and player Doc Edwards, in handling all aspects of fielding a professional team and that experience has been invaluable to me as I have continued my career. Those in affiliated baseball do not get that opportunity and have the unique experience of working to build a team and having that in my background has allowed me to understand that side of our business, a nice compliment to the business side of baseball, which is our primary responsibility in an affiliated front office. As I said earlier, my family and I have been in Lancaster for three years now and we recently signed a two-year contract with our ownership group and I look forward to continuing to move this franchise in the right direction as we grow as a company in one of the fastest growing areas of Southern California.