Meeting the Suns

On Tuesday,I attended the first ever Meet the Suns team party at the Hager Hall facility and came away quite impressed by the organization.
As long time readers know,I have never shied away from criticizing the Suns and never backed down from anything that I wrote when I have seen Suns employees face to face,so I am far from the fan that looks at everything with rose colored glasses.

It wasn't as much the party itself as the energy that seems to be spreading through the people there.
The employees that have been there for a few years seem rejuvenated and I can only think that this comes down to new GM Bob Flannery.
Flannery was walked over to us (Battlin Bob and Ryan) after we asked about the continuation of the ridiculous Smith/Himsworth policy of staying out of certain areas.
To my surprise,it looks like as long as collectors move out of the area before gametime (I have never seen that be an issue),they are going to have further space.
Flannery talked to us about various things and stressed that the Suns want to hear our thoughts and that is a radical change from the past as with a few exceptions,it seemed like no one wanted hear any new ideas..

The Suns apparently have a new commitment to fan friendliness that goes beyond printing some t-shirts with a catch phrase that was furthest thing from the slogan.
The stadium has been cleaned up a large amount with removing peanut shells that have been there long enough to be composted and some fresh coats of paint as well.
You can only freshen up a warhorse like the Muni so much,but little things like removing ancient paint goes a long way to showing that the organization does care.
Ticket sales are increased from last season and considering the economy,that means the Suns are doing something positive.

New Suns boss Matt LeCroy spoke for a few minutes and talked about the two things that you will see from his club-a hard working,hustling ball club and that his team will always be respectful to the fans.
I thought Darnell Coles did a great job of stressing that last year (with the exception of Michael Burgess at times) and it is nice to see that LeCroy appears to be on the same wavelength.


Two other notes from the good news bad news department.
The good-The Suns bullpen will now be down the right field line by the clubhouses.
That will make Suns relievers far easier to get signatures,which Hagerstown bullpenners had always been the most difficult to get.
The visiting team will be in center field in the Suns old bullpen,which make visiting relievers the hardest to get,but I still like the change.
The bad-We have been told that where we sit at the Muni may have some changes,as a sports bar area under the grandstand is being installed.
Hopefully it will not take the entire area up and we can still sit near the top without sitting in front of a pole,which are many.
Sometimes,it can take some maneuvering to see the entire field,so hopefully that will still be able to be done.

I didn't get many autographs although the players were available.
The players were pleasant and were signing,I just kept it simple and was able to have Steve Sousa sign some cards from last year as the only addition.

All and all,a very nice start to the season and for the new Suns front office.
Finally,maybe I can write that the Sun really does shine in Hagerstown.

Now,if they can only fix the food.....

Bullpen Notes

Thanks to the different notes of concern on last nights cryptic closing on the blogs future.
My hours have been reduced at work and although that has a downside economically,it has another downside as well-Instead going to work at 11 Pm,I will be in at 10 on some nights and 10;30 on others.
This affects the end of Pirate games and sometimes,I will miss the end of Hagerstown games.
But there is good news as I will now be off three days instead of two,so if anything the blog should be stronger over the long haul.
My new schedule starts on May 3rd,so the change isn't immediate.
Thanks again for all the thoughts.

From last week,a bomb in St.Petersburg Russia blew a chunk out of a statue of the founder of the Soviet Union Vladimir Lenin.
Why is this a big deal?
Well the hole looks like it is right out of the seat of his pants!
Where is Battlin Bob when you need him???

Lefty talker Ed Schultz finally landed a TV gig with the "Ed show" (no,Battlin Bob,my dog didn't get his own television program) on MSNBC.
Schultz will begin the MSNBC liberal lineup with his show at 6 PM.

Still more Bullpen notes to go,but we will save some for tomorrow with Pirates-Cardinals and Devils-Senators.
I am not ignoring the Devs,although lately it could seem so,but the playoffs are around the corner.

Photo Credits
Baseball-Unknown
Lenin-BBC/AFP