Sand Gnats Add Two Seasoned Veterans To Front Office
January 21, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Savannah Sand Gnats have added two new seasoned veterans to their front office staff as the 2009 season approaches. Ric Sisler, who served as the team's General Manager from 1991-1998, joins the staff as the Director of Sales. Dave Wellenzohn, who most recently served as the General Manager of the Batavia Muckdogs of the New York-Penn League, takes over as the Director of Ticketing.
"The process of re-making the front office, which began earlier this month with the installation of R.C. Reuteman as President, continues today with the additions of Ric and Dave," said Jason Freier, CEO of Hardball Capital and managing member of the Sand Gnats ownership group. "These two gentlemen bring tremendous experience to our ballclub and community. With R.C., General Manager Bradley Dodson, Ric and Dave, we now have four people on staff that have run a ballclub, giving us a true All-Star front office."
Sisler brings over 20 years of baseball experience as well as ties to the local Savannah community. His track record of success includes being named the Northern League Executive of the Year in 1999, setting six attendance records in his first stint with the Sand Gnats and winning the 1991 South Atlantic League Merit Award for attendance achievement.
He is the grandson of Hall of Famer George Sisler, a lifetime .340 hitter with the St. Louis Browns, Washington Senators and Boston Braves and the 1922 American League Most Valuable Player. His father, Dick Sisler, also played in the Major Leagues and managed the Cincinnati Reds in the mid-1960s. Ric played three years in the New York Yankees' farm system before moving into the front office.
The Tennessee graduate joined the Sand Gnats in 1988 as assistant general manager for the team which was, at the time, known as the Savannah Cardinals. It was prior to the 1996 season, during Sisler's time as General Manager, that the team adopted the "Sand Gnats" moniker. In addition to his time in Savannah, Sisler, a native of Macon, Ga., has served as the General Manager of the Elmira Pioneers, the Fullerton Flyers and the Amarillo Dillas.
"I'm excited to return to Savannah," Sisler said. "This is a fabulous community, a great place to live and a great town for baseball. There hasn't been a day that's gone by that I haven't wanted to come back. Now I've come full circle."
Wellenzohn takes over the ticketing operation for the Sand Gnats after spending last season running the day-to-day operations for the Batavia Muckdogs, a St. Louis Cardinals' affiliate and one of the most successful merchandise operations in Minor League Baseball. Prior to his work in Batavia, he served as the General Manager of the Jamestown Jammers (a Florida Marlins' affiliate) and President/General Manager the Long Beach Armada of the Golden Baseball League.
"I'm looking forward to working with a great organization like the Sand Gnats," Wellenzohn said. "We have many challenges ahead of us but with the staff that R.C. has assembled I think we can meet those challenges. I can't wait to get started."
"We are very excited to bring Ric Sisler and Dave Wellenzohn aboard," said Sand Gnats President R.C. Reuteman. "We're fortunate to find two people with such extensive baseball experience and a great track record of success to join our staff here in Savannah. I think their desire to come here speaks to the tremendous opportunity that this market presents."
Savannah opens its 2009 slate with a Thirsty Thursday contest at 6:30 p.m. on April 9 versus the Augusta GreenJackets. Fireworks will follow the game. Season tickets and mini plans are on sale now. For a complete schedule and more information, visit www.sandgnats.com or call 912.351.9150.
The Sand Gnats also invite fans to the Third Annual Chili Bowl, which will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2009.
South Atlantic League Stories from January 21, 2009
- Sand Gnats Add Two Seasoned Veterans To Front Office - Savannah Sand Gnats
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