Bitters named Blaze General Manager
Published on June 23, 2005 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
BAKERSFIELD, CA-- Chris Bitters has been named General Manager of the Bakersfield Blaze of the California League, the franchise announced today.
Bitters, 29, takes over day to day operations of the Blaze coming from the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes whom he joined at the end of the 1999 season. He was named Assistant General Manager of the Quakes in October of 2003. Bitters will officially start as General Manager of the Blaze on Monday, June 27th.
"I look forward to working with this staff and ownership to continue the positive changes that have occurred in the past year. The organization has come a long way but there is still plenty of work ahead of us." he stated of his new position. "My family is excited to relocate to the Bakersfield area and we look forward to calling Bakersfield home."
"I know Chris will do a fantastic job and restore the prominence of Bakersfield Baseball. Chris has done an outstanding job in Rancho Cucamonga. This opportunity will allow Chris to develop several of the programs that he developed in Rancho Cucamonga now with the Blaze" stated Hank Stickney, Owner of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
Bitters has held several positions with the Quakes from Ticket Sales, Operations, Merchandise, Sponsorship Sales to Assistant General Manager. He has seen the Quakes through two logo changes, stadium renovations including an expanded picnic area, updated luxury suites and the installation of a new video board. Bitters is a 1998 graduate of the University of California, Riverside.
"The move to the Blaze is a wonderful opportunity for me professionally. I look forward to making Blaze baseball an important part of the community and to provide a fun place for families to enjoy an evening together. The fans have been wonderful to me and my family on the trips up last season and I look forward to getting to know everyone even better."
Chris and his wife Melissa reside in Pomona, Ca with their daughter Hailey (3).
The Blaze is back in action at Historic Sam Lynn Ballpark beginning July 1st -July 3rd vs. Inland Empire. Tickets for the July 3rd Independence Day Celebration are currently on sale and going fast. Individual game tickets and group outings for the remainder of the 2005 season are available by calling the Blaze offices at (661)-716-HITS (4487).
California League Stories from June 23, 2005
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- Aghazarian puts it on the line for the Stockton Ports - Stockton Ports
- Bitters named Blaze General Manager - Bakersfield Blaze
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