Dillas Are Best Again
August 28, 2007 - United League Baseball (ULB)
Amarillo Dillas News Release
The Amarillo Dillas Baseball Club announced today that the club has been awarded the Amarillo Globe News "Best of Amarillo 2007 Best Sports Team". The "Best of Amarillo" is a program that was created by the Amarillo Globe News so that the residents of Amarillo can vote for their favorites within the City of Amarillo.
The Dillas left Amarillo in 2004 with many thinking they would never return and after another year without professional baseball in 2005 it appeared they were correct. But in November of 2005 the newly formed United League announced that Amarillo would once again see the "Boys of Summer" and their beloved Dillas would return to play in 2006. When United League ownership began their search for a General Manager it didn't take long for Mark Lee's name to rise to the top of list. With his previous baseball experience and strong ties to Amarillo, Lee became the perfect fit to guide the Dillas' organization. November 2005 the "New" Amarillo Dillas officially named Mark Lee General Manager. Previously, Lee was the Director of Sales & Marketing for the Amarillo Dillas during the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
May 15, 2006 officially marked the return of professional baseball to the City of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle when then Dillas re-opened the Amarillo National Bank Dilla Villa before a crowd of 4,487. The Dillas played 45 regular season home games in their inaugural United League Season finishing with 39-50 overall record setting a first ever attendance record with 106,797 fans walking through the turn stiles at the old ballpark.
The faithful who once thought they would never see baseball in Amarillo again were treated to affordable family entertainment with the lowering of ticket and concession prices from the old regime. The Dillas received "Co-Franchise of the Year" honors along with the Alexandria Aces but the Dillas' Front Office will tell you that being named "Best of Amarillo Best Sports Team" meant more than any other award. "Being recognized as one of the best organizations in our league was very special to us but when we received the Best of Amarillo Award that proved to us that the people in this city and in the panhandle were glad we were back", stated Dillas' General Manager Mark Lee. "Don't misunderstand, they are equally important awards but the true measurement of our efforts was confirmed by the fans that showed up every night", added Lee.
With 2006 behind them the brain trust of the Dillas quickly began putting together a game plan for 2007. "We had a great year in 2006 but we knew that our fans would expect better and rightfully so", said Lee. "We set the bar high last year and we knew coming into 2007 that we would have to become more creative with our thinking", added Lee. With the addition of 10 more games to the season schedule and 5 of those at home, the Dillas formulated a plan that fans attending games would walk away feeling like they got their monies worth. The game plan included the return of Two4Tuesdays, Thirsty Thursdays, Friday Night Giveaways, and Super Saturdays but what really got the fans' attention was the participation by the Dillas within the community. New ideas included Buy Out Nights were local companies could buy out a game that provided free admission to everyone in the Texas Panhandle as well as special promotions such as "Salute the Troops", in which the program gave 4 free general admission tickets to any active and retired military personnel to all 45 home games.
With all the promotions scheduled and the ballpark improvements made it was just a matter of time to see how Dillas' fans would turn out. "We tried to put together a promotional schedule that included something for everyone regardless of age, sort of like the old Christmas song from 1-92, and fans must have liked what we did", said Lee. "We set an attendance record this year of 153,262 fans coming to the park and it was an amazing thing to witness", added Lee. Despite another year of disappointing performance on the field baseball fans in Amarillo voiced their opinion about whether they want baseball here or not. 153,262 votes counted - enough said.
Not only did fans place their votes by showing up in force at the Amarillo National Bank Dilla Villa night in and night out, they voted again online for the "Best of Amarillo Best Sports Team" showering the Amarillo Dillas with this award of excellence for 2007. October 8th is when the official award winners are announced but the Amarillo Dillas couldn't wait to get the news out. "We wanted to release this information for many reasons but most importantly to let our fans know that because of their support we were able to win this award again", said Lee. "In minor league baseball it's very simple, the game is going to be played at 7:05pm regardless and it's our job to put on a game worthy of attending ensuring that fans enjoy themselves", added Lee. "Minor league baseball isn't about baseball it's about affordable family entertainment and we are deeply honored to receive the vote of the people of this great city as the "Best Sports Team 2007".
"This award is not recognition of me or my staff", stated Lee "it's recognition of the best baseball fans in America right here in Amarillo".
United League Baseball Stories from August 28, 2007
- Aces Bullpen Keys Series Sweep - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
- Dillas Are Best Again - Amarillo Dillas
- Aces Hold Tattoo Contest - Alexandria Aces
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
