Fleisig's "flapping" guarantee

by Dan Wachowski
June 3, 2003 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)

What do you do to get out of a season starting 0-7 slump? On Thursday the Berkshire Black Bears principal owner Jonathan Fleisig was at the crossroads when his Bears dropped a 6-5 decision to the Brockton Rox in Northeast League play. Fleisig, according to Howard Herman's column in the Berkshire Eagle, was not singing the blues but was still excited about the season and had confidence in the team.

To reassure management, the players and the fans, he made a deal, not with the devil, but with the fans. Here's the deal, if a fan purchases any seven game package, and the Black Bears come out with a losing record in those games, your next seven games are on Fleisig.

According to Mike Kardamis, the team's president & G.M., this special offer is causing quite a stir and is being labeled the "Flapping" Guarantee, due to Mr. Fleisig boisterous proclamation.

Let's see here. Mr. Fleisig, your team finished 24-65 in 2002. Are you sure you didn't bump your head or have a vision involving the devil and a dirt road intersection?

"Don't sell me short and don't sell my team short. We're not the same team. We have a new attitude. We are learning from our mistakes," said Fleisig who is truly putting his money where his mouth is.

Meanwhile Jim Dedrick, the Black Bears' pitching coach, was unaware of the ticket offer, but said his pitchers have the skills and the confidence to turn things around. He appears to be correct. On Sunday the Bears got their first road win in a 5-4 decision over the Allentown Ambassadors in the second game of a double header, and last night they won their home opener 5-3 over the Quebec Les Capitales with Rick Guttormson going the distance for the Bears. A two-game winning streak, a coincidence? I think not.

It may be Black (Bear) Magic that has turned it around for Berkshire, but who cares. Take advantage of his offer, but remember Fleisig is not afraid of risk, though like most of us he doesn't like to throw money away. So if the Black Bears' improvement continues, you better plan on paying for all your first seven tickets and your next seven tickets and so on.

Canadian American League Stories from June 3, 2003

• Fleisig's "flapping" guarantee - OSC Original by Dan Wachowski
• Sweetness At Wahconah as Black Bears Take Third Straight - Berkshire Black Bears
• Jackals, Spirit Rained Out - New Jersey Jackals
• Rain Continues to Plague Ambassadors - Allentown Ambassadors
• Surf Fall to Fish in Front of 5,012 - Atlantic City Surf
• Lumberjacks Activate Miller - Bangor Lumberjacks

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