SAL1 Lexington Legends

Legends Trade Ideas, Not Players, At Winter Meetings

January 4, 2010 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


Baseball's annual winter meetings are a good illustration of the difference between the major and minor league levels. Ask someone "what have you heard today?" and the answer at winter meetings can vary greatly.

For major league baseball executives, who are focused on possible trades and free agent signings, information is to be guarded as teams try to get the most in exchange for the least. For the minor leaguers, the meetings are a four-day open market on ideas, and sharing is standard operating procedure. Several members of the Lexington Legends staff participated in the recent winter meetings in Indianapolis.

"That's what's so fun about minor league baseball," said Legends General Manager Andy Shea, who attends the winter meetings each year. "There are 160 minor league teams, and while we compete on the field, we are not competitors off the field in the least bit. Everyone is always 100 percent willing to talk with you about anything -sponsors, promotions, giveaways - so it's a great way to share good ideas."

While the Yankees, Tigers and Diamondbacks were trying to hammer out the details of their three-way deal that involved seven players and drew the biggest headlines, members of the Legends delegation, who are preparing for the team's 10th season in 2010, were meeting with other minor league staffers on topics ranging from ticket promotions to mascots to in-game entertainment.

For Shea, one priority was to gather information on the promotion and use of video boards. The Legends will add a second video board in 2010, part of extensive capital improvements at Applebee's Park, and will be one of very few minor league teams with two boards.

"We want to let people know just how incredible that is, and how to make the best use of the video boards," Shea said.

Minor league baseball, like other businesses of all sizes, felt the impact of the economic downturn of the last two years. Winter meetings offered the teams a chance to collaborate on ideas for thriving in a sluggish economy.

"We're all going through the same thing, so it was good to hear that, A, we are not alone and B, there are lots of creative and unique ways to counter the challenges we face," said Legends Director of Marketing Seth Poteat. "I also enjoyed talking with some folks from Lakewood who are also entering their 10th year," he added, referring to the Lakewood (N.J.) Blue Claws, who, like the Legends, are members of the Class A South Atlantic League.

"I value the winter meetings for networking and idea sharing," added Director of Community Relations Stephanie Fish. "Minor League Baseball picks the best of the best to speak at seminars and share their team's initiatives in ticketing, community relations, marketing and much more. I always leave with lots of business cards, ideas and connections. What's better than that?"

Director of Fun Mario Anderson, who is involved with many aspects of in-game entertainment, was invited to make a presentation at the meetings.

"The winter meetings were a super time," Anderson said. "It's always a joy to meet and greet and share ideas with the best of the best from the baseball industry."

That kind of trading doesn't make headlines during the winter, but fans will see the results at Applebee's Park in 2010. The Legends home opener is set for April 16.

For more information, visit lexingtonlegends.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from January 4, 2010


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