SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Pitchers, Catchers Report, So Does RiverDogs' Staff

Published on February 13, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON - The air begins to warm. The sky dusts itself off to reveal a glistening blue. The mitts and gloves pop. The bats crack.

The wait is finally over.

Pitchers and catchers from all across the country officially report to Major League camps in Arizona and Florida today to prepare for what they hope to be successful and prosperous campaigns. While the "on-field" side has returned, the "off-field" activities, primarily focusing on sales and marketing efforts, have been ongoing since the 2008 season concluded.

For the sales staff of the Charleston RiverDogs, it is a realization that is quite trying in this difficult economic climate. But, much like how hope springs eternal for every player and team at the start of the season, the RiverDogs' staff must also possess that innate sense of hope that they will be able to attract new and lucrative benefactors while maintaining the valued relationships that have already been created and fostered.

Front office baseball has no off-season. The gears can never stop churning because one moment lost could result in a sponsor or season ticket holder being left by the wayside.

Even with a ballpark and atmosphere as beautiful as Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, the game doesn't always sell itself. It takes a dedicated staff with a central goal of the best quality and service that the team has to offer.

Advertisers and sponsors that have been faithful to the RiverDogs with their dollars do so because of the individual attention they receive in addition to the exposure they receive. Relationships are built over the course of several years to ensure that a strong partnership is formed and retained.

Fans that come to "The Joe" see plenty of those advertisers on the outfield walls, in the concourse area and in the walkways leading to the park's cozy seats. However, it isn't always about how big and showy an ad can be but rather its placement that gauges its effectiveness.

Prospective sponsors can get the word out through pocket schedule panels (more than 250,000 pocket schedules are printed and distributed annually), game programs, Homestand News, ticket backs, the team's radio broadcasts on ESPN Radio 910 AM, or through any one of the organization's special events from the Run, Forrest, Run 5K Race to the Kindness Beats Blindness RP Auction which generates needed funds for the fight against RP (retinitis pigmentosa).

Loyal ticket holders feel a sense of comfort is established in that they know "The Joe" presents a ballpark experience like few others in all of Minor League Baseball. Some of those fans may have season tickets while some may have opted for one of the numerous mini ticket plans the organization has available. Still, others may be taking in a game with family, friends or business associates through a company outing.

The top priority for the front office staff is to meet the needs of all fans in order to make that experience the best it possibly can be. Those same relationships are built over time and fostered through individual attention. Since the inception of Riley Park in 1997, the team has set attendance records in eight of 12 seasons and set an average attendance mark in 2008 with 4,173 fans per game clicking through the turnstiles.

It's not too difficult to draw a parallel between an organization's on-field product and off-field product as it takes hard work, sacrifice and determination. Everyone involved puts forth a tireless effort to ensure that people will want to come back not just to see great baseball but to have fun while absorbing it all.

After all, FUN IS GOOD! Play ball.

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South Atlantic League Stories from February 13, 2009


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.

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