NECBL day trips can be quite the experience

By Zachary Baru

With the support of readers like you, and one person's excellent advice to get started, I have had the pleasure of writing this blog since 2012, and there is one thing I do not believe I have ever done - used the word "I".  But for this post, I don't think there is any other way to express how adventurous, fun and special a New England Collegiate Baseball League day trip can be for a fan.

A League Like No Other

Sometimes it is easy to forget how interesting, and amazing this summer collegiate baseball league is, and how how fortunate we are to have a two franchises right here in Western Massachusetts.  

The NECBL is a summer collegiate baseball league showcasing college talent and prospects every year throughout its 13 teams in New England.  With two divisions, North and South, markets all over the region are represented, with franchises from Danbury, Connecticut to Sanford, Maine.  The bottom line, the NECBL gives baseball fans the ultimate day trip - a chance to explore beautiful regions of New England, all within a days' drive.  And to top it off, the best part is actually the baseball setting itself, which can be truly unique places to watch the game.

The Journey Begins

It all started when the two of us were trying to figure out what to do on a hot, sunny Western Mass. summer day.  The idea came about of taking a day trip to North Adams to see a SteepleCats game.  Maybe its because they were playing my hometown Valley Blue Sox, or the fact that I am constantly reminded how much I want to see a game since the classroom I teach in is more or less a private suite overlooking Mackenzie Stadium.  Either way, we knew we wanted to take the trip to North Adams, and we were not disappointed.  

After getting the GPS ready and buying a couple of drinks from Sonic, we were off.  During the trip, I was busy trying to figure out where the best place to sit at the game would be, and a certain someone was glued to the window admiring the scenery while trying to find a moose on the side of the road.  While she did not succeed, the trip through the Berkshires was as beautiful as expected, and the the best part was still ahead.

A Spectacular View

Unfortunately we did not leave enough time to venture around North Adams, but we were able to secure great seats at the park.  Although its not the major leagues, there still was quite a crowd already there well before the first pitch.  But a couple things were much different from the majors - free and convenient parking, and the fact that I was able to walk into the game with $20, buy two seats, and still have money left for concessions.  Tickets were $5 for General Admission Adult, a truly great deal.  

Right before we entered Joe Wolfe Field, we passed a sign commemorating Noel Field, the former stadium before Joe Wolfe Field was built on the site in 1986.   The sign recognized the impressive history of professional baseball at the site, and the legends that played at the field dating back to the early 20th Century.   

If that's not enough to make a baseball fans' day, the view from the seats certainly were.  As soon as we entered the 1,800-seat stadium, we were taken away by the view of the mountains past the center field fence.  From North to South, and East to West, they surround the view of the field and make for an unbelievable back-drop, only NECBL baseball can provide.  

As if that wasn't enough, there were post-game fireworks.  As the sun set, the mountain-view transitioned to the perfect setting, as fireworks illuminated the night sky.

It was an amazing ending to a perfect day.  A day full of adventure, scenery, baseball, a little history, and great entertainment.  Excluding the gas, all of this for less than $20.  We even had money left over after the concessions.

From A Mountain-View to the Ocean

The interesting part is this is just one of many potential day trips the NECBL has to offer.  For the Western Mass. residents outside of the Pioneer Valley looking for a good day trip, Mackenzie Stadium in Holyoke offers a great setting to watch baseball, with the mountain-view of Mount Tom in the background.  The 4,100-seat home of the Blue Sox has a history of baseball in Holyoke dating back to 1933, and the former home of the Holyoke Millers of the "AA" Eastern League from 1977 through 1982.

Looking for a day trip with some ocean views mixed in?  The NECBL also has a team in Newport, Rhode Island.  The Newport Gulls play at 3,000-seat Cardines Field, another historic New England stadium built in 1938.  The combination of baseball history at the stadium blended with the culture, scenery and history in Newport, makes for another great NECBL day trip.

There are so many other destinations throughout this fascinating league.  So for baseball fans, or just anyone in general who enjoys scenery, history and a great New England road trip, consider an NECBL day trip.  It is an experience that can remind you how fortunate we are to live in a region like New England.  

Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.  Zach has also written the blog SportsBusinessBoston.com since 2011.

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In 2016-17, the Thunderbirds brought social media marketing to Springfield like never before

By Zachary Baru

It seemed as soon as the Springfield Thunderbirds started a new era in local hockey, the franchise brought a social media marketing effort unlike any that has been seen before in the city.

From day one when the franchise unveiled their name and logo at the MassMutual Center, the social media marketing effort kicked in at full speed.  From that first day, through even the current summer months of the off-season, the Thunderbirds have not stopped engaging with fans via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

What the Thunderbirds have done has gone far beyond the standard news updates, game announcements and scores, the Thunderbirds have used social media effectively to engage their fans 365 days a year through a variety of videos, promotions and contests to name a few.  This is essential to keeping fans engaged and part of the franchise, keeping them informed and keeping the Thunderbirds fresh in fans' minds.

As video becomes more and more popular on Facebook and Twitter, the Thunderbirds have capitalized by posting game highlights, interviews, and promotional videos that are effectively short, perfect for the ever-decreasing attention spans of millennials.  These videos are professionally made and full of graphics and flyovers of Springfield, leading many fans to share the posts over Facebook and Twitter and allowing the Thunderbirds to truly capitalize off the full effect of social media.

Even the little things were executed well last season for the Thunderbirds, like creating Facebook events for every home game, engaging Facebook users throughout the season.  A Facebook event was created for each home game, giving fans notifications on their phones when the event neared, and giving notifications to friends of those fans attending.  As simple as this is, this is the social media effect at its best, spreading the word on an upcoming game and letting potential fans know that their friend is attending a future game.  It just takes a few fans to share the post for a Facebook event, and suddenly thousands of fans can be engaged in a post.

While this is just a sliver of the work that the Thunderbirds front office did with social media this season, the fact remains that a marketing effort like this has never been seen before from any of the Springfield-area teams.  The Thunderbirds marketing campaign has brought life into the sports scene in and around Springfield, and the franchise looks to have a very bright future ahead.

Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and can be reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.  Zach also writes for SportsBusinessBoston.com.

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Renovations to Mackenzie Stadium key for Blue Sox, City of Holyoke

By Zachary Baru

This summer baseball fans can check out what has been a nearly non-stop off-season of work at Mackenzie Stadium in Holyoke.  Renovations to Mackenzie Stadium will give fans a chance to watch the Valley Blue Sox of the New England Collegiate Baseball League on a brand new field in 2017.  This is not only great for baseball fans looking to watch the game in arguably the best baseball stadium in the area, but beneficial for the local economy in Holyoke as well.

The Blue Sox have for many years been an important economic driver in the City of Holyoke.  Having tens of thousands of fans come into the city during the season has been important for businesses throughout the Paper City, and the current renovations will only add to this economic impact.

Renovations could not come at a better time, as Hartford will be opening their new "AA" minor league stadium, Dunkin' Donuts Park, in just 12 days.  The 6,000-seat, $71 million dollar stadium will be the first development project in the new "Downtown North" neighborhood of the city.  Opening day for the Hartford Yard Goats on April 13 is currently sold out.

Back in Holyoke, Western Mass. will have a new field of its own.  The turf is down, and in great condition ahead of the 2017 NECBL season.  Anyone who hasn't checked out a Blue Sox game will find low prices and a close proximity to future baseball stars.

Mackenzie Stadium opened in 1933, and today has a capacity of 4,100.  In 2009, the NECBL All-Star Game at Mackenzie was oversold, and had an attendance of 4,906 fans.  Mackenzie Stadium was home to the Holyoke Millers, a member of the "AA" Eastern League from 1977 through 1982.  Baseball returned to Mackenzie Stadium in 2004, when the NECBL brought the Holyoke Giants to town.  The franchise moved to Lynn, Massachusetts in 2007, making way for what was then called the Holyoke Blue Sox to come to the city in 2008.

For Holyoke, Mackenzie Stadium and the Blue Sox are pieces to the local economy that will bring in more than just fans from within the city and surrounding towns.  Blue Sox baseball will bring in fans throughout the region, attracting fans to restaurants and stores throughout the city.

Zach Baru can be followed @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.  He also writes for SportsBusinessBoston.com.

A new era of hockey begins with a bang at the gate

 By Zachary Baru

There is something special happening in Downtown Springfield.

A new franchise, on a newly named street, and a rejuvenated fan base.  The Springfield Thunderbirds, on the corner of Bruce Landon Way and Main, have brought more than professional hockey back to the City of Springfield - the excitement is back, and as big as this city has seen in a long, long time.

It all begin with a packed house on opening night at the MassMutual Center.  October 22 marked the beginning of a new era of hockey in Springfield, and the passionate hockey faithful ensured a sellout crowd of 6,793. 

It was loud, energetic, and most of all, positive.  Springfield fans were glad to have the American Hockey League back in the city it belongs in, a city where it has been since 1926. The mood was upbeat, the crowd was thrilled, and the action could not have been better. A 5-4 overtime win for the Thunderbirds in their first home game, as the fans enjoyed a first-hand look at a new beginning in Springfield hockey. 

The story does not end there.  In previous seasons, big crowds in Springfield hockey are typically followed by less then average attendance at the next game.  Such was not the case with the Thunderbirds and their fans, as the second and third home games drew 4,764 and 6,157 fans consecutively this past Friday and Saturday.

Springfield, hockey is back.  And it is better than ever. A solid, committed ownership group, dedicated front office reaching out to the community in ways never tried before, a passionate fan base, and a city that once again, is loving, and supporting hockey.

Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.  Zach also writes for SportsBusinessBoston.com.

A note regarding my involvement in the Springfield Sting

Since the beginning of this blog in 2012, my intent has always been, and will always be, to write unbiased and informative articles about sports business in Western Massachusetts.

In May 2016, I founded the Springfield Sting, an expansion franchise of the American Basketball Association. As the Founder/Owner of the Sting, my promise to readers will be to continue an unbiased look at the business side of sports here in the Western region of the state.

I very rarely, if ever, will write about the Sting, as this would be a conflict of interest in truly unbiased reporting.  My intent will never be to promote the Sting in any way, as my goal will always be to report about the off-the-field stories that make the sports and entertainment industry such a special and unique part of the local economy.

To all of the readers of Western Mass. Sports Biz, I sincerely thank you for reading and supporting this blog since 2012.  Here's to another great season of sports in our part of the state here in Western Mass. 

- Zach Baru

Thunderbirds a perfect match for Springfield

By Zachary Baru

The month of June was one of worry, optimism and relief for the sports community in Springfield.  Many were devastated to discover the news of the Falcons leaving for Arizona, but the region's sports fans remained hopeful that professional hockey in Springfield could return.  On June 15, those wishes were granted, when the Springfield Thunderbirds were announced at a press conference at the MassMutual Center.

The timing of the Thunderbirds just feels right.  This may be a new franchise, but the same great tradition of hockey remains in Springfield.  October of 2016 could not be a better time for "a new beginning" after years of uncertainty.

With speculation about the future of the Falcons throughout the last few seasons, it is comforting to know that Springfield indeed has professional hockey, and a bright future ahead.  The future may not be completely clear, but at least fans throughout the Pioneer Valley have a solid ownership group that shares the same goals as the community.

To be blunt, the investors of the Thunderbirds want hockey in Springfield, plain and simple.  They would not be here if they didn't.  To know that Springfield has a group of dedicated individuals that have a vested interest in keeping hockey in the city is comforting for the community.  Simply put, June was a great month for Springfield sports.

Call it "a new beginning", call it "carrying on the tradition", whatever anyone would like to label it as, the Thunderbirds is a perfect match for Springfield.  On one hand, the Thunderbirds feels like a traditional franchise.  It feels like one that fans going back to the Indians and Falcons can root for and call their own.  Be it the name, the logo, or the way this franchise was introduced, it certainly has a traditional feel to it.  But at the same time, the Thunderbirds still feels very new.  It feels exciting, and brings a sense of optimism to the city, one this region's sports fans need after years of uncertainty, and a very frightening month of June.

In May and June, there was talk of the ECHL coming to Springfield.  There was real fear in the city that AHL hockey was gone, which could have ended a tradition dating back to 1926.  But when news of the Thunderbirds came, a second chance for Springfield came with it.  Well, a third, fourth, fifth and so on chance many people would probably tell you.

Now is the time for a renewed hope of keeping hockey alive and well in Springfield.  The Thunderbirds have all the right ingredients, marketing their mission of continuing the rich hockey tradition of Springfield, but still bringing something fresh to the city.  It is a tough task, but this franchise has done an incredible job pulling it off in an extremely short amount of time.  The future looks very, very bright for sports in Springfield.

Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.  He also writes for Sports Business Boston.

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Losing the Falcons: A sad, sad month for Springfield sports

By Zachary Baru

There is no way to sugarcoat it, this past month has been devastating for sports in Western Massachusetts.  Period.

Many will offer fond memories of the past, many will suggest that we were lucky enough to enjoy the ride while we could, and some will be optimistic for what lies ahead.  But there is one thing for sure, this region just suffered a major loss.  A loss for sport, a loss for the economy, and a loss for the history that we as a region have been so proud to witness and be a part of.

Whichever way you look at it, the fact remains that the moment the Springfield Falcons left for Arizona, a major part of this great city was lost.

Lost, but not forgotten.  And please, by no means, should this region's fans believe that this is the end for Springfield hockey.  The Western Massachusetts media market is prime location for a hockey team in terms of fans, youth participation and logistics.

The People

The number one thing Springfield fans should understand is that they should not blame themselves.  Springfield has dedicated, intelligent hockey fans.  People must remember that the American Hockey League of today is far different than the AHL of when the Falcons began in 1994.  The league has experienced tremendous growth, and with major media markets now receiving high attendances, the numbers Springfield has drawn in recent years simply are not enough.

If it was not for one man, the Falcons, without question, would have left many seasons ago.  That man is Bruce Landon, and the city of Springfield will always be in debt to him.  Truthfully, there is not enough that can be said for his efforts in keeping hockey in Springfield.  Western Massachusetts will always be grateful for his work, and will always remember what he has done for the region.  It is amazing how much one man has single-handedly helped not just hockey in Springfield, but our economy as well.

The Market

While the attendances of the last few seasons have not been at AHL levels, there still is a passionate fan base and following for hockey right here in Springfield.  There is no doubt that an ECHL franchise could succeed in Western Massachusetts, and very well may in the near future.

In terms of youth participation, the Greater Springfield area has no shortage of youth involved with hockey from all levels.  Youth involvement is key to success in professional sports, and allows Springfield the opportunity to stay in the running for a future franchise, whichever league that may be.

The Potential

Logistically speaking, Springfield is still a prime market for the AHL.  Springfield is central to many franchises, including Albany, Portland, Providence, Hartford and Bridgeport.  Even for games outside the division, Springfield's location makes travel easier.  Unlike many current AHL markets, especially Western franchises, a team playing in Springfield could save time and money on travel.

There is still one more factor about Springfield that should be discussed.  And that is passion.  No, not history, because as important and powerful as history is, good franchises do not depend and rely solely on history.  But passion on the other hand is special.  Passion is what separates good markets from bad, and will always be unmeasurable.  This is why Springfield should never, ever be counted out as a potential sports market.  This region loves sports, and this region loves hockey.  Never forget that, and never forget the potential that still remains, and will always be present right here in Springfield.

Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.  He also writes for Sports Business Boston.

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