Minor Conversations

For this episode I’m joined by Dominic Latkovski, the founder and man behind BirdZerk! and the rotating cast of characters in the ZOOperstars!. We discussed making the business a family affair, travelling with the outfits, and getting minor league players to join in the fun. So sit back and enjoy episode seventeen of the Minor Conversations Podcast with my guest Dominic Latkovski.

For this episode I’m joined by Tom Ando, Director of Food and Beverage for the Erie SeaWolves. Tom (@ConcessionsGuy) was the mastermind behind the SeaWolves’ Cotton Candy Hot Dog that has taken the world by storm. For a special promo night, Erie wrapped a hot dog in cotton candy and sprinkled Nerds on it. Other than Tim Tebow, it’s not a stretch to say it’s been the biggest thing to talk about in the Eastern League this season. The culinary creation has been featured in USA Today, seen on ESPN and the tv show Inside Edition, and discussed during Jimmy Fallon’s monologue. We discussed the process behind the creative food ideas at UPMC Park, his career in the food service industry, and the answer to the internet’s most sought after question. So sit back and enjoy episode sixteen of the Minor Conversations Podcast with my guest Tom Ando.

For this episode I’m joined by Bowie Baysox Director of Ticket Operations, Charlene Fewer. Charlene and I discussed her path to working for the Baysox, handling both group sales and the box office, and a typical day in her life on a game day. Charlene and I talked before the horrific shooting at the Annapolis Capital claimed the lives of five reporters. One of those victims was John McNamara, who had served as a Baysox beat writer for the entirety of their existence. Our hearts go out to the Baysox family on the loss of their friend and colleague. Sit back and enjoy episode fifteen of the Minor Conversations Podcast with my guest Charlene Fewer.

For this episode I’m joined by Trenton Thunder broadcaster Jon Mozes. The Thunder are hosting this year’s Eastern League All-Star Classic in two weeks and we discussed the preparation behind the two-day event, a rundown of some of the highlights, former Yankee great Bernie Williams performing the National Anthem, and broadcasting the game. So sit back and enjoy episode fourteen of the Minor Conversations Podcast with my guest Jon Mozes.

For this episode I’m doing something a little different…I recently unearthed an interview I did a couple of years ago with Tim Lepard of Team Ghost Riders…or as it’s known in a lot of minor league ballparks,  The Cowboy Monkey Rodeo. This was not an elaborate podcast setup, just a handheld voice recorder so bear with the sound quality at times and the occasional gust of wind. I cleaned it up as best as I could. We discussed how he came to love monkeys, the Wilmington Blue Rocks booking him for the first time for baseball, and life on the road with monkeys, dogs, and sheep. So sit back and enjoy episode thirteen of the Minor Conversations Podcast with my guest Tim Lepard.

For this episode I’m joined by Tim Heiman, Director of Broadcasting & Media Relations for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. This season has been like no other Tim has experienced in his broadcasting career thanks to the presence of another Tim on the Rumble Ponies’ roster, Tim Tebow. We discussed the media frenzy around him, the so-called Tebow effect on attendances in Binghamton and around the league, and the invaluable support of Heiman's broadcast partner this season, Johnny Wincott. So sit back and enjoy episode twelve of the Minor Conversations Podcast with my guest Tim Heiman.

For this episode I’m joined by Thom Hinton, the official scorer for the Portland Sea Dogs. Thom has been the official scorer for the last 17 seasons in Portland where he has done over 1,000 games.  Thom was nice enough to stop by Harrisburg on a vacation him and his wife were taking in Central Pennsylvania. He came to FNB Field to watch the Senators play who else? The Portland Sea Dogs.  We discussed how he got the job, how the fans think official scoring is easy, and the relationship he has formed with the umpires and opposing managers over the years. So sit back and enjoy episode eleven of the Minor Conversations Podcast with my guest Thom Hinton.

For this episode I’m joined by Andy Linker, Harrisburg baseball historian on the juggernaut that was the 1993 Harrisburg Senators in his new book “The Class of ’93, How One Baseball Team Wrecked an Entire League”. Andy covered the team from spring training in depressing Lantana, Florida all the way through their 100th win against only 47 losses in winning the Eastern League championship. We discussed the who’s who of prospects the Expos sent to Harrisburg including Cliff Floyd, Rondell White, Joey Eischen, and Ugueth Urbina (just to name a few), an epic brawl against the London Tigers, the uplifting story of Curtis Pride, and last but not least the genius of manager Jim Tracy. So sit back and enjoy episode ten of the Minor Conversations Podcast with my guest Andy Linker. To purchase the book, order online here

For this episode I’m joined by Cory Giger, beatwriter for the Altoona Mirror and author of the new book “20 Years Around the Curve, the best stories and players from the franchise’s first two decades” Cory has covered the team since its inception in 1999 and has previously published two earlier books “Inside Curve” detailing the inaugural season and “Capturing the Moments” with stories about the franchise’s first championship in 2010. We discussed the book with stories on some of the best players to don a Curve uniform, the affiliation with the Pirates for all 20 years, and the ownership of Bob and Joan Lozinak. So sit back and enjoy episode nine of the Minor Conversations Podcast with my guest Cory Giger. To purchase the book, order online here or pick up your copy at People's Natural Gas Field in Altoona.

For this episode I’m joined by Ben Hill, bon vivant and purveyor of all things that make minor league baseball unique. Ben documents the creative side of the game for MiLB.com as he highlights the wackiest and most effective promotions, the delicious and extreme food options, and the craziness that goes on and off the field each summer.   We discussed his yearly ballpark visits that will finally have him cross the last four active affiliated ballparks off his list this season, the designated eaters at each stop along the way, and experiencing America through the minor leagues. So sit back and enjoy episode eight of the Minor Conversations Podcast with my guest Ben Hill of B en’s Biz Blog for MiLB.com. Ben's fundraising page for Vs. Cancer    

For this episode I’m joined by Tonya Petrunak, Director of Marketing and Executive Director of Baseballtown Charities for the Reading Fightin’ Phils. Tonya returned to the team five years ago and in her position with Baseballtown Charities has recently helmed the development of the Savage 61 Dream Field, the first baseball field in Berks County that is designed specifically for children with physical and developmental challenges. Traditional baseball diamonds are not suited for those with special needs whether it’s the uneven terrain, the change from dirt to grass, the mound in the middle, or even the raised bases. Instead Miracle fields are inclusive to all who wish to enjoy the great game of baseball. April 21st was Opening Day for the Baseballtown Dream League as players, coaches, volunteers, sponsors, and the Reading Fightin Phils front office staff and players opened up the new facility. We get her impressions of that day and what the entire project has meant to her and the Fightins organization. So sit

For this episode, I’m joined by Jason Klein of Brandiose, the San Diego-based sports marketing and design studio that has become the go-to company for minor league baseball teams. Along with his friend and business partner Casey White, Jason created Brandiose and began this journey when they sold their first logo redesign to the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx. Seventeen years later, the company is thriving in minor league baseball as well as with work for Major League Baseball, Nike, the NBA, Mattel’s Disney division and more. In the Eastern League, Brandiose has worked with the Richmond Flying Squirrels and Hartford Yard Goats when they moved. They’ve rebranded the Reading Phillies into the Fightins and the Binghamton Mets into the Rumble Ponies. They’ve done extensive work with the Altoona Curve and Harrisburg Senators among others. So sit back and enjoy episode six of the Minor Conversations Podcast with my guest Jason Klein of Brandiose.

For this episode, I’m joined by Flying Squirrels’ broadcaster Jay Burnham. The current season is Jay’s fifteenth behind the microphone and sixth for Richmond. Named the 2011 MiLB broadcaster of the year by Ballpark Digest, Jay and I discuss his career path to Richmond, the 24-hour bus ride from Pensacola to St. Paul, “Biagini in a Bottle”, and his love of craft beer and haikus. You can also hear in real time, Jay’s game get postponed as we follow with a short interlude and pick up the conversation later. So sit back and enjoy episode five of the Minor Conversations Podcast with my guest Jay Burnham of the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

For this episode, I’m joined by Harrisburg Senators’ broadcaster Terry Byrom. 2018 will mark Terry’s 14th with the team and 17th overall in minor league baseball. I could have Terry on the podcast to talk about almost anything but one of the things that interested me the most, and I hope it does for you too, is how he got into broadcasting baseball. After serving our country in the first Desert Storm and years working jobs in the corporate world, Terry decided to take a chance on a career change when he became the voice of the Ogden Raptors in 2002 at the ripe old age of 39. We go into great detail into how he got his start in the business, that first season behind the microphone, and how that’s made him the broadcaster he is today. So sit back and enjoy episode four of the Minor Conversations Podcast with my guest voice of the Harrisburg Senators Terry Byrom.

Latest episode of Minor Conversations

Tom Reisenweber always wanted a career in sports. He just never imagined it would be as a sportswriter. Yet , here he is covering all manner of high school, college, and professional sports for the Erie Times News. Tom is one of the best and most dedicated beat writers in the Eastern League covering all things Sea Wolves. We talked about his unusual journey to sportswriter, a typical day in his life covering the SeaWolves, and the direction of the team both on and off the field..

Last season, Adrienne Roberson was one of two female public address announcers in affiliated baseball and the only one in the minors. 2018 will mark her fourteenth season manning the microphone for the Bowie Baysox. We talked about her career path, her preparation for a game, the opportunities she’s had over the last several years to be the PA announcer for some Baltimore Orioles games, and her place in the male-dominated world of baseball.