You can’t argue with Hunter Reed, the first-year general manager of Biloxi’s minor league baseball team: The stars are aligning in Shuckersville.
Consider this: The Double-A team has a commanding lead in its division, has broken a winning-streak record, and on Saturday begins a 10-game homestand where the front office plans to unveil a host of family fun promotions at MGM Park.
Reed, who served as the Shuckers assistant general manager last year before taking over as GM this year for Chuck Arnold, who accepted a position with the Charlotte Knights (the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox).
Here are Reed’s thoughts on Shuckers operations – on the field, in the front office and at the ever-important box office:
So, the stars are aligning for the Shuckers?
Well, we have a first place team in Biloxi and there’s a lot of talent throughout the Brewers organization. On top of that, we’ve been fortunate enough to host a few Brewers players on rehab assignments, including former Major League All-Stars like Corey Knebel and Stephen Vogt. We’ve also had a few players get moved up to Triple-A and Milwaukee during the early part of the season. Even so, we have a great team this season that features several top prospects, such as Corey Ray, Troy Stokes Jr., and Lucas Erceg, to name a few. It’s hard to believe we have almost a fourth of the season behind us already, but it has been a great start.
How is the season going so far, on field and off?
On the field, we have already broken a win-streak record, recording eight straight at one point, and we’ve been in first place since the fourth game of the season. So that’s great. Off the field, our front office has put together a season of exciting promotions, and so far they have been executed perfectly. We think our daily promotions this year offer fans some great budget-friendly deals and plenty of opportunities to come out and enjoy the game, even if they aren’t into baseball.
It’s family-fun entertainment for everyone, and you can come to a game for as little as $7. We also have enjoyed being a part of special events in our community, including this Saturday morning we will have a team participating in the Gray Over The Bay event in memory of pitcher, Cody Ponce’s mom, Jennifer. Gray Over The Bay is an event to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for brain cancer. Watch for the hashtag #GrayInMay.
We hear that you are averaging more than 3,000 people per game?
We had great crowds the last three nights of our last homestand that averaged over 3,000 a game. The Shuckers have made a commitment to customer service and affordable family entertainment, and we appreciate all the feedback we get from surveys of fans attending our games. It is our goal to continue to enhance the ballpark experience and provide something for everyone at Shuckers games. So we are very much looking forward to the summer months when fans will have more opportunities to attend more games.
What promotions have been the most popular with fans?
Chauncey Leopardi, aka Squints from “The Sandlot,” made a special appearance at MGM Park in April, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the movie, and it was a huge hit among Shuckers fans of all ages. He was awesome and had a great time meeting fans, signing autographs and touring Biloxi.
“Doggone Mondays” presented by Raising Cane’s has also been a fan favorite. Every Monday home game, Shuckers fans are invited to bring their pup along with them to the ballpark to cheer on the team. This Saturday, with Peppa Pig making an appearance, we anticipate another great crowd because fans seem thrilled to meet her. Then, after “Double Play Thursday” and “Fireworks Friday” next week, we’ll have our “Mississippi Sea Wolves Tribute Night” on Saturday, May 19, where the team will wear jerseys modeled after the 1998-99 Sea Wolves championship team. We’ve heard a lot of excitement over that, so it should be fun.
And?
Our team is in first place, which is huge and means we are hosting the greatest talent in our division right here in Biloxi. We have 10 consecutive games beginning Saturday. The team is playing great baseball right now, but there’s also the lineup of promotions that make the experience special:
Saturday: Peppa Pig Meet & Greet
Sunday: Pre-game Yoga on the Field
Monday: Doggone Monday presented by Raising Cane’s
Tuesday: Brew Crew Tuesday presented by Miller Lite & Bike Biloxi Night ($3 Miller Lite & $4 Brats)
Wednesday: 10:35 a.m. game – Education Day & Lunch Break Special ($10 ticket including hot dog, chips & drink)
Thursday: Double Play Thursday ($2 Yuengling, $2 fountain drinks, $2 hot dogs & $3 weekly draft specials and/or $10 ticket with 2 drink vouchers)
Friday, May 18: Fireworks Friday presented by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Saturday, May 19: Mississippi Sea Wolves Tribute Night & Jersey Auction & Beach Towel Giveaway courtesy of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi
Sunday, May 20: Military Salute Sunday (Family Four Packs: 4 tickets, hot dogs, chips and drinks for $60 / Discounted military tickets)
Monday, May 21: Doggone Monday presented by Raising Cane’s
There’s no reason NOT to be at a Shuckers game.
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