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Support our Muckdogs!

By Diane (Smith) Hawn

We are very lucky in the Batavia area to have the Batavia Muckdogs!  We almost lost them a couple years ago, but the Rochester Redwing organization was kind enough to step in with financial and managerial assistance to keep the team in Batavia.

I try to attend most games, and I'm a season ticket holder.   What I notice is that the stands are virtually empty for the majority of games.   What alot of people don't realize is that if we don't get better attendance at these games, we're in danger of losing the team again!  

I've been attending the games for 12 seasons now - and I've made many many friends around the park, and had alot of fun volunteering with the Muckdogs Booster Club on many occasion.  

Everyone that's currently attending the games - invite a friend!  spread the word!

Businesses - we need to keep this valuable asset in our community!   Encourage your employees to attend! put out schedules for your customers!

For those that have never been - it's truly a fun evening of baseball, on-field antics, and a wonderful community event!   give it a try!

We have the lowest ticket prices around to see baseball on a professional level!

Let's keep our Muckdogs where they belong!   In Batavia!!

Russ Salway

Your so right Diane!!! I think alot of people don't realize that these are professional baseball players! Most have been drafted by major league teams or signed as free agents. Were part of the St. Louis Cardinal organization. Batavia is part of a baseball ladder for the players to climb and become a Cardinal. All the other teams that come to our city to play the Muckdogs are also affiliated with a pro baseball team. The Yankees were just here this weekend! They stay at our local hotels, they shop at our stores, they eat at our restaurants. They all usually have family who also come to our city and stay for a few days to a week. This is a great chance to be right next to a pro field, hear and see the game and catch a foul ball. Kids can always get autographs of future stars like Ryan Howard and Chase Utley to name a few former Dog's! The food is great and a very reasonable price, the tickets are very low for admission and you can't beat three hours of fun, excitment on a beautiful summer night out with your family and friends. Im looking forward to this Saturday nights game and seeing my "baseball friends" at Dwyer for another great night of America's great pastime!

Aug 18, 2009, 11:03pm Permalink
wayne bell

Whether we lose the Rochester Muckdogs is not what the people of Genesee county should be worring about. How about jobs and taxes ? The ownership of the Reddogs got a great deal when they took over the team and then they will be leaving when the agreement ends. Ms. Silver is not stupid, she saw an oppurtunity to take advantage of a desprete community and got everything she wanted. And I would like to know what businesses have been helped by the team othe than TF Browns and Nrthside Deli. The number of people from the community employed by the Reddogs has gone down from when they were locally controlled. Well I hope those singing the praises of the new "owners" of the Reddogs leave aren't crying in thier dog dishes.

Aug 19, 2009, 2:14pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Sports franchises are important for helping to build and foster community. Dwyer is an important community gathering spot. There is much civic history and pride wrapped up in the Batavia baseball team. Losing the team would be a significant civic blow. Even if you're not a baseball fan and have never attended a game, keeping the team should be a grave concern. There are undoubtedly economic consequences, related to community health, that will never show up on any spreadsheet.

Aug 19, 2009, 2:38pm Permalink
Russ Salway

Hey Wayne...how have you been doing? Funny I haven't seen you at one game all season? Yes its easy to sit back and bash! It is too bad that the team was mis-managed over the last ten years and were left in this situation. The entire Red Wings management wants the team to stay right here in Batavia. Feel free to come out to a game...at least one this season!!! Give me a call and I will pay for your ticket. There are plenty of businesses that make money because the Muckdogs are in town. We can discuss all of that at the game. You sound very bitter. It's funny that I don't remember you ever speaking at one city hall meeting or helping out when our team was in trouble before the Red Wings (our only option) helped us out. I won't get into a back and forth bitter argument with you on here. It doesnt help matters at all. If your bitter about things, then you will always be bitter about them. If you really want to help, then give me a call, I will pay for your ticket and we can chat together at a game on what the community can do to turn things around. The Red Wings have been nothing but positive!!! I like positive people!!! Call me Wayne!

Aug 19, 2009, 5:14pm Permalink
Charlie Mallow

There is a lot of long term debt wrapped up in the ball park that we are all obligated to pay whether we have a team or not. If the team leaves the city will be left with the debt, a huge hole in the center and the maintenance costs as well. There is this strange notion that the Red Wings got a “great deal”, they got nothing but, debt from mismanagement of the past. The Red Wings and their owners have done nothing but, try to save a community asset and small town baseball.

Do yourself a favor and go see a game. It’s a great time, a cheap night out and best of all you don’t have to drive anywhere to do it.

Aug 19, 2009, 5:29pm Permalink
George Richardson

Ricky Willams and Bo Jackson both had a season in Batavia, many years apart. What a cool place for Superstars to relax and have fun during the off season before they got pounded again in NFL come fall. Batavia should be very proud, it makes me proud just to know these facts that many have forgotten, or never knew. Batavia is O.K. because the people are O.K., or if they are not they sure put up a good front. Hey, I love you guys because you are Hometown to the max. So am I, deep in my heart in Texas.

Aug 19, 2009, 6:54pm Permalink
Russ Salway

Your so right Charlie!!! We still have a chance to make this work, just need positive people in the right positions! I'm a neighbor of Dwyer and I will do whatever it takes to keep this team here! See you this Saturday night!

Aug 19, 2009, 8:39pm Permalink
Bob Price

I remember going to a Trojans game(Muckdogs) back in the early 80's and saw John Elway play when he was on the Oneonta Yankees.Unfortunately,my kids really aren't into baseball. Russ,you went to LeRoy High,right? Remember our Super Duper softball games on Munson St.????

Aug 19, 2009, 10:39pm Permalink
wayne bell

Russ I was one of the people that when the muckdogs needed help would come to the park and pull the rain tarp off the field when the stadium did not have the help needed. I also worked in the party tent and concession stand for years for free when someone would call in sick at the last minute. Also I filled in for the umpires on two occassions, Ricky Williams debut, as a matter of fact. So when those in charge felt all the time I had spent assisting the former management ment nothing as far as a part time paid position maybe I have the right to be " BITTER " in your words. But you have said the fans must be loyal to the team, but loyalty is a two way street and the REDDOGS don't see it that way and I will never support them again and hope that someone in the future has the ability to to buy and run the team and put the family back in the Dwyer stadium stands.

Aug 20, 2009, 10:46am Permalink
Russ Salway

Well Wayne if your never going to support the team again, then I guess you should move on to other topics! The Red Wings management and staff have been nothing but positive! They are committed to making this work for our community and the team's fans. Saying that you will never support them is a harsh and bitter statement to make. Nothing ever good comes out of being Negative! The offer still stands Wayne, I will buy your ticket and we can chat at a game amongst our "baseball family". If not, enjoy the rest of your summer doing whatever it is you do. Take care and good luck! I would rather spend my time talking to positive people and making this work for everyone!

Aug 20, 2009, 4:31pm Permalink

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