More than a game

Recently I sat down with Leslye Wuerfel, the general manager and chief financial officer of the Traverse City Beach Bums, for an interview for the first installment of my upcoming series on minor league baseball teams throughout the state.

She shared a story with me that I think truly encompasses one of the many great things about local, small-market teams like the Beach Bums.

After an autograph session following a game, a fan in a wheelchair approached Wuerfel. She told her about how her husband had died this winter and she rarely got out anymore but asked her daughter to bring her to a game.

She had such a good time, she bought tickets to the rest of the week’s games and, even though she’s not a season-ticket holder, she decided she wasn’t going to miss a game the rest of the season.

She told Wuerfel that coming to the games gave her, “something to look forward to."

In the major, professional sports settings, things like approaching and conversing with players and front-office types on a whim (and not via a prearranged PR stunt) are rare.

Mind you, this autograph session involving several players occurred shortly after the Beach Bums lost a close game to a rival team and their No. 1 pitcher went down with an injury.
Many athletes and their organizations would not normally find themselves sitting down with or chatting freely with fans at a time like that.

But subtle acts of kindness and respect like the ones offered by the Bums' personnel can play a huge part in a fan's life.

While a game might just be another day on the job for the athletes and managers lucky enough to be involved full time at any level with sports, especially the pros, it means so much more to the fans.

“I think that at this level, the baseball, it just means something different to every person,” Wuerfel said.