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.

Now that's dedication

I used to think I was a patient golf fan.

But then I met Steve Attwater of Rochester Hills.

It was 7 a.m. June 26, and there he sat in his folding chair next to the 18th green at Warwick Hills during the opening round of the Buick Open.

As the opening groups teed off on No. 1 and No. 10, Attwater literally sat by himself, knowing full well it would be at least another two hours before he would see his first golfer make his way up the fairway. Still, Attwater sat. And sat. And sat.

I thought it was a big deal when my friends and I took our annual spot behind the No. 2 tee box and let the golfers come to us. We would sit in the same spot for around six hours before dragging our sun-burned bodies away.

But Attwater claims his territory and stays there — not only each day, but pretty much each hour of each championship round of the tournament.

"I just do it, that way I can watch everyone come up the 18th green. From Thursday through Sunday, this is where I sit," he said, adding that he plans his vacations around the tournament.

I wasn't there on Sunday, but I'd bet Attwater was. And when Woody Austin and Bubba Watson missed their putts on the final hole and Tour veteran Kenny Perry happily raised the trophy and waived to the fans, he had the well-deserved best seat in the house.

"Something special"

It's not too often that you come across a team that holds its coach in such high regard.
But that was the case with the Detroit Demolition women's professional football team and it's coach, Tony Blankenship.

Most sports fans recognize Blankenship's name, growing up as a top-notch prep athlete at Detroit Murray-Wright and becoming one of the Wolverines' top special teams players and free safety, but I had no idea of the impact he's made on his team.

After spending a couple hours at a recent Demo practice, the admiration for Blankenship shared by the players was evident in their smiles when they successfully completed one of his drills and in their endless praise.

In the next week's newspapers, you'll get to know Blankenship a little better find out he has become the face of the Demolition, and I think you will see why his players call him "something special."

The feature will be posted online after it has run in our 19 local papers.

Anchoring the beginning of a series

The sports wrap on the Sunday night news is that last-ditch effort to grab onto and squeeze every last second out of the weekend before Monday rears its ugly head.

Fans see highlights of games they already know about, get a little extra perspective and pick up insight on the upcoming week.

This, the weekend sportscast, is where my summer series about jobs in sports begins. In the coming weeks, the story of Vic Faust, Channel 7’s weekend sports anchor will appear in our papers.

You’ll read how a former St. Louis resident went from being jobless to covering the 2004 Ryder Cup, the 2006 World Series and the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals and understand the ins-and-outs and ups-and-downs of being a sports anchor.

“Despite what a lot of my friends think, I don’t show up at 10:30 p.m., do the 11 p.m. news and then go home,” Faust said during our conversation last week.

Look for this story in the near future, where someone who's job it is to end every weekend will begin my series.

Feed the need

They say youth is wasted on the young.

Whether it's because kids don't know how good they have "it" or don't appreciate how fleeting "it" might be, the young don't always take full advantage of the opportunities afforded them as much as those who have come before them.

That's what makes "recreational" adult sports leagues so intriguing. If its a midnight drop-in hockey session or a group of past-their-prime hard ballers behind an elementary school, what drives these athletes is something equal parts pure and fanatical. That's why my summer series will focus on local teams and athletes who can't say enough is enough. They're the ones you see risking torn knees and wrenched backs for nothing more than competition. So if you play on or know of a team that exemplifies these qualities let me know.

You can reach me at bbates@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1029.

Summer adventures

When the prep sports world takes its break during the summer, it leaves us predominately prep sports writers to find new avenues for stories.

I'm looking off the beaten path this summer, trying to find "adventurous" hobbies, sports, etc., with the hope that we will all crawl out of our comfort zones and make this summer truly special by giving a few of them a try.

Whether it be the velodrome at Bloomer Park in Rochester Hills, training for a triathlon (which I have no intention of doing) or even jumping out of an airplane (we'll see about that one). No idea is too big or too small.

I'm always open to suggestions. If you can think of an adventure that is close to home, shoot me an e-mail at cdavis@candgnews.com.

Sports series bonanza

With the spring prep season all wrapped up, the time has come to embark on a summer endeavor.

To pass the dog days of summer, I will be working on a series of features that profile local people who have interesting and unique sports-related jobs.

Staff writer Mike Moore and I will be putting our heads together to bring readers compelling features on people who love sports and found a way to make it their living.

First up on my list is Tony Blankenship, former University of Michigan defensive back and coach of the women's tackle football team the Detroit Demolition.

Readers can look for a profile on Blankenship in their local C & G Newspaper in the upcoming weeks.

If you know of someone who fits the bill, a sports nut with a great sports job, shoot me an e-mail.

Take me out to the ball game(s)

Take me out to the ball game(s)

Consider me your guide to summer fun.

Next week, I’ll be embarking on an odyssey of sorts to minor league baseball games around the state.

Each stadium is near or on the way to popular travel destinations for metro Detroiters, so whether you’re heading out on summer vacation or going on a road trip, hopefully the stories in my series will encourage you to take in a ball game at some point.

Specifically, I plan on dropping in on the Traverse City Beach Bums, Lansing Lugnuts, West Michigan Whitecaps (Grand Rapids) and the Great Lakes Loons (Midland).

In each piece, I’ll recap all the highlights from my visits, ranging from the unique aspects and amenities each offers to standards such as ticket prices and where to park and, of course, which items to sample off the snack menu.

Anything interesting that doesn’t make it into print will likely end up here in the blogosphere, so be sure to check back for more trip tidbits and other entries from what should be an exciting summer.

A paycheck in sports

We’ve all seen, heard of or maybe even taken part in the routine at some point. Punch the time clock to end the day, battle traffic on the journey home, and then relax in front of the television with the remote and our favorite sport.

Or maybe the escape takes us to the ballpark, the ice rink or the gym.

You get the picture.

Anyway you look at it, for many people, the end of the work day only means the beginning of sports.

But what about those people who punch the time clock to begin their day and do it in the world of sports?

Good question.

And over the summer months, I hope to answer it, or at least take a better look at those who earn a paycheck in sports with my summer series.

Early plans include stories on a Detroit Tigers broadcaster, a local sports anchor and a behind- the-scenes look into the world of sports-talk radio, among others.

At the same time, I’m open to any ideas you may have. Do you know anyone who has an interesting occupation associated with sports? If so, please feel free to e-mail me or give a call.

Or, as the summer months pass, flip through our papers and take a look at those who work in sports, those whose day actually begins with the first pitch or the drop of a puck.

You can reach me at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1038.