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Minor League Baseball More Popular Than Ever in 2003
Aired September 01, 2003 - 13:54 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, grab a hot dog and a beer and head to the stands, because we're celebrating Labor Day with a little baseball action.
CNN's Sean Callebs is at the home of the Chattanooga Lookouts to show us just how fans are rediscovering the love of the game.
Yes and see, this is -- this is what Sean always wanted to do. He almost made it to big leagues, right? And he decided to come to CNN.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, I'm not even a has- been. It would be a never was. So don't worry about that.
Look up in here. The game still about a half hour away. People are starting to trickle in. And one of the big draws here today, of course, is going to be -- they're going to be giving a way a Hummer.
Down there, one of the reasons fans come out as well. We got Travis Thompson I'm throwing the ball with. He led the minor leagues in wins a couple years ago coming off an injury last year. Without question, it takes more than just good players to lure people out here day after day. Owners say they have to have great entertainment as well.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CALLEBS (voice-over): Promotion and advertising here is about as subtle as a 95-mile-an-hour fastball.
FRANK BURKE, LOOKOUTS OWNER: In the minor leagues, if it doesn't move, we'll put a sign on it. And so, you know, that's a very, very important part of our business.
CALLEBS: Operating a minor league franchise is just like running a small business.
MARK SPERANDIO, OWNER, EVERETT AQUASOX: And if it wasn't for the Aqua Sox and me buying the Aquasox, I would have never met my wife, Joan, who also owns and operates the team with me and Joan is right now working in the concession stands.
CALLEBS: She is overseeing the No. 1 money maker for the minors. Ticket sales are second, followed by advertising and merchandising. Many fans say they love the feel of smaller venues. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cozy park, you're close to the action. You know, if you're at a Major League park and you're far enough away from the field, you're better off watching it on television.
CALLEBS: They also love the lack of the impact on their wallets. A family of four gets tickets, food, a souvenir for about 40 bucks a game. In the majors, it costs about $150.
Fans also get closer to the players, hard working stiffs without inflated salaries.
For example, in AA, the average salary is $1,500 a month.
BRIAN ANDERSON, LOOKOUTS PLAYER: Most of the guys don't pull up in Porsches, if they're pulling up in anything at all. But, you know, guys are down here because they love the game and they're trying to make it to that next level.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CALLEBS: OK. Another guy trying to make it to the next level. You're looking at Travis (ph) down there.
And Travis, you were at AAA a couple years ago, last year. You went through the injury. You're getting to 26. Are you at the point where you have to think how much longer can I do this if I don't make the big jump?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I got about -- I'd say one or two years left. And I have to make a decision by then. If it's not going to happen, it's not going to happen. But I always keep that dream alive.
CALLEBS: Do you feel like you're really lucky, you know? One of the chosen out there chasing your dream day in and day out?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, it's definitely a blessing. I mean, I get to come out and play baseball and get paid for it and six months out of the year, it's just a great experience.
CALLEBS: OK. Well, Travis, best of luck to you. I know the game starts in 10, 15 minutes. We really appreciate you taking time chatting with us today.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much.
CALLEBS: And, you know, Kyra, just think of those numbers. You know, a family of four can come out. They can have a good time, spend 40 bucks and end of summer, also the end of AA baseball. For the folks in the Lookouts, it's back home and they hope for next year.
PHILLIPS: Hey, is Travis right by there? Is he close to you, Sean?
CALLEBS: Yes, Travis is right here.
PHILLIPS: Yes I just want -- I want to know from Travis how your arm is.
CALLEBS: She wants to know how my arm is?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Um...
CALLEBS: If I wasn't a reporter, I would probably be a pitcher, right?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think you should stick to reporting.
PHILLIPS: Oh, poor Sean.
CALLEBS: Truth is a good defense. I have to give it to him on that one.
PHILLIPS: All right. We'll cover Travis on. Thanks, Sean.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 1, 2003 - 13:54 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, grab a hot dog and a beer and head to the stands, because we're celebrating Labor Day with a little baseball action.
CNN's Sean Callebs is at the home of the Chattanooga Lookouts to show us just how fans are rediscovering the love of the game.
Yes and see, this is -- this is what Sean always wanted to do. He almost made it to big leagues, right? And he decided to come to CNN.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, I'm not even a has- been. It would be a never was. So don't worry about that.
Look up in here. The game still about a half hour away. People are starting to trickle in. And one of the big draws here today, of course, is going to be -- they're going to be giving a way a Hummer.
Down there, one of the reasons fans come out as well. We got Travis Thompson I'm throwing the ball with. He led the minor leagues in wins a couple years ago coming off an injury last year. Without question, it takes more than just good players to lure people out here day after day. Owners say they have to have great entertainment as well.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CALLEBS (voice-over): Promotion and advertising here is about as subtle as a 95-mile-an-hour fastball.
FRANK BURKE, LOOKOUTS OWNER: In the minor leagues, if it doesn't move, we'll put a sign on it. And so, you know, that's a very, very important part of our business.
CALLEBS: Operating a minor league franchise is just like running a small business.
MARK SPERANDIO, OWNER, EVERETT AQUASOX: And if it wasn't for the Aqua Sox and me buying the Aquasox, I would have never met my wife, Joan, who also owns and operates the team with me and Joan is right now working in the concession stands.
CALLEBS: She is overseeing the No. 1 money maker for the minors. Ticket sales are second, followed by advertising and merchandising. Many fans say they love the feel of smaller venues. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cozy park, you're close to the action. You know, if you're at a Major League park and you're far enough away from the field, you're better off watching it on television.
CALLEBS: They also love the lack of the impact on their wallets. A family of four gets tickets, food, a souvenir for about 40 bucks a game. In the majors, it costs about $150.
Fans also get closer to the players, hard working stiffs without inflated salaries.
For example, in AA, the average salary is $1,500 a month.
BRIAN ANDERSON, LOOKOUTS PLAYER: Most of the guys don't pull up in Porsches, if they're pulling up in anything at all. But, you know, guys are down here because they love the game and they're trying to make it to that next level.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CALLEBS: OK. Another guy trying to make it to the next level. You're looking at Travis (ph) down there.
And Travis, you were at AAA a couple years ago, last year. You went through the injury. You're getting to 26. Are you at the point where you have to think how much longer can I do this if I don't make the big jump?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I got about -- I'd say one or two years left. And I have to make a decision by then. If it's not going to happen, it's not going to happen. But I always keep that dream alive.
CALLEBS: Do you feel like you're really lucky, you know? One of the chosen out there chasing your dream day in and day out?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, it's definitely a blessing. I mean, I get to come out and play baseball and get paid for it and six months out of the year, it's just a great experience.
CALLEBS: OK. Well, Travis, best of luck to you. I know the game starts in 10, 15 minutes. We really appreciate you taking time chatting with us today.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much.
CALLEBS: And, you know, Kyra, just think of those numbers. You know, a family of four can come out. They can have a good time, spend 40 bucks and end of summer, also the end of AA baseball. For the folks in the Lookouts, it's back home and they hope for next year.
PHILLIPS: Hey, is Travis right by there? Is he close to you, Sean?
CALLEBS: Yes, Travis is right here.
PHILLIPS: Yes I just want -- I want to know from Travis how your arm is.
CALLEBS: She wants to know how my arm is?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Um...
CALLEBS: If I wasn't a reporter, I would probably be a pitcher, right?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think you should stick to reporting.
PHILLIPS: Oh, poor Sean.
CALLEBS: Truth is a good defense. I have to give it to him on that one.
PHILLIPS: All right. We'll cover Travis on. Thanks, Sean.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
