Meet the ballpark characters of the year

Plus, fans hang their MiLB ornaments [Ben's Biz Beat]( [By Benjamin Hill]( December 22, 2022 Welcome to the Ben’s Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing you all the Minor League Baseball business and culture news that’s fit to disseminate via weekly email. This is the 35th edition of the newsletter, so I’m assuming that it is now old enough to run for President. Vote Ben’s Biz Beat in 2024.   [Ben's ballpark characters]( 2022 YEAR IN REVIEW: BALLPARK CHARACTERS As this is my final newsletter of 2022, I thought it would be fitting to do some kind of season recap. But a recap of what? Space may be infinite, but attention spans most decidedly are not. After much hemming and a moderate amount of hawing, I decided to feature my favorite 2022 articles featuring “ballpark characters” whom I met during my Minor League Baseball travels. (As for what constitutes a “ballpark character,” my definition is simply, “a person with a unique backstory whose presence enhances the gameday experience.”)  Please enjoy this trip down recent memory lane: [Here's Big Mike]( “Big Mike” Garcia (San Antonio Missions) -- Missions batboy “Big Mike” Garcia came to the team following 10 seasons in Sugar Land. Big Mike became a franchise icon during his time with the Sugar Land Skeeters/Space Cowboys, to the extent that he was immortalized in bobblehead form. [READ HERE](  Jared Doyon (Hartford Yard Goats) -- Jared Doyon, PA announcer for the Hartford Yard Goats, describes his style on the mic as clear and concise. So, too, is his message for those who may take inspiration from his career path: “Don’t let Tourette’s stop you from doing what you love.” [READ HERE](  Jimmy Knowlen (Portland Sea Dogs) -- The most popular man at Portland’s Hadlock Field just might be Jimmy Knowlen, an octogenarian usher with an easy smile and a “heart that just makes you fall in love with him.” [READ HERE](  Timothy Boatner Jr. (Beloit Sky Carp) -- Timothy Boatner Jr., batboy for the Beloit Sky Carp, says he's "just a chill kid, ready for fun. And dancing is one of the things I like to do." This approach to life has led to an unlikely ballpark phenomenon: Timmy Time. [READ HERE]( [Seigo Masabuchi]( Seigo Masabuchi (St. Paul Saints) -- How many laps around CHS Field does it take to complete a marathon? Seigo Masabuchi knows, because he's done it. He's done a lot of things over the course of nearly 25 years with the St. Paul Saints, all part of a baseball career that has no precedent. [READ HERE]( Cindy Amos (Wichita Wind Surge) -- Wichita Wind Surge fan host Cindy Amos has written 45 romance novels. Home Run Hunter, one of her most recent, takes place entirely at Wichita’s Riverfront Stadium. [READ HERE]( Gene and Geno Buonomo (Rochester Red Wings) -- Gene and Geno Buonomo are separated by one letter and not much else. Gene is the head groundskeeper for Triple-A Rochester while Geno, his son, is the assistant groundskeeper. [READ HERE]( Cailyn “Barnacle Barb” Szelinski (Erie SeaWolves) -- Cailyn Szelinski has an alter-ego: Barnacle Barb, “a fun-loving, glamorous pirate” who serves as the Erie SeaWolves onfield emcee. Now, she’s ready to build a Barb empire. [READ HERE](.   HOPELESSLY OBSCURE MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TRIVIA QUESTION What former Minor League ballpark, now hosting a summer collegiate team, was originally built in a different city from where it now stands, having been disassembled and shipped by train to its current location?  The answer to the below question can be found, as always, at the bottom of this email. But don’t scroll down yet! I am now accepting trivia question submissions! If you have a “hopelessly obscure” question you’d like to see featured in this newsletter, email me at benjamin.hill@mlb.com.     [Explore Gesa Stadium]( BALLPARK GUIDE(S) OF THE WEEK The Tri-City Dust Devils are Minor League Baseball’s most geographically indistinct entity. Which three cities, and where?  The answer to these pressing questions, and so much more, can be found in my latest Ballpark Guide (which, of course, is part of a [larger project](. Learn all about the Dust Devils and their home of Gesa Stadium, a charming facility that features what may be the largest set of window blinds in North America.  [READ THE GESA STADIUM BALLPARK GUIDE HERE]( [Explore Riverwalk Stadium]( Speaking of Ballpark Guides, Josh Jackson now enters the chat.  “Welcome to Riverwalk Stadium,” writes Josh, “where the fans choo-choo cheer on the home team in a converted train shed, Southern League baseball dates back to the 19th century and the Biscuits are always cooking up a good time.”  [READ THE RIVERWALK STADIUM BALLPARK GUIDE HERE]( And now that I’ve mentioned Josh Jackson, he just doesn’t want to go away. That’s right, it’s time for…   JOSH JACKSON INTERRUPTS [Josh Jackson hosts Ghosts of the Minors]( This is Josh Jackson, popping up in the holiday season for you in newsletter land. I host "The Show Before the Show" podcast’s Ghosts of the Minors segment, in which I challenge you to identify a real Minor League club of the past hiding among two red herrings.  In the last episode, we mashed up the Idaho Falls Russets. This week, I ask you which of these teams was a real marvel in the Minors of yesteryear:  - The Valhalla Thors - The Toledo Iron Men - The Walla Walla Wolverines For the answer, [tune in next time]( won’t you?   QUESTIONS OF MINOR CONCERN Last week’s question: What Minor League Baseball-themed questions would you like to see asked in this newsletter?  I posited the above question after suffering a dark night of the soul, feeling alone and forsaken in the wake of people neglecting to respond to the questions I came up with. And guess what? It worked! I got a lot of great question suggestions, the first of which you will read (and then respond to) right now. Mikel Petty asks:  If your spouse/significant other isn't as much of a baseball fan as you are, how do you persuade him/her to go to the games with you?  Send your responses (and suggestions for future questions) to benjamin.hill@mlb.com.   [Harrisburg Senators ornament]( TRIMMING THE TREE, MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL STYLE Speaking of asking questions, [I recently asked]( the kind folks of Twitter if they had any Minor League Baseball team Christmas ornaments and, if so, could they please share a picture? Here are three of my favorite replies: [Johnny Bowlin's tree]( [The tree at the Kess house]( [Hagerstown ornament](   DON'T LEAVE HUNGRY A couple of weeks ago, I highlighted the San Antonio Missions’ Flamin’ Hot Cheetos hot dog. This reminded me that, in 2016, the Fresno Grizzlies added “Hot Cheetos Dusted Fries” to their concession menu. I’m not sure if these are still available at Chukchansi Park, but I never forget that they once were. The lime wedges are a great touch! [Hot Cheetos Dusted Fries]   HOPELESSLY OBSCURE MINOR LEAGUE TRIVIA ANSWER! Burlington Athletic Stadium originally existed as League Park in Danville, Va. In 1958, it was disassembled, put on a train piece by piece, shipped to Burlington, N.C., and reassembled.  Burlington Athletic Stadium was home to an affiliated Appalachian League team from 1960-2020. In 2021, the Appalachian League became a summer-collegiate circuit, and Burlington’s team changed its name from the Royals to the Sock Puppets.  As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, Burlington Athletic Stadium was where I first tried the beloved North Carolina soft drink that is Cheerwine. Everything is connected.   [IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER, TELL THEM TO SUBSCRIBE HERE](   Contact [Benjamin Hill](mailto:benjamin.hill@mlb.com) [Twitter]( Online]( © 2022 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. MLB trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball. [Visit MLB.com](. 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