Double Reminders

Tough loss at Metro Bank Park last night, but there were some positives: Great outing by Tim Alderson and more offensive/defensive highlights from Pedro Severino. I'm eager to see how Brian Daubach's team responds in today's quick turnaround matinee. Oh, and I have another positive takeaway that we'll get to in a moment.

Here's the first of our reminders: if you're joining us for Sunday's bus trip to Citi Field, please remember that we're leaving the Radisson/Perkins parking lot along Routes 11 & 15 (West Walnut Street, Camp Hill) at 8:30 AM. Thanks to your tremendous response to this trip, we'll be traveling in a big Wolf's bus. Hopefully, the Nats can carry the excitement from last night's historical comeback along to New York this weekend.

Secondly, we'll hold our next Harrisburg Senators Fan Club meeting this Tuesday, May 5th (Cinco de Mayo) at Shugar's Philly Deli, 316 Bridge Street, New Cumberland. The Senators have home games both May 12th and May 19th, so we opted for an earlier meeting, even though the American Legion has a scheduling conflict.

Our guest speaker will be baseball historian, Ted Knorr. Members still discuss Ted's terrific reenactment of the 1960 World Series at a Fan Club meeting a couple of years ago.

This Tuesday, Ted tackles a controversial subject: the greatest year in Pennsylvania baseball history. Ted hopes to make his presentation interactive, so come prepared to offer your suggestions. Could it be 1960 (Pirates championship)? 1980 (Phillies long-awaited championship)? 1929-1931 when the Philadelphia A's dominated? How about 1999 when the Senators most dramatically sealed their unprecedented fourth consecutive Eastern League championship? We're eager to hear your opinions and Ted's take.

You can order from Shugar's menu on Tuesday. They also offer bottled wine. If you prefer beer, you may bring your own as they offered to provide refrigeration. Should be a great time!

Now, one more tidbit about last night's Senators' game. You may or may not be aware that this is Harrisburg Beer Week to benefit Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Services. One of the many daily events was held in the Giant Picnic Pavilion during last evening's game. An interesting four-course food/beer pairing more than satisfied this baseball fan.

I've never before enjoyed such tasty cuisine, real utensils and glass plates at any ballgame! I raise my glass to Chef Paul, Ashley Grotte and the Senators front office for participating in this cause. I look forward to more unique events like this at the ballpark.


Brian Williams, President

Cinco de Mayo

If you don’t speak Spanish, we aren’t talking about a whipped condiment. We’re talking about the next meeting of the Harrisburg Senators Fan Club.

Following our Sunday, May 3rd trip to Citi Field to see the Nationals and Mets wrap up their weekend series, we’ll gather Tuesday, May 5th for our first in-season meeting.

I don’t mean to throw you a curve (I never really could!), but we’ll start at 6:30 PM at Shugar’s Philly Deli, 316 Bridge Street, New Cumberland. Our usual spot has a scheduling conflict so the folks at Shugar’s were kind enough to invite us to try their new meeting room.

Our guest speaker will be baseball historian Ted Knorr, who will make a case for the best year in Pennsylvania baseball history. Order from Shugar’s menu if you please.

Oh, and you’re welcome to BYOB. Shugar’s offers bottled wine and refrigeration if you’d like to bring along your own bottled or canned beer.

One more note: please complete sales of your May Daily Number fundraiser tickets and send your stubs and payment before the end of April. This is very important for our accountability of all sold and unsold tickets.

We look forward to celebrating Cinco de Mayo with you and the Senators Fan Club! Bring an amigo or two to join our ranks.

Brian Williams

President

Renewed Energy

There was something special about last evening's Harrisburg Senators Fan Club meeting. Beyond our green attire and the sold-out corned beef and cabbage dinner special (must have really been tasty!), I sensed a renewed energy throughout the room.

Random reasons for this unknown force have been passing through my mind on this day after:

First and foremost, I believe our loyal and always cheerful friend, Nancy Tacchi, was watching over us. I noticed that Mary, Ida, the Bobs and their entire table honored Nancy’s memory with one empty chair and a St. Patrick’s Day hat. We celebrated Nancy’s time with us with a moment of silence and a unanimous decision to donate to the cause of preventing and curing diabetes in her name.

I believe the Fan Club is excited over local ownership taking majority control of the Harrisburg Senators and the leadership of Mark Butler.

I believe the continued dedication of Past-President Barry Fealtman moves our organization forward on many fronts.

I believe Jon Boles’ Senators’ promotional season preview spoke to each of us as fans eager to hurry through this final blustery stretch toward Opening Night. The Director of Ticket Sales had us almost tasting the new baseball season that lies before us.

I believe our ability to talk about actual baseball events, like former Senator Tyler Moore’s torrid spring at the plate, added to the energy.

I believe the overwhelming interest in an early-season bus trip to see the Nationals contributed. (More on this in a separate message to follow.)

I believe that even the silly, over-sized green hat that Carl Fritz bestowed on me at the start of the meeting added to our celebration of baseball’s return. (All photos of this crowning have been destroyed.)

If you were unable to attend our fun evening, you’re welcome to attend our next gathering. Make reservations for our annual Welcome Back Senators Night on Tuesday, April 7th. Please call Fan Club Vice-President Jeanne Jacobs (717-774-2730) for details. Everyone has dinner with a Senators player or coach at the same table and gets to welcome the entire team to our area as Manager Brian Daubach formally introduces each one.

Also, mark your calendar for our next business meeting Tuesday, May 5th at the New Cumberland American Legion Post #143 on Market Street. Our guest speaker will be baseball historian, Ted Knorr. Ted will make a case for Pennsylvania’s best ever year of baseball.

The energy is quite evident to me. Can you feel it?

Brian Williams, President

From Deep Short

August Fan Club Meeting

Our next Fan Club meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 28 at 6:30 at the New Cumberland American Legion. Guest speaker will be Ted Knorr, who will discuss MLB and Negro League records for consecutive hits. (You're not going to believe how many consecutive ABs set those records!)

Also, Fan Club members should have received their ballots to vote for Best Offensive Player, Best Defensive Player, Best Pitcher and Favorite Player during the 2012 season. We'll collect those ballots at the meeting, tally the votes, and present plaques to the winning players prior to the curtain falling on this season.

We look forward to seeing you at the August meeting. Remember, Tuesday, August 28, since the Senators are home on the third Tuesday, August 21, which is Negro League Night. In fact, that's when Ted Knorr will be at the ballpark with a display, so you can meet him a week early.