Erie Homecoming

When Christopher Bostick was drafted by Oakland, his family's opportunity to see the Rochester, NY native play immediately became limited. A few years, two trades and an Eastern League stadium less than 2.5 hours from home later, Christopher's uncle and grandmother enjoy a sun-soaked game with Christopher playing 2nd for the Harrisburg Senators at Erie's Jerry Uht Park over the weekend, August 7-9.

Fan Club Membership Secretary, Ruth Patrick reports that Christopher and his grandmother exchanged hugs both pre- and post-game. "Truly a nice and loving family. She was so excited to see her grandson playing ball."

Christopher's parents, sister and brother also made the trek for all of last weekend's games against the SeaWolves.


Of course, this was to be our Fan Club trip to Erie weekend, but we couldn't generate enough members with open schedules to commit. That's why we're trying again.

The Senators visit Erie one more time at the end of the month. If we can make this trip work, we'll cheer on the Senators Saturday, August 29th at 7:05, stay overnight at the same hotel as the team. After a $5 hot breakfast at the hotel, we'll check out and head for Sunday's 1:35 series-ending game.We'll leave from the ballpark to return home late Sunday, August 30th.

This time, we have different folks with weekend conflicts; however, Vice-President Jeanne Jacobs will accept your reservations to join us through Saturday, August 15th. The $125 cost covers your Wolf's Bus Lines transportation and tickets to attend both games.

The Fan Club will reserve your room at the Clarion Hotel Lake Erie, yet you can pay upon checkout. We will receive a discounted rate of $152 (plus tax and fees).

To learn more, please call Jeanne this week (717-774-2730). If we can make it work this time, we'd love for you to join us!

Brian Williams
President

Fan Club Hits the Road Again

Although we missed a second consecutive no-hitter at Nationals Park by less than 24 hours, Fan Club attendees (even the Pirates' fans) enjoyed a convincing victory Father's Day to sweep the Bucs. We followed our usual route, stopping for breakfast on the way, getting to the ballpark just before the gates opened, and enjoying a leisurely dinner on the way home.

Section 133 could not have been more convenient. We sat straight across the concourse from the 1st base gate. Our seats remained in the shade until the 7th inning, when the sun began to creep onto our laps.

Matt LeCroy appeared on the field before the game to toss several baseballs into the crowd and sign a few autographs. Ian Desmond also signed for a few fans after loosening up just before the National Anthem.

Two new members from Lebanon came along for the first time. We also had a father-son duo celebrate Father's Day on this trip, as Abby and I did.

Our next road trip will cheer on the Senators in their away greys. We're arranging a weekend in Erie against the SeaWolves, Saturday and Sunday, August 8th & 9th. Because of the distance, a single game wouldn't be practical, so we may as well back our team twice (Saturday at 7:05 and Sunday at 1:35) with an overnight stay.

As always, we're looking at creative ways we can keep the cost to a minimum and still enjoy a fun weekend series. If interested in learning more, please call Vice-President Jeanne Jacobs at 717-774-2730.


Brian Williams
President

Fan Club Update

We tip our Senators’ caps one more time to Chad McConnell, guest speaker at our June meeting last week. We enjoyed meeting both Amanda and Chad; and hope they plan to join us again soon.

How about that Senators sweep of Trenton last weekend? Good pitching, highlight-reel defensive plays and clutch hitting make for an exciting combination against an always-talented Eastern Division rival.

Trea Turner finally has become the “official” player to be named later in the three-team deal that shipped Steven Souza, Jr. to Tampa Bay. We welcome Trea to the Nats’ organization and the Senators’ lineup tomorrow night against Richmond. The 21-year-old shortstop was hitting .322 at AA San Antonio with 21 extra base hits and 11 stolen bases.

If you’re traveling with us to DC for our Father’s Day Pirates-Nats game, we plan to leave the Radisson/Perkins parking lot in Camp Hill at 8:30 AM. We usually make a quick breakfast stop on the way and a full dinner stop on the return trip.

At last week’s meeting, I suggested we attempt a weekend trip to Erie to support the Senators on the road. If you’d be interested in Saturday/Sunday games August 8th and 9th at Jerry Uht Park (with an overnight stay), please call Jeanne Jacobs, Vice-President, at 717-774-2730.

We scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday, July 14th (MLB All*Star Game night) at the American Legion Post #143, 214 Market Street, New Cumberland. We’ll once again meet earlier in the month due to the Senators’ home game on July 21st. Guest speaker to be announced.

Next Fan Club Road Trip on Deck

Our next Fan Club Road Trip will take us back to Nationals Park. This will be a Father’s Day special, Sunday, June 21st, to see the Pirates and Nationals at 1:35 PM.

Our seats will be in Section 134, the mirror image of the vantage point we had for Jordan Zimmermann’s no-hitter last September. (If you weren’t with us for that traditional final Sunday home game, we were at field level between third base and the left field foul pole. On Father’s Day, we’ll be between first base and the right field foul pole). Mouse over Section 134 for a 3D view:

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/was/ticketing/seats_3d.jsp

Tickets and Wolf’s Bus Lines transportation will be $110 per member; ($115 per non-member includes 2015 Fan Club membership). Please contact Vice-President Jeanne Jacobs at 717-774-2730 to make your reservations.

Brian Williams, President

Road Trip!

During our March meeting, we generated a lot of interest for an early-season trip to the see the Nationals. That trip is now a reality.

Put on your travelin’ shoes and board the bus for Citi Field on Sunday, May 3rd. The Harrisburg Senators Fan Club invites you to join us to see the Nationals play the Mets in New York.

We’ll depart the Radisson/Perkins parking lot in Camp Hill at 8:30 AM. That will give us plenty of time to be part of the first 15,000 fans to receive a free MLB Network/Mets tote bag.

We’ll be seated in Section 125, which is just behind the outfield corner of the Nats’ dugout on the lower level. From here, we’ll enjoy the 1:10 start as the Nats and Mets complete their three-game series.

Following the game, we’ll head back to town with more baseball memories. (Another no-hitter, perhaps?)

We have limited space, so please call Jeanne Jacobs at 717-774-2730 as soon as you can commit to the $110 per person reservation. ($115 for non-members includes your 2015 Fan Club membership.) That includes your Wolf's Bus transportation and ticket to the game. We’ll also provide refreshments for the ride.


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

Celebrating the Holidays with the Fan Club

The Fan Club foregoes business meetings in both November and December to focus fully on celebrating the holidays with our membership. Traditionally, we gather the first Sunday in December for holiday cheer.

After last year's snowfall truncated our post-dinner gifting and games, we were relieved to see clear skies and feel a December chill on the 7th. Thankfully, everyone safely returned home last year.

After greeting each other, sharing snacks and finding seats, Dave Prediger offered grace. We enjoyed a fantastic dinner thanks to the hard-working team at the New Cumberland American Legion. Dessert included chocolate and white cake topped with a light baseball-themed icing.

During dessert, Fan Club board members began to call prize winners. Each attendee could choose among the many attractive gifts and poinsettia centerpieces.

Following a full round of gift giving, we donned our thinking caps for a couple of fun holiday-and-baseball-related word games. Our festivities with even more gifts, more skill (such as the ever-popular "Guess the number of pieces of candy in the jar" game), and a special prize generously donated by John Barrick.

Congratulations to Annie Miller, who won both the candy guessing game and the special backpack prize!


Dolly Kmetz donated creative, homemade holiday tissue box covers. One lucky person at each table took one home to add to their decorations.

I want to thank everyone for participating in this year's event. Special thanks to our Fan Club board, (Jeanne Jacobs, Margie and Barry Fealtman, Ruth Patrick and Barb Thomas), who invest a lot of time and effort to make our events special for all of us.


Thank you also to Dave Prediger for his constant support and willingness to offer thoughtful prayers. And a special thanks to the Harrisburg Senators for supporting the Fan Club. Due to the timing of baseball's Winter Meetings in San Diego, we only got to enjoy the company of two front office representatives: my long-time friend, Todd Matthews, and the newest member of the team, Blair Jewell.

I know that all of us want to enjoy this season with family and friends. Please know that your newly elected officers (thank you again for your votes of confidence!) held a recent board meeting and are already working on an aggressive 2015 Fan Club calendar.

We promise to reveal more during our next business meeting Tuesday, January 20th, at the New Cumberland American Legion. Details to come. Meanwhile, Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!

Brian Williams, President

Plan Now for Our Fan Club Christmas Party

Greetings!

Is it too early to bid you “Holiday Greetings”? After all, Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away.

The Harrisburg Senators Fan Club dives headlong into the holiday spirit with our annual Christmas Party. If you haven’t already, mark your calendar for Sunday, December 7th.

We’ll begin to gather after 5:30 PM at the New Cumberland American Legion on Market Street. Our delicious buffet dinner will be served at 6:30. Save room for dessert; and save time after dessert for fun holiday games and gifts for all attendees.

If you plan on some early Christmas shopping, please pick up an additional gift or two to wrap and add to the table. To learn more, please call Fan Club Vice-President, Jeanne Jacobs at 717-774-2730 by November 29th. Reservations are $25 per adult and $12.50, 12 and under.

Since our next business meeting will be after the New Year, we look forward to seeing you December 7th. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Brian Williams

President

Happy Opening (Yester)Day

I had to change the subject of this message, because I’d run out of time to deliver it on Thursday. Sorry, but the combination of gorgeous spring weather and the return of baseball to Metro Bank Park proved too much for me. As soon as I’d shut down my work laptop, Mindy and I were on our way to City Island and I was downing a pair of Spot Dogs.

We’ve finally reached our destination on the long, long road from last September. Opening Day has become more like a reunion with those we don’t see at off-season Fan Club meetings and events. We enjoyed seeing so many of you last evening!

Four notes of Fan Club business for you to keep in mind:

* 2014 membership is now overdue. Please contact Membership Secretary, Ruth Patrick (anzpearl@aol.com) or see Ruth in Section 112 this home stand to keep your account up-to-date.

* Thank you for your assistance in advancing our May fundraiser. If you can help by taking more tickets, please call Vice-President, Jeanne Jacobs (717-774-2730).

* Our Fan Club picnic with the Senators and staff is scheduled for after the game on Sunday, April 27th. This will be combined with the Senators traditional season ticket holder picnic. More details to come, but be sure to mark the date now.

* Our next meeting will be held Tuesday, May 20th at the New Cumberland American Legion on Market Street. We’ll come to order at 6:30 PM.

See you at the ballpark this weekend!

 

Brian Williams

President

March Fan Club Meeting

Our March Fan Club meeting proved to be a wonderful success, thanks to our guest speaker, David B. Stinson, the Senators front office staff, and our remaining Fan Club officers. Although I was unable to attend due to a work commitment in Atlanta, David communicated that he "had a great time and truly enjoyed the opportunity to talk baseball with so many knowledgeable fans."

If you were able to attend, thank you for making David feel so welcome and for your participation. If you were not, you're in the same boat as me, wishing you'd been there. Fortunately, David penned an article, complete with a photograph, to record the event.

Our next gathering will be the annual Welcome Back Senators banquet, which is less than two weeks away. If you haven't reserved your seats, please contact Jeanne Jacobs, Fan Club Vice-President, at 717-774-2730.

Jeanne will need to wrap up reservations soon in order to give the West Shore Elks Lodge our final count. We hope to see you there!


Brian,
From Deep Short

Welcome Back, Harrisburg Senators!

Our tradition since 1987, the Welcome Back Senators banquet, takes place Wednesday, April 2nd (Opening Day Eve). Get to know this year’s Harrisburg Senators roster, including our new manager and coaching staff, before the season starts. The Senators front office offer prizes and surprises regarding the upcoming season, too.

Bring your camera, because Meet and Greet with the players begins at 6; dinner starts at 7 at the West Shore Elks Lodge, 108 North St. Johns Road, Camp Hill. Reservations go quickly, so call Harrisburg Senators Fan Club Vice-President, Jeanne Jacobs (717-774-2730) to reserve your seats.

Everyone dines with at least one Senators player or coach. Plus, you receive a souvenir Welcome Back program with space for autographs.

The Fan Club sponsors a table of youth ballplayers from the Harrisburg-West Shore area. An anonymous donor sponsors a second team to honor the memory of Al Francavilla, who helped start this traditional event.

Tickets for this 28th annual occasion are just $29.50 per person; 12 and under, only $12.00. Experience this year’s Welcome Back Senators Dinner and Banquet. Please contact Jeanne (717-774-2730) to learn more.


Brian Williams
President