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

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

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