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(female announcer) This is a production of WKNO-Memphis.
Production funding for 'Sports Files' is made possible in part
by..
My guest today on 'Sports Files' is the General Manager of the
Memphis Redbirds, Ben Weiss.
♪♪♪
Play Ball!
Two words that bring pleasure to the ears of baseball fans young
and old.
The 2013 Major League Baseball season opened up earlier this
week, while tonight the Memphis Redbirds began play in the
Pacific Coast League.
The Birds, the AAA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals are part
of the fabric of the Bluff City, and while the numbers may
indicate a bit of a downward trend in baseball's popularity,
America's pasttime continues to be one of the most fan friendly
sports we have in this country.
Nearly a half million fans of the game walked through the
Autozone Park turnstiles in 2012,
an average of just under seven thousand per game.
The Redbirds remain a very afforable ticket for sports
fans, and with one of Minor League Baseball's most
attractive stadiums, they continue to be a draw for people
from all walks of life.
Last season the Redbirds organization unveiled the
largest scoreboard in Minor league baseball,
adding to the already popular baseball "Shrine" at 3rd and
Union.
The man instrumental in helping bring the new jumbotron to
Autozone Park, and adding other popular immenities,
is General Manager Ben Weiss.
Weiss took over the daily business operations of the
Redbirds in August of 2009, and hasn't looked back.
Today, the Redbirds young, talented GM joins me to talk
about the upcoming season and what fans can expect to see from
the team.
A squad that will begin the season with some of the most
promising young talent in the Cardinals organization such as
outfielder Oscar Tavarez and second baseman Kolten Wong.
We swing for the fences with the Redbirds front office head
honcho, Ben Weiss, next on 'Sports Files'.
♪♪♪
Ben, thank you so much for being with us.
Appreciate it, Greg.
Thank you for having me.
Always good to talk baseball.
I know the weather may not be cooperating like we want it to
be but anytime you can talk baseball,
it's a good thing.
Anytime we talk baseball it's a good thing.
You're right.
The weather seems to be reverting a little bit,
you know, back to the cooler temps.
But obviously, this weekend, temperatures supposed to be just
perfect.
Perfect for the first fireworks game of the season.
So, we're looking forward to that.
We'll talk about all the promotions and everything that
we can expect to see from the Redbirds this upcoming season as
we move along.
But timing is everything.
And yesterday a story was circulating around the Memphis
area and maybe even out of Saint Louis about the Saint Louis
Cardinals and that they were on the verge of purchasing the
Redbirds and Autozone Park.
Ben, what can you tell us about those rumors and that story that
circulated yesterday?
We obviously, you know, saw the Twitter chatter.
And you know, as far as I'm concerned,
I still work for the Memphis Redbirds Baseball Foundation.
They're still the owner of the ballpark,
still the owner of the franchise.
And until, you know, there's a change directly communicated by
them, that's the way it is and that's the way it stands.
If there is dialogue between the two and some would say there has
been because I know this has been a rumor for a long time
that they would love to see the Cardinals purchase the
organization.
Are you pretty to that information as the general
manager?
It's at a different level, Greg.
You know, the foundation members are,
you know, they handle discussions as it results or as
it pertains to any potential transaction.
So you move on as if it's day-to-day operations and what
happens above you happens.
Our staff, we come in everyday.
Now we're coming in seven days a week working our tails off and,
you know, making sure that ball park is clean,
our promotions are great and everybody has a great time.
That's what were there to do.
What does opening day mean to you?
To me, it's opening day is like Christmas day.
I'm fortunate.
I work in a business where I get two Christmas days in one year.
But you know, it brings back.
It's a ton of excitment.
All the work, the culimation of the six or seven months of off
season.
It's just great to see all that come to fruition.
And it's just very, very exciting.
You're a younger guy than me but I still remember growing up and
opening day and when I went to see the Phillies was the team I
grew up with.
You could smell the grass.
I'm going back to Connie Mack when there was real grass.
And of course we had the astroturf at stadium.
But to me, although the game has changed in some regards,
it's still the same as when I was a little kid.
Do you feel the same way opening day and the excitment like you
just talked about with Christmas?
Yeah, without a doubt.
You know, I grew up playing baseball.
You know, and getting on that field and smelling the grass and
being around the smell of the leather,
the smell of the baseball.
Those smells and those senses that only happen,
you know, inside that ballpark.
It's special and it brings me back to my childhood,
as well.
It's engrained in you.
That's why you don't forget the smells.
It's in you.
Yeah, for sure.
What is a typical day for Ben Weiss with the Redbirds?
Well, the best part about my job is there is no typical day.
You know, everyday is absolutely very, very different.
You know, especially now that we're in season.
Everything from, you know, promoting the ball club to
working with our corporate sponsors to selling season
tickets.
In fact, just the other day I was pulling tarp with the crew.
So I'm down on the field and I'm there for the early tarp calls
and for the late tarp calls.
So, you know, we do it all.
Minor League Baseball, we're kind of all hands on deck and
jack of all trades.
There are so many things you do from a business standpoint which
we'll get in to.
But from a player personnel standpoint,
obviously it's dependant upon what happens with the big league
team shaping your roster.
But are you asked by people within the cardinals
organization for your input on certain players?
No, no, at our level, you know especially within the Cardinals
organization, the Cardinals just got a fantastic farm system.
A tremendous farm director named John Vuch who's quite a bit more
qualified than I am to make those decisions.
Of course, John, those guys are making the player personnel
decisions.
They advise us when a players going up or coming down.
And then at that point, we take over and make sure that player
is taken care of and is comfortable and enjoys his time
in Memphis.
I think most people would agree that it's really nice to have a
team that's competing.
But even if the team is not competing,
it's an event to go to a ball park and it's an event to go to
Autozone Park because it is such a tremendous ball park.
And you always look at ways to better it and last year bringing
in this jumbotron was a tremendous cou,
Ben, by you and the staff.
Talk about that.
Talk about continually trying to improve the product.
And that, you hit the nail on the head there.
Continually trying to raise the bar,
improve the product, improve the fan experience.
You know, that's our mission.
That's our day-to-day mission is to continue to make the
experience just that much better.
And like you said, that video board and,
you know, 60 by 60.
Biggest video board in minor league baseball.
Bigger than a handful of the big league park video boards.
We're very proud of that.
That just enhances our fan experience.
The little kids come in to our ball park and their eyes light
up.
And then they see that video board and then they see Rocky.
You know, we get to do that 72 home games a year and it's
pretty special.
You have the bluff over left field.
You have the boardwalk where the kids go and play games because
their interest kind of wains after a couple of innings.
You have this beautiful jumbotron.
What else can you do?
What have you added for this year?
Now, promotions.
You're always looking to better yourself.
Always looking to add promotions.
You know, we listen to our fans.
That's first and foremost.
You know, we love our fans and, you know,
that's who we need to listen to.
So, we're constantly doing focus groups.
We're listening to what our fans have to say,
getting their feedback, adding promotions.
They loved our promotion calendar last year.
So we're taking that to another level having 17,
18 giveaways each and every Friday night coupled with our
Friday night block parties, band and beer specials pre game on
Friday nights.
And of course, our Saturday night fireworks,
in my opinion, the best fireworks display in all of
minor league baseball.
In all 160 teams, no body beats the Memphis fireworks show.
You know, we're proud to put that on.
In the years you've been here in Memphis,
do you feel that the popularity of the sport and of the product
is growing, is stable, has decreased?
Well, our numbers prove it.
I think, you know, there's incremental growth.
It's slow and steady.
I think people appreciate the product and,
you know, we're certainly an entertainment option in Memphis.
And I think that's the way a lot of families view us.
You know, who are we competing with?
Yeah, we're competing with that Friday night movie,
that saturday night movie, you know,
some of the other attractions in Memphis.
That's who we're going up against,
you know, when the family is deciding where to spend their
dollars.
So friend of mine, constatnly raising the bar adding value.
You know, when a fan comes in to the ball park,
they know they're going to get a neat giveaway.
They know they're going to get a tremendous firework show.
They know they're going to get their picture with Rocky the
Redbird.
All those little things, you know,
they really add up and I think that's why we've seen,
you know, steady growth, you know,
in the last two or three years.
You're looking to appease the families but I would imagine
you're also looking to go out there and get groups whether it
be civic groups, church groups, things like that.
Yeah, youth baseball.
I mean, a piece of business that has really grown for us is
allowing youth baseball teams to play on our field pre or
postgame Redbirds games.
So that's a neat opportunity to see those young kids,
boys and girls, touch the grass at Autozone Park and actually be
able to play a game.
It's something they're going to be talking about for the rest of
their life.
And that's what we're doing is we're ceating lifelong baseball
fans, lifelong Redbird fans.
Let's go back to one of the statements I made earlier about
having a competitive team.
It just adds to it.
You start off with some of the best prospects in the Cardinals
organizations in Oscar Taveras, and Kolten Wong,
Micheal Wacha.
Let me make sure everybody realizes.
Get out there and see them now because we don't know how long
they'll be there.
But to have this type of talent.
Chambers is back with the Redbirds and you have other
talent that returns.
It's nice.
This squad and Pop Warner has said it over the last couple of
days, our manager.
This squad is going to go out every night and they're going to
compete.
And they're going to put on a heck of a show.
You're going to see some great ball,
baseball down there at Third and Union.
And you know, this is the Cardinal's future right here and
this is something you're not going to want to miss.
Yeah, if you look at the parent club,
just not all of them but just about everybody went to Memphis.
A good majority of them, you know,
have played at Autozone Park.
So, you know, the future is now.
You know, this is the time to come see those future Cardinals.
Evaluate the job Pops doing.
Tremendous.
Pops a tremendous competitor.
I know he was not happy with the win-loss record last year but he
gets those guys ready to compete every single night and he's just
a tremendous guy.
He's the guy that you root for and,
you know, we love Pop.
Something that is not good for the Cardinals but benefits the
Redbirds and even Springfield is when a player gets hurt,
injured and is rehabilitating.
You have David Freese help with the team now,
a World Series hero.
It's always an added bonus when fans can come over,
watch your team and then, "Oh, David Freese is there as well."
Opening weekend David Freese, we're pretty happy about that.
So, we'll see.
What is the goal from you and your staff for the future with
this organization?
What kind of goals do you make for yourselves?
Each year we, you know, like I said,
we try to raise the level of customer service,
fan experience and continue to grow that fan base,
continue to sell, you know, additional season tickets,
continue to reach out to the corperate community and grow our
corperate support.
And you know, we've been successful at that the last few
years.
So the goals just keep growing that business,
keep growing Redbirds fans.
Do you ever bend?
Do you ever go on the road or have members of your staff go on
the road and see what's happening at other minor league
parks?
I do.
I'm lucky enough to get out there on the road and
occasionally go out with our team.
But I go to these other parks for our all-star game,
our national championship game.
If we make the play-offs, I'll be on the road with the team for
our potential play-off run.
And that's when you can really, you know,
you're kind of doing your homework out there.
You're seeing what new promotions are out there.
You're seeing what new ballpark attractions are out there and,
you know, see if we can take a few ideas and bring them back
here to Memphis.
I would imagine some minor league teams out there,
some organizations try to emulate what you guys are doing
knowing that you have this amazing stadium that if they
certainly can afford it financially,
that they're going to want to model it after it.
Yeah, you know, we meet as a minor league baseball community
once or twice a year.
And, you know, the best part about the minor league baseball
community is we are open books.
We share data.
We share what's working.
We share what's not working in each different market.
And certainly a lot of questions get asked.
"What are you guys doing in Memphis?"
"What's working in Memphis?"
And you know, that's a good thing is that people are keeping
their eye on what we're doing here.
Ben, how about a triple-A all-star game?
We would love to host it.
We would love to host it.
How does that go?
How do you try to?
It alternates from International League to Pacific Coast League
each year.
And usually, there's a bid process.
You need to, you know, kind of campaign and get the word out
there that you'd be intersted in that.
And then the two leagues, the two triple-A leagues make the
decision.
So, that's a possibility down the road.
I know they're booked for the next two seasons.
So, we'll see.
Civic responsibilites for the Redbirds organization.
I know it's very important to do things in the community,
go back to the stripe programs.
These are important.
Yes, still active and, you know, we're proud to say that we still
touch in our RBI program, you know,
almost 1,000 at-risk youth every summer with our RBI program.
You know, not only teaching baseball skills,
softball skills but life skills.
We provide the kids a meal everytime they come out to
practice.
And then of course, it culminates with a trip down to
Autozone Park and watching the Redbirds play.
So, it's a great program.
We're very, very proud of it.
And always looking for additional corporate community
support on that.
So, you know, if you're interested,
please certainly help us.
Provide a number that they can call.
Definitely go on the website or 721-6000.
Call that number and, you know, we're always looking for
additional hands.
Now will that be the number also if people are interested in
purchsing tickets?
Absolutely, absolutely.
And the website I would imagine is going strong.
Yep, Memphisredbirds-dot-com.
In fact, a brand new look this year.
A lot of information on there.
You know, one thing we heard from our fans in they wanted
more player contact information.
We were happy to provide that.
And check our our website.
It's got a ton of information on it.
Ben, very briefly, being a part of a non-profit with the
Redbirds Foundation, how restrictive is that?
Does that pose some issues?
It does.
it's not restrictive at all.
I mean, we still run our business and we still run our
minor league club in the same fashion that most of the other
clubs do.
You know, of course there's some financial and accounting things
that need to take place.
But other than that, to be honest with you..
No major barriers.
No handcuffs, so we're good.
We like to end each one of our interviews.
Find out a little bit more about our guests with Five for the
Road.
So it's five questions, quick answers.
Try not to think about it too thoroughly here.
Just maybe the first thing that comes to mind.
Favorite professional team in sports,
in all of sports?
Don't say the Cardinals.
If I wasn't going to say the Cardinals,
I'd say teh Philadelphia Phillies.
How about that?
Now where did you grow up?
Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Are you kidding me?
Yeah.
Here we go.
So we rooted for the same team.
I'm from south Jersey but..
When you said that, I said, "Now here we go."
Absolutely, alright.
Favorite pro athlete of all time?
Of all time, Arnold Palmer.
Really?
Yep, grew up playing golf and my dad was a big Arnie fan and had
the chance to meet him at a US Senior Open a few years ago.
Well, not a few years ago.
Maybe 20 years ago now.
Time flies.
Yeah, really.
And just what a gentleman.
He's a Pennsylvania guy, too.
He is.
Latrobe or somewhere in that area.
Surprised you didn't go Mike Schmidt but I understand.
I love ***.
Favorite music, musician, genre?
What do you listen to?
Driving around in your car, what do you listen to?
Yeah, I love the rock music.
You know, still one of my all-time favorite bands is
Incubus.
Kind of grew up in college listening to them.
Look at you!
I still love Incubus.
I don't even know if they make records anymore but I still
listen to the old stuff.
Who knew?
Favorite movie of all time?
You and I both saw..
I'll go with that!
42 right there.
Wow, that was a great event you guys put on to have the premiere
that we got to see last week.
Wow, what a great movie!
My wife and I were talking about for probably two days after that
just how, what a phenomenal story and tremendous production.
Need to go see it.
First Lady Michelle Obama said everybody should see it.
It should be a must see if you can get a chance to get out
there.
Finally we'll wrap it up with your favorite television show of
all time.
Of all time..
Is there something right now when you go home?
You know what?
I really like this show called Dual Survivor I think it's
called.
It's on Discover channel.
It's these two guys that go out and make themselves lost in the
wilderness.
Oh, one of those deals.
I'm in to that!
It's neat!
I watch a lot oft hat reality stuff.
You never know what's going to happen!
I haven't seen that one yet but I'll make sure I check it out.
And folks, you make sure to check out the Redbirds.
They got a eight game home stand to start the season.
Ben Weiss, always a pleasure.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
We'll take a short break, come back with Overtime right after
this.
♪♪♪
As many of you know, the University of Memphis Men's
Basketball program has put together one of the nation's top
recruiting classes for 2013.
Five top level players signed scholarships,
and if all qualify, Memphis has it's version of the Fab Five.
But here's a little secret.
It's actually a Fab Six.
Olive Branch High School product Sam Craft will also be a part of
that class.
But priority one for Sam is football.
Craft signed with Justin Fuente and the Tigers,
but expects to play both sports.
As a senior Quarterback for the Conquistadors,
Craft threw for nearly 1800 yards and 14 touchdowns.
But he also rushed for nearly a thousand with 16 scores,
and caught four more touchdowns.
At Memphis, he will likely be used as a slot receiver.
In hoops, Craft averaged 23 points and four blocks per game
with Olive Branch.
He is also a star on the track and field team.
But three sports at Memphis?
Not even a great athlete like Sam Craft will attempt to do
that.
Scott, you've had a number of talented players walk through
the doors here at Olive Branch.
Tell me about Sam Craft.
Sam is probably the most fast twitch guy I've ever coached.
That may not mean a whole lot to the lay person but to somebody
that's in the business will understand what I'm saying.
He's real, real quick, got real good balance,
great eye-hand coordination.
But you know, the most important thing to me about Sam Craft is
the type of person that he is.
And you know, Sam Craft the athlete is going to get old and
fat just like me one of these days.
But Sam Craft the person is going to live for a long time
and going to be a solid citizen and a good person to be a
neighbor and that sort of stuff.
And that's the thing that really matter to me about Sam.
Well, Sam, you just heard Coach describe you.
Describe yourself to everyone.
As a person, I just describe myself as being humble,
just thanking God for all the talent that he's gtiven me.
I describe myself as a football player where I can make plays
for my team.
I try to play together.
I do everything by myself.
So, I just work hard and get better everyday when I go to
practice and stay humble as a person,
too.
Sam, you spent three years at Craigmont then transferred to
Olive Branch.
What was it like to have this year with the Conquistadors?
Oh, it was great.
Coach, well, he let me in with open arms.
I felt wanted.
He helped me become a better football player and also a
better person.
My teammates, none of this would be possible without them.
They made me look just as good on the field.
Sam, why the University of Memphis?
I'm a Memphis boy.
I've been a fan since I was born.
My father played at Memphis.
Other schools recruited me, real good schools.
And I thought about going but I looked back on it and Memphis is
the best.
It's the best fit for me.
Sam, you play quarterback at Olive Branch.
Where do you expect to play at Memphis?
I expect to come to Memphis one because Fuente let me make the
plays.
I'll be more than welcome to play there from quarterback to
me playing defensive back, side reciever or kick returner,
punt returner.
What position are you most comfortable with?
With the ball in my hands.
So offensively?
Yes, sir.
There are a lot of young men who decide they want to leave the
area.
They don't want to stay and play at Memphis.
You're a Memphis area kid who decided to stay.
Do you like the pressure that's going to come with it?
It's pressure but at the same time,
that's what you want as a player.
Yeah, you want your family and friends to be able to come and
watch you every home game.
That's a lot of love that's going to be showed in the city
of Memphis.
And some of the players, they leave out of the state to go
play other places.
They get forgotten and I just want to be remembered and to
change the football program around would be a real good way
to be remembered.
So which sport are you better at,
football or basketball?
It's crazy because I have the question asked to me for so
long.
I really can't say because I love both sports dearly.
And I just play so hard so I really can't say which one I'm
better at.
So, you're also running track at Olive Branch.
Basketball, football and track.
Are you going to try to play three sports at Memphis?
I try to be a star at whatever sport I play.
Sam, is there any doubt you'll play both sports at Memphis?
There's no doubt.
My freshman year, I'm going to play both sports.
If it doesn't work out as I want it to be,
I will just stick to football.
Footballs where you have your scholarship.
Yes, sir.
What do you know about your college coach,
Justin Fuente?
Coach Fuente, he's a great guy.
He asked me did I want to come to Memphis and I told him,
"Oh, yes sir,' so I think he's changed this program around in
one year like very fast.
And I think in a couple more years,
it'll be one of the top football schools in the country.
Sam, what is the one thing you'll take away from playing
for Coach Samsel here at Olive Branch?
Just being dedicated in the classroom.
I've came a long way in doing my school work.
but Coach Samsel, he know I can play.
I can play ball but he was always on me about making sure I
had my classwork done.
Well Sam, best of luck in Memphis.
We're looking forward to watching you play there.
Thank you so much for your time.
Thank you.
Scott, always a pleasure.
Thank you.
As we say goodnight, we do so with heavy hearts after the news
of the recent passing of former Memphis Tigers hoop star Bobby
Parks.
Parks died of cancer at the age of 51,
in his home away from home, the Phillipines.
Parks was the consumate hard worker who made his teammates,
and thus his team, better.
He was part of the recruiting class of 1980 and helped the
Tigers to three straight sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA
tournament.
He is the school's 19th all time leading scorer.
His pro career took him to the Phillipines,
where he became a legendary figure both on and off the
court.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of
Bobby and the entire Tiger nation.
And that will do it for this week.
Remember you can see any of our previous shows by heading to our
website at WKNO-dot-org and clicking on KNO Tonite.
And we'll see you next time.
♪♪♪