To celebrate the holidays, the City of San Bernardino and the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency (along with the 66ers, of course!) have invited our fans out to the ballpark this Friday night for a special screening of The Polar Express. 

Gates will open at 6:15 and the movie begins at 7.  Stick around afterwards for fireworks that will start a little after the credits roll.  You show up…we provide the cookies and hot chocolate.  And it’s all completely FREE!

But everyone knows that one of the most important parts of the holidays is giving.  So we’re asking that if you come out, make sure to bring an unwrapped toy for the Spark of Love Toy Drive.  Of course, we’ll let you in without a donation.  But we’re confident that all our fans will want to make sure every child in the Inland Empire has a Merry Christmas.

So make plans now to come on out to Arrowhead Credit Union Park tomorrow night.  For more information, click on over to 66ers.com or read the article here!

 

Day 2 of the Winter Meetings has come and gone.  Today had a little bit of player movement as Carlos Pena inked a reported one-year, $10 million deal to be the new first baseman of the Chicago Cubs. 

 

In other activity, the Yankees contingent made the short drive to their complex in Tampa to officially sign icon Derek Jeter to a 3 year deal.  Back in the Dolphin and Swan Resort, everyone was relieved to find out that Rockies Manager Jim Tracy is ok, following his collapse in the lobby on early Tuesday morning.

 

Tuesday was a day of interviews for the 66ers staff, as Director of Group Sales Steve Pelle’ and Assistant Director of Groups Joe Rugo (shown in the picture above), joined Director of Promotions Matt Kowallis and Vice President of Marketing Kevin Shaw in interviewing candidates for potential intern positions with the staff. 

 

Following a long day of interviews and meeting a lot great and energetic people, a few offers were made.  We will be hoping to unveil our new hires in the next couple of days.

 

Following the interviews, the staff joined Tony Reagins, Mike Scoiscia, Tim Mead, Abe Flores and the rest of the Angels contingent in Abe’s suite for an “Angels Cocktail Party” for all of their Minor League Partners.  Fun was had by all as the staffs of Orem, Cedar Rapids, Inland Empire, Arkansas, Salt Lake City and the Angels all caught up on the past years events.  We want to thank the Angels for all of their great hospitality!

 

As you can see it was a busy day for the Front Office Staff.  Stayed tuned as more pictures, happenings, and an update from the Trade Show will be up shortly.

 

And as always, continue to check our Facebook page for pictures from Florida!

 

Monday at the Winter Meetings is the day of the Freitas Business Seminar.  In the morning, attendees gathered together to hear presentations about Social Networking, Successful Promotions, New Sales Techniques, and other new and improved ideas from members of the Minor League Baseball Community.  Following the presentations, there was an awards luncheon where the organizations of the year were honored.  An Elmore Sports Group (owners of the 66ers) won a prestigious award, as the Idaho Falls Chukars were chosen as Short-Season organization of the year.  Check out the link here for an article: http://www.growidahofalls.org/content/chukars-organization-wins-bob-freitas-award.  Congratulations to General Manager Kevin Greene and his very hard-working staff.

 

After lunch, it was “Roundtable Time” as attendees chose presentations to attend which included information about sales, marketing, operations, merchandising, community relations and website development.  These sessions were very informative and the 66ers look forward to implementing some of the programs at Arrowhead Credit Union Park this year.

 

Following the session in the lobby, Padres Manager Bud Black joined Chris Rose and the MLB Network team to discuss the finalized Adrian Gonzalez trade.  During this time, Kevin Towers, the new General Manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks and representatives from the New York Yankees were busy working the phones.  Towers traded long-time third baseman Mark Reynolds to the Orioles and the Yankees were busy finalizing Derek Jeter’s extension and trying to see what it will take to acquire Cliff Lee.

 

Monday evening also included the Elmore Sports Group Dinner.  A special thank you goes out to Mr. Dave Elmore and his son D.G. Elmore who hosted the great event at the Blue Zoo Restaurant in the Dolphin Resort.  It was a festive evening and included representatives from all of the Elmore Sports Group teams:  Colorado Springs Sky Sox, San Antonio Missions, Idaho Falls Chukars, Eugene Emeralds, Helena Brewers, and Bakersfield Blaze.

 

What an exciting Monday in Orlando!  Can’t wait to see what happens on Tuesday.  In our next update, we will fill you in about any other player movement, the PBEO job fair, the Trade Show, and the Angels Cocktail Hour.

 

The staff arrived in Orlando on Sunday for the 2010 Baseball Winter Meetings in Orlando.  After landing at the airport and a short cab ride to Walt Disney World, we checked into the host hotel, the The Swan and Dolphin. 

 

The lobby was abuzz with Major League owners and general managers, Minor League staffs, agents and media from around the globe in anticipation for a week of action.  Major League Baseball put the final touches on their broadcast set right by a large Christmas Tree in the center of the lobby for MLB Network.

 

Usually the first day is pretty calm and just a bunch of old pals meeting by the bar and catching up.  But in the middle of the afternoon slate of NFL games, people started talking about a big signing.  When people found out the Nationals signed Jayson Werth to a 7 year, 126 million dollar deal, reaction was plentiful.  People expected him to get 4-5 years and around 80-90 million.  They were astonished that he got the payday that he did…and nonetheless that it was from a team like the Washington Nationals.

 

So much for a quiet first day.  Will be back later with the happenings of Monday from the Winter Meetings!

Things are kicking into high gear in Orlando.  If you’re watching the coverage of these meetings on TV this week, you’ll definitely recognize this set! 

Head over to our Facebook page for more pictures!

This weekend, about half of the 66ers staff will leave to join the entire baseball world in sunny Central Florida for the 2010 Baseball Winter Meetings.

For those of you unaware, the Winter Meetings are an annual get-together of baseball professionals from across the country.  You’ll find Minor League executives — from places like Casper, WY, Yakima, WA or Mobile, AL — all the way up to the General Manager and owners of some of the biggest of Big League teams from across the nation.  Walk into the lobby of the host hotel and you’re liable to run into Hall of Fame players from any era or a young college-grad looking to begin a career in the industry.  It’s truly a mesh of people unlike anywhere else.

But big things happen at the Baseball Winter Meetings.  In years past, millions of dollars have changed hands with Major League free agent signings or blockbuster trades. 

But for the 66ers, we’re looking to learn new ways to improve YOUR experience at the ballpark.  We’ll attend trade shows, discuss promotions with the experts and spend every second focused on how to make your next adventure at Arrowhead Credit Union Park, the best one yet!

Make sure to be on the lookout for updates from Florida!

Hey there, 66ers fans!

Thanks for making your way over to the brand new home of the Inland Empire 66ers “official” forum for thoughts, opinions and news of upcoming events!  We have some great new things coming your way this year.  Be sure to bookmark us and check back every day for exciting features from the staff of the 66ers.

Go Angels and Go 66ers!