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up ership Gro n w O l a c o Your L ce Staff r Gems Offi u o Y taff 5 oaching S C s m e G r You eason 6 learning S A — 1 1 0 2 ords 11 Gems Rec rmation 13 eague Info L t s a o C t ame Wes 17 e All Star G u g a e L t s lcome West Coa 19 sidents We re P e u g a e dule tL 20 aster Sche West Coas M e u g a e t Coast L 21 Ticket Info 2012 Wes Schedule 23 ems 2012 G Tater! 24 Team 25 Broadcast Events 27 Promos & tinue 29 ments Con e v ro p Im ar ium 31 s of the Ye s Kiger Stad e in s u B ecord Gems Win 33 endance R tt A ’s e u g a 11 Le 37 ored in 20 n Gems Set o H s m e G gether 39 Putting it to ies 41 Host Famil Friend 43 ball Lose A e s a B th a m ague 48 Gems, Kla t Coast Le s e W e th Life in er Camps 52 ms Summ e G Help You! 56 the Gems t e L a game 60 More than o it Alone 62 We Can't d ummer! 64 ows this S h S r a C s Show Gem 68 to the Big L C W e th From the WCL 72 est Play in B e h T asin 74 Klamath B to t s o o B Economic mer Long 76 s Provide all all Sum m b e e G s a B f Screams 78 12 Field o 0 2 82 Thank you 84 86
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The Gems are proud to be a part of the Klamath Basin and our local ownership partners reflect a diverse group of communityminded leaders who have come together to provide affordable family entertainment.
DANNY MILES Danny Miles began his 41st campaign at Oregon Tech when the 2011-12 Hustlin’ Owls took to the hardwood in November 2011. Miles has led Oregon Tech to three NAIA II National Championships, in 2004, 2008 and 2012, while leading the Hustlin’ Owls to a NAIA national tournament “Sweet 16” appearance in 2010. In 1996 Miles was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. He also has attained similar recognition as a charter member in both the Southern Oregon University and the city of Medford Halls of Fame for his outstanding athletic achievements. Danny and his wife, Judie, have five children and 18 grandchildren.
DON GRESDEL A star with the 1960 Post 8 American Legion baseball team, Don has been involved in the sport from childhood. His Post 8 team advanced to the Legion World Series with Gresdel playing left field. Gresdel went on to earn All-Conference honors at the Oregon Technical Institute (now OIT) for three years and is now a registered land surveyor. As part of the Kiger Stadium Association Board and Pitching Coach at Lost River High School, and now as an owner of the Gems, Don continues his lifelong association with the sport.
HOWARD MORRIS Winner of 9 varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball, at Crater High School, Howard was All Conference in football and baseball and played in the 1954 Oregon Shrine All Star Game. Howard played football at Linfield College where he was All Conference and All District two times; 1st team All American in 1958; Most Inspirational Player all three years at Linfield; finalist for the Oregon Athlete of the Year at the Hayward Banquet of Champions. He was voted into the NAIA District Hall of Fame in 1966. Howard was Athletic director at OIT for over 30 years and was voted Coach of the Year in wrestling in 1969, Coach of the Year in baseball in 1980 and 1981, and NAIA District 2 Administrator of the year in 1989. In 1991 he was inducted into the NAIA Coaches Hall of Fame and in 1996 was inducted into the NAIA National Hall of Fame. Howard and his wife Ginger award the Howard and Ginger Morris Scholarship to an outstanding Oregon Tech athlete each year.
ERIC BAKER
Eric, who heads the local outlet of Henri’s Roofing Company, joins the Gems ownership group following a long career in amateur athletics. He, like the other members of the ownership group, sees the Gems as a community asset. “This team belongs to the people of Klamath Falls,” Baker said. “We’ve got it going, now it’s up to everyone in town to realize this is our town and our team.” (courtesy of the Klamath Falls Herald and News). Eric and his wife, Megan, are expecting their first child, a girl, in September 2012. The Gems have recommended “Tater” as the baby’s name.
The entire staff of the Klamath Falls Gems thank our local owners for their continued support of the team and look forward to many years of success!
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CHUCK HEEMAN
General Manager Chuck Heeman, 53, is in his second year as the Gems’ General Manager and brings 20 years of baseball experience to the Gems. Prior to joining the team, Chuck spent four years with the Arizona Diamondbacks, first as Director of Stadium Operations for the D-backs’ AAA team in Tucson, followed by three years as Operations Manager with the big-league club in Phoenix. Chuck has also served as General Manager of the Burlington Bees of the Midwest League, then a San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds affiliate. He also served as General Manager for two Independent baseball teams, the Cook County (IL) Cheetahs and Merrillville (IN) Muddogs, and a minor-league hockey team, the Flint (MI) Generals. Chuck’s teams won Championships in 1992 (Bellingham Mariners, Northwest League) and 1994 (Huntsville Stars, Southern League). Chuck’s goals for the Gems in their second year are to increase attendance, provide more fun and entertainment for the people of Southern Oregon, increase efforts to raise funds for charitable organizations in the Klamath Basin, become a more productive member of the coummunity, and to win a West Coast League Championship.
MAYRA HEEMAN
Director of Sales and Ticketing Mayra Heeman, whose age is a secret, joins her husband as the Gems’ Director of Sales and Ticketing. She most recently served as Assistant General Manager with the Yuma Scorpions of the Golden League. In that capacity, she was responsible for securing and coordinating host families, overseeing game day staff, marketing/ sponsorship sales, and coordinating all ticket operations. Mayra joins her husband as the operators of the Gems under the oversight of the team’s local ownership group. The couple have four children (Ben, Gyzell, Dan and Christopher), and four grandchildren - Christopher, Kyrie, Annabella and Avery.
DANIEL HEEMAN
Assistant General Manager
Daniel Heeman, 30, joins the Gems after three years on the operations staff of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox at the Camelback Ranch spring training facility in Glendale, Arizona. Prior to being one of the original staff members at Camelback Ranch, Daniel served for one year on the game day staff of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and has worked in stadium operations for numerous minor league baseball teams during the past 20 years.
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They Make it Happen Jessica Dutton, Director of Entertainment Jessica enters her second year with the Gems after serving as an intern for the 2011 season. A sophomore at Gonazaga University, Jessica is a Klamath Falls native. Her 2012 responsibilities include overseeing the game night experience, including contests, giveaways, fan participation and music. David Clarke, Public Relations and Communications Intern David, a junior at Oregon Tech and a native of Auckland, New Zealand, joins the Gems as the team’s Public Relations and Communications Intern. Clarke was a star member of Oregon Tech’s 2012 NAIA Champion Hustlin’ Owls basketball team. The Owls won the Championship on March 13 in Branson, Missouri. His duties will include providing daily press notes, providing Gems players’ hometown media with updates, writing post-game reports and working with the Gems on community outreach opportunities. David Kaufman, Game Day Operations/Concessions Intern David, currently a student at Klamath Community College, will assist the Gems in fundraising and community outreach efforts, but will focus his game day duties on assisting in staffing, concessions and facility operations. He will help Assistant GM Daniel Heeman in staffing each game, assuring quality control in concessions operations and help wherever needed in all areas. Amy Meyer, Promotions and Marketing Intern Amy, a native of Havre, Montana, is scheduled to graduate from Montana State University in May and will join the Gems following her graduation. She is majoring in Business Administration with minors in Marketing and Small Business Management. Amy’s experience includes keeping statistics for football, volleyball and basketball for MSU. Amy’s duties with the Gems include group sales, marketing and advertising coordination, and we’ll count on her to help in our business operations. Kyndra Miles, Marketing and In-Game Entertainment Intern Kyndra, a native of Springfield, OR, is majoring in Business Administration at Northwest Christian University (Eugene, OR). She has worked with Major League Baseball at the 2010 All-Star Game in Anaheim, CA, and is currently serving as a Fan Experiences Representative with the Normal Cornbelters of the independent Frontier League. Kyndra will assist with in-game promotions and community outreach, as well as group ticket sales and fundraising. Erin Patterson, Marketing and Sales Intern Erin was born and raised in the Klamath Basin, and graduated from Henley High in 1997 and the College of Cosmetology in 2006. She currently studies Business Administration at Klamath Community College. Erin coaches 13-16 year old girls in the Klamath Falls Little League, including her daughter. Erin will be concentrating on group sales and will be one of the Gems’ in-game emcees during the 2012 season. Ken Peer, Game Operations and Marketing Intern Ken joins the Gems as our in-game Music Meister and part of the in-game promotional team. A native of Redding, CA, Ken is working on his Master’s degree in Sports Management from Liberty University. During games Ken will work the press box music system and work with public address announcers to keep the game show fresh and moving smoothly. Jared Perkins, Baseball Operations Intern Jared is currently the student manager for the Nevada-Reno Wolf Pack baseball team and previously served in the same position at Arizona State. For four years he worked with the staff of the Kansas City Royals at their Surprise, Arizona Spring Training facility. Jared will serve as the Gems’ official in-game scorekeeper, help with equipment needs and assist in travel duties. Joey Davis, Team Photographer Joey, a native of Yuma, Arizona, supplies many of the pictures you’ll see in future Gems publications and Web pages. He is currently a student at Arizona Western College in Yuma.
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They Lead the Way
JOSH HOGAN
HEAD COACH
Coach Josh Hogan Hogan joins the Gems with five years of West Coast League experience. In 2011, Hogan served as first base and infield coach for the Cowlitz Black Bears. The Black Bears came within one game of making the WCL playoffs after joining the WCL in 2010. Prior to joining Cowlitz, Hogan spent three years as an infielder with the Corvallis Knights, winning the WCL Championship in 2008 and playing in the WCL Championship series in 2009. Hogan was named to the WCL All-Conference team all three years he played in Corvallis.
BILLY CLONTZ
COACH ASSISTANT HEAD Corv allis High
allis, OR, and starred for the Coach Billy Clontz is a native of Corv at Mt. American Legion teams before playing et Mark ey’s Rich School Spartans and the y. ersit Univ on Oreg Hood Community College and at Western ham and in Corvallis and was a West He played for the Corvallis Knights in Gres win the WCL Championship. He hit hts Knig the Coast League all-star in 2008, helping on.In 41 games during the Championship seas .303 with one home run and 22 RBI in hts. Billy Knig the with h coac tant assis an as 2011, Billy completed his second season school year. coaches at Mt. Hood (OR) CC during the
JEFF LYLE
PITCHING COACH
Coach Jeff Lyle is entering his fifth season with the Lane (OR) Community College Titan baseball program, where he serves as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. He also assists with clinics at the University of Oregon, and works with prospects for USA Baseball. Prior to Lane, Lyle coached at Thurston High School in Eugene and was an associate scout for the Atlanta Braves organization. A native of California, Lyle played at Merced Junior College and Hancock College before transferring to Fresno State where he finished his playing career.
Coach Kurt Lupinski, a 2007 graduate of Henley High, joins the Gems as an Assistant Coach. He was a three-sport athlete for the Hornets, where they won numerous conference champ ionships, including two state titles in baseball. For the last five years he has been at Ore gon State University earnin g an Environmental Scienc degree with an option in Edu e cation, and a Communication s minor. As a member of the underg raduate staff for the Beaver worked primarily under ass s baseball team, he has ociate head coach Marty Lee s, aiding with infield play and catchers. He has accept ed the infield coaching pos ition at Chapman University Orange, CA to start in the fall in of 2012. He is excited to retu rn to Klamath Falls and work with the hometown tea m. Influences for his passion for coaching are local coaches Pete Whistler, Joe Tacchini, Tim Cleland, Jesse Hamilton and the Oregon State Coaching Staff of Marty Lees, Pat Casey, Pat Bailey and Nate Yeskie. ASSI
KURT LUPINSKI STANT COACH 11
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A LEARNING SEASON
By STEVE MATTHIES, Herald & News Sports Editor (with edits by Gems staff)
met West Division winner Corvallis for the overall league crown one year after the Sweets won just 18 games.
G
H & N File Photos
ems General Manager Chuck Heeman admits not everything went right in the Klamath Falls Gems’ inaugural season. “I was much happier with the way things went off the field,” he said as he looked back on the recently completed baseball season, one in which the Gems set several league records, and not all of them positive.
“Winning 19 games, there’s something to be said for that, but the fact is that we were 19-35, and that doesn’t get you into the playoffs. The goal is to make the playoffs. Once you’re in the playoffs, anything can happen. Look at what Walla Walla did, and that’s what we want to do in 2012.” Walla Walla reached the playoffs in 2011, won a semifinal series with East Division champion Wenatchee and
Heeman was unhappy with several things that happened on the field, including the caliber of players the Gems had. He blames himself for the initial recruiting class. He has been more involved in the development of a roster in 2012, along with new head coach Josh Hogan. “We need to upgrade the quality of the player we have,” Heeman said. “Now that we’ve established ourselves, we should be able to get better quality players. We did some things well on the field, but we were still 19-35.” Heeman said he should have been more involved with player selection for the past season, but the business side of establishing the team within the community made that involvement almost impossible. >>>
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Continued from page 13
“Mayra (Heeman) and I were so involved with the business side of the team that we turned the keys over to the coaches (led by initial head coach Brian Embery) to get our players,” Chuck Heeman said. “Not that Brian did a bad job with a first-year team, it’s just that when spring comes coaches don’t have as much time to recruit. “That time of year is critical as that’s when your initial recruiting class thins out because of injuries and other reasons. It’s part of my job to help replace guys who drop out during their college seasons, and I could have done a better job of that last season.” He said several players from around the WCL have expressed interest in playing for the Gems in 2012, and several players from the inaugural team have been identified as players the team will bring back to Klamath Falls. Players who have committed from other WCL teams include LHP Andy Lines and OF Greg Velazquez (Cowlitz) as well as infielder Conner George (Wenatchee). “Now that the start-up work of the inaugural season has been done,” he said, “I can look at a player who comes to us and wants to play and know when I forward the information (to Hogan), he will be looked at. It’s nice to be able to help the coaches more, especially when they’re so busy during the spring.” A lot of the success of the 2012 squad will have to do with players Hogan brings with him, players from around the West Coast League who have expressed an interest in playing in Klamath Falls, and other contacts Hogan has.
Gems Head Coach Josh Hogan
Heeman said he expected Hogan to take advantage of local resources like Danny Miles, one the Gems’ owners, to help make contacts, as well. One aspect of the season that haunts Heeman is the attitude several players had. “Too many times in games, when we got down four, five runs, we had players quit,” Heeman said. “That will happen at times, but we had too many of those times and we have to progress. “I hate losing, but the season was more successful that I thought it would be. We have a great base to start (2012) with.”
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INDIVIDUAL HITTING LEADERS: Batting average: Home runs: Runs batted in: At bats: Hits: Doubles: Triples: Stolen bases: Games played:
Rich Sanguinetti (U. of Nebraska), .309 Turner Gill (U. of Portland), 2 Turner Gill (U. of Portland), 21 Rich Sanguinetti (U. of Nebraska), 207 Rich Sanguinetti (U. of Nebraska), 64 Graham Saiko (Tallahassee JC), 14 Kainoa Crowell (Ohlone JC), 4 Rich Sanguinetti (U. of Nebraska), 15 Rich Sanguinetti (U. of Nebraska), 50
INDIVIDUAL PITCHING LEADERS: Wins:
RICH SANGUINE TTI
Nathan Bunch (St. Josephs, IN), 3 Matt Klein (Oklahoma State), 3 Patrick O’Rourke (U. of Hawaii), 3 Bryan Clough (Santa Ana JC), 4 Patrick O’Rourke (U. of Hawaii), 4
Losses:
Appearances: Games started: Saves:
Bryan Clough (Santa Ana JC), 8 Josh Farrell (Coll. Of the Desert), 3 Patrick O’Rourke (U. of Hawaii), 3
Earned run average (10 IP): Strikeouts (season): Strikeouts (game): Consecutive scoreless innings: Innings pitched (season): Innings pitched (game):
Nick Miller (Southeastern JC), 1.64 Bryan Clough (Santa Ana JC), 51 Drew Staples (Pierce JC), 12 (8/3/11) Mitch Merten (UC Irvine), 11 1/3
UGH BRYAN CLO
Bryan Clough (Santa Ana JC), 49 1/3 Mitch Merten (UC Irvine), 9 (6/25/11)
TEAM RECORDS: Hitting:
Pitching/fielding:
Batting average:
.231
Earned run average:
Hits:
414
Earned runs allowed: 221 (WCL record high)
Runs:
209
Hits allowed:
517 (WCL record high)
Doubles:
74
Runs allowed:
318 (WCL record high)
Triples:
9
Home runs allowed:
19 (WCL record high)
Home runs:
7
Errors:
113 (WCL record high)
Runs batted in:
167
Walks:
180
Strikeouts:
376
Stolen bases:
52
4.14
Keep track during the year as we see our 2012 Gems break some individual and team records (hopefully just the good ones)! 17
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Bellingham Bells (est. 1999) 1220 Civic Field Way Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 746-0406 www.BellinghamBells.com Owner: Eddie Poplawski General Manager: Nick Caples Head Coach: Gary Hatch Ballpark: Joe Martin Stadium (2,100 capacity) Bend Elks (est. 2000) 401 S.E. Roosevelt Avenue Bend, Oregon 97702 (541) 312-9259 www.BendElks.com Owner/General Manager: Jim Richards Head Coach: Sean Kinney (Whitman College) Ballpark: Vince Genna Stadium (2,500 capacity) Corvallis Knights (est. 1990) 430 SW Langton Pl. Corvallis, OR 97331 (541) 752-5656 www.CorvallisKnights.com Sponsor: Penny Knight President: Dan Segel Head Coach: Tim Matz (Santa Ana JC) Ballpark: Goss Stadium at Coleman Field (3,100) Cowlitz Black Bears (est. 2010) Story Field Longview, WA 98622 (360) 703-1395 www.CowlitzBlackBears.com Owner: Tony Bonacci General Manager: Grant Wilson Head Coach: Bryson LeBlanc (Oregon) Ballpark: Story Field (1,229 capacity)
Kelowna Falcons (est. 2000) 201-1014 Glenmore Drive Kelowna, BC, CA V1Y 4P2 (250) 763-4100 www.KelownaFalcons.com Owner: Dan Nonis • GM: Mark Nonis Head Coach: Al Cantwell (CE Byrd High) Ballpark: Elks Stadium (1,2500 capacity)
Kitsap BlueJackets (est. 2005) 9950 Mickelberry Rd NW, Silverdale, WA. 98383 (360) 692-5566 www.KitsapBlueJackets.com Owners: Rick Smith, Charlie & Wynne Litman, and Chuck Huddleston Managing Partner/GM: Rick Smith Head Coach: Ryan Parker (Olympic College) Ballpark: Kitsap County Fairgrounds (1,200) Walla Walla Sweets (est. 2010) 109 E. Main Street, Suite C Walla Walla, WA 99362 (509) 529-5089 www.WallaWallaSweets.com Managing Partner: John Stanton General Manager: Zachary Fraser Head Coach: J.D. Biagi (Walla Walla College) Ballpark: Borleske Stadium (2,378 capacity) Wenatchee AppleSox (est. 2000) 610 N. Mission St. #204 Wenatchee, WA 98801 (509) 665-6900 www.AppleSox.com Owner/General Manager: Jim Corcoran Head Coach: Ed Knaggs Ballpark: Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium (1,200)
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This summer the Sweets will welcome players, coaches, and Major League Baseball scouts to Walla Walla for a special two-day event. On Monday, July 23, the Sweets will host the All-Star Block Party presented by Downtown Walla Walla Foundation on Main Street in front of the Sweets Shoppe, between Spokane and Colville Streets. The Home Run Derby, presented by Columbia Rural Electric Association, will start at 5:30 P.M. on July 24, with the first pitch of the 2012 WCL All-Star Game, presented by NAPA Auto Parts, scheduled for 7:15 P.M. The All-Star game will feature the top professional prospects from around the league. Players are selected by a combination of fan voting, team coaches, and Major League Scouting Bureau. A fireworks show and award presentations will follow the game. For ticket information call the Walla Walla Sweets at 509-522-2255.
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Welcome to the 2012 season!
for the West Coast League! We’re This is the eighth season of play accomplished in such a short all proud of what our league has Klamath Falls Gems as a valued time, and we’re proud to have the summer college wood-bat league member of what we feel is the top in the nation.
college players for professional We pride ourselves on developing ent. The Gems have and affordable family entertainm baseball, and offering wholesome ium. Overall support from large crowds that visit Kiger Stad the by ed enc evid as s, fan ific terr one. passed all expectations in season the Klamath Basin community sur g new memories every time wonderful picture. You’re makin Families at the ball park make a erience they’ll never forget. youngsters especially, it’s an exp For e. gam s Gem a to out e com you is exploring markets West Coast League. The league the of ion ans exp the ut abo We’re excited ifornia; and Chico, Medford, Oregon; Redding, Cal such as Victoria, British Columbia; enjoy affordable family give more fans an opportunity to to er eag ays alw ’re We . nia ifor Cal play in our league. professional players a chance to entertainment, and more future genuinely eager to sign an always hustling on the field and These are aspiring big leaguers, mer and our pastime’s pletely embrace our boys of sum autograph or flash a smile. We com environment for League, aim to deliver the perfect st Coa st We the we, as e itag her sacred ns and make lasting enthusiastic fans to start traditio players to launch careers and for nks for coming to the many memories this season. Tha memories. We invite you to make ballpark! Ken Wilson President West Coast League
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PLAYOFFS
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H Birth ave Your d Kiger ay Party Stadi at um! Diamond Terrace: $10/ game
Sold out for the 2012 season!
Reserved Grandstand: $8 per game Season Tickets $199
General Admission Grandstand: $7 per game Season Tickets $180
Pavilion: $6 per game
Season Tickets $150
KIGER STADIUM
Lithia Party Deck:
(all-you-can-eat parties for 20 or more)
Ask about group discounts for 20 or more in any section!
• Lacerations & Minor Surgery • Injuries & Illness • Well Woman & Adult Care • Adult Immunization • Senior Services • Employment Physicals • Sports medicine • Laboratory, X-Ray & EKG • CDL Physicals • Infant & Child Care • Insurance Billing
Open Mon-Fri 8am-7pm Saturday 9am-6pm Sunday 11am-4pm
2655 Shasta Way, Suite 7 in the Fred Meyer Shopping Center
541-205-0041 24
Monday
Sunday
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Southern Oregon Southern Oregon
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Riverdawgs at 7:05pm at Southern Oregon Bellingham Riverdawgs Bells 7:05pm 7:05pm at Bellingham Bells at 7:05pm Bellingham Bellingham Bells Bells 7:05pm 7:05pm Bellingham Bells 7:05pm Bellingham Bells 7:05pm
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Bend Bend Elks Elks Friday Saturday 7:05pm 7:05pm Bend Bend Elks Elks 7:05pm 7:05pm at at Bend Bend Bend Bend Elks Elks Elks Elks 7:05pm 7:05pm 6:35pm 6:35pm at at Bend Bend Elks Elks at at 6:35pm 6:35pm Bend Bend Wenatchee Central Oregon Elks Elks AppleSox Bucks 6:35pm 6:35pm 7:05pm 7:05pm Wenatchee Central Oregon AppleSox Bucks 7:05pm 7:05pm at at Wenatchee Central Oregon Wenatchee Wenatchee AppleSox Bucks AppleSox AppleSox 7:05pm 7:05pm 7:05pm 7:05pm at at Wenatchee Wenatchee AppleSox AppleSox at at 7:05pm 7:05pm Wenatchee Wenatchee Kelowna Kelowna AppleSox AppleSox Falcons Falcons 7:05pm 7:05pm 7:05pm 7:05pm
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Bend Corvallis Corvallis Corvallis Elks All promotional Knights Knights Knights dates and items subject 6:05pm 7:05pm 7:05pm 7:05pm Bend Corvallis Corvallis Corvallis Elks Knights Knights Knights dates and items subject 6:05pmAll promotional 7:05pm 7:05pm 7:05pm
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Kelowna Falcons 7:05pm Kelowna Falcons Saturday 7:05pm
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at Bend Elks Thursday 6:35pm at Bend Elks 6:35pm at Bend Corvallis Elks Knights 6:35pm 7:05pm Thursday
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toKnights change • All times PST 7:05pm Corvallis Knights to7:05pm change • All times PST
All promotional dates and items subject to change • All times PST
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AUGUST
Kelowna Falcons 6:05pm at at Kelowna Kitsap Kelowna Falcons BlueJackets Falcons 6:05pm 5:05pm 6:35pm at at Kitsap Kelowna BlueJackets Falcons at at 5:05pm 6:35pm Kitsap Kelowna Kitsap WallaWalla BlueJackets Falcons Sweets BlueJackets 5:05pm 6:35pm 6:05pm 7:05pm Kitsap WallaWalla Sweets BlueJackets 6:05pm 7:05pm at Kitsap WallaWalla WallaWalla Sweets BlueJackets Sweets 6:05pm 7:05pm 6:05pm at WallaWalla Sweets at 6:05pm at at WallaWalla Cowlitz Cowlitz Sweets BlackBears BlackBears 6:05pm 6:35pm 5:05pm at at Cowlitz Cowlitz BlackBears BlackBears at at 6:35pm 5:05pm Cowlitz Cowlitz BlackBears BlackBears Monday Sunday 6:35pm 5:05pm
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JULY 4 3 JULY 4 3 JULY
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at at Corvalis Corvalis Knights Knights 6:40pm 11:00am at at Corvalis Corvalis Knights Knights at at 6:40pm 11:00am at Corvalis Corvalis Bellingham Wenatchee Knights Knights Bells AppleSox 6:40pm 11:00am 7:05pm 7:05pm at Bellingham Wenatchee Bells AppleSox at 7:05pm 7:05pm Bellingham Wenatchee Bellingham Bellingham Bells AppleSox Bells Bells 7:05pm 7:05pm 7:05pm 7:05pm Bellingham Bellingham Bells Bells 7:05pm 7:05pm Bellingham Bellingham Cowlitz Cowlitz Bells Bells BlackBears BlackBears 7:05pm 7:05pm 7:05pm 7:05pm
Redding Colt .45s Tuesday 7:05pm Redding Colt .45s 7:05pm at Redding Kelowna Colt .45s Falcons 7:05pm 6:35pm at Kelowna Falcons at 6:35pm Kelowna Kitsap Falcons BlueJackets 6:35pm 7:05pm Kitsap BlueJackets 7:05pm WCL Kitsap All Star BlueJackets Game at 7:05pm WallaWalla WCL All Star Game at WCL WallaWalla All Star Game at WallaWalla
Kelowna Falcons Sunday 6:05pm
Thursday
JULY
Riverdawgs 6:05pm at Southern Oregon Bellingham Riverdawgs Bells 6:05pm 6:05pm at Bellingham Bells at 6:05pm Bellingham Central Oregon Bells Bucks 6:05pm 1:05pm Central Oregon Bucks 1:05pm at Central Oregon Wenatchee Bucks AppleSox 1:05pm 6:05pm at Wenatchee AppleSox at 6:05pm Wenatchee AppleSox Sunday 6:05pm
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JUNE
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11 25
Join the Tater’s Tots Kid’s Club!
The Gems invite all fans 12 and under to join the Tater’s Tots Kid’s Club, presented by Pacific Power. to receive exclusive, special access to Gems players, games, merchandise and fun!
When you join Tater’s Tots, you receive: • A ticket to every 2012 Sunday game (five games in all); • A Tater’s Tots t-shirt; • A special souvenir only available to Tater’s Tots members; • An exclusive “Dinner With The Gems,” where you’ll have dinner with, meet and get autographs from the entire team right before the Sunday, August 5 Gems game; • A signed birthday card from the entire team (available after June 1, 2012); • A chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at every Sunday game. • On-field introductions and recognition at the Gems’ Sunday, August 5 game
All of this for only $25! Don’t miss out on this chance to be an exclusive member of Tater’s Tots – fill out the form below and send it, with your payment, to the Gems at 2001 Crest St., Klamath Falls, OR 97603, fax to 541-884-3349, or bring it by Kiger Stadium.
Name: Phone: Address: City, State, Zip: E-mail: Birthdate: T-shirt size: School: Credit card number: Name on card: Expiration date: Thank you for joining the Tater’s Tots Kid’s Club!
! R E T A T In 2011 we introduced the world to Tater, the official Gems mascot. Since then, kids throughout the Basin have welcomed Tater into their schools, their sporting events and their hearts. Tater has made dozens of appearances at schools, non-profit events, parades and of course Gems games. This year the Gems are introducing the Tater’s Tots Kids Club, presented by Pacific Power – check out the ad in this program to find out more.
27
Listen to the Gems on
960 Sports Legend Unmatched Local & Regional Coverage on the Radio
Local Sports Talk in the Noon Hour
Get Gems Updates on your Phone! Sign up for free text alerts at MyBasin.com/alerts for Gems score updates and team news. Plus get Basin weather, contests and more.
28
The Gems welcome back Bobby Thompson and Mike Garrard as the team’s main broadcast team, presented by Avista Utilities. In 2011, 960 AM broadcast all Gems games, home and road, and we’re proud to have 960 the Sports Legend as the broadcast home of the Gems again in 2012. Bobby Thompson has served as the play-by-play voice of the Oregon Tech Hustlin’ Owls basketball team since 1990, voicing many of the 971 wins earned by Owls Coach and Gems Owner Danny Miles. A staple in Klamath Basin radio, Thompson brings his experience to the Gems as we begin season number two.
MIKE GARRARD Also joining the team in spot duty are Ryan Goff of 960 the Sports Legend, and Cooper Roberts, who will bring Avista Scoreboard updates to most home games.
960AM
BOBBY THOMPSON
Mike Garrard joined the Oregon Tech broadcast team in 2006, walking in the footsteps of his father, Oregon State Representative Bill Garrard. Mike has joined Thompson in bringing Hustlin’ Owls basketball to life and teams up again with Bobby this year to bring you Gems Baseball.
COOPER ROBERTS
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Oregon Tech Basketball
Season Ticket Dates Tickets go on sale to reserve seat holders on July 9. All unclaimed reserved seats will go on sale to general public on September 10. Maximum 80 campers per session
Camps
Session 1: 9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
S umme r C amps um mer
Skills Camp, boys & girls ages 5-18
June 18 – 22
Session 2: 1 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
June 18 – 22
Session 3: 9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
June 25 – 29
Session 4: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
June 25 – 29
Session 5: 9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
July 9 – 13
Session 6: 1 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
July 9 – 13
Session 7: 9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
July 16 – 20
Session 8: 1 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
July 16 – 20
Session 9: 9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
July 23 – 27
Session 10: 1 p.m.– 3:45 p.m.
July 23 – 27
25 Game Camp, boys & girls ages 8-18 Skills Camp, boys & girls ages 5 - 18
25 Game Camp, boys & girls ages 8 – 18
OIT
Skills Camp, boys and girls ages 5 – 18
25 Game Camp, boys and girls ages 8 – 18 Advanced skills, boys & girls ages 10 – 18 25 Game Camp, boys and girls ages 8 – 18 Skills Camp, boys and girls ages 5 – 18
25 Game Camp, boys and girls ages 8 – 18
Volleyball Setter/Hitter: All day
Residence Camps July 6 – 8
Girls, ages 14-18. Agenda sent following registration
Serve/Pass/Defense: All day
July 20 – 22
Girls, ages 14-18. Agenda sent following registration
Elite camp (invitation only)
Resident: Commuter: Resident: Commuter:
$109 $109 $109 $109 $109 $109 $109 $109 $109
$215 $135 $215 $135
July 29 - Aug 2
$395
Session 1: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Aug 20 – 22
$80
Session 2: 1 – 4 p.m.
Aug 20– 22
$80
Session 3: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Aug 27– 29
$80
Contact jason.corwin@oit.edu for more information
Softball
Camps
Skills Camp, ages 6-11
Skills Camp, ages 12 and up Pitching Camp, all ages
30
$109
Save $10 on basketball sessions by registering online
Basketball
Register online
www.OITsports.com
Legacy Furniture & Bedroom Gallery Recliner Raffle Saturdays! EVERY Saturday home game, our friends at Legacy Furniture and Bedroom Gallery will be raffling away two brand new recliners!
The Sports Legend Family Value Wednesdays! Our great broadcast partners, KLAD 960 AM, offer you a great chance to save a little money at every Wednesday home game. Pavilion tickets, hot dogs, nachos, draft Budweiser and small Pepsi products will all be $2 each.
Budweiser and Pepsi Thirsty Thursdays Thanks to our partners at Western Beverage and Pepsi, every Thursday brings you $2 draft beer and $2 large Pepsi products.
FRI, JUNE 1: OPENING NIGHT! Free Gems t-shirts* (Courtesy of Fisher Nicholson Realtors) Free Gems magnet schedules* (Courtesy of Charter Communications) SAT, JUNE 2: Free Gems Rally Towels* (Courtesy of the Herald & News) FRI, JUNE 15: Free Gems baseballs* (Courtesy of COUNTRY Financial) SUN, JUNE 17: DAY BASEBALL! Bring Dad out to a special Father’s Day game FRI, JUNE 29: Free Gems foam fingers* (Courtesy of the Herald & News) SUN, JULY 1: Diamond Dig II • Win a FREE diamond (Courtesy of Holliday Jewelry) TUE, JULY 3: Public Safety Night • Guns ‘n Hoses! Police vs. Firefighters, special pre-game softball game at 5:30 FRI, JULY 13: BREAK THE RECORD NIGHT! Presented by McDonald’s • FREE Gems road caps*. Join us as we attempt to break the WCL attendance record for the second time! SAT, JULY 14: Free Gems t-shirts* and a special visit from Miss Oregon • (Courtesy of Cal-Ore Communications, MCX, Inc., and the Children’s Miracle Network)
SAT, AUGUST 4: Free Gems deluxe water bottles* (Courtesy of Lithia of Klamath Falls) THU, AUGUST 9: Remember the 2012 Gems with Free team posters* (Courtesy of The Sports Legend, 960 AM)
*Giveaways to the first 500 fans (Promotional dates and items subject to change, check www.klamathfallsgems.com for the latest information)
31
! m e G a h c t Ca
Join us for the Holliday Jewelry Diamond Dig on July 1 and win a REAL diamond!
Jefferson Square
2834 South Sixth Street 541-884-9033 • 1-888-884-9033 www.HollidayJewelry.com
32
IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUE
W
ith the arrival of the Gems in 2011, Historic Kiger Stadium saw a number of improvements. As we move into 2012, our partnership with the City of Klamath Falls and the Kiger Association continues and strengthens. To our fans, this great partnership means that Kiger will continue to upgrade and provide you a more comfortable, affordable summer destination for you and your family. To our players, it means a better atmosphere and a great place to play summer ball. For us at the Gems, working with the City and Association allows us to provide more fun and laughter for you, our fans!
In 2011, we saw the addition of the Up In Smoke Hot Corner, giving you the very best BBQ in town. A new team shop, additional concessions stands and a reserved seating area provided Kiger with a minor facelift. Now it’s time to move forward to 2012 and even more amenities for Gems fans. Here’s what we’re bringing you: In the right field corner, you’ll see the Lithia Party Deck. This new area gives groups of 20 or more an “AllYou-Can-Eat” experience, while hanging out with your friends and families. >>>
33
COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR Foreign & Domestic Light Trucks & 4x4s
Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm Credit Cards Accepted
• Computerized Diagnostics
• Differentials
• Driveabiliity
• Engines
• Tune-Ups
• Wheel Alignment
• Air Conditioning
• ASE Certified
1221 EAST MAIN ST. KLAMATH FALLS 541-884-3337
Your Local Pepsi Bottler
Continued from page 33 In left field, we’re expanding the Up In Smoke Hot Corner to include a lounge area with beer and wine service provided by Budweiser and Shasta View Wines. No need for a ticket for the Hot Corner, just head down the left field line, pick up the best BBQ in town, and hang out for a while to watch the game! In the Customer Satisfaction Center and Team Shop, you’ll see new merchandise, a new layout and a few aesthetic upgrades to give you a more comfortable area to visit. Most importantly, we’ve provided something our fans have asked for since day one – more reserved seating! New for 2012, the first five rows of the grandstand area have been converted into reserved seating. No more staking your spot, or risking having your “stuff” moved while you grab some of that Up In Smoke BBQ! You have your seat for tonight’s game, or with a season ticket, every game, guaranteed!
One great thing you’ll notice right away at Kiger is the new public address system. Thanks to the efforts of the Kiger Association, the ballpark has a brand new sound – music will be clearer, you’ll be able to hear our on-field emcees better, and you’ll actually get to know our players because you’ll be able to hear their names! The Gems applaud the members of the Kiger Association for “getting it done” and making the ballpark a better place! In addition, you’ll see improvements brought to Kiger Stadium by our partners at the City of Klamath Falls. These include a repaired parking lot (no more Grand Canyon-like cracks!), improved signage and an extension to the bike path that runs along the canal outside the left field fence. This extension allows hikers and bikers direct access to Kiger Stadium, making your trip here even easier. Thanks to the City for “getting it done” in these areas too! We look forward to adding more amenities every year at Kiger Stadium, while keeping the feel of our grand old ballpark. The Gems thank the City of Klamath Falls and the Kiger Association for making our partnership one that benefits all baseball fans in Southern Oregon! 35
Oh, Yeah!
4090 Southside Expressway 36
O
ne of the many highlights of 2011 came in January 2012, as the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce honored us with the 2011 Business of the Year Award. Presented at the Chamber’s 91st Annual Award Banquet, we were thrilled to receive our award from Gems owner Eric Baker and Fisher Nicholson Realtors’ own Debra Gisriel. Before the gala, Chamber members were asked to nominate businesses and/or individuals who showed support and dedication to our community. From the nominations, a committee selects the winner of the award, along with other awards presented that evening. We were honored not only for our successful first year in attendance, but also for making a difference in our community. The team was honored for our fundraising efforts and for bringing new business into the community. More than 85 percent of all money spent by the Gems was spent in the Klamath Basin, a fact we’re very proud of. Oregon Congressman Greg Walden was on hand for the ceremonies and we were entertained by the band The Fifty Eights, as well as a great show put on by Chip Massie, Heather Tramp and the entire staff and volunteer group from the Chamber.
37
4304 HWY 39 • Klamath Falls, OR 97630 541-882-2571 • KlamathBasinEquipment.com ATV’s can be hazardous to operate. Polaris adult models are for riders age 16 and older. Always wear a helmet, and be sure to take a training course. Polaris RANGERS are not intended for road use.
Official Bottled Water Supplier of the Gems
Mount Mazama Spring Water 541-884-1888 • 800-619-5411 www.MtMazamaSpringWater.com
GEMS SET LEAGUE’S ATTENDANCE RECORD By STEVE MATTHIES, Herald & News Sports Editor with contributions by Gems staff
F
or the three weeks prior to July 22, 2011, Klamath Falls Gems general manager Chuck Heeman had focused on that Friday night. He was rewarded for the effort. The Gems shattered the West Coast League attendance record with 4,156 tickets sold for the July 22 game against Walla Walla on Herald and News mini-bat giveaway night. “I had a good feeling that we might set the league attendance record at the beginning of that week,” Heeman said. “We had our interns out selling ticket packages to corporate sponsors, and by the end of the Monday before the game, we thought we might break the record.” The Gems more than broke the record. They shattered it. The 4,156 tickets sold for Friday’s game easily eclipsed the previous league record of 3,506 set by Corvallis at Oregon State University’s Goss Stadium on July 3, 2009. Heeman said mini-bat nights tend to draw well and the first 1,000 fans to the game, which Walla Walla won, 8-3, received the 18-inch bats with the logos of both the Gems and the Herald & News. Anticipating a record turnout, Heeman also pulled out H&N baseballs from a June 24 giveaway. Once those were gone, seat cushions from a Fisher Nicholson Realtors promotion June 10 were given to fans. “We wanted to make sure we could try and put something in everybody’s hands,” Heeman said. “We are so appreciative of the turnout of our
fans all season long, and especially that day, we wanted to thank them in every way we could.” The crowd started to gather early and the gates were opened about 20 minutes earlier than normal to accommodate the fans. Eventually, a second gate was opened to ensure fans would be in the stands before the 7:05 p.m. first pitch. “Our interns did a lot of the work,” Heeman said. “As an intern, learning the business part of the game is included. Sales are a part of it. We started working on this night three weeks before it happened.” More than 20 corporate partners purchased ticket packages, then gave those tickets to their customers as thank-you gifts and incentives to bring people in their own doors. With promotion from the Gems, KLAD 960 AM and the Herald & News, fans flocked to those partners’ businesses, then out to historic Kiger Stadium on the record night. “We came into the 2011 season looking to really make a splash in the West Coast League and in the college wood-bat world,” Heeman said. “To have our fans come out in such great numbers was a real attention-getter throughout the industry. Thanks to the amazing support of our corporate partners and our fans, together we were really able to put Klamath Falls on the baseball map again.” We plan to make “Break the Record Night” an annual tradition at Kiger Stadium. This year we’re aiming for Friday, July 13 – keep an eye out for those tickets!
39
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40
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During the 2011 season, a number of Gems were honored both during and after the summer season.
Turner Gill
The team’s lone representative to the 2011 WCL All-Star Game was outfielder Turner Gill (U. of Portland). Gill led the Gems in home runs and RBI on the year and represented the team in the League’s Home Run Derby, finishing third.
In Horizon Air Summer Series post-season awards, Gems RHP Patrick O’Rourke (U. of Hawaii) earned first-team honors, and outfielder Rich Sanguinetti (U. of Nebraska) earned a second team berth.
Patrick O’Rourke
Rich Sanguinetti
In our second year, look for more Gems to stand out among college wood-bat players and earn even greater honors! 41
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PUTTING IT TOGETHER One of the questions we are most asked is “where do the Gems find their players?” It’s a great question with no quick answer, as player recruitment is a year-round effort by a number of people involved with the Gems. From coaches to front office staff to interns to fans, we’re all involved in bringing the on-field talent to Klamath Falls each summer. The work starts even before the previous season ends. Recruiting a team each summer breaks down into three main areas – returning players, coaching connections, and noticing local talent. Here’s how we do it in Klamath Falls: RETURNING PLAYERS With a season under our belts, the first task at the end of the 2011 season was to identify key players to bring back for this season. The toughest part of making these decisions is telling a player he won’t be invited back. While we would love to have all ‘our guys’ back every year, it’s just not possible, for many reasons. Sitting down with Head Coach Josh Hogan at the end of the 2011 season, we identified ten players to bring back for the 2012 season. Of those ten, seven (as of press time) are with us as we start the new year. Two (Patrick O’Rourke and Steven
Schoonover) committed to return but were unable to report due to family and injury reasons. One, 2011 Gems MVP OF Rich Sangunetti, elected to play in the Cape Cod League in 2012.
Tanner Nielsen
Returning, and even new, players also help us recruit. They go back to their schools and tell their coaches how they were treated in Klamath Falls, how enthusiastic and supportive the fans are, and what a great town we have! With their help, we’ve brought in some of their college teammates, and some players who played in 2011 with other WCL teams. 1B/3B Austin Byler (Nevada-Reno) is a great example. A high school teammate of Gems LHP Tyler Crawford (U. of Arizona), Byler was on our radar but a strong recommendation from Tyler sealed the deal, and Austin signed in March. >>> 43
A great example is Coach Hogan’s relationship with UC Riverside Coach Bryson LeBlanc. The two were part of the WCL’s Cowlitz Black Bears staff, and through that relationship the Gems were able to sign CF Devyn Bolasky and 1B/DH Kevin Davidson, both expected to contribute heavily to the 2012 Gems. Bolasky was signed in the initial recruiting effort last fall, and Davidson signed in April as a replacement for another player who had to drop out of summer ball.
COACHING CONNECTIONS When finding new talent, coaching connections are key. With Head Coach Josh Hogan, his University of Oregon connections have been invaluable in acquiring players. Hogan’s five years of WCL experience have allowed him to work with Division I, NAIA and major Junior College coaches all over the country. Returning, and even Even after the ininew, players also help us recruit. They go back to tial squad is signed, replacetheir schools and tell their finding ments comes down coaches how they were to a ‘who you know’ treated in Klamath Falls effort. As players drop out for various reasons (injury, family situations, grades), a phone call to a friendly coach makes filling that empty spot a lot easier. Above: Tommy Thorpe
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Even our interns, from their various schools, identify players who can help us win. Our baseball operations intern, Jared Perkins, team manager at Nevada-Reno, told us about true freshman RHP Colby Blueberg. After talking with Wolf Pack Coach Buddy Gouldsmith, we signed Colby to replace O’Rourke. LOCAL TALENT One of the best things about having local staff and ownership is the ability to identify local talent. After a year of watching high school, American Legion and Oregon Tech baseball in the Klamath Basin, we’ve been able to identify local players who can contribute in their home town. This season the Gems have signed OF Alden Goebel (KU and Falcons, now at Feather River JC), SS Jake Whisler (KU and Falcons, now at Western Oregon), and Oregon Tech RHP Neil Emerson and C/1B Dylan Rogers to contracts.
Even now, Gems staff is keeping tabs on local high school players who may go on to play college ball, and become future members of our local WCL team! FINDING THE RIGHT MIX As you can see, the year-round effort of putting together a squad of 4045 players, and having the reporting team come in at around 30, is quite a puzzle! With so many schools involved, we have to look at when players will arrive, when they have to leave to return to school, and keep up with injuries and other situations that may affect the roster. You’ll hear the term ’10-day contract’ as we announce player signings. What this means is the Gems find players, usually more locally, who can be with us at the beginning of the season. In 2012, these players are Goebel, Whisler and Rogers. Many of our players, especially from the California colleges, arrive in mid-to-late June, meaning the Gems are short of players at the beginning of the year. The 10-day contract does not mean that player has no chance to stick with us after their contract ends. It does mean that these players will be given a fair chance to shine and to show they can play at the WCL level. As with all Gems players, there are no guarantees – they have to show it on and off the field! Another important factor is finding key incoming freshmen, and even committed high school seniors, who
can be part of a three-year rotating base of Gems. College players can play three years of sum- The 10-day contract does mer wood-bat not mean that player has no baseball. Find- chance to stick with us after ing good young their contract ends. It does players is a key mean that these players will to building a be given a fair chance to shine. base of success. In 2012, those players include 2012 high school graduates and incoming freshmen such as LHP Brandon Brown and RHP/C Josh Graham (U. of Oregon), C J.R. Kennedy (Cal State Fullerton). Mix in true freshmen like LHP Tommy Thorpe (U. of Oregon), LHPs Crawford and Xavier Borde ( U. of Arizona), and 1B/3B Mike Umscheid (Western Nevada JC), along with Byler, Bolasky and Davidson. These players, among others, are eligible to play for the Gems for three seasons – we hope to see them for all three! >>>
Above: Josh Graham
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Veterans are also a huge part of our roster. Beyond the seven returning Gems, Coach Hogan and the staff identify key upperclassmen and top JC players with an established track record. These players provide veteran leadership and help us compete with traditionally strong WCL squads like Bend, Corvallis and Wenatchee. This year, these players include RHP Anthony Gotelli (Cal State Stanislaus), pitchers Isaac Henslee and Christian Bannister (Mt. Hood JC), LHP Andy Lines (UC Irvine), SS Tanner Nielsen and OF Aaron Schwoebel (Campbellsville), 2B Josh Wong (HawaiiHilo) and OF Jamison Rowe (NevadaReno). Putting together a successful WCL team is an ongoing, year-round effort by a large group of people. While we all believe our squads are the best ever assembled, none of us really know until the season starts and we get on the field. Even after this article goes to press, roster changes are bound to happen!
Jamison Rowe & Byler
Above: Bolasky Left: Jake Whisler
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HOST FAMILIES By STEVE MATTHIES, Herald & News Sports Editor Janice Hicks measured her words carefully. “I don’t know how to describe it,” she said toward the end of the Klamath Falls Gems’ first baseball season. “It has been wonderful, fun, new and we have met so many wonderful people. We’ve been able to see first-hand what the Gems are contributing to the community. “And I learned a lot about baseball this summer,” Hicks said. She and her husband, Jon, were among the many people involved with the team’s host-family program. Nate Goodwin and Albert Selanders spent all or part of the summer with the Hicks’. Selanders left midway through the season because of an injury that ended the year for the catcher from Central Missouri State University.
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Goodwin, from Baylor University, played to the end. “It’s always scary, but my host family was extremely welcoming,” Goodwin said. “They took care of me and I felt welcomed. Our host families have been out-of-this-world. Almost everyone has had a great experience. It’s been too short.” The Hicks’ originally were going to host a relative, but an injury ended that possibility. “We called Mayra (Heeman, who coordinated the program) and hold her that we had a room ready, and she sent me my two favorite players,” Hicks said. “The whole family’s loved it. And our players are gems. I would tell someone that if they had a spare bedroom and want to have some fun, do it.” >>>
Continued from page 48
Few players had a summer like Wesley Hoskins, whose season was twice shortened because of injuries. “They are amazing people,” Hoskins said of Dick and Donna Millburn. “They were taking me in as a stranger, especially with me being from a different country (South Africa). They treated me like family. They helped provide me everything I’ve need. They treated me like their son. “They’ve learned a lot from me, but I learned a lot from them,” Hoskins said, and noted that while he was unable to play baseball, he was able to get involved in a Special Olympics benefit golf tournament “with my dad.” FROM A PLAYER’S VIEWPOINT They called it the experience of a lifetime. “The schedule was tough, but it was nice building new relationships with the guys,” pitcher Patrick O’Rourke said. “This was my first year in summer baseball, and I loved it. It was extra special because there was a lot of love from the fans and sponsors. “Everybody here was phenomenal.” Kainoa Crowell said it was fun to see how the players grew together in such a short period of time. “It was a lot of fun,” infielder Joel Atkinson said. “This was a summer program
that will give us some long-lasting relationships. I’ll probably stay in touch with everyone.” Those sentiments were echoed consistently by most of the Gems. “What I’ll remember is the friends I made,” Crowell, an outfielder, said. “The biggest thing for all of us was that we were a bunch of young guys with limited playing time, so it was getting used to playing the game the way it’s supposed to be played,” pitcher Aaron LaBrie said. “We had our struggles at the start, but once we turned things around we beat ourselves a lot,” O’Rourke said. LaBrie added: “It was fun, and a great group of guys. Obviously, we would have liked to have had better results than we did.” The Gems, in their inaugural season, set a league record for wins by a first-year team with 19, set a record for most fans at single game at 4,156 and had the ignominious mark for most errors by a West Coast League team in a season, 113. Which players return next season remains to be seen, but members of this year’s team made it clear they will not forget their summer in Klamath Falls. (originally printed August of 2011 in the Herald & News)
To become a Gems host family, contact Gems Director of Sales and Ticketing Mayra Heeman at 541-883-GEMS or mayra@klamathfallsgems.com. 50
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GEMS, KLAMATH BASEBALL LOSE A FRIEND By STEVE MATTHIES, Herald & News Sports Editor
T
here will be an empty seat behind home plate at Kiger Stadium this spring and summer. The jokes, the laughter, the banter that involved Dennis Bennett and the small group of men he watched high school, college, Babe Ruth, American Legion and other baseball with, almost always with a bag of popcorn and a soda, is silent. Bennett, 72, died March 24 at his home in Klamath Falls. No one enjoyed talking about baseball, and his Major League Baseball career that included time with four different teams, than Bennett. He loved OldTimers Day, when he had the chance to participate, fantasy camps, any excuse to get together with former teammates. Bennett pitched for the 1964 Philadelphia Phillies, a team that lost the National League pennant with a late-season collapse. At the same time Philadelphia struggled, St. Louis was red hot, and the Cardinals won the championship and faced the New York Yankees in the World Series.
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In 1967, Bennett pitched for Boston. He had been traded by the time the Red Sox outlasted five teams to win the American League pennant. One of his best friends was pitcher Jim Lonborg, and Bennett often spoke of Lonborg when the Red Sox were the topic of conversation. Bennett relished the chances to renew memories with the '67 Boston team over the last decade. Bennett did, however, receive a World Series share from the Red Sox, and an American League championship ring. The affable lefty pitched for the 1969 miracle Mets. His career ended with the Los Angeles Angels. What made him special, though, was that he always had time to help a young player who wanted to improve his game. His own sons played the game. He loved watching them play, most of whom pitched. All were right-handed. Whether sitting behind home plate, at the City Club, the store — it did not matter. Talking baseball was just fun. One of my favorite times talking baseball with Bennett, and several of his former teammates, was at a gathering in Portland for a Hank & Moose Tournament, fellowship with ex-major league players who had gathered to participate in a golf tournament for Doernbecher Children's Hospital. There were guys like Bernie Allen, Cal McLish, Johnny Blanchard, Roy Sievers, Moose Skowron, Hank Bauer and another 30 or so former players, all of whom were standouts in the 1950s and 60s. They were the players I recognized from my youth in
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Vancouver,Wash., and fueled my passion for the game. Bennett and I also talked about the great players, great moments and no-sogreat moments of his career. In 182 starts, he completed 28 games, pitched six shutouts, had a 48-49 career record with a 3.69 earned run average. He struck out 572 batters, and walked 281, in 817 innings pitched. He batted .166 and hit four home runs. Two of his home runs were as the lead-off batter in an inning. Only one player, Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, hit that many against Bennett. Banks hit six home runs against the big lefty. Among the other players to hit multiple home runs off Bennett were Henry Aaron, Curt Flood, Frank Howard, Al Kaline, Harmon Killebrew and Frank Robinson. Bennett could recall almost every pitch he threw that was hit out of the ballpark, of which only one was with the bases loaded. He always had a story. More than that, he always had time to share. His grandchildren will miss his presence at their games as they begin, or continue, to play. So will the Hustlin' Owls, and he had hoped to travel to Branson, Mo., with OIT in 2013, for the national tournament, during which he would visit with former teammate Jack Hamilton who manages the hotel restaurant and bar there. His eyes always sparkled when he had the chance to talk baseball. Services for Bennett were Saturday, March 31.
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A SUMMER IN THE GRINDER
The Bob Boring family with Drew Sandler (player on the left) and Mitch Merten (right).
Playing in the WCL is a grind, there’s no doubt about it – but it’s designed to be that way! The WCL is patterned after professional minor leagues. Those leagues play nearly every day (usually 140 games in about 160 days), and when WCL players are drafted, they are immediately thrown into the rigorous schedule any pro ballplayer endures. For Major League scouts, there’s no better way to judge how Gems players will fare in the pros than seeing them in the WCL atmosphere. Position players play every day, using wood bats and hitting against topflight college players from around the
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country. They have to play the field every day judging grounders and fly balls off of wood bats rather than metal. And for pitchers, fly balls that used to go out of the park in college now make it to the warning track in the WCL. Beyond the on-field atmosphere, Gems players experience so many things the pro ranks offer. They come to a new town, meet new people and teammates, play in a new ballpark and take longer trips than they ever have before. For two 2011 Gems, catcher Bo Cornish (U. of Portland) and pitcher Mitch Merten (UC Irvine), it was their first summer experiencing college wood-bat baseball. >>>
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Continued from page 56 Merten experienced a great summer on the mound for the Gems (1-0, 2.40 ERA in 7 starts and 45 innings), but it was the Klamath Falls atmosphere, especially his host family, Bob and Carol Boring, he remembers most. “Living in Klamath Falls and playing for the Gems was truly the ideal summer ball experience,” Mitch said. “Having a family take you in as if you were one of their own is a true heartwarming feeling. I couldn't have asked for more while living with the Borings.”
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The competition helps you grow as a player, and certainly prepares you for next season with your school.” Playing at Historic Kiger Stadium, and even at ballparks around the WCL, also offered Bo a glimpse of the fun and fanaticism of life as a professional ballplayer. “It's very relaxed, and probably some of the most fun I've had playing baseball,” he said. “The fans are outstanding, even the opposing fans.”
Cornish, who started 37 of the Gems’ 54 WCL games, ended the year hitting .247 with 11 RBI and finished the year as the team’s starting catcher. He focused on life on the road and the major upgrade in competition the league offered.
Playing at Kiger also left a lasting impression on Merten. “Kiger Stadium had an unbelievable atmosphere,” Mitch remembers. “One game we broke the record for attendance at a WCL game. The fans were extremely genuine and supportive.”
“The WCL was a blast. It was definitely a grind, however, with the long bus rides,” Bo said. “It's surprising how fast you get used to sleeping on a bus. As for the league, the competition was great. These guys are some of the best players on the West Coast, and they bring it every day.
For a real taste of the pros, from long bus rides to fanatic supporters, the WCL and Klamath Falls have proven themselves to top-flight college players throughout North America. Bo Cornish said it best: “Overall, there aren't many things that stack up to the fun of playing in the WCL.”
Fans, enjoy great BBQ at the Up In Smoke Hot Corner, down the third base line at Kiger Stadium. The Golden family is there to serve you the BEST BBQ in the Klamath Basin! Up in Smoke BBQ & Deli 7355 South 6th Street 541-205-5020 www.UpinSmokeBBQandDeli.net
This summer, the Gems again offer personal, professional instruction to teach your young ballplayer how to play the game the right way. Coach Josh Hogan, the entire Gems coaching staff and Gems players will take the time to evaluate your player and make the adjustments needed to help his game.
Here’s our summer schedule of camps: Overall camps (learn the whole game) • fee $75: Ages 8 – 12: June 27, 28, 29 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ages 13 – 17: July 17, 18, 19 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Pitching Camp • all ages • fee $30: August 4 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hitting Camp • all ages • fee $30: August 6 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
To register for a camp, please call the Gems at 541-883-GEMS or e-mail to info@klamathfallsgems.com. 60
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Through the 2011 Gems fundraising program there were many great success stories, including $3,000 raised for the Children’s Miracle Network, nearly $2,700 raised to help feed the hungry throughout the Klamath Basin (see photo), and close to $2,000 raised for the Falcons of the American Legion. With almost $25,000 raised through fundraising efforts with the Gems in 2011, we’d like to help make
your group part of the 2012 fundraising success story. Is your sports team looking to purchase new uniforms? Does your church group have a trip planned? The Gems can help nearly any group in need of raising funds, with one of the simplest fundraising formats that you are likely to find. Essentially, the group sells Gems tickets and keeps half of the proceeds – it’s as simple as that!
Here’s how it works: the Gems will consign the amount of tickets requested by the group; for every $7 grandstand ticket sold the group keeps half of the money – imagine if your group sold 200 tickets, that’s $700 raised! Also the Gems offer Bonus Books valued at $60, sold for only $50, each booklet sold earns your group $25! As you can see, the money quickly adds up! At press time, the following groups are committed to using the Gems to help raise funds: CASA IFEED Citizens For Safe Schools Klamath-Lake Counties Food Bank Bonanza Little League Klamath Community College FBLA
SPOKES Unlimited Klamath Animal Shelter Children’s Miracle Network Midland Mounties Klamath Falls Gospel Mission And many more!
To find out more information about fundraising with the Gems, please contact Fan Satisfaction Specialist Kyndra Miles at 541-883-4367 or email her at kyndra@klamathfallsgems.com.
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Gems RHP Jeremy Burright
Gems players come from all over North America, from many backgrounds and with many stories. Here’s a great one, told by Herald & News Sports Editor Steve Matthies with Gems RHP Jeremy Burright. Baseball has long been called the Great Game. For Jeremy Burright, it has been a lot more. “Playing catch, having your dad throw batting practice to you, it’s amazing how those things get taken for granted,” Burright said toward the end of the Klamath Falls Gems’ inaugural season. “It’s amazing how meaningful a game of catch can be,” he said. Burright, an accomplished pianist who has cut a couple of CDs, 64
knows that all too well. He appreciates every opportunity to play the game he loves. And he shares that with the most important man in his life — his father. “Everyone has a story to tell by the time they are 20,” Burright said, “not usually when they are 10. But the fact he’s been able to watch me grow and to listen, I know he’s here. He’s listening. When I get to tell the stories, it’s great. He smiles. He laughs. It means everything.” Everything in the life of a 10-year-old Jeremy Burright changed the night his father, Sgt. John Burright, suffered critical injuries while on duty as a law enforcement officer near Albany. >>>
Continued from page 64
The elder Burright was with two other officers on a routine stop. Unbeknownst to everyone, a college student was falling asleep at the wheel of his vehicle traveling down the highway, crossed over three lanes and hit the officers. Two died. Burright survived, was in a coma for two years and eventually had to take a medical retirement. “I actually had a conversation with an aunt the other day and I still remember everything that happened that day, even though I was 10,” the younger Burright said. “He was helping with a disabled van. The fact he survived was a blessing. “He might not be able to walk, talk, but we still have full conversations,” Burright said of time with his father. “He’s so aware of his surroundings. We still have that close relationship.” His younger brother had just turned seven. “My mother was going through enough, so she didn’t need me to be sad,” Burright said. “Baseball is my escape. Little things don’t affect me as much,” he said. “It’s just different. You have different paths you can travel once something’s happened. I chose to be strong. It’s gotten me where I am today.” Burright spent the summer of 2011 with the Gems, and became a position player toward the end of the season. It was a summer that helped solidify many things he has believed.
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Gems RHP Jeremy Burright
“I am really glad I came to Klamath Falls, and I had a great host family (John and Lois Crawford),” he said. While not sure where his future may lead, Burright has little trouble sharing his favorite sports moment. “I was playing high school basketball (at West Albany),” he said. “I had begged my mom to let my dad come to a game. I was watching the JV game and got a text from my mom that he was coming to the game. I have never felt so driven. I felt so good I could have jumped out of the gym.” Burright scored more than 20 points, had 12 rebounds, nine assists and six steals. “It was the most memorable night of my life,” he said. “I will never forget how intense the emotion was.” Nor should he. Following the 2011 Gems season, Jeremy signed with University of Portland, where he is part of one of the best pitching staffs in Division I.
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During the two years the Gems have been in business, we’ve made a great number of relationships. From our employees to our corporate partners, host families and players, to other baseball entities to you, our fans, it’s been a great beginning for us! Putting together a program like the Gems isn’t an easy task, and certainly something that can’t be done on our own. We’d love to mention everyone we’ve worked with in the past two years but there’s just no room! With that, now’s our chance to thank just a few of the groups and people who’ve made Gems Baseball possible. Without the hard work and cooperation of the Kiger Association, not only would the Gems not exist, but Kiger Stadium would likely have gone into the pages of history. Don Ambers has worked tirelessly for nearly a quarter century to keep Kiger alive and viable, and we salute him for his
Our Host Families at Up In Smoke, December 2011
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dedication to the ol’ ballpark. Don and the Association are a strictly volunteer, non-profit group, and almost all the work they do is never seen by the public. Those of us who do this for a living know what a task it is to operate a baseball stadium (no, it’s not all fun and games!), and we appreciate the Kiger Association for keeping Kiger Stadium alive. The City of Klamath Falls has been an invaluable partner in starting up our business. Advice from Mayor Todd Kellstrom, City Manager Rick Whitlock, Parks and Recreation Superintendents Ken Hay and John Bellon as well as Administrative Aide Lisa
Bailey, paved the way to operating within City guidelines and having a clean, safe facility for our fans. This group has also been extremely important in guiding us to interested fans and businesses, many of whom you see represented in the advertising signs throughout Kiger. The American Legion, Babe Ruth, Mazama High School and Oregon Tech baseball programs have also been great partners in promoting and playing baseball at Kiger. One of the most important goals of the Gems is to promote baseball to the youth of the Klamath Basin. The more baseball is played at Kiger, >>>
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the better! Our hope is that by exposing younger players to baseball at the WCL level, more younger players will grab a bat and glove and become future Babe Ruth, Mazama and Legion players. Hopefully some will go on to play college baseball and become future Gems! As with any professional baseball team, nothing works without corporate support. As you look around Kiger, you’ll see some of the great corporate partners who have allowed us to bring you a first-class product in Gems Baseball. From the very beginning, before a Gems game had ever been played, many of these partners believed in the vision of Gems Baseball and supported this great community asset. We thank them and look forward to many years of continued partnership. Our host families are a tremendous group of giving, behindthe-scenes people without whom our players would not have a summer home. We’ve been amazed at the wide spectrum of families who have chosen to house a Gems player during the summer months, and we thank them for their generosity and loving spirit.
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Finally, our hats are off to you, our fans! In 2011, you turned out in record numbers to a new, unknown family entertainment source. Nobody had ever been to a Gems game before June 3, 2011, and not only did you turn out in great numbers that night, but you continued to come out and enjoy summer nights at Kiger throughout the season. On July 22, 2011, you broke the West Coast League single-game attendance record. For the season, you finished first in North America in first-year college wood-bat team attendance. You finished 46th overall of the more than 350 college wood-bat teams in North America. One of our proudest moments was the last home game of the 2011 season, when you gave us our second-highest paid attendance of the year! Your continued support through the off-season gives us great hope for another record-breaking year. Thank you so much for supporting Gems Baseball and bringing your families out to Kiger Stadium! As you can see, while the Gems staff is very small in numbers, our numbers are many when it comes to community support and the friends we’ve made these past two years. We thank those listed, and the many more not mentioned here, for everything you’ve done to make Gems Baseball a success!
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e know you love your Gems and we know you love your cars. This year we are proud to announce one of the many new and exciting promotions to hit Kiger Stadium. It’s the 2012 Klamath Falls Gems Car Shows! We are very excited to have the opportunity to bring the best cars of the Klamath Basin and beyond right here to beautiful Klamath Falls. We will be staging some classics and fan favorites in the parking lot at the historic Kiger Stadium on June 2nd, July 22nd, and August 5th. The shows will be held before each Gems game that night and there is no better way to spend the day! Come and see some of the most coveted cars in the region with the beautiful Kiger Stadium as the background and stay for the most exciting summer fun in the basin! It will be like the “old days” all over again when you get the sense that you are back in time with the classic cars and the classic stadium. Kla-Mo-Ya Casino will display their 2012 Dodge Challenger Muscle Car at the first show on June 2, then will be giving the car away on June 16. Come see it, then win it! The best part about the show is the admission and parking will be free! We are also donating a portion of the proceeds to some of the Basin’s most needed charities. We will be holding auctions and a 50/50 drawing to help as well. We encourage everyone to come and join us as we remember the beauty of the classic iron and celebrate the night with another classic Gems game.
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FROM THE WCL TO The best way to judge the talent level in a minor league is to watch how many of that league’s players make it to the Major Leagues. In the seven seasons of the West Coast League, an average of half the league’s players are selected in the June Major League draft each year. As they work their way through the Minor Leagues, we start to see former WCL players appear in the Bigs. Jason Hammel (Colorado Rockies), Jeff Francis (Kansas City Royals), Tommy Hanson (Atlanta Braves), Jacoby Ellsbury (Boston Red Sox), Clay Mortensen (Colorado Rockies), Chris Davis (Texas Rangers), Mark Rzepczynski (Toronto Blue Jays), Nyjer Morgan (Milwaukee Brewers), Bud Norris (Houston Astros), and Brent Morel (Chicago White Sox) are among current big leaguers who played with West Coast League teams. So as you watch tonight’s game, try and remember some of the standout players you see with the Gems and with the visiting team. Who knows, you may see them in the World Series soon!
Photos courtesy MLB and Fox Sports
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1933 South 6th Street Fax: (541) 884-2639 Toll Free: 877-531-0124
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The Best Play in the WCL The 2011 season saw a growing number of young players migrate to the Northwest to play their summer ball. Among the highly-regarded freshmen and sophomores we saw in Klamath Falls last season were Corvallis Knights pitchers Jace Fry, Jimmy Sherfy and Chase Johnson, Cowlitz Black Bears SS Mitchell Walding and OFs Spencer O’Neil and Billy Flamion, and Wenatchee OF Breland Almadova. Almadova played his first 2011 WCL game at Kiger Stadium, going 5-6 against the Gems on June 10. This season, nine of the top 100 high school players (at press time) eligible for the 2012 MLB First Year Player draft are headed to play in the WCL. Cowlitz tops the list with four, headed by catcher Clint Coulter (Camas, WA and Arizona State). Wenatchee has three of the top 100, led by SS Tanner Rahier (Indian Wells, CA and U. of San Diego). Walla Walla scored
A.J. Kennedy
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LHP Hunter Virant (Camarillo, CA and UCLA), while Corvallis is joined by SS Carson Kelly (Portland, U. of Oregon). The Gems have also recruited some highly-regarded high school talent, including RHP/C Josh Graham (Roseburg HS and U. of Oregon), listed as the #2 recruit in the Northwest by Baseball Northwest. We’ve also signed LHP Brandon Brown (Eagle, ID and U. of Oregon), the #1 recruit in the Idaho/Montana/Wyoming region. And catcher A.J. Kennedy (Anaheim, CA and Cal State Fullerton) is listed as the #15 catcher prospect by ESPN-HS. While we watch our sophomores and juniors grow into future Major League players, keep an eye on our younger guys as they progress. The WCL is The Diamond Standard in summer wood-bat baseball, and the level of talent coming to the Northwest shows it!
Josh Graham
GEMS PROVIDE ECONOMIC BOOST TO KLAMATH BASIN With the arrival of the Klamath Falls Gems Baseball Club last year, many businesses and groups in the Klamath Basin have reaped the economic benefits of the new team. As an entertainment option, the Gems have become a top attraction for families throughout the region. As a business, the team is committed to a ‘local first’ philosophy, bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue to Southern Oregon. This revenue comes in a number of forms, though mainly through of spending with local vendors, job creation and fundraising efforts with local non-profit and other groups.
COMMITMENT TO LOCAL SPENDING The Gems have, from day one, sought out local vendors before taking dollars out of the region. This effort has resulted in added revenue to hotels, restaurants, food suppliers, transportation companies and promotional/apparel outlets, among others. “When my wife and I got here last summer, we were given a mandate by our local ownership group (Danny Miles, Howard Morris, Eric Baker and Don Gresdel) to do our best to use local vendors,” Gems General Manager Chuck Heeman said. “That was important to them, and it’s smart business. I’ve always had the same philosophy, it’s always been important to me throughout my career.” Heeman gave a number of examples of local spending that would not have occurred without the team’s arrival. These include: • More than $25,000 in local hotel rooms purchased by the Gems. Additional rooms are used by player families, umpires and visiting teams; • More than $27,000 in sign production, including advertising and informational signs used at Kiger Stadium; • More than $54,000 in construction, ballpark upgrades, furniture and office rent; • More than $60,000 in food purchases from local outlets like Diamond S Meats, Franz Bakeries, Grocery Outlet, Cash & Carry, Western Beverage and Pepsi. “There are certain things that pretty much have to be purchased out of town, and people understand that,” Heeman said, “But nearly everything we buy is purchased in Klamath Falls, even if it costs us a few more dollars. We’re not going to turn the entire economic landscape of the Klamath Basin around, but we feel like we’re making an impact and helping a larger recovery effort.” Heeman also pointed out that the City of Klamath Falls and the non-profit Kiger Association have spent tens of thousands of dollars
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WIN
one of TWO NE RECLIN W E EACH S RS AT from . LEGACY !
Legacy Furniture will give away TWO new recliners at every Saturday Gems home game! Buy a raffle ticket for $2 at each Saturday game. In the eighth inning of every Saturday game, TWO lucky winners will go home with a brand new recliner, courtesy of Legacy Furniture. Here’s the best part: proceeds go directly to help feed the hungry of the Klamath Basin!
3250 Washburn Way • (541) 882-3217 Photos for illustration only. Styles may vary.
Continued from page 80 with local businesses in stadium upgrades since the Gems’ arrival last summer, providing even more economic impact in the Basin. “Even small things like the money our players spend on gas, food, movies, their families visiting Klamath Falls to watch them play, then spending on gas and food while they visit – it all adds up,” Heeman said. “This is all new money to the community, and it’s helping.” JOBS, JOBS, JOBS At a typical Gems game, fans can see more than 25 people in various jobs. These positions cover a wide range of duties, from public address announcers and radio broadcasters to ushers, ticket takers and food service personnel. The Gems office staff is on site year-round, and paid coaches visit Klamath Falls for the summer season. “Believe me, nobody’s getting rich by working for the Gems, but we’re able to provide a little extra income for a lot of people,” Heeman said. “Some of our game-day staff folks are volunteers, and some are paid to perform some pretty strenuous jobs. Anything where someone is handling merchandise, food or money is a paid position because of the added responsibility. So we’re able to give a little boost to some people who need it, and that’s a pretty good feeling.” The Gems use local employment agency Express Employment as an outlet for paid positions, providing income for yet another local business. The team currently has two paid year-round employees, and with the help of part-time and volunteer staff is able to accomplish many of the goals the team has set for the first year. Heeman said that as the team grows as a business, more full-time staff will be added. HELPING OTHERS One mission the team embarked on from the start was to help others in the Klamath Basin. The team has a number of fundraising efforts in place and in a short time has been able to raise thousands of dollars for various groups in the area. “I can’t tell you how important this area is for us,” Heeman said. “There’s no way we can come into this community, as a new business, and not use the
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resources of our fans and corporate partners to help others. We have some great opportunities to help here, and have been lucky to have been able to do that.” Examples of fundraising efforts led by the Gems in 2011 include: • More than $1,700 raised for the Klamath Falls Falcons American Legion team, through a fundraising game on June 18; • Through a partnership with Holliday Jewelry, the Gems raised $1,000 for the Klamath-Lake Counties Food Bank on July 16 with the first of what will become an annual “Diamond Dig” promotion (this year’s is July 1); • Legacy Furniture/Bedroom Gallery partnered with the Gems and IFEED to raise $2,668 through our Saturday night recliner raffles. We hope to increase that total to $4,000 in 2012 by offering raffle tickets at all games; • Nearly $8,000 raised through ticket sales through the summer by the Rip City Riders, the Moose Lodge, Henley High School groups, the YMCA and a number of youth sports teams; • More than $6,000 raised for a number of groups through staffing of Gems concessions stands; • More than $5,000 raised by other groups by the sale of Gems tickets, contributions to fundraising auctions and other outlets. • More than $5,000 raised for the Creativity Collective through tickets sales at the first “Field of Screams” event in October. “It’s important to us to be a part of the community, and as we all know, actions speak louder than words,” Heeman said. “Our actions show our commitment to the Klamath Basin.” As the Gems move through their summer of baseball, the team continues to grow in popularity and in economic impact in the Klamath Basin. “This first year has been a whirlwind, but in a fun and very rewarding way,” Heeman said. “The best thing about it is that we’re just getting started. We can’t wait to see how we can build on what we’ve already, with the help of the people of Klamath Falls, begun.”
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Kiger Stadium is home to many area baseball teams, not just the Gems. During the spring and summer the field is almost daily use. From Gems games to American Legion Falcons and Hawks, to Babe Ruth and Senior Babe Ruth games, there’s almost always great baseball to see at Kiger. When the Gems are out of town (and some days when they’re here!), come out and see the youth of the Klamath Basin enjoy the experience of playing at Historic Kiger Stadium. The Gems Web site, www.klamathfallsgems.com, has all the current schedules for baseball at Kiger Stadium. Join us as often as you can! 82
Great health IS all it’s “cracked” up to be!
Most of the chronic pain you feel may have been caused by an injury that occurred years ago. Introducing chiropractic care into your life is a great way to promote overall wellness. Chiropractic is safe for any age from birth to the elderly. Chiropractic procedures are a safe and gentle way to address pain and other health conditions you may be experiencing. There are different techniques that can be used in an adjustment that will allow the body to heal naturally without the use of drugs or additional medicines. Chiropractic adjustments allow the body to heal on its own and promote wellness.
Dr. Jane Bigby Dr. Bigby completed a 180 hour post doctorate course focusing on Perinatal and Pediatric Chiropractic, with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.
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Go Gems! GOING TO BAT FOR OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1946
CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF KLAMATH FALLS TOYOTA OF KLAMATH FALLS
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So many people helped the Gems achieve a great number of honors in 2011. To list them all here would be impossible, so we want to highlight some of our community and business leaders who “got it� about who the Gems are and what we do. Don Ambers American Legion Post 8 John Bellon Lisa Bailey Steven Baker Kevin Brown Sam Dunlap Ryan Goff
City of Klamath Falls Ken Hay Kathy Hewitt Kiger Association Chip Massie Brian Mobley Dustin & Jessica Howell Saffron Owen
Judy Peterson Michael Schell Rob Siems Christy Soto & Mike Stier Heather Tramp Rick Whitlock Heidi Wright J.D. Zack
We thank these people for their considerable time and effort in helping the Gems thrive and look forward to working with all of you in the years to come!
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When When it it all all comes comes When it all comes down to it, it’s down to it, comes it’s When it all down to it, it’s about sweat, about sweat, down to it, it’s about sweat, sportsmanship, sportsmanship, about sweat, sportsmanship, and teamwork. and teamwork. sportsmanship, and teamwork. and teamwork.
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