April 1, 2023
Season Opens Friday, April 7 at Dow Diamond
ed through in-game performance by Loons players for strikeouts, wins, and double plays.
As a member of the Great Lakes Loons front office since our inception in 2006, I am fortunate to be part of a truly unique organization with the Loons and the Michigan Baseball Foundation (MBF).
While a lot has changed during that time, what has remained constant is the commitment we make to our communities, serving youth and providing affordable, family-friendly entertainment through Loons baseball. Michigan Baseball Foundation Founder and CEO Bill Stavropoulos had a vision of bringing professional baseball to Midland and the Great Lakes Bay Region. But his vision was much broader than baseball. His desire was to utilize America’s pastime as a vehicle to spur economic development and provide charitable giving to non-profits throughout the region.
Last year marked the 15th season of Loons baseball, and through 1,068 regular season games, nearly 3.4 million fans have flocked to Dow Diamond to enjoy America’s pastime Great Lakes style. The Loons have reached the playoffs in eight of those seasons, winning the Midwest League championship in 2016.
Dow Diamond has become synonymous with player development, with the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Carlos Santana, Corey Seager and Julio Urias honing their craft as members of the Loons. In total, 97 former Loons players have achieved their dream of playing Major League Baseball. But the accomplishment we are most proud of is the positive impact we have made in our communities by fulfilling the MBF mission of creating regional economic development and supporting youth organizations through creative partnerships and grants.
Since 2008, MBF has awarded nearly
$1.3 million in grants to more than 300 deserving non-profit organizations across 14 counties - all made possible by the success of the Loons and driven by the incredible support from our fans.
Each fall, eligible non-profits can begin applying for an MBF grant. To be eligible, organizations must meet one or more of the following guidelines that reflect the purpose for which MBF was founded:
The organization is based in the Great Lakes Bay Region and serves young people
The funded project promotes amateur sports, fitness and overall good health
The organization contributes to regional economic development
In addition to MBF grants, the Loons are very intentional with programming and efforts to benefit others. Since 2007, more than $1.2 million has been generated for non-profit organizations through several initiatives. These include volunteering time supporting our game-day food and beverage operation, in-kind donations in the form of tickets and merchandise for non-profit fundraising events, and dollars award-
The Loons offer a ticket fundraising program whereby non-profit organizations sell Loons tickets with up to 50% of the revenue going back to each organization that participates. The Loons VoLOONteer Program requires each full-time staff member to donate time for community service projects or support non-profit organizations by serving on their boards or committees, resulting in more than 600 hours per year of time donated. Last season, the Loons Reading Program saw 10,000 students from 48 schools across the region participate, and this year, more than 20,000 students from nearly 70 schools are participating in the program.
Whether leveraging the financial success of the Loons for charitable giving, the talents of our front office staff through sweat equity for the benefit of our communities, or the community engagement initiatives we enact, our actions and efforts align to support the MBF mission.
The Loons’ 2023 season officially kicks off at Dow Diamond with Opening Day on Friday, April 7 against the Lansing Lugnuts. Our entire staff is eager to welcome back fans to the ballpark, create lasting memories and provide a sense of home for the communities we support. By attending Loons games, you are not only enjoying time with family, friends and co-workers, you also are supporting our efforts to positively impact our communities.
It’s probably safe to say that most young children are all about satisfying their own wants and needs. Not Andrea Noonan as a child.
It seems that she was born to serve. For as long as Noonan can recall, she has enjoyed making others happy through food.
“I’m not 100-percent sure what inspired (my love of food service) early in life, but, from the time I was probably two or three years old, it seemed very natural for me to be hanging out in the kitchen,” said Noonan, the Great Lakes Loons Director of Operations and Executive Chef.
“I would play house and play waitress, and I tried to wait on my family and friends at home. It seemed like a very natural thing for me to do,” she added. “As time went on, I just enjoyed serving people in that manner. It was almost a social outlet for me. … I don’t think I ever changed my mind (about what I wanted to do in life).”
A native of Essexville who now lives in Midland, Noonan attended Bay City All Saints High School and began her culinary career with a class in the Bay Arenac Career Center’s food program. Upon graduating from All Saints, she attended Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Food Science.
Noonan eventually joined the Loons’ staff and has served in a variety of roles, beginning as the team’s Director of Food and Beverage in 2010. These days, she oversees the kitchen staff and constructs the stadium menu while also preparing food for all events and Loons games at Dow Diamond.
Noonan, who has been involved in food service in one capacity or another since the age of 15, said there is one tell-tale sign that she has done her job well.
“For me, I really just like being able to sit back at service time and watch everyone enjoy what our hands have created. When the dining room goes si-
lent, that’s a really good sign,” she noted. “When the conversation has ended and people are enjoying the food, those are the moments I live to create.”
According to Noonan, her approach to creating delicious food is, perhaps ironically, keeping it simple.
“I have believed for some time now that less is more,” she said. “If you put 30 ingredients into a dish, you’re kind of mucking up the water, and you can’t taste each ingredient. I kind of like it when each ingredient can speak for itself.”
Asked about some traditional fan favorites on the menu, Noonan replied, “The first thing that comes to mind off the top of my head is our mac and cheese, although I’m not the original creator of that. I’ve just tweaked it from year to year. That’s always been a personal favorite and a crowd favorite.
“I would say I’ve had a lot to do with the flank steak that we serve here, and that’s highlighted at our Lou E.’s Taqueria portable (food truck),” she added.
Noonan noted that even her staple dishes evolve from year to year and change slightly during each season.
“Last year, we only offered flank steak tacos, but this year, we’re adding chicken tacos while still doing the flank. And last year, we introduced a power bowl called ‘Power Up’ which comes with a variety of meats and everything is customized. You can have beef, shrimp, or chicken with different vegetable blends and grains and starches that rotate throughout the year,” she said.
“When we start early in the season and it’s still cold out, we’ll offer mashed potatoes to warm people up. As it gets warmer during the summer, we’ll do
lighter grains and more vegetables,” she added. “We also have a plant-based portable (food truck) called Plant Base, which offers an ‘Impossible’ burger for vegetarians, which some meat-lovers like, too, along with fresh salads and hummus and pita chips.”
With the baseball season nearing, Noonan seemed downright giddy about the prospect of seeing the people whom she loves to serve.
“First of all, I’m looking forward to some sunshine, for sure,” she said with a chuckle. “And we love to see the stadium filled. The energy when the stadium is full is like a totally different world. It just comes alive. When fans join us for the evening, there is no better atmosphere than that.
“And,” she added, “I love to hear the national anthem on a daily basis again.”
start out here and progress through their careers and watch a good portion of them go on to make major league rosters.”
Tiffany Wardynski never had any intention of sticking around mid-Michigan after graduating from college. The Great Lakes Loons, however, have provided her with some darn good reasons to stay. And stay, she has.
Wardynski, now Loons Vice President of Baseball Operations, has been with the team for most of its existence, beginning in its second season of 2008 when she came on board as a Business Operations intern.
Wardynski then joined the staff as a fulltime employee a year later and has been a fixture at Dow Diamond ever since.
“The plan was never to stay local. Usually, when you’re trying to get into a career in professional sports, you’re going to have to move far away to the big cities where the teams are,” said Wardynski, a graduate of Bay City John Glenn High School and Central Michigan University.
“Luckily, when I was at school, that’s when the (formation of) the team was announced and everything started here,” she added. “It kind of worked out. I thought back then, it’s a perfect place to start and then move on, but I just never left.”
As Wardynski noted, there is no place she’d rather be at this juncture in her life.
“I learned very early on that, with the Michigan Baseball Foundation and the Great Lakes Loons, it’s a really unique setup and a great place to be. There are not many professional teams that are run more as a nonprofit, where your ultimate purpose is to give back to the community,” she said. “With most professional teams, you’re working hard to put a profit in the owner’s pocket, but the Michigan Baseball Foundation is a unique setup, and I learned early on that it’s really special here.”
An outdoors enthusiast, Wardynski enjoys camping, boating, riding dirt bikes and playing golf, among other hobbies.
“I’m kind of a weird creature. I’m a
workout junkie. That’s how I really destress from a busy baseball season,” she said. “I like anything outdoors. If I can be outdoors, that’s when I’m kind of at my happiest, whether that’s being out golfing or going up north camping and being on a lake.
“I think Michigan, in general, is a beautiful place to be in the summer,” she added. “If I’m not at the ballpark, that’s where I want to be – finding that balance and being outdoors.”
Wardynski laughed when asked about her duties and noted that she wears “about 40 hats” at her job.
“I oversee all of our seasonal staff, and I’m in charge of training our seasonal staff to help them give exceptional service to our fans. It’s my job to make sure our seasonal staff has all the tools they need to come to work and give fans a great experience,” she said. “ … During any given season, we have around 300 seasonal employees, so it’s a lot of work to find good employees and get them trained and comfortable. I also oversee our retail operations.
“ … The majority of what I do is, I’m kind of our lead contact and resource with the
Los Angeles Dodgers, so I work with the coaching staff and players and our player development team and (communicate) with the Dodgers themselves about day-to-day operations,” she added. “I’m kind of the connector between what’s happening here and what’s happening in Los Angeles and (at spring training in) Arizona.”
Wardynski said her favorite parts of the job are helping fans have a good time and watching people both on the field and behind the scenes grow and flourish.
“I think we all love the experience that we give the fans. A lot of what we do every day is about trying to help them make memories here at the ballpark with their families,” she said. “ … Everyone has a unique story about their time here (at Dow Diamond). … Sports brings people together, and it’s awesome to be at the core of being able to do that.
“Another thing I enjoy is just watching and helping our staff and players progress throughout their careers. … We have ex-employees all over the U.S., working in sports,” she added. “Same thing with the players. It’s really awesome, a really cool feeling, to see them
In 14 seasons with the Loons, Wardynski has collected plenty of fond memories, but she said that two moments really stand out in her mind – celebrating the team’s 2016 Midwest League championship and hosting the 2017 Midwest League All-Star Game at Dow Diamond.
“That was our first championship, so that feeling around the team leading up to the championship (series) and then ultimately winning it was something that will truly stay with me for the rest of my life,” she noted, adding with a chuckle, “Hopefully, one day I’ll be passing my (championship) ring down and telling stories about that to grandkids and family members.
“Also, our All-Star Game was fun. I was the lead in planning the game and the festivities, and any time you can bring a unique event like that to our region, it’s just a really cool moment,” she added. “I had to force myself during the chaos to take a step back and really appreciate that moment. Tatis and Vlad Junior (current major league stars Fernando Tatis, Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr.) were on the roster that year, so being able to bring some of those big names here for the All-Star Game was awesome.”
Wardynski, who resides with her husband Jason in Bay City, said she expects the Loons to put a good team on the field this season.
“I don’t have a clear picture yet of what our roster will look like, but just looking at training camp as a whole, it’s looking like we’re going to have a really good farm system from the top down,” said Wardynski, who visited the Dodgers’ training camp in Arizona in mid-March.
“That’s the most exciting thing. The Dodgers historically are known for having a very strong farm system, and seeing the guys at camp was exciting,” she added. “The pitching staff and the infield staff and everyone looked good in Arizona. I really think we’ll have a strong roster across the board.”
Great Lakes Loons first-year manager Daniel Nava may be new to Dow Diamond this spring, but fans may see in Nava the influence of a man who has managed more Loons games than anyone else.
Nava was the bench coach last year under Rancho Cucamonga Quakes manager John Shoemaker, who served as Loons manager in 2011, 2012, 2018 and 2019. Nava becomes the 11th manager in Loons history.
“He’s a legend in the organization and fantastic to work with, and a great guy to just learn from. He does a great job managing the team and the roles,” Nava said of Shoemaker, who has managed or coached in the Los Angeles Dodgers system for 43 years. “In terms of having an example to draw upon, it’s tough to beat someone like ‘Shoe.’ It was a great experience for me.”
Shoemaker also gave Nava, a third-year Dodgers manager/coach, an idea of what to expect when he comes to Midland soon with the Loons to prepare for their April 7 season opener at Dow Diamond against the Lansing Lugnuts.
“He had a lot of great things to say about Midland and the community,” Nava said. “His connection there is special. ... He said, ‘Hey, if you can get through the first month (and the cold spring weather) and get to the summer, you’re going to absolutely love it.’”
As for Nava, he played seven seasons in the major leagues and won a World Series title with the Boston Red Sox in 2013. Three years earlier, in 2010, he hit a grand slam for the Red Sox on the first pitch he ever saw as a major leaguer. Nava was an outfielder and threw lefthanded but was a switch hitter.
Not having reached the majors until age 27, Nava feels he can relate to young players for the Loons who may struggle
at times. The bottom line with baseball, he said, it that it’s a hard game.
“First and foremost, I try to remember this game is really hard,” Nava said. “I want to be that coach who never forgets that. As a player, you are constantly reminded how hard it is.
“I can draw on experiences I’ve had with my very unique jounrney (as a player),” he continued. “Being cut, being cut, (then eventually making it to the major leagues and winning a World Series). It allows me to hopefully relate to every player and understand what they’re going through, because I’ve stood in their shoes to some extent.”
Off of the field, Nava is a native of Redwood City, California, and played college baseball at Santa Clara. He and his wife, Rachel, married in 2012 and have a daughter, Faith, 9, and a son, Zeke 6. “My daughter, all she’s known is the baseball life,” Nava noted. “They are going to be coming up to Midland at
a couple given points during the year. They always look at it as an adventure to go travel.”
Meanwhile, new Loons hitting coach O’Koyea Dickson is familiar with Dow Diamond, although it has been a minute since he wore the Loons uniform in 2012 and was named Midwest League All-Star Game MVP after hitting a two-run homer in the game. Dickson played in the majors briefly for the Dodgers in 2017. Dickson also worked with Nava last year as the hitting coach at Rancho Cucamonga.
David Anderson and Richard De Los Santos return to the Loons staff as co-pitching coaches this season.
Elian Herrera is also back for a third season as the Loons bench coach, and Ethan Quarles returns as the performance coach.
New to the staff, like Dickson, are athletic trainer Ikuo Kato and affiliate development associate Joe Manno.
The Great Lakes Loons’ promotional schedule for thir 16th season includes longtime favorite specials like like Kids Eat Free Sundays, along with new promotions such as a guy who can almost eat forever.
The season kicks off at 6:05 p.m. Friday, April 7 against the Lansing Lugnuts. Among the highlights of the schedule is an appearance by 15-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest champion Joey Chestnut, the launch of Nickelodeon Days, three premium item giveaways, the return of Marvel Super Hero Nights, and the return of Los Pepinillos Picantes del Norte as part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión program.
Weekly promotions include:
Tuesdays: Hometown Heroes (military, veterans, first responders and frontline healthcare workers receive a free meal)
Wednesdays: Paws and Claws presented
by White Claw (50% off White Claw and bring your dog to the game)
Thursdays: Thirsty Thursday poured by J.P. O’Sullivan Distributing (50% off draft beer)
Fridays: Feast Fridays presented by Isabella Bank ($2 hot dogs, $1 potato chips, $1 16-ounce soft drinks, $1 ice cream sandwiches)
Saturdays starting June 10 (and select Fridays): Fireworks Loontaculars powered by Farm Bureau Insurance
Sundays: Kids Eat Free and Run the Bases Joey Chestnut will come to Dow Diamond on August 11 during the game against the West Michigan Whitecaps. The holder of 50 world records for competitive eating, Chestnut will meet and greet fans during the game before performing in an eating competition against locals before the Fireworks show. Meet and greet package information will be announced at a later date.
Dow Diamond will turn orange and get cov-
ered in slime during two Nickelodeon Nights presented by MyMichigan Health. SpongeBob SquarePants attends the game on July 29 against the Dayton Dragons, and Chase from Paw Patrol will be at the game on August 26 against the Fort Wayne TinCaps. Meet and greet package information for both characters will be announced at a later date. The promotional schedule features three premium item giveaways, with each being given away to the first 1,000 fans through the gate each game:
Friday, June 30: Loons Fourth of July Beach Towel Giveaway presented by MyMichigan Health
Friday, July 28: Loons Alpine Hat Giveaway
Saturday, Sept. 2: Loons Baseball Cap Giveaway presented by Fidelity Investments
The Marvel Universe returns to Dow Diamond for two nights as part of Minor League Baseball’s Defenders of the Diamond Series and Marvel Super Hero Nights. Each game will feature character appearances on the Dow Diamond concourse. The Loons will be outfitted in limited edition Marvel-inspired jerseys. The Marvel games include:
Saturday, July 1: Marvel Super Hero Night featuring Captain America
Saturday, August 12: Defenders of the
Diamond Night featuring Spiderman Los Pepinillos Picantes del Norte return as part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión initiative with three nights dedicated to celebrating the Hispanic and Latino communities in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Starting in 2017, “Copa” has grown to nearly 90 teams across 33 states and has seen millions of fans attend Copa games over the years. The Copa de la Diversión games at Dow Diamond are June 16, July 14, and August 25.
Star Wars Night (June 10), Jurassic Ballpark Night presented by MyMichigan Health (June 17), and Princess and Pirate Night (July 15) return as well, with character appearances on the Dow Diamond concourse each night.
“We couldn’t be more excited for the 2023 season to get underway,” said Loons President and General Manager Chris Mundhenk. “Our promotions team took a comprehensive look at the last 15 years of fan-favorite promotions, current trends in pop culture, and iconic baseball traditions when putting together this season’s schedule. When I look at the schedule holistically, there is a promotion that appeals to every fan and their interests. We cannot wait to welcome everyone to Dow Diamond on April 7 for Opening Day.”
It’s beer fest season time, which makes it pretty much the most wonderful time of the year. From long-established festivals, like the Michigan Brewer’s Guild Summer Fest, which is holding its 23rd annual celebration this year in Ypsilanti, to brand new ones like the Great Lakes Beer Festival being held on August 20 in Midland, Michigan loves it’s beer fests. Whether it’s your 50th beer fest or your very first one, a few tips and tricks can help make sure your experience is awesome.
Here are a few that we’ve found through years of attending beer festivals. Overall, remember the goal is to have fun, to widen your beer knowledge a bit, and to always taste and drink responsibly. We hope to see you out at one of our great Michigan beer fests this year.
1. Drink as much water as you can. We honestly cannot stress this enough, it is like the cardinal rule of beer fests. No matter the season, this tip rings true, but it is incredibly important during the warmer months. Even though sample pours might only be 3 or 4 ounces, those can quickly add up, and sometimes unexpectedly add up. Throw in standing out in the hot sun for hours, and you’ve got a recipe for dehydration. I’ve read some suggestions to have a glass of water after every sample, which sounds like a nice, very smart, and responsible idea. My goal is to usually get a glass after every 2 or 3 samples, which seems a bit more practical, as you’ll find yourself unexpectedly sucked into another tent or randomly handed another sample from a friend. Be the leader, and potential hero, of your group, by insisting on water breaks throughout the day, and taking breaks out of the sun. No one wants to be THAT festie goer who has obviously had way too much. Drink enough water and you won’t be.
2. The food is usually pretty good, and you should eat something. In line with the above advice, eating both before and during the festival helps you lay down a bit of a base for all those samples. And this is far from hard when you are at the festival, most pride themselves on offering great food to enjoy while you are there. Whether it’s local food trucks that have been booked or delicious offerings from the local host, there is typically a wide range of things to enjoy. At the Great Lakes Beer Festival, which is being held at Dow Diamond Stadium in Midland, you’ll be able to indulge in all the classic ballpark specialties that they are
known for, and we all know there is not much better than a cold beer with a hot dog. So don’t be shy, eat away. It’s all part of the experience.
3. Beer fests are typically held no matter the weather, so come prepared. Rain or shine, snow or sleet, blazing hot or freezing cold, your beer fest will be held pretty much no matter what unless it’s a life-threatening situation. So that means come prepared, and dressed appropriately. For hot days, lube up with sunscreen, wear a hat and most definitely wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. For days when the weather might change, an extra sweatshirt for later. Depending on where your festival is held, you may have to deal with the lovely Port-A-John, so put that thought in your head when you are getting dressed. Meaning, nothing too complicated to get off, there is nothing worse than struggling in a steaming hot closet of death trying to get your overalls back on. Think practical, easy, and above all, comfortable.
4. Be a turtle, not a hare. Pace yourself. It’s not a race, although you might see people running when the gates open to go and find their “whale beer” right away. That’s fine, although probably not necessary. What we are talking about is sampling throughout the day. The beer will be there, so slow down and savor the one you have in your glass. Chat a bit, meet new people, ask about the brewery. Taking the time to enjoy each beer will help you slow your roll a bit, which in the end will create a much better experience overall.
5. Team up with a beer buddy so you can try even more samples. This is my trick at every festival because I really do want to taste a lot of beers. Find a friend, and split
your order at each brewery. Maybe you get the IPA that sounded spectacular, while your buddy gets the barrel-aged stout. Sip and swap, then of course keep the one that you prefer. This way you won’t overindulge, but you will get to try more Michigan beers. Plus, it makes for great conversation as you discuss the aroma, flavor, mouth feel and finish of each sample.
6. A bit of a plan is a good idea, but be prepared to ditch it. It’s your very first beer fest, and you’ve printed out the list of breweries, all the beers, and even a map of the layout of the festival. Good for you! So organized, with a plan in hand, and you are going to get to try every single beer you’ve marked off. Also, a total sign of a newbie. And while we bless your attempts, we veterans know that for the best beer fest experience, there comes a time to just zap that plan. Because most of the fun of a festival comes from just going with the flow. Maybe a new brewery had a really great fruit ale, and now you want to try another one from them. Perhaps you’ve decided it’s too hot for all those barrel-aged beauties you had on your list, and what really sounds good now is a classic German Kolsch. Totally cool! Sometimes not following the plan is the very best idea, and we suggest you embrace it. If you feel like it, you can still keep track of what you are trying, but even this plan usually falls through midway through a festival. Again, the goal here is to have fun, so just don’t worry about it. But if you are, one easy way to do that is a quick voice memo on your phone. No need to write, no need to try to figure out the Untapped app after a couple, instead click and record, and you can revisit your beers later.
7. Don’t sweat a super long line, just find another brewery to enjoy. Again, your best-laid plans might just include skipping a line snaking away from a popular brewery with a special release, to stepping right next door to a lesser-known, but possibly equally great, brewery to try something new. I’ve found some of my best festival beers doing this, and the surprise and delight of finding a new favorite is one of the finest things about a beer fest.
8. It’s totally OK to dump a beer. It really is. Just don’t be a loser about it and dump it right in front of the brewery. Be cool, saunter away, and then find a bucket or spot of lawn to dispose of it quietly. There are bad beers out there, unfortunately, or there are beer styles that just aren’t your style, and that’s totally fine. Life is too short to drink beer you don’t like, so just don’t, and move on to find one that you do.
9. It might be worth it to buy the VIP ticket. Yes, they cost a bit more, but you usually get a whole lot more. Depending on the festival, you might get early admission, which means you can enjoy a few beers before the masses arrive. You might get extra sample tickets, or some food included with your entry. Some festivals offer a special VIP area, which might sound a bit pretentious, but when you realize what it really means is air conditioning and separate indoor bathroom facilities, you think, I can be pretentious. In fact, I might even really like it. Or even love it. You’ll pat yourself on the back for making such a great choice, while you bask in meat locker cold air, and indulge in a private buffet. If you can afford it, consider the VIP pass.
10. Plan your ride home before you leave home. It should go without saying that you should always drink responsibly and never drink and drive. We’re going to say it again, never drink and drive. Planning your ride home ahead of time is the smartest move you can make. Uber and Lyft are great but will be overbooked at the end of the festival, with surge pricing in effect. If you can take public transport, plan that out ahead of time and have your fare money ready. Plan a ride with a friend prior to the festival, and carpooling is encouraged. There are designated driver tickets available at a discounted rate for all Michigan beer fests, this can be a great option. Whatever you decide, having a plan in place for a way home ahead of time will make your beer fest experience much more relaxing and fun in the end.
