2021 SEASON
O F F I C I A L P R O G R A M O F T H E T R AV E R S E C I T Y P I T S P I T T E R S
FOCUS ON THE GOOD
BELONG SMILE
LIVE HEALTHIER RESPONSIBILITY LET THE FUN BEGIN BETTER TOGETHER LEARN GROW THRIVE INSPIRE
COMMUNITY HELPFUL JOIN
JOIN THE FUN
DISCOVER SO MUCH MORE ENSURE A BRIGHTER FUTUREUS
CARING ALL IN
GRANDWHERE WORK IS PLAY TRAVERSE BAY YMCA INSPIRE STRENGTH FROM WITHIN
SOCIAL WELCOME YOU WWW.GTBAYYMCA.ORG
HONESTY
BE MORE DO MORE
WELLNESS RECHARGE BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY
CONNECTIONS
ENGAGE
MAKE AN IMPACT
BELONG
SUPPORT POWER OF POTENTIAL SOCIAL HERE FOR YOU
2
RESPECT
Welcome back to baseball, Pit Spitters Fans! Welcome to Turtle Creek Stadium for a great season of Pit Spitters baseball! We are thrilled to commence another action-packed summer of safe and socially distanced fun. As we all work together through this most unusual summer, our organization is ready to help our Northern Michigan community begin get to back to normal. A lot has happened around the ballpark since last season, and we could not be more excited to welcome you back to see what’s new. This is YOUR summer!! On the field, Josh Rebandt returns for his third season as the Pit Spitters Manager. Josh and his coaching staff are ready to lead another talented crop of Pit Spitters players on their next run at a Northwoods League Championship. In 2021, our Pit Spitters roster represents more than 30 colleges and universities, players from 20 states and even as far away as California and Venezuela Beyond the baseball action, the Pit Spitters have spent the offseason expanding our community impact as we continue to cement Turtle Creek Stadium as a truly sustainable community asset. Highlighting these efforts, we were thrilled to host the 2020 graduation ceremony for St. Francis High School and Buckley High School and are excited to host the ceremonies of St. Francis, TC Central and TC West this year as well. Other exciting facility events at the ballpark this season will include a wide range of high school and college baseball, company picnics and festivals, award winning country artist Old Dominion will play at Turtle Creek Stadium on September 17th and the Nitro Circus – You Got This Tour, the worldwide leader in action sports, will be in town on October 2nd. Turtle Creek Stadium is truly becoming a place where our community comes together for unforgettable outings and high-profile one-of-a kind events. Considering what we have all been through over the last twelve months, most importantly this year, I want to welcome our fans back to the Pit Spitters brand of fun. Welcome back to our unique and delicious ballpark food, highlighted by the 2021 fan food vote winners the Cubano Dog and Chicken and Waffles! Welcome back to the sounds of baseball and laughter, the action of the game, our incredible in game promotions, enjoying group outings with friends and family, the ooohs and ahhhhs, the beauty of the field, the music, most of all, welcome back to the FUN. As we did last season, we continue taking seriously the COVID-19 health and safety recommendations from state and local agencies. You likely saw the signs on the way into the ballpark, heard the announcements, and spoke with other fans about the changes. The Pit Spitters remain committed to providing safe and socially distanced fun for all our fans to enjoy. Fan safety is a top priority for our organization this summer and we ask that while at the ballpark you do your part to help us run our business safely so all fans can enjoy every fantastic inning of Pit Spitters baseball. Finally, I would like to say “Thank You” to Traverse City, and all of Northern Michigan, for your support the last year. Last season wasn’t easy, but our fans showed up and cheered us on. This community is a special place, and the Pit Spitters are proud to be an important part of it. Thank you, you truly are the best fans in baseball. Welcome to Turtle Creek Stadium! Let’s play ball! Sincerely,
Joe Chamberlin Traverse City Pit Spitters CEO and Managing Member
3
2021 TRAVERSE CITY PIT SPITTERS ROSTER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURE
Pit Spitters Championship - 2019
Pit Spitters Team - 20 20
THE 100 MILE PER HOUR MAN
A TALE OF TWO SEASONS
FORMER PIT SPITTER NOW CHICAGO CUB, LUKE LITTLE
PIT SPITTERS 2019 TO 2020
PAGE 16
PAGE 28
CONTENTS 3
Letter from the CEO
20 Scorecard
6
About the NWL
22
Kids Activities
7
2021 Schedule
28
A Tale of Two Seasons
8
Pit Spitter Player Bios
36
Ballpark A-Z Guide
16
The 100 Mile Per Hour Man
38
Front Office Staff
2021 SEASON PROGRAM Entire contents © 2021 Pit Spitters Baseball. All rights reserved. Advertising Sales: Sam Connell • Rickey Rissman • Mickey Graham • Kendall Patrick • Britani Eaton | Contributors: Britani Eaton • Linda Caswell • Kendall Patrick Design and layout: Elaine Boonenberg | Printed by: Record Eagle | Traverse City, MI
4
Experience a different type of flight
Explore Michigan's best breweries at:
MiBrewTrail.com Follow us:
5
ABOUT THE
NORTHWOODS LEAGUE The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 2021 season will mark the 28th season of the Northwoods League. It is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 200 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC), Brandon Crawford (SFG) and Chris Sale (BOS). As well as MLB All-Stars Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (MIA) and Pete Alonso (METS).
6
TRAVERSE CITY PIT SPITTERS
SCHEDULE 2021
All times Eastern
NORTHWOODS LEAGUE BC – Battle Creek Bombers FDL – Fond du Lac Dock Spiders KEN – Kenosha Kingfish KMO – Kokomo Jackrabbits KZO – Kalamazoo Growlers MAD – Madison Mallards RFD – Rockford Rivets WIR – Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
PITSPITTERS.COM 231.943.0100 7
PLAYERS AND COACHES
2021 TRAVERSE CITY PIT SPITTERS ROSTER PIT SPITTERS
CATCHER
INFIELD
ADAM
AIDAN
ANDREW
BATS: L THROWS: R HEIGHT: 6’1” SR - MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
BATS: R THROWS: R HEIGHT: 5’11” SO - HILLSDALE COLLEGE
BATS: R THROWS: R JR - LANSING CC
proctor
Brewer
RHP
BATS: R THROWS: R SO - CSU STANISLAUS
HEIGHT: 6’1”
Gustafson
BATS: L THROWS: L JR - OLIVET NAZARENE
RHP
CAMDEN
BATS: R THROWS: R HEIGHT: 5’11” FR - FLORIDA GULF COAST
BATS: S THROWS: R FR - STETSON
Schuelke
CADE HEIGHT: 6’3”
Heil
BATS: L THROWS: R SR - NORTH GEORGIA
INFIELD
CAM
Traficante
HEIGHT: 6’2”
RHP
AREN
Ramirez
Carson
LHP
ANTHONY
8
RHP
HEIGHT: 6’3”
INFIELD
CHRIS HEIGHT: 6’0”
Monroe
BATS: R THROWS: R HEIGHT: 6’4” SR - ILLINOIS-SPRINGFIELD
PLAYERS AND COACHES
2021 TRAVERSE CITY PIT SPITTERS ROSTER VISITOR
INFIELD
RHP
C/UTL
CHRISTIAN
COBY
COLIN
BATS: R THROWS: R HEIGHT: 6’0” SR - GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
BATS: R THROWS: R HEIGHT: 6’1” SO - ARKANSAS FORT-SMITH
BATS: R THROWS: R FR - TRITON COLLEGE
faust
greiner
LHP
OUTFIELD
CORBIN
CREWS
BATS: L THROWS: L HEIGHT: 6’5” FR - CHATTANOOGA STATE CC
BATS: L THROWS: R SR - NORTH GEORGIA
morrison
summerhill
RHP
D A LT O N
taylor
LHP
HEIGHT: 6’2”
HEIGHT: 6’0”
o’boyle
BATS: R THROWS: R HEIGHT: 6’2” SR - DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY
RHP
RHP
DANIEL
E VA N
JACOB
BATS: L THROWS: L HEIGHT: 6’0” JR - NORTH CAROLINA A&T
BATS: R THROWS: R HEIGHT: 6’1” SR - NORTH CAROLINA A&T
BATS: R THROWS: R HEIGHT: 5’10” JR - UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND
carter
gates
Marcus
9
PLAYERS AND COACHES
2021 TRAVERSE CITY PIT SPITTERS ROSTER
INFIELD
JAKE
Arnold
BATS: R THROWS: R SR - NORTH GEORGIA
HEIGHT: 6’3”
LHP
JEREMY
JOE
BATS: L THROWS: L HEIGHT: 6’3” SO - UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND
BATS: R THROWS: R HEIGHT: 6’3” SO - WITTENBERG UNIVERSITY
neff
RHP
KYLE
BATS: R THROWS: R HEIGHT: 6’2” SR - MADONNA UNIVERSITY
BATS: R THROWS: R SO - KANKAKEE CC
beuckelaere
iwinski
RHP
10
INFIELD
MARIO HEIGHT: 6’2”
camilletti
BATS: L THROWS: R HEIGHT: 5’9” SR - CENTRAL MICHIGAN
OF/1B
MAX
BATS: R THROWS: R FR - CINCINNATI
Horosko
RHP
JOHN
bergmann
RHP
HEIGHT: 6’3”
CATCHER
MICHAEL
MIGUEL
BATS: R THROWS: R HEIGHT: 6’1” SR - OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
BATS: R THROWS: R HEIGHT: 6’0” FR - COLLEGE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
stygles
useche-canelo
BIG HITS. WALK OFFS. COLD PEPSI. THE PITSPITTERS RULE.
PROUD PARTNER OF THE
TRAVERSE CITY PIT SPITTERS © 2018. PEPSI and the Pepsi Globe are registered trademarks of PepsiCo, Inc.
11
PLAYERS AND COACHES
2021 TRAVERSE CITY PIT SPITTERS ROSTER
OUTFIELD
RHP
MILES
MORGAN
BATS: L THROWS: L HEIGHT: 5’9” SR - PURDUE UNIVERSITY
BATS: R THROWS: R FR/SR - SAN DIEGO
simington
lunceford
RHP
BATS: R THROWS: R SR - JEFFERSON
12
HEIGHT: 6’0”
mcwilliams BATS: R THROWS: R SO - WOFFORD
HEIGHT: 5’7”
HEIGHT: 6’0”
LHP
RYLAN
SPENCER
BATS: L THROWS: L HEIGHT: 6’2” JR - SACRAMENTO STATE
BATS: L THROWS: L HEIGHT: 6’1” JR - DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY
tinsley
UTL
vainavicz
UTL
TITO
TREY
BATS: R THROWS: R HEIGHT: 6’0” SO - UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
BATS: R THROWS: R SO - WOFFORD
flores
O ’ K E L LY
LHP
PAT
hohlfeld
RHP
yunger
RHP
W YAT T HEIGHT: 5’9”
rush
BATS: R THROWS: R HEIGHT: 6’3” SR - MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
! s d r a Gift C
The card everyone collects! • Tickets • Food & Beverage • • Merchandise •
VISIT THE PIT SHOP OR PITSPITTERS.COM TO GET YOURS TODAY! 13
PLAYERS AND COACHES
2021 TRAVERSE CITY PIT SPITTERS ROSTER
OUTFIELD
SCAN QR CODE FOR DIGITAL PIT SPITTERS ROSTER
ZEB
roos
BATS: R THROWS: L SO - WOFFORD
HEIGHT: 5’11”
SCAN QR CODE FOR DIGITAL VISITOR ROSTER. SELECT TEAM FROM DROP DOWN MENU
COACHES JOSH
JEFF
FIELD MANAGER
HITTING COACH
rebandt Traverse City’s field manager is Josh Rebandt. Josh is the first and only field manager the Pit Spitters have had. The Pit Spitters are not Rebandt’s first stint in the Northwoods League. In 2018, he served as the field manager of the Battle Creek Bombers leading that team to a 38-34 record and in 2016, was the pitching coach for the Lakeshore Chinooks. Prior to 2016, he was the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator for Olivet Nazarene University from 2014 – 2016 and served as the head coach for Clearwater Christian College for three seasons, 2011 – 2014. Before becoming a coach and manager, Rebandt had an outstanding collegiate playing career. He played for one year at Adrian College when the team made the Division III World Series in 2008. He then played for and was the captain at Clearwater Christian College for three seasons and was a key player on the Division II national runnerup team in 2011. After graduation in 2011, Rebandt accepted the role of head coach for Clearwater Christian College.
chonko Jeff Chonko, entering his first season with the Pit Spitters, has played at the Division I and III levels. Jeff started at the University of Dayton and recently graduated from Wittenberg University where he was a captain and versatile player on the field. Jeff was an integral part in the program as the Tigers earned respect across the conference during his playing career. A native from Cleveland, Ohio, Chonko coached for OSF Baseball (18U) last summer in their inaugural season and led them to 20 wins and a tournament championship. Chonko specializes in catching and has a wealth of knowledge in hitting and outfield play.
Rebandt was named the 2019 Northwoods League Field Manager of the year, and has lead the Pit Spitters to multiple league records (including most wins in a season with 56 in 2019). He also led the Pit Spitters to the Northwoods League Championship in 2019, and in 2020 he led the Pit Spitters to the Michigan Pod Championship game before falling to the Kalamazoo Mac Daddies.
ROCKY
TODD
PITCHING COACH
BENCH COACH
mauriello Rocky joins the Pit Spitters this year after serving the past two summers as the Head Coach of the East Cobb Patriots, a high school travel program. Rocky pitched at DIII Maryville College and served as a team captain his senior year. After graduation he pursued his Master’s degree while serving as the Pitching Coach at Olivet Nazarene University (2019-2020). Currently he is the Pitching Coach at Florence-Darlington Technical College which is currently the #13 ranked DI Junior College team and the regular season Region X champions
14
Reid
With more than a decade of coaching experience, 2021 marks Reid’s third season with the Pit Spitters. His career includes Assistant Coach at Kenyon College (1996-97), Head Coach /Assistant Athletic Director at Eastern Nazarene College (1997-2007) and most recently, Head Coach and Assistant Professor of Excercise Health Science at Olivet Nazarene University (2007-present). He is currently the winningest coach in Olivet Nazarene University history and was awarded Coach of the Year honors in 2004 and 2016.
15
THE
100 mile per hour
MAN
FORMER PIT SPITTER
LUKE LITTLE TURNING HEADS BEFORE THE MAJOR LEAGUES
There are plenty of ways a prospect can wind up on baseball scouts’ radars.
A 4-second clip on Twitter quickly went viral and has nearly 800,000 views. Another
Throwing 105 mph is certainly one of
short video has more than 930,000 views
With that, Little became the second member
them, but that’s not exactly an easy task to
on YouTube. Little posted it to his own
of the Traverse City Pit Spitters to be drafted
accomplish. In fact, here are the prospects
Twitter page with the comment “Another PR
in the franchise’s short two-year history,
who hit 105 on the radar gun in 2020: Luke
#nofluke.”
following pitcher Chase Wheatcroft, who was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the
Little. That’s it. That’s the list. It’s hard to say if the hype helped raise
37th round of the 2019 draft.
Little, 20, wasn’t necessarily trying to
Little’s draft stock – 6-foot-8 left-handers
get within sniffing distance of the record
who can throw in the high 90s normally
In 2019, Little was trying to find a place to
for fastest pitch during his May 8, 2020,
attract at least a few scouts – but it certainly
play summer ball after finishing his freshman
workout at Showcase Baseball Academy in
didn’t hurt.
year at San Jacinto College in Houston. His pitching coach, Kevin Visser, told him about
his hometown of Charlotte, N.C. Heading into this season, Aroldis Chapman and Jordan
Regardless, Little wasn’t expecting much
the Northwoods League and Little soon was
Hicks shared the major league record with
heading into the 2020 Major League Draft.
making his first-ever trip to Michigan. After
105.1 mph fastball, although legend has it,
For one thing, the draft was shortened
spending the night at a hotel on July 5, he
Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan reached 108 mph
to only five rounds due to the COVID-19
made his way to Turtle Creek Stadium.
during the 1974 season.
pandemic. Additionally, Little had been told
After some long toss, Little figured he would
the previous summer that he could expect
“It was a little weird, like I was trying out for
to get drafted only to ultimately be let down.
the team. I threw a bullpen session in front of everyone,” he said. “After a few pitches,
settle in the mid-90s during his indoor bullpen session. But then a friend told him
“I had no expectations going into it,” Little
he was sitting at 100 mph.
said. “I was expecting nothing.”
they were like, ‘Welcome to the team.’ At that point, Little’s velocity already had jumped to the mid-90s after throwing in the
“That was insane to me,” Little said. “But I
16
kept throwing and got up to 102. Everyone in
On June 11, 2020, though, Little got word
85-88 mph range at East Mecklenburg High
the gym was going crazy when the pitching
from his advisor, Adam Rosenthal, that the
School. With the Pit Spitters, Little was able
gun showed 105. It was a crazy experience.
Chicago Cubs would be taking him in the
to consistently hit 99 mph.
It was a lot of publicity.”
fourth round with the 117th overall pick.
Continued on page 18
17
“I knew nothing about the Northwoods
“Right away, you can see he’s different out
willing to sign for kids and do it with a smile
League before I got there. I knew nothing
on the mound. His stuff is electric, with the
on his face.”
about Traverse City before I got there,” Little
speed and velocity,” Rebandt said. “And
said. “But it was an amazing experience.
his secondary pitches are really good. Not
This past off-season, Little took some time
Everything clicked really well together.”
everybody can get swings and misses on
off to give his arm a break before he headed
curves and sliders and he could. He hasn’t
to Mesa, Arizona, for his first spring training
Little appeared in 11 games with Traverse
even reached his potential yet, and he was
with the Cubs. While he didn’t appear in any
City in 2019, going 3-0 with a 1.46 ERA,
still a half step above where others were
games, he took advantage of the time to
recording 22 strikeouts, and allowing just
striving to get to.”
work on his pitching and get a small taste of
two hits in 12 1/3 innings. He also was a key
what life might be like in the Major Leagues.
contributor during the Pit Spitters’ run to the
Rebandt may have been even more
Northwoods League championship, facing
impressed
Kalamazoo in the quarterfinals and Madison
composure off the field.
with
Little’s
maturity
and
in the division finals.
“On the pitching side, I was learning little things, like how people throw certain pitches.
“I remember we had a home game and he
I’m looking forward to getting out there and
“The championship was really cool. I’d never
didn’t think he pitched particularly well.
playing baseball and hopefully move up the
been a part of a playoff run like that before,”
He’s on his way to the locker room and little
ranks as quick as possible.”
Little said. “I loved it. Everyone was playing
kids are lining up asking for his autograph,”
hard every night, everyone was competing.”
Rebandt said. “He probably signed about 15-20 baseballs. I think that says a lot about
Pit Spitters manager Josh Rebandt said
his character, that he was super cool and
Little stood out right away - and not just because he was the tallest guy on the team.
Top: Luke Little during spring training with the Chicago Cubs after being drafted in 2020. Right: Little and Manager Josh Rebandt pose for a picture after Little returned to Turtle Creek Stadium to throw out a ceremonial first pitch during the 2020 season.
18
“It was a really cool experience,” Little said.
OFFICIAL BASEBALL GLOVE, BALL & HELMET OF
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
19
20
21
FUN
! Y T N WITH MO
scots silliest ma e th f o e on Monty is ES fun and LOV Hey kids! e u g a e L of rthwoods w pages fe in the No t x e n e s! Enjoy th for and game n eye out a p e e k e sure to fun, but b ! foul balls
22
Can you help Spit and Wad find their way to Mr. Cherry Tree?
Name: Created with TheTeachersCorner.net Word Search Maker
E
A
P
Q
S
D
E
M
N
C
L
J
P
L
D
W
R
J
P
E
B
P
Z
M
G
V
V
L
J
H
E
Q
W
S
C
J
Y
M
L
D
H
I
N
E
F
T
B
P
S
E
O
M
O
M
R
Z
X
I
A
M
P
T
N
L
T
N
L
T
D
R
Q
J
J
J
X
D
N
V
Y
B
M
S
D
I
F
Z
B
K
P
R
R
L
W
L
Y
W
H
E
E
U
G
P
F
L
K
M
K
I
R
I
F
N
L
Y
S
K
V
F
R
U
I
I
K
L
O
R
B
A
S
E
B
A
L
L
C
O
U
C
S
Q
BASEBALL
A
T
N
B
R
L
Z
P
Q
S
B
M
Z
S
L
M
M
Y
H
F
SUMMER
O
T
L
T
U
G
X
H
T
L
U
H
I
G
X
E
A
H
H
H
COACH
D
E
F
Y
M
G
V
M
U
I
J
P
E
M
F
C
H
G
S
S
FOUL BALL
L
R
I
B
H
V
R
O
D
H
H
G
G
T
P
H
K
I
D
D
GRAND SLAM
O
S
W
X
O
G
F
A
O
O
V
Y
O
D
F
D
T
F
C
G
PIT SPITTERS
C
U
E
W
M
F
T
K
N
T
Y
U
Y
O
I
X
G
G
Q
Y
X
C
Q
Q
E
S
N
L
S
D
V
A
J
W
H
C
O
A
C
H
HOT DOGS
N
Q
M
N
R
S
N
Z
H
O
S
T
Y
N
J
H
R
S
U
D
N
G
K
Z
U
C
H
M
L
G
E
L
W
E
P
E
A
Y
C
Y
Y
M
T
Q
N
B
D
W
R
S
L
C
A
I
M
Z
T
V
F
L
G
H
U
Q
C
R
B
J
A
K
C
M
L
M
C
N
O
G
D
Z
U
I
J
I
Y
U
J
R
Y
U
D
C
U
W
O
S
J
G
M
V
U
O
B
Z
Y
E
J
U
M
C
E
S
Y
M
I
J
B
A
C
F
BASEBALL FOULBALL
SUMMER GRANDSLAM
COACH PITSPITTERS
BALLPARK WORD SEARCH!
MONTY GLOVE PLAYERS CHERRIES HOME RUN STADIUM 23
! Y A D O E T ailable! N I L N O K hts av g O i fl O e t B ared or priva Sh
DAILY FLIGHTS
WWW.TCBALLOONTOURS.COM 24
JUNE SEPTEMBER
| 231.818.8331
DESIGN YOUR OWN UNIFORMS!
25
Name:
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
ACROSS
Complete the crossword puzzle below 1
3. The Pit Spitters field is made of this. Hint: It’s not grass! 5. Players swing this; also the name of an animal 6. Turtle Creek Stadium is the home of the________. 9. Players run around these
2
3
4
6
5
7
DOWN
8
1. Where the players and coaches sit during a game 2. The best mascot in the Northwoods League! 4. The player that stands on the mound 5. The game the Pit Spitters play 7. A baseball game has nine of these 8. A _____ tells you where your seat is and let’s you into the game
9 Created using the Crossword Maker on TheTeachersCorner.net
Down
of this. Hint: It's not grass! ame of an animal. to the _______!
1. Where the players and coaches sit during a game. 2. The best mascot in the Northwoods League! 4. The player that stands on the mound. 5. The game the Pit Spitters play 7. A baseball game has nine of these. 8. A _____ tells you where your seat is.
UR O Y E T A R CELEB BIRTHDAY AT THE ! BALLPARK
K R A P BA L L DAYS ! H T R I B
PACKAGE INCLUDES: • Discount for Groups of 10 or more • Throw out a first pitch • And more!
PRESENTED BY:
CALL TO BOOK TODAY! 26
231-943-0100
LEADING THE COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY Our mission is to provide technology that supports Public Safety and Industry with innovative products and services combined to form one complete Inter-operable Network of Communications in Voice, Data and Video
Phone: 231-929-2934
Email: RadioNorthSales@gmail.com 27
A
tale OF two seasons Manager Josh Rebandt and his wife, Tiffany, love The Cheesecake Factory. They don’t go there often, though, because the wait to get a table often extends to two hours or more. Nevertheless, on the night of Friday, March 13, 2020, the couple headed to the popular restaurant during peak dinner hours anyway - and were seated right away.
That might have been one of the first signs that the 2020 season was going to look significantly different than it did in 2019 for the Traverse City Pit Spitters.
Enthusiasm for local baseball was rejuvenated when the Pit Spitters debuted at Turtle Creek Stadium on May 28, 2019, against the Green Bay Booyah. The previous Traverse City team, the Beach Bums, had been purchased in the fall of 2018 by the West Michigan Whitecaps, the Detroit Tigers’ Class A affiliate, and the Pit Spitters – it took a few more months to settle on the nickname - joined the Northwoods League, one of the top collegiate summer leagues in the country.
p - 2019 Pit Spitters Championshi
Pit Spitters Team - 20 20
Excitement continued to grow throughout the summer as the Pit Spitters followed a 1213 start with an historic 18-game winning streak and wins in 44 of their final 51 games. Traverse City rode that momentum to postseason wins over the Kalamazoo Growlers and Madison Mallards. Then, before a home crowd of 4,636 fans, the Pit Spitters defeated the Eau Claire Express 3-2 to capture their first Northwoods League Championship in their inaugural season.
“After nine, 10, 11 games, it was like we couldn’t lose and we were doing everything right,” pitcher Pat Hohlfeld said. “Everything clicked. Everyone was on their A-game and it was a lot of fun. You felt like you could beat anybody.”
Heading into that off-season, Rebandt and his coaching staff quickly made arrangements for several members of the roster to return in 2020 and make another run at the title.
“After the game, (bench coach Todd Reid) said, ‘See you next year’ ” Hohlfeld said. “I just said, ‘I’m looking forward to it.’ ”
Then the whole world changed.
Pitcher Cade Heil only pitched 37 innings in 2019 before an innings restriction ended his summer. He was looking forward to returning to Traverse City in the summer of 2020 after finishing his junior year at the University of North Georgia.
“It wasn’t much of a thought,” Heil said. “I wanted to go back. I was super excited.” In mid-March, though, he boarded a team bus to play a conference series. Then his coaching staff boarded 15 minutes prior to their 5 p.m. scheduled departure to break the bad news that something called COVID-19 had ended the season.
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 31) 28
29
It’s just not baseball without in-shell peanuts. Available at the ballpark and in your grocery store’s produce department. hamptonfarms.com
let 's
PlayBall2 #bettertogether
MITCHELL MARKETING SOLUTIONS
BUILDING BRANDS THAT WIN design print mail solutions
mitchellgraphics.com | 231.347.4635 PETOSKEY & TRAVERSE CITY 30
“I remember exactly where I was. The coaches came on and said, ‘Hey, we’re not going yet. We don’t know what’s going to happen, ” Heil said. “We had the bus fully loaded and were ready to go. But in less than 24 hours, we went from getting on a bus and playing a conference series to going home and the season was done.” Over in North Carolina, Hohlfeld was wrapping up a tournament with his Thomas Jefferson University teammates. They were preparing to leave when Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference officials tweeted that play was suspended. Ten minutes later, the NCAA tweeted the same thing. “We were chilling in the cafeteria like it was another day,” Hohlfeld said. “And then it was just over.”
facets of the sports world. The NCAA cancelled not only the remainder of the 2020 baseball season, but the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments as well. Major League Baseball eventually made the decision to shelve the entire minor league season.
Rebandt, Reid, and the rest of the coaching staff made sure to stay in constant contact with the players. If there was going to be a season, they wanted to be ready.
The Northwoods League was similarly left in limbo.
Amidst the uncertainly, many of the other summer leagues cancelled their seasons. Traverse City and the Northwoods League, meanwhile, seized the opportunity to salvage the season by creating a “pod,” where three teams could rotate play at Turtle Creek Stadium while still satisfying local COVID-19 health protocols.
“We didn’t know if we were even going to have a team,” Rebandt said. “After the championship season, we had so many people reaching out and contacting us. We had so much interest as opposed to the year before almost being a nobody. “My biggest concern was losing players just from the unknown. I didn’t want that to happen if we ended up having season.”
The coronavirus pandemic affected all
It was just hard to know what exactly they needed to be ready for.
On July 1, Traverse City kicked off an abbreviated season that was scheduled to last two months against temporary teams (CONTINUED ON PAGE 32)
m Creek Stadiu od" in Turtle "p e th up e ad d Resorters m Pit Spitters an
Two team summer with roun d robin play 31
called the Great Lakes Resorters and Northern Michigan Dune Bears. And then, almost as soon as play resumed, the entire effort was almost scuttled. “It was weird. When we first got there, no one knew what to do,” Heil said. “We didn’t even know if we should go up and hug our teammates from last summer. But we finally got to the first game – and then there was the outbreak.” Only three days into the new season, play had to be paused for two weeks after multiple players from both the Resorters and Dune Bears tested positive for the coronavirus. As a result, the Dune Bears were forced to be dissolved after going 1-1. Finally, on July 19, the Pit Spitters and Resorters resumed their seasons and proceeded to live out their own version of “Groundhog Day,” facing only each other, day after day after day, all at Turtle Creek Stadium. “That definitely made your heart sink. I literally played one game and then we were put into a two-week shutdown,” Hohlfeld said. “I know some guys were frustrated, but it was the best they could do. A lot of us were just happy to be playing baseball.
“No one had been through something like this before. We just had to roll with the punches.” Fortunately, after the two-week pause, the two teams were able to play out the rest of the six-week schedule without any additional disruptions in front of crowds of only 500 fans due to safety protocols that also included daily temperature checks and health screenings for the players and coaching staff. After all the uncertainty and relative monotony, the Pit Spitters were able to persevere and advance to the Michigan Northwoods League Pod Championship game after defeating the Resorters, 6-3, one last time on September 4. Two nights later, the Pit Spitters faced the Kalamazoo MacDaddies for the title at Turtle Creek Stadium. Hohlfeld, who pitched for Traverse City throughout the summer, had returned to school in Philadelphia shortly before the playoffs began. Since his classes were being held virtually, he decided to leave campus and make the 13-hour drive back to Traverse City on the off chance that he could pitch in the championship game.
vs Resorters tching in 2020 Pi il He e ad C
32
Hohlfeld arrived the night before the title game and was quickly swabbed for a COVID test. The results were supposed to be analyzed and returned before the game started. And then they weren’t. “When I took the COVID test, they said it would definitely be done in 12 hours,” Hohlfeld said. “Well, 18 hours went by and they didn’t have it. Then the game was starting, and they still don’t have it. I’m warming up in the batting cages so I can be ready to go as soon as it gets there. Finally, it arrived, and they sent me right down to the field. “That was a super-anxious time span.” After spending the first 2 1/3 innings in the clubhouse, Hohlfeld relieved Traverse City starter John Beuckelaere and gave up only one run on five hits in 6 1/3 innings. Despite the stellar performance, the Pit Spitters struggled to generate offense and ended their dreams of a repeat championship with a 4-1 loss to Kalamazoo. “I was glad I went back for the team,” Hohlfeld said. “We were put in a tough situation, but we still had a heck of a team at the end of the season. No regrets.” (CONTINUED ON PAGE 34)
Pat Hohlfeld - Pt iching vs MacDad dies 2020
Attend games on the following dates to see a thrilling post-game firework display!
FRIDAY, JULY 2 | SATURDAY, JULY 3 | FRIDAY, JULY 16 | SATURDAY, JULY 30
Fairs & Festivals Holiday Celebrations Weddings Concerts Corporate Events And More! P.O. Box 276 | West Branch, MI 48661 | 989.726.5040 | glfpyro.com
33
“I’m an extremely competitive person, but I tried to be grateful to have these guys play and compete,” Rebandt said. “I knew it was going to be weird and different and so much of my internal passion had to be toned back because it was an odd year. “But I had to take a step back and say to myself, ‘Whatever happens, I’m OK because they’re getting a chance to play.’ ” “It was 100 percent worth it,” Heil said. “When we had the two-week shutdown, there were a couple days where I was really wondering if it was worth it to stay up here. There were times when I thought it might be worth it to go home. But once we got started again and could play? It was so worth it.” The Pit Spitters are optimistic that the 2021 season will be more like 2019 than 2020 in virtually every way imaginable. Taking bus rides together. Enjoying the locker room together. Facing all their rivals in the Northwoods League. Playing in front of thousands of fans again instead of hundreds. Returning to something resembling normal. Regardless of how this season winds up, they will be grateful to have another summer of baseball. They’re already familiar with what the alternative looks like. “I think we’re always going to have the shutdown in the back of our minds,” Rebandt said. “There were still a little bit of nerves going into this year, but knowing our front office and our coaching staff, we’re going to make sure this thing is running really well.” -END-
34
Your People. Our Passion. Unblock Growth With a Local HR Partner Partner with AXIOS HR, a homegrown company with an intimate connection to the business and legal landscape in Michigan. Let AXIOS HR expertly handle your HR administrative tasks, freeing your business to focus on growth and development.
Impact to Your Business
• Payroll Processing
• Workers Comp
• Reporting and Inquires
• Claim Management
• Paid Time Off
• Regulation
• Timeclock System
• Unemployment
• Employee Relations
• Benifits Strategy
• Onboarding
• Benefits Administration
• Employee Handbook
• Employee Support
• HR System/Platform
• Buying Power
• Positive ROI • Faster Growth Rate • Realize Operating Efficiencies • Increased Employee Retention • Buying Power
Contact us for a FREE consultation today Call 844.44.AXIOS or visit www.axioshr.com
35
A-Z Guide ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES: The Traverse City Pit Spitters administrative offices are open Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5pm. ALCOHOL MANAGEMENT: In compliance with Michigan state law, anyone under the age of 21 will not be served alcohol at anything happening at Turtle Creek Stadium. If customers wish to consume alcohol, they must have their hand stamped. Customers can get their hand stamped at any alcohol sales location. Violators of the law will be removed from the ballpark. ANIMALS: Guide dogs or assistance dogs are welcome at Turtle Creek Stadium. Must have proper identification. No other animals will be permitted unless a promotional night warrants, ex. Bark and Brews. APPEARANCES: Schools and other organizations may request a player or mascot appearance by calling the Pit Spitters front office at (231) 943-0100 ext. 205. ATM: There is a West Shore Bank ATM located inside the Pit Shop souvenir store. AUTOMOBILE ASSISTANCE: Fans who encounter vehicle troubles while visiting Turtle Creek Stadium may receive assistance from Pit Spitters staff. If your vehicle won’t start, or you need some help, simply lift the hood of your car and contact a Pit Spitters representative. BABY DIAPER CHANGING STATIONS: Located in the family restroom behind home plate, in the suite level women’s restroom, first base side women’s restroom, and third base side men’s restrooms. BAG CHECK: Pit Spitters security reserves the right to inspect and confiscate any package or container coming into the ballpark. Purses, backpacks, and diaper bags are permitted, but subject to search upon entry. BARRIER-FREE SEATING AND PARKING: The Pit Spitters provide wheelchair accessible and companion seating in the reserved seating area. All of our group hospitality areas, including our suite level, feature easy wheelchair accessibility. Our parking lot has handicapped reserved parking spaces near the front of the parking lot. Proper identification is required to use these spaces. BIRTHDAYS PRESENTED BY FAMILY FARE: Fans wishing to purchase a birthday party package should contact the Pit Spitters front office no less than 5 days prior to the event at (231) 943-0100. CONCESSIONS: Pit Spitters concessions are located all along the concourse, with main concession areas located halfway down either baseline. We also have satellite concessions located throughout the concourse. Beer only and cashless lines will be available at the main concession stands. CRAFT CLUBHOUSE PRESENTED BY SHORT’S BREWING COMPANY: Located on the third base concourse and features a large variety of Michigan-made craft beer E-MAIL: Pit Spitters administrative staff e-mail addresses consist of their first name and last initial @ pitspitters.com. For example: mickeyg@pitspitters.com for General Manager Mickey Graham. The general e-mail is info@pitspitters.com. Pit Spitters players do not have individual e-mails through the team. FAN MAIL: Player fan mail may be sent care of Traverse City Pit Spitters ATTN: Clubhouse, 333 Stadium Drive, Traverse City, MI 49685 FIRST AID: The first aid station is located on the first base side of the ballpark in Guest services. FOOD AND DRINK: Outside coolers, cans, bottles, or food will not be permitted in the ballpark, with exceptions for baby products and medical necessities. FOUL BALLS: Fans may keep any ball that it hit or thrown into the stands. However, any ball or bat thrown can be potentially dangerous - please stay alert at all times. Those leaving the park to retrieve a ball will need to show their game ticket for re-entry and bags are subject to search. GATES OPEN: On game days, Turtle Creek Stadium will open its gates for the public one hour before first pitch is scheduled. 36
GROUP OUTINGS: Groups of 10 or more may book outings through the Pit Spitters Front Office. Please call (231)-943-0100 for more information. LOST AND FOUND: Lost and found items can be taken to and retrieved from the Guest Services area located at the end of the first base side of the concourse. MERCHANDISE SEAT DELIVERY: During the game, you can go online to shop.pitspitters. com, place an online order, and have it delivered directly to your seat. Please specify section and seat number and select “game time delivery” in the drop down box. NATIONAL ANTHEM PRESENTED BY CHERRYLAND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE: Those interested in performing the National Anthem prior to a Pit Spitters game should send an email and audio file of your “a capella” version of the National Anthem to Britani Eaton at BritaniE@pitspitters.com. PAGING: The public address system at the ballpark will be used for paging in extreme cases only. Those needing to page someone should report to Guest Services located on the first base side of the concourse. PARKING: Parking is just $5 at the ballpark for cars and $10 for buses and RVs. Motorcycle parking is available for $5 as well. Lots open 2 hours prior to the first pitch. PIT SHOP: The Pit Spitters souvenir shop can be found on the concourse behind Homeplate. The Pit Shop is open on gamedays at 10am. The souvenir shop closes two hours before game time and opens again when the gates open. Fans will be accommodated during normal business hours Monday – Friday from 10am-5pm. PIT SPITTERS PERFORMANCE CENTER: Available for rentals for anything from baseball practice to birthday parties! Call our front office for more information at 231-943-0100 PIT STOP BAR BY TRAVERSE CITY WHISKEY CO.: Located on the concourse level, behind home plate and features specialty craft cocktails, wine, and more. PLAYGROUND: The playground is located in right field of the lawn seating area. The Pit Spitters provide a playground attendant but cannot be held responsible for the actions of children in the playground. Parents are strongly encouraged to monitor their children. PROMOTIONS: The promotions schedule is available on our website in the “Schedule” drop down menu. PUBLICATIONS: The Pit Spitters publish a free full-color program and a scorecard for each series of games. RAIN CHECKS: In the event that 5 innings of one game are not played, except when the Pit Spitters are in the lead at the end of 4 ½ innings, any ticket from that game will be good for exchange for the same price ticket to any regular season Pit Spitters home game this season. All exchanges are subject to availability. There are no cash refunds for tickets for a rain-out game. Also, any rainout tickets purchased online may be exchanged at the Pit Spitters box office only. RESTROOMS: Restrooms are located on the concourse level on the first and third base sides, as well as on the suite level. All the restrooms at the ballpark are wheelchair accessible. SECURITY: The Pit Spitters have multiple security personnel at each game. In the event of a security problem, notify a member of security, a member of the Pit Spitters staff or report to Guest Services located on the first base side of the concourse.
SMOKING: The Pit Spitters ballpark is a smoke-free facility (including e-cigarettes and vaping). You may smoke outside of the main gate areas to the left of the ticket windows. Your ticket will be needed for re-entry. SPEAKERS BUREAU: Organizations seeking a speaker from the Pit Spitters should contact Britani Eaton at BritaniE@pitspitters.com. TAILGATING: Tailgating is not allowed at Turtle Creek Stadium. TICKET OFFICE HOURS: The Pit Spitters ticket office is open during the season Monday through Friday from 10am-6pm and during all home games. On weekend home dates, the advanced ticket sales window opens 3 hours before the first pitch and closes after the game. Visit pitspitters.com to order tickets online!
GREAT LAKES MOTORCOACH... THE CHARTER CHOICE OF THE TRAVERSE CITY PIT SPITTERS! Charters or Tours
Corporate Events
School Tours Airport Shuttles
Convention Services
Closest to the heart of Traverse City and a local golf tradition for over 57 years. Elmbrook Golf Course is proud to be the home course and partner of the Traverse City Pit Spitters.
GREAT LAKES MOTORCOACH 3933 Three Mile Road NW Grand Rapids, MI 49534 (800) 722-9522 or (616) 791-8831 greatlakesmotorcoach.com
Mention this ad and receive a complimentary bucket of range balls.
37
Front Office Staff Joe Chamberlin............................................................................................................................................ CEO/Managing Member Mickey Graham.........................................................................................................................................................General Manager Sam Connell............................................................................................................................................................... Director of Sales Britani Eaton..................................................................................................... Promotions & Community Engagement Manager Kendall Patrick....................................................................................................................................................Operations Manager Katie Johnson.......................................................................................................................................... Food & Beverage Manager Ian Williamson..................................................................................................................Box Office and Ticket Sales Coordinator Rickey Rissman.................................................................................................................. Ticket & Sponsorship Sales Consultant Cameron Foster............................................................................................................................................ Operations Coordinator Linda Caswell......................................................................................................................................................... Office Coordinator
The Original. Authentic. Still Family Owned Since 1955. 210 US-31, TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49685 231.715.4046 | FARMANDFLEET.COM
PROUDLY SUPPORTING THE TRAVERSE CITY COMMUNITY! 38
BRING SUSTAINABILITY HOME
DTE’s CleanVision is about taking action now to ensure a healthier, happier future for generations to come. And you can be a part of our clean vision, too. In addition to energy efficiency savings programs, rebates and tools, you can sign up for the Natural Gas Balance program —helping offset your home’s emissions. To cut costs and your environmental impact, go to www.empoweringmichigan.com/earth-day.
39
40