Today was one of the most stressful and frustrating days in my career as Official International Molar Bicuspid and Canine Collector, or the Growing Smiles Tooth Fairy (as popular culture prefers to refer to me as).  It’s not the job that has become overwhelming or anything.  I’ve been involved in a copyright infringement lawsuit for around 237 years with the United States Postal Service and it still hasn’t progressed much further than a dead standstill.  I’m trying to sue them because they’ve been using MY official motto as THEIR official motto since their creation in 1775.  I’m sure you’ve heard it before.  “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”  Sound familiar?  That’s because I’ve been using it since cavemen first cried “cavity!”  And now because of this trial, they’ve made a liar out of me.  On Sunday, it rained so hard the Hickory Crawdads were forced to cancel their game against the Savannah Sand Gnats because of the inclement weather.  Along these lines, every child who woke up to find their own tooth under their pillow instead of some change assumed it was because of the excessive precipitation.  This couldn’t be further from the truth.  No matter how damp the infield gets at L.P. Frans Stadium, it’s never enough to dampen my drive to complete my duties.  It’s just this silly trial has sidelined me for a bit, and I don’t have any time to spare.  In fact, my good friend Dr. Ross Penland at Growing Smiles informed me that 73% of Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss!  Just imagine how many people lose teeth as a result!  Anyway I must get going.  I’m working double duty tonight as the Growing Smiles Tooth Fairy for the Hickory Crawdads and as Official International Molar Bicuspid and Canine Collector for, well, the world. 

This is the Tooth Fairy’s 1st year with the Crawdads.  Although he works nonstop, around the clock for most of the year, in his free time he enjoys baking, eating, and throwing pies, playing NBA Jam, and flossing.

Time: 10:22 P.M, April 29, 2012.

Location: Hickory Crawdads Front Office

Status: Attempting to write a blog

Problem: In just 8 short hours I will be back at L.P. Frans Stadium, helping to make over 12,000 hot dogs for our second day game of this homestand. At 10:00 tomorrow fans will enter the gates, and those with senior and education groups will be receiving a lunch which includes chips, a hot dog and a drink. They probably would like those hot dogs to be cooked. That’s where we come in.

In order to good that many hot dogs and still have the stadium game ready by 10, we have to get here soooo early (before the sun is even out!) to cook, bun, wrap…cook, bun, wrap…cook, bun, wrap…etc. Ok, I may be making this out to be worse than it is. And, honestly, I really like ending a homestand with a day game because the earlier the game starts, the earlier the game ends (and a nap can begin).  But still. No matter how many day games I’ll work in the future, cooking over a thousand hot dogs before most of you are even awake will never be something I’m used to. Now, if we are talking about a thousand strips of bacon then it’s a different conversation completely. Probably one with my mouth full. I digress. Hot dogs. 1,200 of them. 6:30 A.M. It’s now 10:35 P.M. The clock is ticking.

Jeff is entering his second season with the ‘Dads and first as the Director of Food & Beverage.  The Oneonta, NY native joined the Crawdads in 2011 as a concessions assistant, and has previously worked with the Oneonta Outlaws as a sports marketing intern.  Jeff is a die-hard fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and North Carolina Tar Heels.

To: ryanexpress34@hotmail.com

From: laddison@hickorycrawdads.net

Subject:  Hidden gem

Dear President Ryan,

            My name is Luke Addison.  I am in my first season as Concessions Assistant at your single-A affiliate, the Hickory Crawdads.  Since I am a loyal member of the Rangers organization, I am emailing you today to let you know that I have found the missing piece in our organizations quest for the Commissioner’s Trophy. 

I know I don’t have to remind you, of all people, how close the Rangers have been to winning the whole kit and caboodle, but one can’t help reminiscing.  2010 was a banner year with the first World Series appearance in franchise history.  Despite the quick defeat, the team came back better than ever and was just a pitch away from hoisting the trophy.  If Nelson Cruz could have just come up with that fly ball in the bottom of the 9^th in Game 6… ahh still too soon, I know.  This year’s Rangers returned with mostly the same roster intact.  Adding young phenom Yu Darvish was a savvy move to replace C.J. Wilson in the rotation, and the team is off to a sizzling start to this season.

Now, for no charge at all, I am about to give you the final ingredient to the Rangers championship cake.  As you know, the first year player draft is coming up June 4^th where teams will be drafting their stars of tomorrow.  We have the 29^th pick, and I am writing to suggest we go an unconventional route this year.  There is a pitcher in Division III that I think will put us over the top.  He plays at Muskingum University, in the same league that produced longtime major leaguer Terry Mulholland.  His name is Logan Addison.  Oh, and he is my brother.

Logan is a 6’2”, 195 pound right hander that possesses an arsenal consisting of a low 80’s   fastball, a slick slider, and a change-up that keeps hitters guessing.  He may not have the “Ryan Express” at his disposal but there are major leaguers right now who throw in the same range.   In 16 appearances (2 starts), the junior has commanded an impressive 2.92 ERA with an equally remarkable 8 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio. (According to the Muskingum Athletics twitter feed, Logan ranks 6^th in all of Division III in fewest walks allowed per 9 innings.)   

Logan also possesses the necessary confidence that you look for when you hand the ball to someone.  “I like to be the man with the ball and be able to control the game. I want to go out and throw well to give my team a chance to win,” he says.  This coming from a guy who says his most memorable baseball moment was “the first time I stepped on the mound for the Muskies was against the #5 team in the nation. I thought I was a hot shot that was going to show everyone how sweet I was. The first pitch I threw was a double in the gap.”  I think that he’s recovered nicely.

Teammates and fans rave about Logan, who could also provide a major boost in attendance.  “He’s a man, a mighty mighty good man” says fellow pitcher Todd Spadaro.  Adds Matt Free “He is a prodigy, with a glimmering chain.” Because, as we all know, every great athlete has to rock some bling.  “He makes us so proud, and he’s just so stinking cute out there” says his #1 fan Trish.  (Ok that last quote might have been from our mom, but you get the picture.)  If that doesn’t convince you, feel free to check him out in action tonight when Muskingum takes on Case Western at the Jake in Cleveland.  (It will always be Jacobs Field to me.) 

Just imagine this scenario, Mr. Ryan.  Game 7.  Top of the 9^th.   Rangers clinging to a one run lead.  1 out.  Runners at the corners.  Feliz has pitched a beauty but he’s gassed.  Ron Washington strolls to the mound and points his right index finger toward the pen.  Suddenly “No Diggity” by Blackstreet blares from the speakers.  The crowd works itself into a frenzy as the L-train emerges from the ‘pen.  People are dancing on the dugout tops like it’s the end of Major League as Logan takes his warm up pitches.  After things finally settle down, Logan unleashes a 82 mph heater on the next hitter.  He sends a weak roller to short.  Andrus flips it to Kinsler for one.  On to first…  Go crazy Texas.  Go crazy.

Yours Truly,

Luke E. Addison

P.S.  I know I said my tip was for free, but my internship is finished at the end of August…

Luke is beginning his first year with the Hickory Crawdads as a concessions assistant.  Previously, Luke has worked in baseball with the Akron Aeros, the Cleveland Indians Double A – Affiliate.  He was born and raised in Uhrichsville, OH and attended Kent State University where he earned a degree in Sports Administration and a minor in Business.  Luke has simple tastes, enjoying warm weather, funny jokes, and dancing.

The Crawdads home opener is just over 24 hours away and the atmosphere at LP Frans stadium shows it.  The front office staff is eager to see the Crawdads on the field and fans in the stadium.  For me, opening day is exciting because it brings the feeling of summertime to the ballpark.  Fans will have their first opportunity of the year to grab a hot dog and a beer, and enjoy Crawdads baseball at LP Frans.  To make things better, the Crawdads have started the season at 4-2 and have a very legitimate shot at another first half title in the Northern division.  Aside from great baseball on the field, the front office staff has a thorough schedule of events before, during, and after games this season.  After all, LP Frans Stadium is where fun happens.  Opening weekend will feature Sneak Peek Night, our Red Carpet Grand Opening, Friday Night Fireworks, and Eric Church bobbleheads. 

This is my first season in Hickory and the anticipation I have seen throughout western North Carolina for the Crawdads season has made me realize what a great sports town Hickory is.  Fans are not only excited, but very knowledgeable.  I have had as many educated conversations about the Texas Rangers and their organization in western North Carolina as I did in Texas.  It’s nice to see that Crawdads fans are also Texas Rangers’ fans, and that they support the entire organization.  There are numerous minor league baseball teams in the US and I am extremely grateful to be part of the Hickory Crawdads and to be living in western Carolina.  Only 29 hours until LP Frans opens….

Alex joins the Crawdads as a group sales assistant in his first year with Hickory.  He is a native of Austin, TX and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Legal Studies.  Alex is no stranger to the Rangers organization, as he worked various game day duties with the Triple A affiliate, Round Rock Express.  He enjoys staying active outdoors playing sports.

Today is a great day.  It’s Friday (Good Friday to be exact), about 70 some degrees and sunny, and its opening day for my hometown Brewers as well as my NEW hometown team, the Crawdads (thanks to a rainout last night).  It is possibly the greatest day of the year.  People are skipping work and class back in America’s Dairyland to watch a game that is uniquely American.  It is a beautiful day.

There are many great things about baseball.  The tailgating, hours before the game, the look and smell of the ball field mixed with the brats, hot dogs, and beer, and of course, the game itself.  Even if you don’t know baseball, even if you don’t LIKE baseball, it’s still fun to go to the ball park.  What makes baseball enjoyable is the easiness of it.  It’s relaxing and exciting at the same time.  You can be locked in on the game if you want, but if you have no interest you can enjoy the food, adult beverages, or little games and gimmicks that all ball parks provide. 

So, whether you’re a fan of the game or not, I encourage you to get out to a ball park.  Go out and enjoy the little things.  There is something for everyone at any ball field, from sandlots to MLB stadiums.  Remember, most of us will be working for the majority of our lives, we deserve a break sometimes.  And that’s what opening day provides.  It’s break time.  Get to a ballpark.  If you cant, turn on the radio and listen to your local play by play guy (92.1 The Big Dawg for Andrew “The Voice” Buchbinder for all 140 Crawdads games). 

It’s a great day, enjoy the game.

Jeff enters his first season as media relations assistant with the Crawdads.  Born and raised in Waukesha, WI, Jeff graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in Communications while also playing baseball for the Huskies during his time there.  He has previously worked with 1250 Sports Radio in Milwaukee, WI as well as Comcast Cable at their Cambridge studio.  He is an avid Wisconsin sports fan who stays busy playing sports, watching movies, and enjoying various outdoor activities. 

In a few days my unquenchable thirst for baseball and its traditions will be satiated once more.  I’m talking about tailgating.  I’m talking about the gleefully endless archives of player and team statistics.  I’m talking about sharing a six pack of Millers with my college buddy on opening day, a tradition never missed in five years going so far as to conduct 2010’s meeting via Skype while he was studying in Spain.  And, not unlike everyone else who shares my obsession with The Show, I’m excited to see how offseason moves will change the fortunes of certain organizations and this year is chock full of them.  Pujols to the Angels.  Fielder to the Tigers.  The new look Miami Marlins.  And perhaps the biggest headliner of them all, Yu Darvish, the 25 year old hurler considered to be Japan’s best pitcher boasting an eight pitch arsenal whom the Rangers paid $51.7 million just to talk to about signing a contract.  The amount of money Texas is throwing at this guy is enough to turn a lot of heads his direction but will he pan out the way everybody hopes he will? 

In three Spring Training starts this year Darvish’s numbers have been decently decent.  He has pitched a total of nine innings and posted an ERA of 3.00, a WHIP of 1.44, with 10 K’s, 7 walks and one hit batsmen.  He has only given up six hits and three earned runs, one of which to fellow countryman and current Milwaukee Brewer Norichika Aoki.  (That last note was completely unimportant and irrelevant I just like plugging my team whenever I get the chance and I’m glad a Japanese player has joined the Boys in Brew).  Darvish’s numbers right now don’t scream “dangerous” as they rarely will for any player in Spring Training because, hey it’s Spring Training but his potential for success is what’s really scary due to the eight pitches he isn’t afraid to use at any moment.  Sure, most pitchers can throw a variety of pitches but usually narrow it down to three or four they can say are their bread and butter.  But eight?  That’s at least a half a loaf of bread and a whole stick of butter for Darvish.  He’s got a decent fastball at around 94 mph, a mean swing and miss splitter, a slider in the high 80’s complemented by a slower slurve pitch with a higher break point, and isn’t afraid to throw curveballs, changeups, and a ground out cutter in there either.  For those keeping track at home I’ve only listed seven pitches.  Perhaps his eighth is the elusive gyroball.  Who cares, seven is still nuts.

I’ve looked forward to a pitcher’s first start several times in the past.  I can’t say I ever watched an entire Nationals game (if they weren’t playing the Brewers) before Stephen Strasburg’s EPIC debut and of course the first time CC pitched for Milwaukee.  But I’ve developed a recent fascination with Japanese players in the MLB that makes me really look forward to the Darvish debut.  Baseball just seems so different over there.  It’s as though the game I love dearly evolved into distinct species who share a common ancestor that emerged somewhere around 1860 AD and I love to see these close relatives meet face to face.  I hope it isn’t so different that Yu doesn’t experience the same success he did in Japan, but if that’s the case, maybe they’ll send him all the way down to the Rangers Class A affiliate and my new place of work, the Hickory Crawdads.  It’s quite the pipe dream and most definitely won’t happen, but man would I love to see this guy in action. 

Kyle starts his first year with the Hickory Crawdads as a community relations assistant after recently graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a double major in Radio, TV, and Film and Psychology.  He is a proud born and raised small town Wisconsinite, diehard fan of the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers, and is also an avid film aficionado.  In Kyle’s free time, he enjoys cheering on his teams with friends, meeting new people, playing sports, watching movies, growing facial hair, and dominating eating challenges.  

Ok, here it goes. I have found it hard to write blogs these past few weeks, not only because we are approaching less than a month away from opening day but also because I am not that creative of a writer. I have always written what I am told to write about and I have been relatively successful at it but now that I have to actually write something without being told (well besides being told by the pesky media relations assistant), it has put me in a pickle. So, sitting here in my living room enjoying the last bit of sanity I have until April 12th, I decided to take a shot at it. 

I say sanity like my life has been sane the last month. Besides getting the season started and making sure all the calls are made and all the Claw Club memberships are ready, I have also been dealing with the purchase of a new car. I found the perfect car at Dale Earnhardt Chevy (my sponsor plug), they were great help and was excited to purchase my first car on my own. From there the long stressful process begun, the phone calls to banks, relaying the message to my mom and then back to the bank really started getting me stressed. Eventually, I got all of the financing worked out and I was on my way to sign all the papers to finally get this car as mine…only problem my insurance would not carry anymore because they found out I was no longer an Ohio resident. 

This news crushed me! I was so close to getting this car and another obstacle stopped me. This obstacle was not what I wanted to hear though, the only way I would be able to get car insurance is if the car that I was going to purchase was going to be titled and plated in North Carolina. Getting different insurance was not what made me flustered but the fact that I will no long be toting around my Ohio license plates, Ohio driver’s license and that I will essentially be, sigh, a North Carolina resident. 

I understand that this change was inevitable but I did not think it was going to come this abruptly.  I am Ohio, I love my home state, it is the BEST State and I did not want to change. Until, Jared, my roommate and co-worker, pointed out just because I am changing my residency does not mean I am not an Ohioan, it just means I am an Ohioan living in North Carolina. 

I am excited for this adventure and look forward to my years living in the Carolinas, until then I am still going to enjoy being from Ohio. I am going to cheer for Ohio State in the final four, I am going to look forward to the football season and see what excitement Urban Meyer can bring to Columbus. I look forward to opening day for the Reds and anticipate all the great trades and draft picks the Bengals select. Oh, and I am going to keep on telling everyone fun Ohio trivia, like Columbus is ranked the number one zoo in the US and Wendy’s originated out of Columbus.  Until then, you will see me driving around Hickory with my new car and license plates but I still know I am and will always be an Ohioan! 

Megan enters her first year as Director of Community Relations after spending time as a group sales assistant with the Crawdads.  She is a native of Columbus, OH and a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in sport management.  She has worked with the BGSU Athletic Department and the United Way of Central Ohio.  She is an Ohio State fan and enjoys playing soccer and spending time with friends and family.

Hey! This is my first post on the Crawdads blog and I figured it would be best if I first introduced myself and tell you who I am.  My name is Ashley Fernandez and I am from Tampa, Florida.  I moved to North Carolina for college and while I am not a true born and bred, I have fallen in love with the University of North Carolina and I can proudly say I am a Tar Heel. For the past three years I’ve attended school there, and will graduate this December with a degree in journalism and sports administration.

As of today I have officially been working with the Crawdads for 2months and 10 days.  And boy does time fly!  It seems like yesterday I was starting my first day and there was 80+ days on the calendar till our first home stand.  Now we have 23 days left and our first game is just around the corner!  I’ve had a great experience so far working at the stadium and cannot wait for the season to begin.  There have been so many things I have done as an intern thus far from brainstorming themes for our 70 home games to developing our pocket schedule.  I’ve worked on making our videos, planning for our holiday parties and gone off on various Conrad and Candy appearances.  All of my adventures here at work have been great.  Each day brings something new, and you never know what tomorrow has in store.  I love that I get to work at a ballpark everyday and am grateful for the staff I work with here.  Needless to say, I am happy I made the move to Hickory and am enjoying being an intern.

Ashley enters her first year with the Hickory Crawdads as a promotions assistant after spending time as a marketing and promotions assistant with Clear Channel Tampa and the University of Tampa Athletics.  Originally from Tampa, Florida, Ashley attends the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is currently majoring in Journalism and Sports Administration.  In her spare time, Ashley spends time with family and friends, goes to the beach, plays sports, and volunteers. 

This weekend marks the 1 month anniversary in my relationship with the city of Hickory.  It seems only yesterday that my parents were helping me move my clothes and my three pieces of furniture into my apartment.  While we may not be buying each other chocolates and flowers to celebrate, it’s safe to say that the two of us have developed a quick and passionate bond.  So much has happened in just 30 days that it seems as though any second now I will wake up back in Ohio tucked safely away under my Thomas the Tank Engine sheets.

My first impression of Hickory was that whoever designed the street plans was either a major prankster or a lunatic.  Almost all of the streets have numbers in their title.  There is 5^th St SE; 5^th St. Pl. SE; 5^th Ave NE; 5^th Ave Dr. NE; and probably a 5^th Ave. Pl. Dr. Blvd. Ct. Ln. Rd. St. SW somewhere.  So imagine my frustration the first week as I was sitting at the corner of 2^nd and 2^nd with no idea as to which way to proceed.  (I have since figured out that streets go north and south, avenues east and west, and the direction represents the quadrant of the city they’re located in.  The difference between 29^th Ave. and 29^th Ave. Dr.?  You’ve got me). 

The adjustment to a new bed time was, and still is, equally as challenging.  Having lived a life of leisure before my arrival, bed time was not a point of concern with me.  I thought nothing of staying up past 2 or sleeping in past 11.  Now, that alarm is screaming in my ear at 7:30 each morning, making sure I’m off to make something of my life.  It’s quite a chore now to stay up and watch the late game of March Madness and if I do, I pay for it the entire next day.  No wonder adults are so cranky.  (Yes, I’m 24 and I still consider myself a kid.)

I must admit, the life I left behind was pretty grand.  I could not have been luckier to live my life with more wonderful people.  There were all my loving family members, who were always there for me through thick and thin.  There was the greatest group of friends this Earth has seen assembled since the time the Super Friends got together, always down for some Saturday night shenanigans.  And last but not least there was my furry little dog Zeke, as good a companion a guy could ask for. 

I gave it all up to pursue my dream, not knowing anybody and having never lived more than an hour away from my parents.  Thankfully I found Hickory.  The Crawdad family has been wonderful in welcoming me in to their home.  Work is a hundred times easier when you are side by side with people you can enjoy yourself with.  The perks have been pretty awesome so far as well.  The apartment they set me up in is the nicest place I’ve lived in (excluding the laundry situation).  The weather has been great for my sun tan, which I know the ladies will appreciate.  I also get to participate in the Corporate Challenge, a series of competitions to determine which office is the greatest in all of Hickory.  (The level of competitiveness rivals anything in professional sports.)  

On top of it all, last weekend was the most fun I’ve had in a while.  First was getting to see a minor league hockey game in Charlotte Friday night.  I don’t really know much about hockey, but the fight towards the end of the game was top notch.  That was followed up by crossing “see a NASCAR race at Bristol Motor Speedway” off of my bucket list.  You can knock racing all you want, but getting to visit pit road and bumping shoulders with the best drivers in the world is an experience that I will be able to carry with me to my grave.  Finishing with some St. Patty’s Day festivities once we got back really pushed this one into the upper echelon of weekends.

Hickory and I are only beginning to scratch the surface of our potential.  We still have our hiccups, such as me getting lost yesterday trying to find my way to watch the Corporate Challenge soccer match. (I never made it there.)  Things like that, though, are important in building our relationship.  It keeps me grounded from the glitz and glamour of cleaning concession stands, power washing, and pulling carpet that work provides.  I sincerely hope the two of us can continue to grow our relationship.  I don’t know how Hickory feels, but I think this could be the beginning of something special. 

Luke is beginning his first year with the Hickory Crawdads as a concessions assistant.  Previously, Luke has worked in baseball with the Akron Aeros, the Cleveland Indians Double A – Affiliate.  He was born and raised in Uhrichsville, OH and attended Kent State University where he earned a degree in Sports Administration and a minor in Business.  Luke has simple tastes, enjoying warm weather, funny jokes, and dancing.

We are 16 days away from the first game of the 20th Anniversary Season of Crawdads Baseball.  The ‘Dads open the 2012 campaign on the road on Thurs., April 5 in Kannapolis, and take on the Intimidators and then Greenville Drive for four games apiece before coming home on Thurs., April 12 for the first home game.

In a sense, 16 days seems like a long time.  Think about it as being more than half a month away.  That is roughly 1/24 of a year.  Kind of seems far away.

However, if you think of it as only two weeks away, for some reason, it feels like it is right around the corner.  It is already Tuesday of this week, and once we get by hump day tomorrow, the weekend will be on deck.  We all know that weekends race by in the blink of an eye, which leads us to next Monday, the 26th.  Then, all of a sudden, Opening Day in Kannapolis is hardly a week and a half away.

Since I am clearly conflicted on my own personal perception of the essence of 16 days, I took the natural course of action and googled it.  The first and most prominent listing is some band called 16 Days.  It appears as if a song called “Whiskeytown” recorded somewhere around 3-5 years ago was their big hit.  I missed it, and am furthermore unwilling to dedicate 3:57 of my life to catching up on it (ironic in light of the time it is taking me to write about the concept of 16 days…).

The next search result, which in my estimation is unequivocally more important than the band and should have come up first, is a South African activist campaign for the awareness of, and response to, abuse against women and children, called 16 Days of Activism.  I would suggest reading up on it in the betterment of all of our world views.

And, finally (at least for the first page of results), the third link on Google for ’16 days’ is a 16-day weather forecast for England.  I typed in London and, after a rough and undoubtedly inaccurate Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion, I have come to the conclusion that I would take 80 degrees and sunny in Hickory over 11 degrees (Celsius) and cloudy in London today.  Who predicts 16 days in advance anyway?  Must be a Europe thing.

Considering the fact that we are now closer to 15.5 days than 16 days, I suppose that amount of time really is not all that long after all and after a largely unsuccessful googling of it.  Baseball will be here before we know it.  That is my final answer.

Oh yeah, and happy spring!

Andrew is in his fourth season as director of broadcasting and media relations for the Crawdads, and sixth season in Minor League Baseball.  Previously, the Larchmont, NY native worked for the Bakersfield Condors Hockey Club (ECHL) and the Bakersfield Blaze Baseball Club (California League). He loves bacon.