The 2010 campaign was a difficult one for the Lowell Spinners, the NYPL affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The team was last in the Stedler Divison with a 24-50 record and had the lowest winning percentage (.324) in the entire New York-Penn League. However, they have managed to have success in other aspects of their organization. In addition to setting a record attendance, the team was recently awarded the Leo Pinckney Promotional Award and the team's Corporate Controller, Priscilla Harbour, was named the Joan Weber Female Executive of the Year in the NYPL.
For the first time in the Spinners' history, the franchise passed the 200,000 mark in attendance. The mark of 201,512 supassed the previous high of 199,197 set in 2008. For the season, the team averaged 5,446, which was the fourth highest in the NYPL. While this total figure does include the 22,940 fans who went to watch the Spinners play in Boston at the Red Sox "Futures At Fenway" event, it does not detract from the overall success of this franchise.
In 2008, the NYPL re-named its Promotional Award in honor of Leo Pinckney, the former editor of the Auburn Citizen, the 1998 "King Of Minor League Baseball", and former NYPL President (1984-1993). This year, the front office of the Spinners took home the Pinckney Award for its varied and successful Promotional Schedule. Said team General Manager and Executive Vice President Tim Bawmann, "Our mantra in the office is 'Every Night Is Opening Night'. We recognize whether it is game one or game 38, it is the first game for someone and we aim to provide that special Opening Day buzz at each of our 38 home games.
Bawman continued, "In a tough economy we recognize the importance families place on making the most of their entertainment dollars. We want fans to come to the park and leave not caring whether the Spinners won or lost, rather commenting on what a great time they had the park." Now that the Spinners have earned the Pinckney Award, it is eligible to compete with the representatives of the other affiliated minor leagues for the Larry McPhail Award at the Minor League Baseball Meetings in Orlando this December.
In 2009, the NYPL named its "Female Executive of the Year" in honor of Joann Weber, wife of Lowell's owner Drew Weber, who lost her life to pancreatic cancer in 2006. Nicknamed the "Queen of the Ballpark", Mrs. Weber handled many of the large and small day-to-day and game-to-game responsibilities for the Spinners. Priscilla Harbour, the Spinners' Corporate Controller, is in her 13th year with Lowell and tirelessly handles the many transactions and accounitng issues related to the organization. This is the first time that Ms. Harbour has won the Weber Award.
Tim Bawmann had this to say about Ms. Harbour, "This is a well deserved honor for Priscilla. Few people understand the amount of time and effort that goes into the behind the scenes operations of a sports organization and Priscilla has been the key component to the Spinners for many years." Priscilla will now be representing the NYPL in attempting to be named Minor League Baseball's overall "Female Executive of the Year" this December.
While fans can hope that the Spinners improve on their record in 2011, at least they are aware of their tremendous support for the team and the excellent administrative staff working behind the scenes.
No comments:
Post a Comment