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Subject: Disappointing End to the season Author: Baseball Fan Too [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 19:51:57 08/29/02 Thu As a season ticket holder for a few years, this past seasons ending left a lot to be desired, and has me contemplating whether or not to renew my season tickets next year. And I am not talking about the team, I'm glad they ended the season with a win and I am glad to see that Balet broke the record, but why wasn't the Frontier League representatives invited out to the ballpark to give him the recognition? Usually at the end of each season there will be lots going on for "fan appreciation" day, for example: giveaways to patrons as they enter the park, fireworks for the final night, discounts on t-shirts, hats, etc, the jersey giveaway the last game of the season, the player interaction with the crowd the last game and autograph signings for the kids, this year was a real let down for my family. It was really no different than a regular season game, minus the items that Bourbon Street and the staff would throw out to the fans. You would think with the pending MLB strike that the minors would want to make the end of the year "special" and "memorable" so that if they do strike, fans will remember the minors and the Cheetahs and return again next year. There we no giveaways between the innings or anything tossed out to the fans the last game. Is that "fan appreciation" or "ignoring the fans"? each previous year had a special ceremony at the end of the game onfield where the Cheetahs would pick an MVP and award that player the MVP of the season award, that didn't happen this year either. Who was the 2002 Cheetah MVP? Anybody know? I can't speak for others, but upon leaving the ballpark that last game, my family was very disappointed. Its the worst ending to a season I've seen. The feeling I got was its the end of the season, we don't care, now everyone go home. After the game most of the players headed into the locker room and didn't stick around for any autographs or to talk to fans on "fan appreciation" day. A few players did and stayed on the field, but most took off into the locker room. My kids were so upset because they wanted to run the bases and talk with the players because it would be their last time to do so and get some autographs but the players they wanted to talk with were already off the field and unavailable. So I went home with two very disappointed kids who were sad because they didn't get to say goodbye to their favorite players. What a way to end the season. Previous last games were so much fun with so much for the fans, and this year was just a big letdown for my kids and my family. I'm afraid this last game has left a very bad impression on my mind about returning next year. I guess I'm posting this here to see if anyone else felt the same way, or if someone from the organization can give me some assurance that next years "season ticket holders" and "host families" will get some sort of recognition and/or maybe a few "perks" or private parties or at least a public "thank you" at the end of the season, and that we won't feel like we are not appreciated and just wanted for our money. I would like to know how other fans who attended the last game feel about how the season ended. You may email me privately if you'd like instead of posting. A Baseball Fan [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Re: Disappointing End to the season Author: The Fan [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:15:55 08/29/02 Thu Well, apparently you aren't alone, have you read Thursdays edition of The Star Newspaper's Sports section, the column by Pat Disabato? Apparently he agrees with you as well. Its a very long article, too long to re-type here and one I could not find in the online paper articles, but if you email Pat Disabato at hintite@starnewspapers.com he might be able to send you a copy, or maybe you can still find one at the newsstands. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Disappointing End to the season Author: Chuck [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:52:00 08/29/02 Thu Fan and Fan Too: No need to e-mail privately, this is a public forum and I'll be glad to do my best to answer your concerns. First, let me say that I do understand your viewpoint and I think everything you've brought up is legitimate. We could indeed have done a better job on the final day of the season - in fact, we could have done a better job throughout the season, as there is always room for improvement. As general manager, I cannot blame anyone but myself for what happened and didn't happen, and I surely won't try to deflect that responsibility. You ask if you can be assured that in future years, things will be done differently - I will assure you of just that, and hold myself accountable to accomplish this. This was a challenging, learning year for me and for all of us, and there is a long list of things we will do differently in 2003. Having said that, please accept this as my apology for the things that did not go as planned in 2002. Behind the scenes, many reasons can be given for the difficulties we faced. Obviously, I won't go into those reasons here, I will only again accept full responsibility for those difficulties. I hope that we can find the positive in 2002 - attendance was up, food was better, our on-field team was much improved - and build on that. In any season, things go wrong, and my challenge for 2003 is to identify those things and change them. Your input helps in that. However, in 2002 many, many things went right. I did read the article in the Star this morning, and while the writer has a number of legitimate points, Mr. DiSabato gained all of his impressions from one evening of baseball, not a full season, and a number of his opinions were misinformed. As a small example, he criticized our uniforms - on Tuesday, the team chose to wear their batting practice tops. Mr. DiSabato didn't ask anyone about this, yet pointed it out as a criticism. However, his input also will go into part of our decision making for 2003. We at the Cheetahs are glad there's a forum like this one to express both good and not-so-good opinions. As the season progresses, we tend to put our heads down in the day-to-day grind of putting on our season, and forums like this help us to see things we should, but perhaps don't. I guess all I can do is promise to do my best in 2003 and make Hawkinson Ford Field a more fan-friendly place to be. I'm constantly made aware of the things that are wrong with the Cheetahs, and I hope you will believe me when I tell you that I am listening and will do my best to improve for the 2003 season and beyond. Thank you again for your input. Chuck Heeman, General Manager Cook County Cheetahs Baseball Club [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: Re: Disappointing End to the season Author: Debbie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 00:08:47 08/31/02 Sat I've already renewed our Season Tickets for the 2003 season. I have to admit I was a little disappointed that there was no Jersey Giveaway this year, but have confidence that 2003 will be a good year and things can only get bigger and better. Hard to believe the season has come and gone so quickly, and I look forward to next season. Instead of everyone focusing on what went wrong in 2002, how about the message board readers start a new thread with things that they "liked" at the park this year? Those with the Cheetahs Organization (Including Chuck) check these boards from time to time, and if they know what fans want to see next year, they can see what people liked the most, and if you have any suggestions on what you'd LIKE to see that hasn't been offered, maybe its something the organization can look into? What do ya say? [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Disappointing End to the season Author: Tim [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 08:10:21 08/31/02 Sat I heard a rumor that whatever money the GM saves percentage wise from last year he gets back as a bonus....??? [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Disappointing End to the season Author: Steve [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 03:23:47 08/31/02 Sat I cannot agree more with your sentiments. I could care less if the team wins or loses. The fun is being at the park. That fun was gone this year. To the casual observer, nothing seemed wrong, but to those who were there daily, it went downhill. Yes, the quality of the food was better, but it was never ready at gametime. The bathrooms were terrible. This is a very fun activity, but having had tickets for two years now, I cannot see renewing. Nobody with the organization spoke to me ONCE during the season. I'm not saying we deserve special treatment, well maybe a little, but we did support the organization and not once was that recognized. I'm sure that if I don't come back, my phone will not ring, I will not get a letter from the organization, or anything else saying how they appreciated us. I live in Mokena. I love Hawkinson Frod field, but Joliet is much closer to my home. It is not as intimate, but they do seem to appreciate their fans. I really and truely love the Cheetahs, but the organization does not appreciate that. I'm very sorry for the negativism, because there is so much potential for an awesome expeince there. Thank you for the opportunity to speak up. I do appreciate Chuck standing up and facing the music in this forum. The proof will be in the pudding during this off season. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Disappointing End to the season Author: Jack's Dugout [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 22:18:09 08/31/02 Sat Many thanks to "Baseball Fan Too" for expressing so well the feelings shared by many of us that have been loyal season ticket holders on what did not happen on Fan Appreciation (Appreciation?) night. Well put. Also,as Steve stated in his posted message there is "much potential for an awesome experience" at the Hawk. However, it will take an understanding and knowledgeable management organization to develop this potential. Let's see what happens before the start of next season. As a coincidence, on Fri. 8/30 six loyal Cheetah fans (5 of which have been season ticket holders for the past several years) attended the Joliet Jackhammer game. A positive difference in attendance,the playing field itself and the promotions were obvious to all. And to think the former G.M. of the Cheetahs had a great deal to do with the development of this franchise. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Disappointing End to the season Author: Pat [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 22:39:39 08/31/02 Sat I could not agree with you more. I thought that the last night was just a small example of how the whole season played out. Every time something bad happened this year all we got were lame excuses and no promises of improvements to come. The article in the Star really hit the nail on the head. I don't know what we have to look forward to next year when most of the really good people that worked this year were told they weren't wanted back for next year. I and several season ticket holders are very fed up. We went as a group to a Joliet Jackhammer game on Friday, and saw how a truly professional franchise is run. I just hope that in my backyard, some leadership can be found to bring a class act back to our Cheetahs. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]