The Search Begins

Over the past few weeks I have been accepting applications for our internship and broadcaster openings. These individuals play an important role in our organization each summer season. With such a small front office staff already, they are expected to take on a number of roles within our organization. We have a rule in the office, don't ever say it's not my job. We all have to assume responsibilities that might not fit what we currently signed up for, but if we all chip in and work as a team, everything will fall in it's place and we should have a great season.

Each intern has a number of responsibilities during the season. These include but are not limited to marketing, group sales, a lot of stadium operations, promotions, concessions, and ticket operations. Last year we had three hard working and wonderful interns. I tried to rotate their responsibilities during the season to make sure that they received the most experience during their internship. This internship is different than most internships. Every intern is expected to share ideas with the front office, we encourage it. We are not a minor league team, but we operate like one. With that said, we have to wear many different hats and input is always welcome. We'll bring along a few more interns this summer to help distribute the workload a little more. It's just a matter of finding host families for all of them. It will be hard to top last year's group. I've be involved in the CPL for four seasons, and our interns last year were one of the best, if not the best. If you were at any of the games, you saw our staff running around like crazy. That's the life on gameday.

As for the broadcast/media relations position, this person is an important part of the organization as well. First and foremost, they are the voice of the Marlins on the CPL Webpass (home games). They are responsible for updating the website with game stories and other Marlins news. They are also responsible for coordinating player and mascot appearances. Obviously we get a ton of requests during the season and not all of them can be fulfilled, but we try our best to do so. Players have a grueling schedule and do not have a lot of down time. They have just played 50+ games in college and play an additional 55+ games with us. I like the broadcaster to have a strong baseball background, because well he is ultimately the one conveying what is happening on the field to our fans that aren't at the game. A strong voice also helps, along with a strong writing background. This is a seasonal position that hopefully prepares them for the future. Last year, our broadcaster was almost flawless on Webpass and was a great addition to our front office staff. I'm happy to report he has accepted a full time position with a minor league team in Arkansas. Good luck to him!

Snow Again?

Over this past weekend, the sky opened up yet again and we were blanketed with 5 inches of snow. Certainly not baseball weather, but the snow looks nice.

Anyways, I've already spent too much time talking about snow. Just wanted to let everyone know about the college baseball tournament that will grace Big Rock Stadium in February. The dates are February 18,19,20 and will feature three teams from the Northeast. We are working on a press release, so more details will be available in the near future. Speaking of press releases, we will get started on new player releases as well. We have a full roster already for the 2011 summer season and they are excited for the opportunity to play in front of such passionate fans. Stay tuned for that as well.

And so it snows...

Today, it snowed it NC. Yes, I said snowed. I just want to make sure all of our local fans stay warm and stay safe on the roads. Enjoy it while you can!

Former Marlins Oberacker Honored

Tennessee Tech star and former Morehead City Marlins outfielder, Chad Oberacker has been named first team All-America by College Baseball Lineup in the annual pre-season list. Oberacker was also selected by Louisville Slugger as he made their second team pre-season list. Lastly, he was named to the third team by the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association (NCBWA).

In the spring of 2010, for the Golden Eagles, Oberacker finished with an outstanding .452 average with 29 doubles, 5 triples, and 6 home runs. Oberacker also ended the campaign with 70 RBI and walked more than he struck out guiding his team to an Ohio Valley Conference title. For his hard work and success, the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the 19th round in the 2010 MLB First Year Amateur Player Draft. Oberacker had decided to return to Tennessee Tech for his senior season.

"It's a huge honor to be recognized before the season even starts, and it's a really big reflection on my teammates," Oberacker said. "We worked hard all last season as a team to keep getting better and finish where we did, and the team deserves credit for that. It's great to have this momentum headed into the season, it's only going to make us step up more and work harder," he also added.

While patrolling centerfield for the Marlins last summer season, Oberacker started 37 games and placed fourth on the team (at least 100 AB) with a respectable .258 average. He helped the Marlins to a 34-20 record and a CPL South Division title in their inaugural season.

2011

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year's. I was snowed in back in New Jersey for one day. We had about two feet of snow, which certainly makes my list of top 5 snowstorms in my lifetime. At least it snowed around Christmas, which really puts me in the holiday spirit.

With a turn of the calender, 2011 brings about new changes and big steps for the Morehead City Marlins. We have some things planned for the new year. We have started a booster club that is designed to be a support system for the players and the team. The booster club creates awareness for the team and helps recruit host families among other things. If you would like more information about the booster club, please let me know. There are three college tournaments planned within the next months (February, April, and May) and potentially another exciting event that I have to keep *secret*. Maybe two secrets!!! But that has not been finalized just yet. More information will be put out about the tournaments in the near future. It's a big year for the Marlins as we continue to grow in Carteret County and I'm very excited to be in the middle of it. We are also working on establishing 'Marlins' travel ball teams. That's in the works too.

As for the team, we currently have a full roster for next year and believe our staff have fielded a competitive team. We'll start releasing players and assistant coaches as our season gets a little closer.