March 8-9, 2008

For the 16th consecutive year, the Flame Delhi Chapter hosted their Annual Spring Training Weekend. On Saturday, March 8, about 30 members and guests enjoyed a pre game tailgate party followed by the Cubs vs. A’s contest at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Saberites watched as the A’s scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to upend the Cubbies 7-6 is a split squad contest.

The next day, 26 members and guests gathered for breakfast and baseball conversation at Tempe’s Fiesta Inn Resort. Jim Odenkirk, one of the chapters original founding members, spoke about his beloved Cleveland Indians, reminding the group that the famous rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox once also included the Indians. Jim talked about the three cornered pennant races between those clubs and recalled the days of Bill Veeck and Lou Boudreau.

Next, two time Major League Executive of the Year Roland Hemond addressed the group recalling his more than 50 years in baseball and telling his own stories about Veeck.

Doug Flanagan, Publications Manager for the Diamondbacks then talked about D’Backs Insider and new media vs. old media and fielded questions about the challenges faced by paper publications in the internet age.

Finally, incoming chapter president Rodney Johnson closed the meeting by unveiling plans for the chapter to host an Arizona Fall League Conference next November.

February 9, 2008

On a beautiful Saturday morning, 16 chapter members gathered in the press box at Tempe Diablo Stadium, the spring home of the Los Angeles Angels. Prior to the business portion of the meeting the group heard from Grant Trenbeath, the head groundskeeper at Chase Field and Jack Magruder, the Diamondbacks beat writer for the East Valley Tribune.

Trenbeath explained the day-by-day routines of the groundskeeping crew and told stories about the evolution of the field at Bank One Ballpark/Chase Field. It seems a bet on the 2001 Fiesta Bowl game between Notre Dame and Oregon State decided the fate of the grass strip that separated the back of the warning track from the outfield fences. The hard to care for feature was added by original GM Joe Garagiola Jr. when the park opened in 1998. Trenbeath wanted to do away with the thing grass strip because it was hard to water and mow. Garagiola, a Notre Dame alum made a wager with Trenbeath the winter after the 2000 baseball season. With a Notre Dame win, the groundskeeper would never ask about the eliminating the grass strip again. If Oregon State won, the strip was gone. Well, the Beavers trampled the Irish 41-9 and the strip disappeared forever.

Jack Magruder discussed the Diamondbacks off-season moves and their chances of repeating as National League Western Division champs. He thinks that the D’Backs have as good as chance as any team in the division of repeating. An improved starting pitching staff and development of their young players are the keys for the club’s success. Magruder thinks that the loss of clubhouse leader Tony Clark could hurt the team. He says that he’s interested to see how that move plays out.

In the business portion of the meeting, the group elected new officers;

• President: Rodney Johnson
• Vice President: Bob Vostry
• Activities Vice President: Ryan Taylor
• Treasurer: Bill Suphan
• Secretary: David Schollmeyer