named Ryan Walling had sent him a drawing of the logos of the League and each of its teams. Bill had already called Ryan and left a message expressing his appreciation and was about to put it in a frame to display in his office. The Commish said that it was things like this youngster taking the time to create such artwork that reminds him everyday of what the League means to its fans. You could tell that it meant a lot to him.I told you yesterday that I was looking forward to talking with Gateway GM Steve Gomric about the latest food creation at the ballpark. Well, I actually returned to an earlier-introduced item in the Grizzlies "Baseball's Best" line - their version of the soft pretzel. Hand made each day at GCS, the soft pretzel has a hint of cinnamon, combined with a lighter salt that made me order two, pretending that I was going to share with someone else. Steve (still "pound for pound . . ." - you know the rest if you frequent this blog) reveled in my enjoyment of the pretzel. Word is he is dreaming of even bigger things in the litany of stadium food for next season (it's like the Rose Parade - the planning and execution never stop).
I also got to visit with Windy City GM Steve Tahsler, who had traveled to Sauget to watch his ThunderBolts play the Grizzlies. If folks don't know Steve, he is the FL's resident statistician, and not just the numbers of baseball. He, with a committee of others, helps create the League's schedule each season. A graduate of Georgia State University, Steve actually has a degree in statistics and his ability to manipulate the 96-game regular season grid to make things mesh is legendary. He also has had a knack to help teams improve their bottom lines. Not one to mince words, a yes or no from Steve means exactly that (no more verbiage is necessary), people around the FL circuit pay attention to his thoughts on just about any subject involving the business of running a baseball team.
Back on the road today. More reports soon.
