Stompers Summary

Play Ball!!

Theo Fightmaster pitched a game winning presentation, succeeding in enlightening us on the history and clubhouse scoop of managing a professional baseball team through a 78 game, (69 at home) championship season.

The Sonoma Stompers succeeded the previous Crushers team in 2004.  The team moved from their own stadium to Arnold Field, a Sonoma County 400 seat venue.  Promoting baseball as a family oriented entertainment venture, the Stompers were their league champions in 2015.  Players are either on their way up, or conversely looking for a soft landing after exiting AA, AAA or even Major League play.  One player was with the Boston Red Sox.  “Major League Baseball is an elite sport, with far fewer spots on the roster than there are players” Theo disclosed.

Life on the field reflects some social issues of society at large.  Case in point gender equality.   Last season the Stompers pitcher Sean Conroy came out of the closet in the team’s LGBT Pride Night dubbed “Out at the Park”.  The team supported Sean by wearing rainbow armbands and socks.  Conroy pitched a shut out.

Looking for a great read, and “Money Ball” is on your shelf already?  Try Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller’s “The Only Rule is it has to Work”.  These two analysts wrote the book based on their theories of statistically based player selection.  Their test case was the Stompers.  Check out the process and results on Amazon, or Arnold Field.

For $10 an adult can gain a seat at fan friendly Arnold Field.  Another $10 will get you a hot dog and beer.  That isn’t even enough for parking at Bay Area MLB stadiums.  Some Stomper fans had such a great time have even forgot who won that day, they had so much fun watching the close up action from all prime behind the plate seats, or running the bases for the seventh inning stretch.

See for yourself: www.stompersbaseball.com

Play Ball!!