Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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New general By WILLIAM GETTYS Staff Writer Jim Powell's crisp, clear voice dances across the radio waves, carrying with it the drama being witnessed by thousands of fans at Capital City Stadium. Powell, the voice of the Bombers, does the play-by-play. "Belle steps up to the plate with two outs in tKn KntlAm rvf tKn nintK " Dr\nm 11 entro "TKn Laonn uiVs lA/iium ui uic iiiiiui, i uwtn says. 1 ut uadtd are empty, and the score is tied at two. Wendell has already struck-out Belle three times tonight. "Wendell with the wind-up, and the pitch. Bell takes a tremendous cut. It's a well-hit ball. It's way back! It might be, it could be, it is! A home run! Holy Cow! The Bombers win! The crowd is going crazy!" The excitement of America's favorite pastime is displayed each day on baseball diamonds throughout the world, but it has never been more popular in the Capital City. In 1991, the Columbia Mets, the local minor league baseball team, were struggling to draw fans to the park. The Mets ranked second to last in South Atlantic League attendance. A change was definitely in order. That change occurred in 1992 when William Shanahan took over as general manager. Shanahan had been named the California League Executive of the Year when he was general manager of the San Bemadino Spirit. Therefore, he took the reins with high expectations and delivered outstanding results. The Columbia Mets drew a record 130,246 fans to Capital City Stadium in 1992, which ranked third in the league. The South Atlantic League named Shanahan the General Manager of the Year. The Columbia Mets are now the Capital City Bombers, but that hasn't hurt attendance. The increase in fans has continued this summer, and the Bombers are on pace to draw over 150,000 fans. Shanahan said he came along at the right time to get into the baseball business. He was working in radio, marketing, sales and production when minor league baseball was gaining popularity. Much of Shanahan's success can be attributed to his background in marketing and promotions. Shanahan said he emDhasizes familv fun at the ballpark in order to draw fans. He has also made many changes at the stadium. Shanahan has added a concert sound system, closed circuit TV at the concession stands, a cafe, Diamond girl usherettes, box seats with waitresses and a children's playground. lill HI inp%/\Ai- f/? runrust: iv. THE U.S. NAV GOOD STAR1 SCHOLARSHI -/ -F , v? manager spa Recently renovated Capital City Stadium in Shanahan also incorporates giveaways into the ballgames. In an effort to raise money for the hearing impaired, Shanahan got actor Mark Harmon to participate in a celebrity baseball game. Not only has the stadium changed, but the team also has a new identity. Along with the new name, the Bombers have new team colors and new uniforms. A mascot was also added to the team. "Bomber the Mouse" helps entertain the children, making it fun for the whole family. Bomber the Mouse won the South Atlantic League Mascot Competition in 1992. Shanahan has continued a successful intern program in cooperation with USC. Students are interviewed by the Bombers organization and tKan numrt r*aft timn irvkn <<iWK nlnL T not 1111*11 givt/ll ^aii-illliw JUU5 W1U1 lilt tlUU. LdM year, three of the students were hired to stay on as full-timers. Shanahan said there are two reasons Columbia was unable to attain a Class A A team. "The primary reason was the Bombers were the only team trying to get into the Southern League," he said. "A move up is usually only successful when two teams are attempting to make the jump." This was the case in the Eastern League^ where both Portland, Maine, and New Haven, Conn., made bids. Shanahan said the owner of the Portland team has a great deal of political power, which helped that team's efforts. Shanahan is still very optimistic that Columbia will have a AA team in the near future. When the tVY/r IT JdD 5RAM ) PRODUCE WELL-TR Y OR MARINE CORP: 'ING SALARY. IPS AVAILABLE, PAY: \Ll TUITION ?A >LUS $ 100.00 A M 1 rks Bombers C.E. Holman/The Gamecock between Bombers' home games. Bombers are able to attract 200,000 fans to the park in one season, he thinks the dream will be realized. At the current rate of improved attendance, the figure won't take long to accomplish. ' While the Bombers are improving under Shanahan, the parent club, the New York Mets, is struggling with the second-worst record in baseball. The Mets provide the Bombers with players, leaving the Capital City staff out of the decision. The organization has many problems, and Shanahan said the ills start in the roots and work up to the top. "In recent years, the Mets have tried to buy a winner, which cannot be done," Shanahan said. "It has to come from the farm system." According to Shanahan, the Mets have lost sight of that and are paying free agents millions of dollars to lose. The players are stars of the past. "They have big egos and big salaries," Shanahan said. There is no chemistry on the team, which is one of the most important ingredients to winning. The Mets have recently rehired Joe Mcllvaine, the general manager who led them to prominence in the mid-80s. Shanahan said this is a step in the right direction. Although he has had offers to move up to the major league level, Shanahan is happy where he is. He loves minor league baseball because he works With young players, many of whom are right out of high school. Shanahan helps them develop as both players and people. \/lARi 1^9 lAINED^EDUCATED 01 5. GUARANTEED EXCI S: !L BOOKS ?ALI ONTH SUBSISTENC & CONTACT: P) LT. McKINf ) 203 FLINN ' 777-4124 Intramurals provide recreational outlet By JOHN MacMILLAN "It helps them to learn how to Staff Writer work with others that you normalAs fall semester creeps from the fy w?uldn t associate with," Camp depths of summer vacation, some sa'd- "The games also keep the USC students participate in intra- students active, instead of hitting mural games as a form of fun and bars* relaxation that takes them away Acuviues range irom oasic from the trials and tribulations of sports such as softball, basketball college life. tennis to lesser known sports "I would guess about 25 percent such as whiffleball, innertube of all the student body participates water polo and a bench press in intramurals," said Herbert meelCamp, director of intramurals. Students such as Caiy Shealy, a "The games serve as an outlet recent business administration away from the stress of class and, graduate, appreciate the variety, for some, being in a new atmos- "When I initially heard about phere." the program, I believed it was According to Camp, the partici- Soin? t0 be the usual sports that pants range from the four academ- y?u think of when you hear the ic levels and faculty members. word intramurals," Shealy said. "I "Freshman are not the only was very impressed with the variones who get involved with the ely that was offered to the stu* games," he said. "The games dents." involve anyone and anybody who Intramural registration for the is wanting to have a good time begins Aug. 30. Registration and meet new people while deal- f?r some sports continues into ing with college life and a new September, October and atmosphere." November. Brian Borden, a softball enthusiast, Intramural Sports I the compe- Fall Schedule o^ZunUymS Entries Entries and blow off some ^port Open Close steam," Borden said. . Football 8 30 9 2 "It is good to elear ^and Voileyball 8 30 your mind from cer- ?.ag ?2. . !, 9/9 tain aspects of StnglesTennts. 9 3 9 6 school life to keep Team Tenths 9/13 9/16 yourself from getting Racquetball 9/13 9/16 burned out toward Outdoor Soccer 9/13 9/16 the end of the semes- 5?^ 9/20 9/23 ter Team Golf 9/20 9/23 Besides offering 9/23 students an opportu- wrutlleball 9/2/ 9/30 nity to meet new J on * Basketball 9/27 9/30 people and relax WaterP?l0 4 0/7 from the rigors of J'abis Tennis college life" Camp 3 on 3 Basketball 10/25 10/28 rprno?ni7P? nthpr Bench Press Meet 10/25 10/28 benefits from the [Basketball 11/22 12/10 intramural program. INES I I'" jfl :FICERS TO SERVE IN TING JOBS WITH A i* . fees i :e pay % vlEY HALL i