Aiming to be entertaining
Mike Bencic and Leo Trich want to change the way you feel about watching a baseball game.
Not necessarily the baseball aspect of it, but everything else that surrounds it.
Bencic, owner of the Slippery Rock Sliders, and Trich, owner and general manager of the Butler BlueSox, have big plans to bring another level of excitement to their respective Prospect League teams.
"We want to try and be family oriented," said Bencic. "We want to do things in between innings and have the kids involved. The kids can run around the bases after the games. The mascot will be there.
"There will be giveaways and we want to pride ourselves on selling good food, so people can come to the park for dinner," he added.
"We want to take the model of minor league baseball and implement it into the college Prospect League," said Trich, "not just putting a quality product on the field, but entertainment fans can believe in."
Trich, the former director of development for the Frontier Professional Baseball League, has planned between-inning events, such as dizzy bat races, golf putting and water balloon basketball, among other classics.
"Things that kids get a kick out of," he said.
The BlueSox will have 27 home dates and Trich has something planned for just about every one.
"We have four different fireworks nights — there's just something about Western Pennsylvania and fireworks — and, also, something for everyone, we have three miniconcerts of about 45 minutes to an hour.
"One is a country and blues band, another is Street Level, an oldies to pop to country group, and The Notables, a chorus of 20 who harmonize," Trich added.
There's also a Salute to USA Night July 2, which is when The Notables will perform, and on June 26, a Pre-Cruise-A-Palooza Night in which cars from the June 28 event in downtown butler will be at the ballpark.
Other groups throughout the season will be honored, such as veterans (June 16), Scouting (July 20), volunteer firefighters (July 26), emergency responders (June 25), as well as a Butler Band Night (Aug. 5) and Fan Appreciation Day (Aug. 8).
While the events and activities are good, the owner believe the baseball will match them.
Both the Sliders and BlueSox will offer a high level of college baseball contested by players who both owners agree can be future stars in the professional ranks.
"You should be able to see a very good level of baseball," said Bencic. "These are players you'll see on TV two or three years from now.
"Close to half the players are drafted by the major leagues once they finish their college eligibility.
"These are the stars of tomorrow and they get to meet the kids and interact," Bencic added.
