It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

These are the long days.

It's not that there's nothing going on around the offices. In fact, it's just the opposite. This is the time that the foundation is laid for the excitement of the summer. It's just that the winter work is not the glamorous (or sometimes even interesting) kind. It's the grunt work. The real behind-the-scenes stuff that no one on the outside really thinks (cares?) about, but is absolutely crucial to the success of the organization.

When I tell people I work for the Cyclones, I can't tell you how many times I'm asked something like "is that a full-time job?" Or "what do you guys do for the other eight months?" It's pretty funny.

Well, this is it. This is what we're doing when the team's not playing games...we're working on our marketing strategy, our website, our publications, our ideas for promotions. The Ticket Office is making hundreds of calls a day, renewing previous ticket holders, and selling to new ones. They're gathering groups and tailoring nights around their interests. Our sales team is hitting the pavement, trying to partner the Cyclones with local and national businesses that will help to provide the support necessary to create the atmosphere that makes a night at the park so special. Our Operations staff is tending to the ballpark itself, constantly fixing, cleaning, repairing, maintaining -- so that KeySpan Park is in the best shape possible. Our Grounds Crew is tending to the field, edging, mowing (keeping the seagulls away). Our Community Relations staff is reaching out to our neighbors in the borough, ensuring that the Cyclones make a difference in Brooklyn (and beyond), even if there are no Cyclones on the roster yet!

When the lights go on, and the players line the field, and the National Anthem is sung, and the Cyclones are pitching and hitting their way to the playoffs -- that's the glamorous part. That's the payoff. But without the "winter work" none of that is possible.

We said early on that the Blog would give you a glimpse behind the curtain. Sometimes what you'll see is thrilling, funny, exciting, new, and intriguing.

And sometimes it's just this. The grunt work of the offseason.

-- Dave