We work off of a simple business concept: safe, clean and fun, Iowa Cubs president and general manager Sam Bernabe said. Principal Park opened in 1992, built on the same site where its predecessor, Sec Taylor Stadium, had stood. Sometimes hes painting corners and looks unhittable. You know their spouses and you know their kids, Mr. Gartner said. Preparing the stadium for Cubs baseball was difficult, but support from the top of the organization helped make it possible. Thats why we can think about not only tomorrow, but next year, too. All rights reserved. We can even look beyond the pandemic. (The "local in the know" is Scott Sailor, longtime I-Cubs front office denizen. 1 Principal Park 1 Line Dr., Des Moines, IA 50309 Directions (515) 243-6111 Website Ive got all these great people who work here.. Sport: Baseball. When the Pacific Coast League announced the cancellation of the 2020 season last June, Gartners loyalty to his full-time staff was never in doubt. Looking. Wicks should start the 2023 season back in Tennessee, but a mid-season (or even early-season) promotion to Iowa is likely assuming nothing goes wrong. Browns fastball comes in at 95-to-97 miles per hour and he locates it well. Its about 50 feet from where his longtime friend and coworker Jane Prange is posted. The Dodgers might've already fixed his swing in MLB spring training. Hello Select your address Collectibles & Fine Art Hello, sign in. Iowa Cubs outfielder Ian Miller preparing for a life after baseball, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Finally healthy in 2022, Brown started the season at High-A Jersey Shore and dominated. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. 1. Gartner's civic-minded legacy also continues via the I-Cubs' annual July 4th citizenship ceremony, in which individuals from all over the world formally obtain status as legal permanent residents. "We work off of a simple business concept: safe, clean and fun," Iowa Cubs President and general manager Sam Bernabe said. Thats why we can think about not only tomorrow, but next year too. Tickets can be purchased here or by calling 515-243-6111. I cant imagine what the last two weeks would have been like if we had been like every other minor-league team or ownership that furloughed or laid off half, if not most, of the staff, Wehofer said. Carr became an usher following a 40-year career in education, which culminated in a tenure as a school superintendent in Lu Verne. to become a part of Diamond Baseball Holdings, a subsidiary of Endeavor. Hes a kid that is going to need a lot more work than that. #GoCubsGoJohn Rodgers - Account ExecutiveJohn joins the Iowa Cubs sales team after spending the past two years as the Director of Revenue Development for the University of Evansville (Ind.) This year, everybody wants to talk, and they say, Thanks for getting the park open. And it shouldnt be them thanking me it should be me thanking them for remembering where the hell the ballpark is.. The moniker endured through subsequent partnerships with the White Sox (1973-74; '76-80) and Astros (1975), as well as during the team's inaugural 1981 season as a Chicago Cubs affiliate. 40,773 were here. If its not safe and its not clean, then we dont have to worry about fun because no ones coming anyway.. Its been a long, strange trip for Miguel Amaya. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). The 88-to-90 mph slider from Brown isnt bad at all and some days it looks better than the curve. Athletic Department. Behind Ortega (51 games), three others were used to lead off at least 24 times (Zach McKinstry, Nick Madrigal and Christopher Morel). Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/3/23): Madrigal Leads Off at 2B, Mancini in RF, Steele Starting - Cubs Insider https://t.co/suEJVXBR0a, David Ross Has Basically Named Nico Hoerner Leadoff Hitter - Cubs Insider https://t.co/UNVhrcUa4H. Two years later, he bought the Iowa Cubs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, and became a fixture in the front office and in his usual seat behind home plate. Its just like a homecoming every game.. 2023 www.desmoinesregister.com. Cubs front office/coaching tidbit: Greg Brown will return as special assistant to the president and GM/hitting (he'll work closely with minor-leaguers) and John Mallee will be a hitting coach at Triple-A Iowa. The I-Cubs could arguably claim this spot for their proximity to the Iowa State Capitol building (which is visible from the park and can be toured) or the State Historical Museum of Iowa, but. Theyre just fantastic people., Mr. Gartner, who had owned the team with his son and three other partners, added: They need the money more than we do. To get ready for (opening day), I didnt really have to do anything. He moved quickly through the Yankees system after the COVID shutdown, making Triple-A in his first full professional season in 2021. That changeup makes hit 91-94 mile per hour four-seam fastball (which sometimes touches 96) look better. Director, High Performance - Adam BeardMajor League Head Athletic Trainer - PJ MainvilleMajor League Assistant Athletic Trainer - Chuck BaughmanMajor League Assistant Athletic Trainer - Nick FrangellaMajor League Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach - Keegan KnollMajor League Massage Therapist - Nate WhitneyTeam Physician - Stephen Adams, M.D.Team Orthopaedist - Stephen Gryzlo, M.D. They brought back nearly all of their ushers, too. To adhere to Major League Baseballs COVID protocols, Bernabe and his co-workers zip-tied seats to limit capacity, spread out lockers in locker rooms and implemented more outdoor dining areas, buffer zones and quarantine rooms in Principal Park. I would not say that Amaya was out-of-shape before he got injured, but he had a catchers body. He also has a four-seam fastball in the 93-to-95 mile per hour range, although it touches higher than that. My jaw dropped, one worker said. Hernandez was fine. Wicks entire arsenal revolves around his low-80s changeup that dives down and in to right-handed hitters. The Iowa Oaks changed their name to the Cubs prior to the 1982 season, and as soon as they did so Cubbie Bear arrived on the scene. It is not affiliated with or sponsored by Major League Baseball or the Chicago Cubs. Vice president and assistant general manager Randy Wehofer explained that they missed out on more than just the paycheck last summer. After a 604-day layoff, Iowa Cubs baseball returned to Des Moines last week, thanks to the leadership of majority owner and chairman Michael Gartner and the Iowa Cubs front office. No matter how you slice the data, it seems the tri-state area of Sioux City, Iowa-Nebraska-South Dakota, always comes up roses. Stephen A. gives props to Knicks front office for recent success. . That performance got Brown promoted to Double-A Reading, but before he could report, the Phillies dealt him to the Cubs for David Robertson. Cristian Hernandez. Cubs front office/coaching tidbit: Greg Brown will return as special assistant to the president and GM/hitting (he'll work closely with minor-leaguers) and John Mallee will be a hitting coach at Triple-A Iowa. I wouldnt say that a 2023 major-league debut is likely, but its certainly possible if things go well for Wicks. More: Meet Iowa Cubs pitcher Robert Stock. Amaya was supposed to start catching in the Arizona Fall League last year, but he withdrew with a foot injury. Everyone in the stadium is wearing masks, only 35% of seats are allowed to be filled right now and the rest are zip-tied. In his spare time, the 29-year-old enjoys fantasy football, playing below-average golf and being a useless trivia expert. Wesneski was a sixth-round pick by the Yankees out of Sam Houston State in 2019. The State Capitol building is less prominent than it once was from within the stadium, thanks to the addition of an expanded batter's eye that protects hitters from the glare of the dome. He was considered to be a polished left-hander who could move through the system quickly. More:'Its definitely been a challenge': How the Chicago Cubs pieced together MiLB rosters in 2021. If you want any evidence that the Cubs' front office has been having some success targeting pitching, there are three potential starters among these five prospects. 5007Stadium Operations Manager -- Dustin Halderson | 515.243.2637Stadium Operations Supervisor -- Josh Stephens | 515.243.2645Landscape Coordinator -- Shari Kramer, VP / Sports Turf Manager -- Chris SchlosserAssistant Sports Turf Manager -- Brooks MontangeAssistant Grounds Crew / Outside Grounds -- Bridger Claassen, Chief Technology Officer -- Ryan Clutter | 515.280.2626, Accounts Payable & Receivable -- Lori Heaberlin | 515.280.2631, Operations Manager -- Jeremy Armison | [emailprotected] | 515.244.3464 ext 11Office Manager/Controller -- Malissa Trierweiler | [emailprotected] | 515.244.3464 ext 12Executive Chef, Suites Catering at Principal Park -- Joey DeFazio | 515.244.3464 ext 27Concessions Manager -- Ryan Castel | 515.244.3464 ext 14, Special Events/ Event Catering -- Jillian Harrington | [emailprotected] | 515.601.6343, To coordinate Cubbie Bear appearances, contact Dustin Halderson | 515.243.6111For information on donations, contact Jason Gellis | 515.280.2624For information on the Cubbie's Kids Club, contact Jason Gellis | 515.280.2624For information on national anthem singers, contact Amanda Dale | 515.280.2640For information on the Mug Club, contact Clayton Grandquist | 515.280.2644For information on stadium tours, contact John Rodgers | 515.243.8399, Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are the property of Minor League Baseball. Also, learning to lay off breaking pitches in the dirt would help. Many minor league baseball organizations, such as the Charlotte Knights (Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox), the Memphis Redbirds (Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals) and the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers), furloughed or laid off full-time staff members in 2020 due to pandemic-related financial struggles. Sharks In-House Recreational Program. The Iowa Cubs aren't the only Minor League team in Iowa, but they are based in the state's most populous city (Des Moines) and compete at the highest level of play (Triple-A). When Amaya returned to Tennessee in July, it was like he was a completely different person. About. The Iowa Cubs Front Office helped pack nearly 10,000 pounds of food at Food Bank of Iowa today! Prange said she was overjoyed on Opening Day on May 4, knowing she was going to watch a game again in person. The surprise was not that he was generous because thats the way hes been, said Randy Wehofer, the teams vice president and assistant general manager, who joined the club in 2008. Its like I havent seen my family in a long time. Its striking how lean and muscular Amaya is now. In 66 innings in High-A, Wicks struck out 86 and walked just 17. The May 4 season opener represented a culmination of the Cubs staffs efforts this offseason to ensure a safe return to the stadium for fans. The tension, it appears, was brought into the open after Cubs president of business operations Crane Kenney told WSCR-AM 670 in an interview last week that president of baseball operations Jed. When its on, Brown can either drop the pitch into the zone for a strike or into the dirt in an attempt at getting the hitter to chase. 8. That was a career-high in both batting average and slugging percentage for Amaya. The team competes in the Triple-A East league and plays their home games at Principal Park in Des Moines. The Cubs front office is changing, so what happens now? He returned to the mound after the COVID shutdown, but he only got 16 innings in 2021 because of another arm injury and then a bout of COVID. You can follow him on Twitter at @jimmylynn33. If you like T-shirts emblazoned with all manner of snarky, self-aware pop culture, sports and politics-related slogans, then perhaps you'll agree with Raygun's humble self-assessment: "The greatest store in the universe.". 25 of it being dead Heyward money through. The John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, located on the western edge of downtown, showcases 28 sculptures by a wide variety of prominent artists. He had soft hands and was good at blocking balls in the dirt. You can also get a glimpse of his new physique. Dustin Halderson, 32, a stadium operations manager who is getting married in two months, said his $16,000 check gave him some stability., It was nice to feel good about the work I put in, and that they recognized it, Mr. Halderson said. Marcus Stroman, 2. Hernandezs strikeout rate was a bit concerning at 30 percent, but its not a red flag yet. It is a feeling like family, she said. Although Amaya still couldnt throw in 2022 as he recovered from surgery, he was playing for the Cubs Arizona Complex League team by July 1, serving as the designated hitter. Its a plus pitch and it flashes plus-plus at times. 7. Principal Park is picturesque from the outside as well. He was like that friend you havent seen for three years and when he shows up, you immediately ask Dude! That. Butafter 604 days of no minor-league baseball, the ushers are just happy to be chatting with fans and pacing across the concrete of Principal Park to the crack of a bat again. In any case, hes got a wealth of experience and a great deal of familiarity with the organization. The May 4 season opener represented a culmination of the Cubs staffs efforts this offseason to ensure a safe return to the stadium for fans. It was mostly lows, especially near the end of his tenure. The seating bowl, bisected by a concourse walkway, runs from foul pole to foul pole. You see them at the ballpark and at the office every day, and you see how hard they work and how much fun they have, and how much they enjoy it. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. They may be socially distanced from other fans and masked when out of their seats, but experiencing Cubs baseball at Principal Park again represents an important step in returning to a more normal life for fans. Led by majority owner and chairman Michael Gartner and the Iowa Cubs front office, the organization didnt lay off or furlough a single full-time staffer during the pandemic. Iowa Cubs (Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs since 1981)Established: 1969 (as the Iowa Oaks)League: International League (since 2022)Ballpark: Principal Park (opened 1992)Championships: 1993 (in the American Association)Notable Alumni: Ryne Sandberg (manager), Tony LaRussa (player and manager), Rafael Palmeiro, Kris Bryant, Harold Baines, Greg Maddux, Goose Gossage, Jamie Moyer. He couldnt drive the ball in the ACL as well as some projected he would. NEW YORK Major League Baseball added three executives to its new local media department as it prepares for a possible takeover of broadcasts for 17 teams amid the financial deterioration of the Bally and AT&T SportsNet regional sports networks. Gambling problem? Wherever Brown starts the season, he should see significant time with Triple-A Iowa this year. MLB Pipeline just ranked Wicks as the sixth-best left-handed pitching prospect in baseball. All the Latest Cubs News, Rumors, and Exclusive Offers! The Cubs hope. Defensively, hes a smooth but not elite shortstop. Talent Acquisition Claribel DiazExecutive Assistant, Ballpark Ops, HR, Legal & Community Affairs - Mary Rossi, SVP, Operations - David CromwellVice President Operations Patrick MeenanVice President, Security Doug LindsayDirector, Hospitality & Retail Brad JohnsonAssistant Director Analysis & Planning Maria SapienzaManager, Environmental Health & Safety Paige HerbertManager, Construction & Planning Courtney Snyder, Senior Director, Operations and Guest Experience - Morgan BucciferroAssistant Director, Analysis and Planning - Maria SapienzaAssistant Director, Operations Administration Jordan DismangAssistant Director, Special Events Megan GaseorManager, Special Events - Robert MontgomeryManager, Event Planning and Design - Elliot SwiatlyManager, Event Operations Samantha ThrowerManager, Operations Administration - Kelly BilbreyCoordinator, Scheduling Joe TuzzolinoCoordinator, Event Operations - Angela TzortisCoordinator, Special Events - William Shaw, Director, Facilities Ryan EganDirector, Campus Grounds and Services - Roger BairdHead Groundskeeper Daniel KiermaierChief Engineer - Alex BrandtManager Logistics John GeitzSenior Coordinator, Facility Maintenance Lawrence LockridgeSpecialist, Facilities Anthony SpataforaSenior Coordinator, Office Services - Randy SkoczLead Groundskeeper - Dave WasielewskiLead Groundskeeper Graham FloraRegular Grounds Crew - Rick FuhsRegular Grounds Crew - Daryl WilsonGroundskeeper - Dylan GressGroundskeeper I - Levi DriesenGroundskeeper I - Kyle JakowitschGroundskeeper 1 - Kyle MrozNew Hire Groundskeeper - Eli SilvermanAssistant Chief Engineer Joe McCarronOperating Engineer Brendan FlemingOperating Engineer - Matthew FlemingOperating Engineer - Bobby GarciaOperating Engineer - Garret LakieOperating Engineer - Joseph LebarreOperating Engineer - Michael RahnOperating Engineer Philip RosineOperating Engineer - Dan WardOperating Engineer David ShermanOperating Engineer - Michael OttoOperating Engineer - Brandon HemrickOperating Engineer - Mark OlsenTrainee, Operating Engineer - Jeramyah SmithTrainee, Operating Engineer - Brian Darling, Vice President, Security - Doug LindsayManager, Event Security - Justin PaganManager Security Operations Jerad PrestonManager, Compliance - James StyburskiSpecialist, Protective Services - Aaron MittmanSpecialist, Protective Services - Joseph WallaceCoordinator, Safety Operations - Marjie McCulloughSupervisor, Security Joe CarterSupervisor, Security Nick CozzoneSecurity Supervisor Ben CookSecurity Officer - Jacob BishopSecurity Officer - Michael BrownSecurity Officer - Luis CorreaSecurity Officer - Joe CrumbSecurity Officer - Lorenzo FloresSecurity Officer - Joe FragassiSecurity Officer - Eduardo GarciaSecurity Officer - Lenell GraySecurity Officer - Jonathan GutierrezSecurity Officer - Colby LoftisSecurity Officer - Hector MagallanesSecurity Officer - Mark MooreSecurity Officer - Cindy MooreSecurity Officer - Graciela OrtizSecurity Officer - Tyler PachecoSecurity Officer - Debbie RiffertSecurity Officer - Jake SchnierowSecurity Officer - Mary SullivanSecurity Officer - Lindsey VillarrealSecurity Officer - Patrick WilliamsSenior Coordinator, Event Security - Israel Ramirez, Director, Software Development and Enterprise Data Management - Chris BrummettAssistant Director, Software Development - Tom DambraAnalyst, Business Systems Integrations - Bob WeissSoftware Engineer - Scott JohnsDatabase Developer - Alex CameronDatabase Developer - Isaac HergottJunior Systems Engineer Jake Nedza, Director, Technology Infrastructure and Operations - Michael PapaManager, Service Desk - Nathan MartiService Desk Technician - Sol AresService Desk Technician Eliseo BarcenasService Desk Technician Felipe Rodriguez, Senior Manager, Broadcast Engineering - Ken Jespersen, EVP, Community and GovernmentAffairs/Chief Legal Officer - Michael LufranoDirector, Community Affairs - Alicia GonzalezDeputy Director, Strategy and Programs - Keri BlackwellAssistant Director, Government and Community Affairs - Heather Way KitzesAssistant Director, Community Affairs and Cubs Charities - 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Jennifer MartindaleSenior Director, Marketing - Kelly LinstrothDirector, Brand and Player Marketing - Jim OboikowitchAssistant Director, Broadcast Relations - Joe RiosSenior Manager, Team History and Brand Initiatives - Patrick ManaherSenior Manager, Integrated Marketing - Crystal SainSpecialist, Integrated Marketing - Alex MennellaManager, Digital Content - Emma NyeSenior Coordinator, Promotions Nick HobbsSenior Coordinator, Brand Activation Stevie FanaleSupervisor, Mascot and Marketing - Alex CollinsCoordinator, Digital Content - Tiffany BuschCoordinator, Digital Content - Jeff HopkinsCoordinator, Authentics - Gus Psimoulis, Senior Director, Cubs Productions - Matt RomitoAssistant Director, Video Board Operations - Chris SimonsonAssistant Director, Graphic Design - Kelly KingProducer, Cubs Productions - Adam SobelContent Producer/Cinematographer - Sam PeltzProducer/Editor, Cubs Productions - Pat GosteleSenior Motion Graphic Designer - Shane EnglishVideographer, Cubs Productions - Drew ClarkVideo Editor, Cubs Productions - Corey SurrattControl Room Producer, Video Board Operations Cher DeYoungCoordinator, Cubs Productions Andre LewisCoordinator, Digital Assets David RiveraGraphic Designer - Erin Druger, Senior Director, Ticket Operations - Anuj PatelManager, Wrigley Field Ticket Office - Miguel DeJesusManager, Special Event Ticketing - Jessica CarravallahCoordinator, Ticket Operations - Jennifer ConlinCoordinator, Ticket Operations Hannah WellsAssociate, Fan Service Center - Jeannie Griggs, Director, Ticket Service - Brian GarzaAssistant Director, Premier Service - Frank CascellaAccount Executive, Premier Service - Zach ContiAccount Executive, Premier Service - Stephen MinichielloAccount Executive, Premier Service - Lexi PaulsenAccount Executive, Premier Service - Melissa StokesberryManager, Season Ticket Service Hannah Hester-GoralskiSr.