| Leland, NC
The Wilmington Sharks: Putting the Family Back into Summer Baseball Games
Story by Bryan Stange
Photography by Megan Deitz
Do you remember your first baseball game? It most likely went something like this: The glow from the high-powered lights that lit the field spilled out into the warm summer sky above the stadium. Energy billowed inside, and grew steadily as you fought your parents’ grasp through the parking lot like an Alaskan sled dog. You probably pounded the inside of your glove and squeezed the sides together, making sure it was loose and ready for that fly ball you knew would come your way this time. Once through the gates, stadium food met you at every turn. The biggest decision facing you was whether to go with the nachos or the chili dog. People were moving every which way: some sitting in the bleachers chatting, some walking the loop browsing the food stands, and others standing and yelling at the umpire. The sharp crack of pine against leather silenced them all.
In the “good old days,” baseball, America’s pastime, was a staple of American culture, a rite of passage in adolescence, a gathering place of communities and an affordable, wholesome family event. Baseball once held the place that now belongs to reality TV shows and video games. The baseball field was a theater, starring the members of a city, with a supporting cast of two nine-man teams.
For the first time, the Wilmington Sharks, a summer collegiate baseball team, has local ownership. Conor Caloia recently joined Darrell and Lew Handelsman as an owner of the local baseball team.
After having worked in the industry for a few years, including four years with the Madison Mallards in Wisconsin, Caloia has come to Wilmington. He has been hard at work with the goal of bringing new excitement to this established team.
The team brings in some extremely talented players each year. Two of every three players on the roster will continue on to play minor league ball. The Sharks players get the opportunity to play ball with the best of their college-level peers; get experience hitting with wooden bats (like they will if they get the opportunity to move up in their careers); and get to sharpen their skills through stiff summertime competition.
Watching these skilled players as they compete is certainly central to the Wilmington Sharks experience, but surprisingly it is not what Caloia will tell you about.
“Our business is all about affordable family entertainment,” says Caloia. “There’s constantly some kind of entertainment going on for the kids, whether it is a speed-pitch area, an ice cream eating competition, or giveaways. We want people to just come out, and see what kind of a show we put on.”
At $5 per ticket, taking the family to a Sharks game is more affordable than going to the movies and much more interactive.
Caloia refers to the games as a “three-hour vacation for families.” The games are held right in town at the Legion Stadium at 2149 Carolina Beach Road, so a baseball game is an event that needs no advanced planning. Scheduling is made easy by the frequency of the games. Although the season is short, there is an average of about three home games per week throughout the season.
At this point many readers are likely thinking, “Okay, so once they get you in the door, that’s where they make up the ticket price. Food and anything additional must be steep.” Surprisingly, this isn’t the case. In fact, the Sharks even offer a “Family Pack,” which includes four general admission tickets, four small sodas, four hotdogs and four popcorns for a total cost of $25. Pardon the pun, but there is no catch.
The team caters to local businesses as well. Corporate boxes are available, which include private seating for six as well as VIP parking. Enjoying sporting events has always been a particularly good way to develop business relationships, but these types of events are not always as affordable or as easy as a Sharks game.
Regardless of which night the games fall, there will be some kind of specials offered. Whether it’s specials on the great ballpark food or $1 beers at the on-site beer garden, the Sharks keep the games interesting and keep their guests happy.
This year, Legion Stadium was selected as the venue to host the league’s All Star Game. The best of the best in collegiate baseball will be going head to head right here in Wilmington on July 21. Any kid who has ever picked up a bat and dreamed of saving the day with a hard hit to left field will be chomping at the bit to see these guys compete on that summer evening. For those kids who aspire to play competitive ball some day, the games are a very good way for them to watch and learn.
Another shift in the philosophy of the new Sharks team is that the owners have put great emphasis on engaging the local community. While there are activities and spirits for the adults to enjoy, the focus at every single game is kept steadfast on the kids. It truly is all about creating a memorable experience
for them.
The Sharks will host a “Hometown Heroes” game this year, with local firefighters and police officers competing for bragging rights.
The Sharks have also fostered a relationship with the UNCW baseball program. This year, four players from UNCW will be playing on the team, the most players that the league will allow to come from one team. One player from Brunswick Community College has also been invited to play for the team.
The Sharks kicked off their season on Thursday, May 28. The team plays through the beginning of August, at which point the playoffs are held.
The warm, long nights of summer are nearly upon us. This summer, do your kids a favor. Give the television and the video game system some time off, and get your kids out to experience the same magic that you came to know inside the stadium. They may catch their first foul ball. They may feel the energy of a live homerun. And just maybe, some day down the road, when they bite into a chili dog, they may think of sitting on the bleachers beneath the bright lights, with you.
Story by Bryan Stange
Photography by Megan Deitz
Do you remember your first baseball game? It most likely went something like this: The glow from the high-powered lights that lit the field spilled out into the warm summer sky above the stadium. Energy billowed inside, and grew steadily as you fought your parents’ grasp through the parking lot like an Alaskan sled dog. You probably pounded the inside of your glove and squeezed the sides together, making sure it was loose and ready for that fly ball you knew would come your way this time. Once through the gates, stadium food met you at every turn. The biggest decision facing you was whether to go with the nachos or the chili dog. People were moving every which way: some sitting in the bleachers chatting, some walking the loop browsing the food stands, and others standing and yelling at the umpire. The sharp crack of pine against leather silenced them all.
In the “good old days,” baseball, America’s pastime, was a staple of American culture, a rite of passage in adolescence, a gathering place of communities and an affordable, wholesome family event. Baseball once held the place that now belongs to reality TV shows and video games. The baseball field was a theater, starring the members of a city, with a supporting cast of two nine-man teams.
For the first time, the Wilmington Sharks, a summer collegiate baseball team, has local ownership. Conor Caloia recently joined Darrell and Lew Handelsman as an owner of the local baseball team.
After having worked in the industry for a few years, including four years with the Madison Mallards in Wisconsin, Caloia has come to Wilmington. He has been hard at work with the goal of bringing new excitement to this established team.
The team brings in some extremely talented players each year. Two of every three players on the roster will continue on to play minor league ball. The Sharks players get the opportunity to play ball with the best of their college-level peers; get experience hitting with wooden bats (like they will if they get the opportunity to move up in their careers); and get to sharpen their skills through stiff summertime competition.
Watching these skilled players as they compete is certainly central to the Wilmington Sharks experience, but surprisingly it is not what Caloia will tell you about.
“Our business is all about affordable family entertainment,” says Caloia. “There’s constantly some kind of entertainment going on for the kids, whether it is a speed-pitch area, an ice cream eating competition, or giveaways. We want people to just come out, and see what kind of a show we put on.”
At $5 per ticket, taking the family to a Sharks game is more affordable than going to the movies and much more interactive.
Caloia refers to the games as a “three-hour vacation for families.” The games are held right in town at the Legion Stadium at 2149 Carolina Beach Road, so a baseball game is an event that needs no advanced planning. Scheduling is made easy by the frequency of the games. Although the season is short, there is an average of about three home games per week throughout the season.
At this point many readers are likely thinking, “Okay, so once they get you in the door, that’s where they make up the ticket price. Food and anything additional must be steep.” Surprisingly, this isn’t the case. In fact, the Sharks even offer a “Family Pack,” which includes four general admission tickets, four small sodas, four hotdogs and four popcorns for a total cost of $25. Pardon the pun, but there is no catch.
The team caters to local businesses as well. Corporate boxes are available, which include private seating for six as well as VIP parking. Enjoying sporting events has always been a particularly good way to develop business relationships, but these types of events are not always as affordable or as easy as a Sharks game.
Regardless of which night the games fall, there will be some kind of specials offered. Whether it’s specials on the great ballpark food or $1 beers at the on-site beer garden, the Sharks keep the games interesting and keep their guests happy.
This year, Legion Stadium was selected as the venue to host the league’s All Star Game. The best of the best in collegiate baseball will be going head to head right here in Wilmington on July 21. Any kid who has ever picked up a bat and dreamed of saving the day with a hard hit to left field will be chomping at the bit to see these guys compete on that summer evening. For those kids who aspire to play competitive ball some day, the games are a very good way for them to watch and learn.
Another shift in the philosophy of the new Sharks team is that the owners have put great emphasis on engaging the local community. While there are activities and spirits for the adults to enjoy, the focus at every single game is kept steadfast on the kids. It truly is all about creating a memorable experience
for them.
The Sharks will host a “Hometown Heroes” game this year, with local firefighters and police officers competing for bragging rights.
The Sharks have also fostered a relationship with the UNCW baseball program. This year, four players from UNCW will be playing on the team, the most players that the league will allow to come from one team. One player from Brunswick Community College has also been invited to play for the team.
The Sharks kicked off their season on Thursday, May 28. The team plays through the beginning of August, at which point the playoffs are held.
The warm, long nights of summer are nearly upon us. This summer, do your kids a favor. Give the television and the video game system some time off, and get your kids out to experience the same magic that you came to know inside the stadium. They may catch their first foul ball. They may feel the energy of a live homerun. And just maybe, some day down the road, when they bite into a chili dog, they may think of sitting on the bleachers beneath the bright lights, with you.
