(female announcer)
This is a
production of WKNO-Memphis.

Production funding for 'Sports
Files' is made possible in part

by..

My guest today on 'Sports Files'
is the General Manager of the

Memphis Redbirds, Ben Weiss.

♪♪♪

Play Ball!

Two words that bring pleasure to
the ears of baseball fans young

and old.

The 2013 Major League Baseball
season opened up earlier this

week, while tonight the Memphis
Redbirds began play in the

Pacific Coast League.

The Birds, the AAA affiliate of
the St. Louis Cardinals are part

of the fabric of the Bluff
City, and while the numbers may

indicate a bit of a downward
trend in baseball's popularity,

America's pasttime continues to
be one of the most fan friendly

sports we have in this country.

Nearly a half million fans of
the game walked through the

Autozone Park
turnstiles in 2012,

an average of just under
seven thousand per game.

The Redbirds remain a very
afforable ticket for sports

fans, and with one of
Minor League Baseball's most

attractive stadiums, they
continue to be a draw for people

from all walks of life.

Last season the Redbirds
organization unveiled the

largest scoreboard in
Minor league baseball,

adding to the already popular
baseball "Shrine" at 3rd and

Union.

The man instrumental in helping
bring the new jumbotron to

Autozone Park, and adding
other popular immenities,

is General Manager Ben Weiss.

Weiss took over the daily
business operations of the

Redbirds in August of
2009, and hasn't looked back.

Today, the Redbirds young,
talented GM joins me to talk

about the upcoming season and
what fans can expect to see from

the team.

A squad that will begin the
season with some of the most

promising young talent in the
Cardinals organization such as

outfielder Oscar Tavarez and
second baseman Kolten Wong.

We swing for the fences with
the Redbirds front office head

honcho, Ben Weiss,
next on 'Sports Files'.

♪♪♪

Ben, thank you so
much for being with us.

Appreciate it, Greg.

Thank you for having me.

Always good to talk baseball.

I know the weather may not be
cooperating like we want it to

be but anytime you
can talk baseball,

it's a good thing.

Anytime we talk
baseball it's a good thing.

You're right.

The weather seems to be
reverting a little bit,

you know, back to
the cooler temps.

But obviously, this weekend,
temperatures supposed to be just

perfect.

Perfect for the first
fireworks game of the season.

So, we're looking
forward to that.

We'll talk about all the
promotions and everything that

we can expect to see from the
Redbirds this upcoming season as

we move along.

But timing is everything.

And yesterday a story was
circulating around the Memphis

area and maybe even out of Saint
Louis about the Saint Louis

Cardinals and that they were
on the verge of purchasing the

Redbirds and Autozone Park.

Ben, what can you tell us about
those rumors and that story that

circulated yesterday?

We obviously, you know,
saw the Twitter chatter.

And you know, as
far as I'm concerned,

I still work for the Memphis
Redbirds Baseball Foundation.

They're still the
owner of the ballpark,

still the owner
of the franchise.

And until, you know, there's a
change directly communicated by

them, that's the way it is
and that's the way it stands.

If there is dialogue between the
two and some would say there has

been because I know this has
been a rumor for a long time

that they would love to see
the Cardinals purchase the

organization.

Are you pretty to that
information as the general

manager?

It's at a different level, Greg.

You know, the
foundation members are,

you know, they handle
discussions as it results or as

it pertains to any
potential transaction.

So you move on as if it's
day-to-day operations and what

happens above you happens.

Our staff, we come in everyday.

Now we're coming in seven days a
week working our tails off and,

you know, making sure
that ball park is clean,

our promotions are great and
everybody has a great time.

That's what were there to do.

What does opening
day mean to you?

To me, it's opening day
is like Christmas day.

I'm fortunate.

I work in a business where I get
two Christmas days in one year.

But you know, it brings back.

It's a ton of excitment.

All the work, the culimation of
the six or seven months of off

season.

It's just great to see
all that come to fruition.

And it's just
very, very exciting.

You're a younger guy than me but
I still remember growing up and

opening day and when I went to
see the Phillies was the team I

grew up with.

You could smell the grass.

I'm going back to Connie
Mack when there was real grass.

And of course we had
the astroturf at stadium.

But to me, although the game
has changed in some regards,

it's still the same as
when I was a little kid.

Do you feel the same way opening
day and the excitment like you

just talked about
with Christmas?

Yeah, without a doubt.

You know, I grew up
playing baseball.

You know, and getting on that
field and smelling the grass and

being around the
smell of the leather,

the smell of the baseball.

Those smells and those
senses that only happen,

you know, inside that ballpark.

It's special and it brings
me back to my childhood,

as well.

It's engrained in you.

That's why you don't
forget the smells.

It's in you.

Yeah, for sure.

What is a typical day for
Ben Weiss with the Redbirds?

Well, the best part about my
job is there is no typical day.

You know, everyday is
absolutely very, very different.

You know, especially
now that we're in season.

Everything from, you know,
promoting the ball club to

working with our corporate
sponsors to selling season

tickets.

In fact, just the other day I
was pulling tarp with the crew.

So I'm down on the field and I'm
there for the early tarp calls

and for the late tarp calls.

So, you know, we do it all.

Minor League Baseball, we're
kind of all hands on deck and

jack of all trades.

There are so many things you do
from a business standpoint which

we'll get in to.

But from a player
personnel standpoint,

obviously it's dependant upon
what happens with the big league

team shaping your roster.

But are you asked by
people within the cardinals

organization for your
input on certain players?

No, no, at our level, you know
especially within the Cardinals

organization, the Cardinals just
got a fantastic farm system.

A tremendous farm director named
John Vuch who's quite a bit more

qualified than I am to
make those decisions.

Of course, John, those guys
are making the player personnel

decisions.

They advise us when a
players going up or coming down.

And then at that point, we take
over and make sure that player

is taken care of and is
comfortable and enjoys his time

in Memphis.

I think most people would agree
that it's really nice to have a

team that's competing.

But even if the
team is not competing,

it's an event to go to a ball
park and it's an event to go to

Autozone Park because it is
such a tremendous ball park.

And you always look at ways to
better it and last year bringing

in this jumbotron
was a tremendous cou,

Ben, by you and the staff.

Talk about that.

Talk about continually
trying to improve the product.

And that, you hit the
nail on the head there.

Continually trying
to raise the bar,

improve the product,
improve the fan experience.

You know, that's our mission.

That's our day-to-day mission
is to continue to make the

experience just
that much better.

And like you said,
that video board and,

you know, 60 by 60.

Biggest video board in
minor league baseball.

Bigger than a handful of the
big league park video boards.

We're very proud of that.

That just enhances
our fan experience.

The little kids come in to our
ball park and their eyes light

up.

And then they see that video
board and then they see Rocky.

You know, we get to do that
72 home games a year and it's

pretty special.

You have the bluff
over left field.

You have the boardwalk where the
kids go and play games because

their interest kind of
wains after a couple of innings.

You have this
beautiful jumbotron.

What else can you do?

What have you
added for this year?

Now, promotions.

You're always looking
to better yourself.

Always looking to
add promotions.

You know, we listen to our fans.

That's first and foremost.

You know, we love our
fans and, you know,

that's who we need to listen to.

So, we're constantly
doing focus groups.

We're listening to what
our fans have to say,

getting their
feedback, adding promotions.

They loved our
promotion calendar last year.

So we're taking that to
another level having 17,

18 giveaways each and every
Friday night coupled with our

Friday night block parties, band
and beer specials pre game on

Friday nights.

And of course, our
Saturday night fireworks,

in my opinion, the best
fireworks display in all of

minor league baseball.

In all 160 teams, no body beats
the Memphis fireworks show.

You know, we're
proud to put that on.

In the years you've
been here in Memphis,

do you feel that the popularity
of the sport and of the product

is growing, is
stable, has decreased?

Well, our numbers prove it.

I think, you know,
there's incremental growth.

It's slow and steady.

I think people
appreciate the product and,

you know, we're certainly an
entertainment option in Memphis.

And I think that's the way
a lot of families view us.

You know, who are
we competing with?

Yeah, we're competing with
that Friday night movie,

that saturday
night movie, you know,

some of the other
attractions in Memphis.

That's who we're
going up against,

you know, when the family is
deciding where to spend their

dollars.

So friend of mine, constatnly
raising the bar adding value.

You know, when a fan
comes in to the ball park,

they know they're going
to get a neat giveaway.

They know they're going to
get a tremendous firework show.

They know they're going to get
their picture with Rocky the

Redbird.

All those little
things, you know,

they really add up and I
think that's why we've seen,

you know, steady
growth, you know,

in the last two or three years.

You're looking to appease the
families but I would imagine

you're also looking to go out
there and get groups whether it

be civic groups, church
groups, things like that.

Yeah, youth baseball.

I mean, a piece of business
that has really grown for us is

allowing youth baseball teams
to play on our field pre or

postgame Redbirds games.

So that's a neat opportunity
to see those young kids,

boys and girls, touch the grass
at Autozone Park and actually be

able to play a game.

It's something they're going to
be talking about for the rest of

their life.

And that's what we're doing is
we're ceating lifelong baseball

fans, lifelong Redbird fans.

Let's go back to one of the
statements I made earlier about

having a competitive team.

It just adds to it.

You start off with some of the
best prospects in the Cardinals

organizations in Oscar
Taveras, and Kolten Wong,

Micheal Wacha.

Let me make sure
everybody realizes.

Get out there and see them now
because we don't know how long

they'll be there.

But to have this type of talent.

Chambers is back with the
Redbirds and you have other

talent that returns.

It's nice.

This squad and Pop Warner has
said it over the last couple of

days, our manager.

This squad is going to go out
every night and they're going to

compete.

And they're going to
put on a heck of a show.

You're going to
see some great ball,

baseball down there
at Third and Union.

And you know, this is the
Cardinal's future right here and

this is something you're
not going to want to miss.

Yeah, if you look
at the parent club,

just not all of them but just
about everybody went to Memphis.

A good majority
of them, you know,

have played at Autozone Park.

So, you know, the future is now.

You know, this is the time to
come see those future Cardinals.

Evaluate the job Pops doing.

Tremendous.

Pops a tremendous competitor.

I know he was not happy with the
win-loss record last year but he

gets those guys ready to compete
every single night and he's just

a tremendous guy.

He's the guy that
you root for and,

you know, we love Pop.

Something that is not good for
the Cardinals but benefits the

Redbirds and even Springfield
is when a player gets hurt,

injured and is rehabilitating.

You have David Freese
help with the team now,

a World Series hero.

It's always an added bonus
when fans can come over,

watch your team and then, "Oh,
David Freese is there as well."

Opening weekend David Freese,
we're pretty happy about that.

So, we'll see.

What is the goal from you and
your staff for the future with

this organization?

What kind of goals do
you make for yourselves?

Each year we, you
know, like I said,

we try to raise the
level of customer service,

fan experience and
continue to grow that fan base,

continue to sell, you know,
additional season tickets,

continue to reach out to the
corperate community and grow our

corperate support.

And you know, we've been
successful at that the last few

years.

So the goals just keep
growing that business,

keep growing Redbirds fans.

Do you ever bend?

Do you ever go on the road or
have members of your staff go on

the road and see what's
happening at other minor league

parks?

I do.

I'm lucky enough to get
out there on the road and

occasionally go
out with our team.

But I go to these other
parks for our all-star game,

our national championship game.

If we make the play-offs, I'll
be on the road with the team for

our potential play-off run.

And that's when you
can really, you know,

you're kind of doing
your homework out there.

You're seeing what new
promotions are out there.

You're seeing what new ballpark
attractions are out there and,

you know, see if we can take a
few ideas and bring them back

here to Memphis.

I would imagine some
minor league teams out there,

some organizations try to
emulate what you guys are doing

knowing that you have this
amazing stadium that if they

certainly can
afford it financially,

that they're going to
want to model it after it.

Yeah, you know, we meet as a
minor league baseball community

once or twice a year.

And, you know, the best part
about the minor league baseball

community is we are open books.

We share data.

We share what's working.

We share what's not working
in each different market.

And certainly a lot of
questions get asked.

"What are you guys
doing in Memphis?"

"What's working in Memphis?"

And you know, that's a good
thing is that people are keeping

their eye on what
we're doing here.

Ben, how about a
triple-A all-star game?

We would love to host it.

We would love to host it.

How does that go?

How do you try to?

It alternates from International
League to Pacific Coast League

each year.

And usually,
there's a bid process.

You need to, you know, kind of
campaign and get the word out

there that you'd be
intersted in that.

And then the two leagues, the
two triple-A leagues make the

decision.

So, that's a
possibility down the road.

I know they're booked
for the next two seasons.

So, we'll see.

Civic responsibilites for
the Redbirds organization.

I know it's very important to
do things in the community,

go back to the stripe programs.

These are important.

Yes, still active and, you know,
we're proud to say that we still

touch in our RBI
program, you know,

almost 1,000 at-risk youth every
summer with our RBI program.

You know, not only
teaching baseball skills,

softball skills but life skills.

We provide the kids a meal
everytime they come out to

practice.

And then of course, it
culminates with a trip down to

Autozone Park and
watching the Redbirds play.

So, it's a great program.

We're very, very proud of it.

And always looking for
additional corporate community

support on that.

So, you know, if
you're interested,

please certainly help us.

Provide a number
that they can call.

Definitely go on the
website or 721-6000.

Call that number and, you
know, we're always looking for

additional hands.

Now will that be the number
also if people are interested in

purchsing tickets?

Absolutely, absolutely.

And the website I would
imagine is going strong.

Yep, Memphisredbirds-dot-com.

In fact, a brand
new look this year.

A lot of information on there.

You know, one thing we heard
from our fans in they wanted

more player contact information.

We were happy to provide that.

And check our our website.

It's got a ton of
information on it.

Ben, very briefly, being a
part of a non-profit with the

Redbirds Foundation,
how restrictive is that?

Does that pose some issues?

It does.

it's not restrictive at all.

I mean, we still run our
business and we still run our

minor league club in the same
fashion that most of the other

clubs do.

You know, of course there's some
financial and accounting things

that need to take place.

But other than that,
to be honest with you..

No major barriers.

No handcuffs, so we're good.

We like to end each
one of our interviews.

Find out a little bit more about
our guests with Five for the

Road.

So it's five
questions, quick answers.

Try not to think about
it too thoroughly here.

Just maybe the first
thing that comes to mind.

Favorite
professional team in sports,

in all of sports?

Don't say the Cardinals.

If I wasn't going to
say the Cardinals,

I'd say teh
Philadelphia Phillies.

How about that?

Now where did you grow up?

Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Are you kidding me?

Yeah.

Here we go.

So we rooted for the same team.

I'm from south Jersey but..

When you said that, I
said, "Now here we go."

Absolutely, alright.

Favorite pro
athlete of all time?

Of all time, Arnold Palmer.

Really?

Yep, grew up playing golf and my
dad was a big Arnie fan and had

the chance to meet him at a US
Senior Open a few years ago.

Well, not a few years ago.

Maybe 20 years ago now.

Time flies.

Yeah, really.

And just what a gentleman.

He's a Pennsylvania guy, too.

He is.

Latrobe or
somewhere in that area.

Surprised you didn't go
Mike Schmidt but I understand.

I love Schmidty.

Favorite music, musician, genre?

What do you listen to?

Driving around in your
car, what do you listen to?

Yeah, I love the rock music.

You know, still one of my
all-time favorite bands is

Incubus.

Kind of grew up in
college listening to them.

Look at you!

I still love Incubus.

I don't even know if they
make records anymore but I still

listen to the old stuff.

Who knew?

Favorite movie of all time?

You and I both saw..

I'll go with that!

42 right there.

Wow, that was a great event you
guys put on to have the premiere

that we got to see last week.

Wow, what a great movie!

My wife and I were talking about
for probably two days after that

just how, what a phenomenal
story and tremendous production.

Need to go see it.

First Lady Michelle Obama
said everybody should see it.

It should be a must see if
you can get a chance to get out

there.

Finally we'll wrap it up with
your favorite television show of

all time.

Of all time..

Is there something
right now when you go home?

You know what?

I really like this show called
Dual Survivor I think it's

called.

It's on Discover channel.

It's these two guys that go out
and make themselves lost in the

wilderness.

Oh, one of those deals.

I'm in to that!

It's neat!

I watch a lot
oft hat reality stuff.

You never know
what's going to happen!

I haven't seen that one yet but
I'll make sure I check it out.

And folks, you make sure
to check out the Redbirds.

They got a eight game home
stand to start the season.

Ben Weiss, always a pleasure.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

We'll take a short break, come
back with Overtime right after

this.

♪♪♪

As many of you know, the
University of Memphis Men's

Basketball program has put
together one of the nation's top

recruiting classes for 2013.

Five top level players
signed scholarships,

and if all qualify, Memphis has
it's version of the Fab Five.

But here's a little secret.

It's actually a Fab Six.

Olive Branch High School product
Sam Craft will also be a part of

that class.

But priority one
for Sam is football.

Craft signed with Justin
Fuente and the Tigers,

but expects to play both sports.

As a senior Quarterback
for the Conquistadors,

Craft threw for nearly
1800 yards and 14 touchdowns.

But he also rushed for nearly
a thousand with 16 scores,

and caught four more touchdowns.

At Memphis, he will likely
be used as a slot receiver.

In hoops, Craft averaged 23
points and four blocks per game

with Olive Branch.

He is also a star on
the track and field team.

But three sports at Memphis?

Not even a great athlete like
Sam Craft will attempt to do

that.

Scott, you've had a number of
talented players walk through

the doors here at Olive Branch.

Tell me about Sam Craft.

Sam is probably the most fast
twitch guy I've ever coached.

That may not mean a whole lot to
the lay person but to somebody

that's in the business will
understand what I'm saying.

He's real, real quick,
got real good balance,

great eye-hand coordination.

But you know, the most important
thing to me about Sam Craft is

the type of person that he is.

And you know, Sam Craft the
athlete is going to get old and

fat just like me
one of these days.

But Sam Craft the person is
going to live for a long time

and going to be a solid citizen
and a good person to be a

neighbor and that sort of stuff.

And that's the thing that
really matter to me about Sam.

Well, Sam, you just
heard Coach describe you.

Describe yourself to everyone.

As a person, I just
describe myself as being humble,

just thanking God for all the
talent that he's gtiven me.

I describe myself as a football
player where I can make plays

for my team.

I try to play together.

I do everything by myself.

So, I just work hard and get
better everyday when I go to

practice and stay
humble as a person,

too.

Sam, you spent three years at
Craigmont then transferred to

Olive Branch.

What was it like to have this
year with the Conquistadors?

Oh, it was great.

Coach, well, he let
me in with open arms.

I felt wanted.

He helped me become a better
football player and also a

better person.

My teammates, none of this
would be possible without them.

They made me look just
as good on the field.

Sam, why the
University of Memphis?

I'm a Memphis boy.

I've been a fan
since I was born.

My father played at Memphis.

Other schools recruited
me, real good schools.

And I thought about going but I
looked back on it and Memphis is

the best.

It's the best fit for me.

Sam, you play
quarterback at Olive Branch.

Where do you expect
to play at Memphis?

I expect to come to Memphis one
because Fuente let me make the

plays.

I'll be more than welcome to
play there from quarterback to

me playing defensive back,
side reciever or kick returner,

punt returner.

What position are you
most comfortable with?

With the ball in my hands.

So offensively?

Yes, sir.

There are a lot of young men who
decide they want to leave the

area.

They don't want to
stay and play at Memphis.

You're a Memphis area
kid who decided to stay.

Do you like the pressure
that's going to come with it?

It's pressure but
at the same time,

that's what you
want as a player.

Yeah, you want your family and
friends to be able to come and

watch you every home game.

That's a lot of love that's
going to be showed in the city

of Memphis.

And some of the players, they
leave out of the state to go

play other places.

They get forgotten and I just
want to be remembered and to

change the football program
around would be a real good way

to be remembered.

So which sport
are you better at,

football or basketball?

It's crazy because I have the
question asked to me for so

long.

I really can't say because
I love both sports dearly.

And I just play so hard so I
really can't say which one I'm

better at.

So, you're also running
track at Olive Branch.

Basketball, football and track.

Are you going to try to
play three sports at Memphis?

I try to be a star at
whatever sport I play.

Sam, is there any doubt you'll
play both sports at Memphis?

There's no doubt.

My freshman year, I'm
going to play both sports.

If it doesn't work
out as I want it to be,

I will just stick to football.

Footballs where you
have your scholarship.

Yes, sir.

What do you know
about your college coach,

Justin Fuente?

Coach Fuente, he's a great guy.

He asked me did I want to
come to Memphis and I told him,

"Oh, yes sir,' so I think he's
changed this program around in

one year like very fast.

And I think in a
couple more years,

it'll be one of the top
football schools in the country.

Sam, what is the one thing
you'll take away from playing

for Coach Samsel
here at Olive Branch?

Just being
dedicated in the classroom.

I've came a long way in
doing my school work.

but Coach Samsel,
he know I can play.

I can play ball but he was
always on me about making sure I

had my classwork done.

Well Sam, best of
luck in Memphis.

We're looking forward to
watching you play there.

Thank you so much for your time.

Thank you.

Scott, always a pleasure.

Thank you.

As we say goodnight, we do so
with heavy hearts after the news

of the recent passing of former
Memphis Tigers hoop star Bobby

Parks.

Parks died of
cancer at the age of 51,

in his home away from
home, the Phillipines.

Parks was the consumate hard
worker who made his teammates,

and thus his team, better.

He was part of the recruiting
class of 1980 and helped the

Tigers to three straight
sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA

tournament.

He is the school's 19th
all time leading scorer.

His pro career took
him to the Phillipines,

where he became a legendary
figure both on and off the

court.

Our thoughts and prayers go
out to the friends and family of

Bobby and the
entire Tiger nation.

And that will do
it for this week.

Remember you can see any of our
previous shows by heading to our

website at WKNO-dot-org
and clicking on KNO Tonite.

And we'll see you next time.

♪♪♪