They say time heals all wounds. I never fully believed that saying until my interaction last weekend with Bob Villarreal, Merchandise and Community Relations Manager with the Beloit Sky Carp — the high-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. Before I get to Bob, I need to explain the wound.
This pre-teen Brewers fanatic (circa early 1980s) was so excited when the late Terry Campbell and a few other investors pitched the idea of bringing minor league baseball to ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½. It was like Field of Dreams before the movie was ever written. The potential location was a 10-minute bike ride from mom and dad’s house. Build it and they will come…at least I would! Sadly, the city fathers didn’t see the value in minor league baseball and the opportunity slipped 15 miles south to Beloit. At least that’s how I remember it.
Pohlman Field became the home of the Beloit Brewers, and eventually the Snappers. It felt like Brewster and Snappy were laughing at me because I couldn’t ride my bike to see the Brewers of tomorrow play in Beloit today. I loved baseball and even though it was still only 20 minutes by car, Beloit seemed like a million miles away. Maybe the million miles had something to do with the odd and tired rivalry between the cities. I guess I’ve never really understood it; yet I suppose I played along…up until last weekend.
This brings me back to Bob. I’ve been intrigued with the new ABC Supply Stadium and renewed Sky Carp baseball fever in Beloit and was looking to purchase merchandise in-person. I called the stadium on Saturday morning and left a message — not ever expecting a return call. Yet, around 1 p.. I received a call from a 362 extension. I answered and was blown away by the kind and enthusiastic voice on the phone. It was Bob. Although it was an ‘away weekend’ for Poopsie and the rest of the Sky Carp he invited me down the ‘million miles’ to Beloit. I accepted and I’m so glad I did.
My goal was to purchase a few hats for an upcoming trip. The outcome was much more rewarding. From the time I stepped into the merchandise area the customer experience was top-notch. We initially started talking about merchandise and how well the new logo has been received. The conversation quickly moved into a different and more meaningful direction.
It took Bob 15 minutes to proudly share what was going on in Beloit, how the Sky Carp are playing a role in the community and schools, and told me about the efforts to bring additional support an amenities to the greater Beloit area.
The wound? It healed within a few seconds of my unbelievably positive interaction with Bob. That was on him. I’ll take full responsibility for picking the scab for 40 years.
Oh, I bought the hats with the amazing new logos and they’re coming with me on my next trip. The hats seem trivial because I learned so much more about Beloit! Our family is looking forward to our next visit to ABC Supply Stadium to watch OUR Beloit Sky Carp. Maybe I can get a picture with Poopsie.
