Since this is my first time blogging let me introduce myself I’m Justinand I’m going to be working in the Box Office with Michelle. I’m a huge
Phillies fan as well as all Philly sports, I’m graduating from The
Temple University, home of the Temple Owls!
PLAY BALL! Well sort of, it’s that time of year when teams are getting their Spring Training games on to prepare for the upcoming season.  I cannot wait for the season to start already a big rivalry between the Mets/Phillies but now has more life than it has the last two seasons with the comments aimed toward Jimmy Rollins by Carlos Beltran ("To Jimmy Rollins: We are the team to beat."), then the response by Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies was quoted as saying

"Two things come to mind,"One, there are four other teams in our division who 
are going to make sure that doesn’t happen, and two, has anyone ever heard of plagiarism? 
That was pretty good, especially coming from him. He’s a quiet guy, so it was probably 
shocking when he said it. Not shocking in a bad way, like ‘Wow, I can’t believe he said 
that.’ More like, ‘Wow, he finally said something because he’s a leader on that team and 
you definitely need to be a vocal leader.". So there is no love lost after the Mets disgraced themselves at the tailend of the season displacing the ’64 Phillies from worst collapse in MLB History. Another reason to make a Phillies fan happy. Well that’s it for now let’s get the season going!

Justin

There are certain things in life that really pump me up: eating when i’m really hungry, taking a nap in the middle of the day when I’m really tired, finding a hidden french fry under a napkin after I think I’m done eating, Nic Cage and FREE BARBECUE!  Two Bubbas Barbecue, located on 57 Coffee Bluff Villa Road, was kind enough to bring the Sand Gnats office staff some pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches!  I have known about this visit since last week and I have been counting down the days…So the Sand Gnats would like to send out a thanks to Two Bubbas Barbecue!  You can reach them for catering or carry out orders at (912) 921-1144.

Check out my NINE INNINGS currently on our home page.  You’ll find out so serious stuff! Go Gnats BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

-Benton

A week under my belt here in Savannah, and so far, so good. Mike has been getting me acquainted with InDesign and Photoshop as we produce the program "SG magazine" and the media guide.

First impressions after a week in Savannah: The people, in and out of the office, are very friendly and hospitable. Secondly, the newly renovated field here at Grayson Stadium looks spectacular. Head Grounds Keeper Andy Rock and his staff have done a tremendous job with the playing field. I think the players will be ecstatic to call this diamond home when they arrive in April. Finally, Savannah has lived up to its reputation as a great place to live. With Daffin Park, Forsyth Park and the historic district, there is plenty to do in my free time away from Grayson.

It’s been fun getting to know the rest of the staff here, including Benton, Lauren, Jeff, Justin, Tasha, Michelle, Pat and Brad. Mike is a whiz on the Adobe applications we use so learning from him has been easy. We’re making good progress on the publications for the season and are eager for April 5th when the season gets under-way.

That’s all for now, check back in for more as we keep you up-to-date on the latest here at Grayson Stadium!

-Matt

While the grass is loving this water it’s not helping our billboard removal.  On a more positive note we have a new bbq sponsor and it’s Friday.  We still need a coffee sponsor.  Interested businesses can contact me at pshaw@sandgnats.com.  Congratulations to Louis Graham for reaching 7th place on the Georgia Southern Basketball alltime scoring list. It’s hard for me to believe he only has one more game in the Boro.      

                                                     Your Home Team,

                                                       Slawdog

Turns out I need ESPN’s Error Boy!  You know the guy from PTI and he now hosts Around the Horn?  (Aside from the fact that I have a huge crush on him)

Michelle came back to my office and was upset that I had not mentioned her in my previous blog entry.  Tony Reali would NOT have let this happen. 

So to correct my last blog entry Michelle Metzgar and Jeff Beirly were both busy at work contacting season ticket holders and groups for the 2008 season! 

Catch the Buzz!

LP 

Hey everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Michelle Metzgar and I am the new Ticketing Director here with the Sandgnats. I just moved here from Pennsylvania, and so far I do not miss the snow in the least. Right now I am a bit disturbed that my Phillies are going to have to dish out 10 million dollars to Ryan Howard the strikeout king, but we can thank arbitration for that. I’m going to stick with Lauren’s foreign language theme, and say Auf Wiedersehen (German for goodbye)

Michelle

Happy Wednesday Gnats fans!

I hope all is going well in your world.  Today’s been a busy day in the trailer.  Mike and I, and Mike’s media assistant Matt(you’ll learn more about him soon) were coming up with some plans for our new pregame show.  Which means fans, you’ll need to come to the games early so you can see it!!  We’ll have game recaps, funny videos, player interviews all sorts of cool stuff! 

Benton, Tasha, Brad, and Pat have been in and out at meetings, Justin’s been planning the Wedding Expo for April 27th.  There’s a lot going on around here!!

I can’t believe how fast this off season has rolled around.  It’s almost time… as for now, i’ll enjoy this great 70 degree February weather and go for a run around Forsyth Park while I still can!

Hasta manana! (i’m attempting to learn Spanish)

LP

So yesterday Gnate, the Hammer and I made some appearences around the Savannah area helping people surprise their loved ones with Valentines Gifts!  We first had the idea of just dressing me up in a cupid outfit, but decided it would scare people. It was an exciting day and fun to see the surprised looks on people’s faces!

On a more personal note, my Carolina Panthers are currently in process of making offseason moves for the 2008 NFL season.  They have cut Dan Morgan, Mike Wahle and will probably cut Dave Carr, DeShaun Foster, Keary Colbert and Mike Rucker.  In my opinion, they need to make some bold moves this offseason…last year they sat on their hands.  They need to draft an offensive linemen in the first round.  Then they need to sign at LEAST two of the following free agents: Michael Turner, Marion Barber, Derrick Ward, DJ Hackett, Bernard Berrian, Ken Hamlin and Corey Williams.  They definately need a WR and a RB first.  John Fox and Marty Hurney both know their jobs are on the line this year, so they will be making some big moves.  We’ll see how things turn out. 

Hello all you fans of the biting bug!  As you can see from the last entry, the Mets announced that Donovan Mitchell will be our manager for the 2008 season.  Mitchell came into to town today (Wednesday) and did some interviews with the local newspaper as well as some local television stations so be on the lookout for those.  Donovan will also appear on Ray Steele’s morning show tomorrow morning (Thursday, Valentine’s Day) at 7:40 a.m.

Around the office nothing too new to report.  My intern Matt will be arriving in Savannah this Friday and start on Monday so I’m sure you will see him posting on this blog in the near future.  Matt is also from California so I will have another West Coast native in the office to back me up. 

The Southern Women’s Show went well.  We met lots of people and Gnate even got his picture taken with the Sleep Train Mattress Center Sheep while he was there.  There are no appearances scheduled for this weekend but keep an eye out for Gnate and the Gnats staff in the near future. 

The Mets pitchers and catchers report to Port St. Lucie, Fla. tomorrow and I know I’m excited.  I’ll be making a trip down on March 7-9 to check out the Mets as well as a few other teams. 

In non-Sand Gnats news, I rented 3:10 to Yuma the other day with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale.  It wasn’t a bad movie for a western.  It kept me entertained for 2 hours and the ending wasn’t half bad.  Rent it if you get a chance. 

That’s it, I’m out for now. 

Peace

SAVANNAH, Ga. ? Donovan Mitchell has been tabbed to manage the Savannah Sand Gnats for the 2008 season, the New York Mets announced today.  Mitchell will lead a staff that features two returning members from the 2007 staff led by Tim Teufel. 

Mitchell, 38, managed the Mets Rookie League team in Kingsport, Tenn. the past two seasons.  In two years with the K-Mets, Mitchell compiled a 69-66 record and guided them to a second place finish in the Appalachian League?s Western Division in 2007.  Prior to his managerial work with Kingsport, he served as the hitting coach with the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2004 and 2005. 

George Greer will join Mitchell in Savannah in 2008 and serve as the team?s hitting coach.  Greer, who spent 17 seasons as the manager of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, also spent 2007 with the Kingsport Mets.  Greer owns a 714-504-8 record as a Division I Head Coach in 23 seasons.  Last year in Kingsport, the K-Mets hit .257 as a team, which was good enough for fourth in the league. 

Jonathan Hurst, who served as Savannah?s pitching coach in 2007, returns to the Coastal Empire in 2008 to continue his duties as pitching coach and Pedro Lopez will serve as a coach on Mitchell?s 2008 staff.  Trainer Matt Thayer returns to Savannah for his second season as team trainer while Nick Wright begins his first season as the Gnats? strength coach. 

Savannah opens the home portion of the 2008 season Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m. versus the Columbus Catfish.  Season tickets and flex plans are currently available.  For more information and a complete schedule, visit http://www.sandgnats.com or call 912-351-9150.