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Captains warm up winter with Hot Stove
News-Herald, January 13, 2010 by David S. Glasier
Notwithstanding the snow and cold winds of this particularly frigid January, the upcoming baseball season felt like it was just around the corner Tuesday night at Classic Park in Eastlake.
The Lake County Captains were hosting the eighth annual Hot Stove Dinner in the ballpark’s indoor batting cages. A capacity crowd of about 200 fans enjoyed a preview of the 2010 season as well as a buffet featuring ballpark fare and beverages.
“I like ballpark food anytime,” said a smiling Brian Dorsey.
The Willoughby resident was accompanied by his wife, Venie, and her two grandchildren, Daniel Vega and D’Artagnan Vega.
Venie Dorsey said she’s been to “almost all” of the previous Hot Stove events. It was the first time for Brian Dorsey, who works at the Olive Garden restaurant in Mentor.
“I happen to get the night off, which is rare. This is a treat,” he said.
Craig Deas, the Captains radio play-by-play announcer and director of community and media relations, served as emcee of the event.
He introduced the team’s ownership group and newly hired manager Ted Kubiak.
“My main thing is to develop ballplayers and move them up to the major leagues. I believe in the fundamentals,” said Kubiak, a 67-year-old California resident who as a major-league player won three World Series rings as a member of the Oakland A’s in the early 1970s.
Fans who turned out for Tuesday’s event got the chance to meet and interact with 13 minor-league prospects participating in the Winter Development Program conducted by the Cleveland Indians, the parent club of the Class A Captains.
Those prospects included former Captains Kelvin De La Cruz, Jeanmar Gomez, Josh Judy, Carlton Smith and Nick Weglarz.
Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski and his son, Matt Andrzejewski, were among the attendees Tuesday. The city owns the stadium.
“This is always a nice event. It’s informal and gives you the chance to learn about the players and their backgrounds,” Ted Andrzejewski said.
The Captains this season will compete in the Midwest League after leaving the South Atlantic League.
They’ll open the 2010 season at home against the West Michigan Whitecaps on Thursday, April 8.
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