Shorebirds add two to front office
The Shorebirds also promoted two front office staff members from within. Mike Steinhice, formally a ticket sales executive was promoted to ticket sales manager, while Fred Schnarrs, the Shorebirds box office manager last season, was promoted to group sales manager.
The rest of the Shorebirds staff remains virtually unchanged, including general manager Chris Bitters, who returns for his seventh season with the club. Eleven staff members from the 2012 season remain with the club for the 2013 season. The list of returning staff members includes Jimmy Sweet (assistant general manager), Shawn Schoolcraft (director of marketing and community relations), Mike Steinhice (ticket sales manager), Zac Penman (ticket sales account executive), Alyssa Gintant (business development executive), Fred Schnarrs (group sales manager), Gail Potts (accounting manager), Bret Lasky (director of broadcasting and graphic design), Aaron Becker (director of stadium operations), Dave Super (head groundskeeper) and Audrey Vane (office & gift shop manager).
"We're excited about adding Brandon and Joe because both come from strong Minor League Baseball backgrounds and therefore will fit in perfectly with our returning staff," said Bitters. "The majority of our staff members have been together for several seasons now and that bodes very well for a big 2013."
Harms will be responsible for the overall operation of the Shorebirds ticket department. He joined the Shorebirds after three seasons with the Birmingham Barons (Double-A affiliate, Chicago White Sox). He started with the Barons as a general intern in 2010 before getting a promotion to Ticket Manager in 2011, a position he held there for two seasons. Prior to his time with the Barons, Harms held an internship with the North Shore Spirit, a former member of the Canadian American League. Harms graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2008 with a degree in Sport Management.
"I'm extremely excited about joining the Shorebirds team," said Harms. "As someone who is new to the Eastern Shore, I can't wait to meet all of our fans as we strive to provide the best entertainment in the Delmarva area"
Long will be responsible for supervising the Shorebirds box office while also contributing to the overall ticket sales efforts of the team. He joins the Shorebirds staff after a season with the Akron Aeros (Double-A, Cleveland Indians). Long was a ticket sales associate with the Aeros and led the staff in total ticket sales in 2012. His baseball career started in 2003 as a batboy and visiting clubhouse attendant with the Columbus Clippers, a Triple-A affiliate of the Yankees at the time. Long graduated Cum Laude from The Ohio State University in 2011.
"I am proud to become the box office manager for the Delmarva Shorebirds. Knowing what it takes to succeed in the baseball industry will ultimately generate new and lasting relationships and business not only for the Shorebirds but 7th Inning Stretch, LLC as well," said Long. "I am honored to join an elite staff, who all value our loyal fans and share the same passion that I have for the great game of baseball."
Harms and Long will join the Shorebirds staff in opening the 2013 season on April 4 at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, as the Shorebirds square off against the Hagerstown Suns. Ticket packages for the 2013 season are on sale now and available by calling 410-219-3112.
Delmarva Shorebirds
The Delmarva Shorebirds are the Class A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Shorebirds are owned by 7th Inning Stretch, L.P., the same company that owns the Stockton Ports of the California League and the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League. The Shorebirds were the proud hosts of the 2011 South Atlantic League "Strike Out Hunger" All-Star Game presented by Perdue that drew 7,410 fans. For more information, please call the Shorebirds at 410-219-3112.
The Shorebirds are celebrating 17 years of professional baseball on the Eastern Shore. During the 2009 season, the Shorebirds finished with an average attendance of 3,567 fans, the largest average since the 2002 season. In 2007, The Shorebirds had the top attendance based on market size in Minor League Baseball™, according to Sports Business Journal (August 2008). In 2010, more than 6,000 fans packed Arthur W. Perdue Stadium nine times including a season high of 8,993 fans on Aug. 7. In 2011, the Shorebirds welcomed 10 crowds of more than 5,000 fans.
The Shorebirds were established in 1996 by an investor team headed by legendary chicken company owner, the late Frank Perdue. The Shorebirds have called Arthur W. Perdue home ever since. For more information about the Delmarva Shorebirds, please call 410-219-3112 or visit www.theshorebirds.com online.