Rocket City Trash Pandas Name Garrett Fahrmann VP & General Manager
MADISON, Alabama - AUGUST 8, 2019 -- Veteran baseball executive Garrett Fahrmann has been named Vice President and General Manager of the Rocket City Trash Pandas, CEO Ralph Nelson announced today. The Trash Pandas, which begin Southern League play in April 2020, announced several other key front office appointments, including
MADISON, Alabama - AUGUST 8, 2019 -- Veteran baseball executive Garrett Fahrmann has been named Vice President and General Manager of the Rocket City Trash Pandas, CEO Ralph Nelson announced today.
The Trash Pandas, which begin Southern League play in April 2020, announced several other key front office appointments, including Chuck Domino as Special Advisor to the CEO, and Elaine Ballew as Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer.
Fahrmann, who joined the Trash Pandas in June as Vice President of Ballpark and Baseball Operations, assumes the GM title immediately and reports directly to Nelson. His baseball career includes Director of Operations for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and Senior Vice President of Operations for the Fresno Grizzlies. The IronPigs are the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and the Grizzlies were the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants when Garrett was there.
He earned a master's degree in sports management from Slippery Rock University and a bachelor's in business management from Concord University.
"Garrett comes to North Alabama with a solid baseball management background from two of the marquee Triple-A organizations in our industry," Nelson said. "He adds strength to our executive team as we continue to assemble an extraordinary front office. With Garrett, Elaine, Chuck and David Bier, our staff will have unparalleled leadership that will deliver North Alabama an unparalleled baseball experience."
Domino, Chief Executive of the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, is a 37-year veteran of the baseball business. President of Domino Management and Consulting, Chuck is a consultant for eight Minor League Baseball teams and has worked with the Trash Pandas since their inception.
Nelson also announced Elaine Ballew has been named the club's Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer and David Bier has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
"Elaine brings an incredible business and financial background, along with astonishing energy to our organization," Nelson said. "There are few professionals more respected in the North Alabama business community than Elaine Ballew. With her unmatched community connections and impeccable reputation, we are beyond excited to have her on board."
Ballew started with the Trash Pandas July 1, and her first order of business has been to finalize corporate partnerships for the team and their new stadium. Elaine was most recently State Director of Corporate Partnerships for the Alabama Media Group/This Is Alabama. She is also former Executive Director of the Madison Chamber of Commerce.
"The introduction of the Trash Pandas is one of the most exciting things to have happened in the Huntsville-Madison area in quite some time," Ballew said. "I am very excited to join this special team of professionals and, especially, to introduce so many of the corporate connections I've made throughout the years to the amazing things the Trash Pandas are doing for our region."
Bier joined the Trash Pandas in January as Senior Vice President, Operations. His responsibilities include oversight of all business operations for the Trash Pandas organization and the new stadium in Town Madison. He is the former Vice President of Operations and Operating Partner for Monaco Entertainment, LLC.
Other personnel moves announced by the Trash Pandas today include:
• Gayle Milam, Director, Stadium Events. Previously served 26 years as Event and Volunteer Coordinator for the City of Madison.
• Mojo Jones, Director of Game Entertainment. Will also remain as morning host of the Mojo Radio Show on Cumulus Broadcasting's WZYP in Huntsville.
• Ricky Fernandez, Manager, Game Entertainment. Will also remain as morning show producer on Cumulus Broadcasting's WZYP in Huntsville.
• Nate Leaser, Manager, Box Office Operations. Previously worked for Tickets.com as onsite field technician for the San Diego Padres.
• Mareca Watson, Director, Customer Experience. Previously worked for Forty-2 Property Management where she was a corporate trainer and oversaw investor relations
• Corey Ausderau, Senior Account Executive. Previously Director of Group Sales for the Birmingham Barons.
• Charlie Weaver, Groundskeeper. Previously groundskeeper for the Hoover Met Stadium.
• Brennan Patrick, Account Executive. Previously an intern for the Nashville Sounds
• Bud McLaughlin, Manager, Public Relations. Currently Editor of the Huntsville Business Journal. Previous Sports Information Director at Alabama A&M University.
• Elizabeth Cornett, Manager, Online Store and Merchandise Operations. Previously worked part-time for BallCorps, beginning when Trash Pandas merchandise was introduced October 27.
• Ivory Snow, Manager Retail Stores. Previously served 20 years in retail operations in the Huntsville area including positions at Belk and Michael Kors.
HOMESTAND HIGHLIGHTS: May 6-11 vs. Montgomery Biscuits
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas return to Toyota Field for their third homestand of the 2025 season, welcoming the Tampa Bay Rays affiliate Montgomery Biscuits, May 6-11. The homestand features a promotional lineup that includes the following highlights: Tuesday, May 6 | First Pitch: 6:05 pm |
Big 'Ol Ballpark Fair returns to Toyota Field, May 15-25
MADISON, Alabama – The Rocket City Trash Pandas have partnered with Kissel Entertainment for the sixth annual Big Ol’ Ballpark Fair in the Toyota Field parking lot from Thursday, May 15, through Sunday, May 25. The Fair will be closed on Monday, May 19. Similar to previous years, the Big
Trash Pandas salute Armed Forces, fall 4-1 to Biscuits on Friday
MADISON, Ala. – For the fourth straight night, the Montgomery Biscuits (17-13) defeated the Rocket City Trash Pandas (9-20), this time by a final of 4-1. The Trash Pandas used Friday to salute our military with SAIC Armed Forces Night, welcoming 5,475 fans into Toyota Field. The Biscuits started their
Veteran pitchers Sean Poppen and Jordan Holloway join Trash Pandas roster
MADISON, Ala. – On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Angels announced three roster moves that affected the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Veteran right-handed pitchers Sean Poppen and Jordan Holloway have joined the Trash Pandas roster from the ACL Angels, and in a corresponding move, RHP Ryan Costeiu has been transferred to
Ketchup homers, but Biscuits stop Pandas' win streak on Tuesday
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (9-17) returned to Toyota Field on Tuesday night, but their three-game winning streak came to an end with a 3-2 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits (14-13). In the loss, Sam Brown had another big night offensively, reaching base safely three times and
Trash Pandas take series from Smokies with doubleheader sweep on Sunday
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After back-to-back rainouts on Friday and Saturday, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (9-16) swept a doubleheader against the Knoxville Smokies (12-13) on Sunday afternoon, winning 6-3 and 8-2 at Covenant Health Park. Sam Brown led the offense, going 5-for-8 with two triples, two doubles, and four RBIs,
Saturday night's game between Trash Pandas and Smokies canceled due to rain
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Saturday’s game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Knoxville Smokies at Covenant Health Park has been canceled due to rain. Since a doubleheader is scheduled for Sunday, this game will not be made up, as the teams do not meet again in the first half
Trash Pandas postponed by rain in Knoxville on Friday night
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The game between the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the Knoxville Smokies at Covenant Health Park on Friday night has been postponed due to rain. The Smokies announced late Friday night that a doubleheader has been scheduled for Sunday, starting at 11:30 am CT. The doubleheader will
Aldegheri tosses 7.0 shutout innings as Pandas beat Smokies 5-3
KNOXVILLE, Tenn – Sam Aldegheri (W, 1-1) tossed 7.0 shutout innings, allowing only five hits, as the Rocket City Trash Pandas (7-16) kicked off May with a 5-3 victory over the Knoxville Smokies (12-11) at Covenant Health Park on Thursday night. The game featured two starting pitchers named Sam, both
Spring Tune-Up Car Show rescheduled for May 31
MADISON, Ala – The Rocket City Spring Tune-Up Car Show will be held Saturday, May 31, from 9 am to 2 pm in the Toyota Field Parking Lot. The family-friendly event will showcase classic and modern modified vehicles, with concessions available from the Trash Pandas. Due to forecasted rain, the
Urena shines in 5-4 loss to Smokies on Wednesday night
KNOXVILLE, TN – In another tightly contested game on Wednesday night at Covenant Health Park, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (6-16) fought back in the ninth inning, trailing by three runs. They managed to score two runs but ultimately fell short, falling 5-4 to the Knoxville Smokies (12-10). Out of
Moore homers in return to Knoxville, but Pandas drop slugfest
KNOXVILLE, TN – Christian Moore hit his first home run of the 2025 season and recorded three hits for the second consecutive game in his return to Knoxville, but the Rocket City Trash Pandas (6-15) lost a back-and-forth slugfest 9-6 to the Knoxville Smokies (11-10) on Tuesday night at Covenant
Trash Pandas drop Sunday's series finale to Barons, 3-2
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (6-14) lost Sunday's series finale against the Birmingham Barons (11-9) in front of 4,429 fans at Toyota Field. Birmingham won the series, taking four out of six games. Christian Moore continued to swing a hot bat in the loss, finishing 3-for-5 with
Trash Pandas stop skid, take down Barons 4-2 on Saturday
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (6-13) received a career-best performance from starter Joel Hurtado (W, 1-1), and knocked off the Birmingham Barons (10-9) 4-2 on Saturday in front of 5,103 fans at Toyota Field. Coming off a strong outing in Montgomery, Hurtado threw 11 of his first
José Fermin promoted from Rocket City to Los Angeles on Saturday
MADISON, Ala. – On Saturday, the Los Angeles Angels announced the call-up of right-handed reliever José Fermin from the Rocket City Trash Pandas to the Major League roster. Fermin’s addition marks the 39th player from Rocket City to be promoted to the Majors, the third this year, and the 13th
Despite Denzer Guzman's career night, Pandas fall to Barons on Friday night
MADISON, Ala. – The Birmingham Barons (10-8) came from behind to defeat the Rocket City Trash Pandas (5-13), scoring four runs in the final two innings in front of 5,388 fans at Toyota Field on Friday night. Denzer Guzman extended his team-leading on-base streak to 13 games by recording his
Trash Pandas, Barons suspended on Thursday, game to resume Friday at 5:05 pm with regularly scheduled game to follow
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas and Birmingham Barons were interrupted twice by rain delays on Thursday night at Toyota Field, ultimately leading to its suspension with one out in the top of the eighth inning, with the Barons ahead 4-2. The two delays totaled 80 minutes, and
Homestand Highlights: April 22-27 vs. Birmingham Barons
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas return to Toyota Field for their second homestand of the 2025 season, welcoming the Chicago White Sox affiliate Birmingham Barons, April 22-27. The homestand features a promotional lineup that includes the following highlights: Tuesday, April 22 | First Pitch: 6:05 pm |
Pandas stop losing skid with matinee win on Wednesday
MADISON, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas used 12 Birmingham walks to cruise to a 5-1 win in front of 5,027 fans Wednesday afternoon at Toyota Field in a game that was delayed 1:17 due to rain. The game started as a pitchers’ duel between starting pitchers Mitch Farris
Klassen strikes out nine in Rocket City's 7-1 loss on Tuesday
MADISON, Ala. – Despite another impressive performance from starter George Klassen, who recorded nine strikeouts over 5.1 innings, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-11) lost their series opener to the Birmingham Barons (8-7) on Tuesday night, 7-1, at Toyota Field. This defeat marks the Trash Pandas' fourth consecutive loss and
Biscuits rally to beat Pandas in extras again on Sunday
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-10) suffered their third one-run loss and fifth defeat of the week against the Montgomery Biscuits (9-5) on Sunday afternoon, falling 5-4 in 10 innings. This extra-inning game marked the third in the week and fourth in 14 games for the Pandas.
Trash Pandas comeback falls short in 7-5 loss to Biscuits
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-9) scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning and had the tying run on base in the ninth inning but ultimately fell short in a 7-4 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits (8-5) on Saturday night at Riverwalk Stadium. The
Trash Pandas drop bizarre 13-12 decision to Biscuits in 11 innings
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-8) and Montgomery Biscuits (7-5) played their second-straight extra-inning game on Friday night that included a six-run inning, an 11-run inning, four position players pitching, and ultimately resulted in a Biscuits' 13-12 victory in 11 innings. Rocket City jumped out to a
Trash Pandas earn exciting 7-5 win in extras on Thursday
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Rocket City Trash Pandas (4-7) quickly took a commanding 5-0 lead in the first inning and ultimately broke their four-game losing streak with a 7-5 victory over the Montgomery Biscuits (6-5) on Thursday night at Riverwalk Stadium. The Trash Pandas wasted no time against Montgomery starter