NJ Tolls, Munch Mobile, and more... Great Success!

Last night's NJ Tolls Increase Extravaganza was one to remember. RT 280 won the Tolls Roads Race, we crowned a big hair champion, and we raised a sizable donation to the Newark Good Will Rescue Mission. Thanks fans! Those "tolls" will be put to a good use!

Also, be sure to check out the Munch Mobile's review of our ball park food. There are great pictures of the evening on their blog and there will be a printed article in the Star Ledger this week!

Promotion of the Day!

MinorLeagueDugOut.com has named tonight's NJ Tolls Increase Extravaganza the promotion of the day! They think it is going to be a blast - and you should too! Gates open at 6:05 - see you there!

North or South Jersey, Where's The Line?

NJ, our home. Home to pork rolls, "the shore", and Bon Jovi. But also home to an age long debate: where is the line between North Jersey & South Jersey??

This debate will be examined during tomorrow night's NJ Tolls Increase Extravaganza - fans, come and place your vote on the concourse! Also, be sure to check out NJ, The Movie and the accompanying blog on this topic. Our friends from NJ, The Movie filmed at our ball park last season! Be sure to check out the trailer as well.

Meet The Interns - Part I

The front office would like to take a moment to recognize our 2008 in-season interns! In-season interns are an essential part of our operation - and we are grateful to have an awesome crop thus far this year!

Roll Call!!

Eric Petersen, Community Relations Intern

Hometown: College Point, NY College: Manhattanville College
Favorite Teams: NY Mets, NY Islanders

Lauren Jackson, Event Marketing Intern

Hometown: Queens, NY College: Seton Hall University

Favorite Teams: NY Mets, Oak Raiders, Miami Heat, LA Lakers

Max Wyman, Ticket Sales Intern

Hometown: Warren, NJ College: University of Miami (FL)

Favorite Teams: NY Mets, NY Jets, NJ Nets

Mike Grassadonia, Ticket Operations Intern

Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA College: Seton Hall University

Favorite Teams: SF Giants, SF 49ers, Golden State Warriors, San Jose Sharks

Jeff Silverman, Accounting Intern

Hometown: Sleepy Hollow, NY College: Gettysburg College

Favorite Teams: NY Yankees, NY Jets, NY Knicks

Check back for some additional introductions! Thanks interns- keep up your good work, we have got a ways to go!

Day Off Adventures...

In minor league baseball, it is rare to get a day off in the middle of the season. With no home game scheduled for yesterday - the front office had a nice little day off in honor the Memorial Day holiday. Here's how the front office spent their few moments of freedom...

Chris Rivera: Kayaking in Toms River, NJ

Stephanie Rosman: Shopping in NYC with my friends and spending a good few hours relaxing in Union Square park.

Michael Collazo: Visiting my brother is south Jersey!

Eric Peterson: Made the close to four hour trip to Baltimore to see the Orioles take on the Yankees at the beautiful Oriole Park at Camden Yards. I had quite possibly the best ballpark food ever, a huge hot dog and crab cakes. To top it off the O’s won and I somehow managed to miss all holiday weekend traffic on the way back.

Stu Smilowitz: Visiting some friends in NYC and hanging out on their roof deck in the nice weather.

Vernice Benvenutti: I spent my day -off with my daughter and husband at a friend's BBQ in S.Jersey. Great Food, great fun, the pool was open but I'm not ready for a bathing suit yet! (no time to shop!).

Lauren Jackson: My parents came to visit in the morning and we went out to breakfast. They were nice enough to bring my roommate and myself some food for our room since the cafeteria at school isn't open in the summer. After that, watched some youtube videos with my roommate until a group of us decided to head to the city to hang out at the ESPN zone and grab dinner at BBQs.

Stephanie Wray: Yesterday on my off day I just relaxed and spent time with my family. We had a small barbeque at our house and I spent the day planting a garden and playing with my two dogs. It was a nice day to just sit outside and relax.

John Brandt: Left the ballpark and drove to Allentown, PA to meet up with my wife and kids. My son was in a 29 team Memorial Day Baseball Tournament for 12 and under. That's a lot of baseball!

Cheeseburger Eating Champion

...and we have a winner! Joel Podelsky ate his way to the championship title finishing 6 cheeseburgers in 10 minutes during last night's Cheeseburger in Paradise eating contest. Joel was awarded a complimentary luxury suite to a future 2008 Bears game...and a stomach ache! Thanks to all of our contestants who participated, and be sure to check out the Bears website for updates on how you can participate in future eating contests!!

Fan Cam!

Hey fans, Ruppert here. Just wanted to let you know how much fun I had seeing you all at today's great Drug Awareness Day! It was one of the highest attended games we have had in the history of The Den.

Here are some of my favorite shots of the day:

Me, of course...

with some of my admirers (don't make me blush!!)

giving the people what they want...me!!!

Thanks again to all those that came out - can't wait to see you again soon. Catch you on the flip side!

-Ruppert

Brrr...It's Cold In Here...

Attention Fans: Beginning at tonight's game, the concession stands will now be serving Icees! Icees will be available at the Cub Grub stand located along the 3rd base side. It's berry-licous!

Seperated at Birth?

Working in baseball can sometimes feel surreal - are we really getting paid to work sporting events?? There are so many random interactions, funny stories, and crazy characters that are apart of our daily routine, it sometimes feels like we are in a movie. So, if our lives with the Newark Bears really was created into a movie- what actors would play the staff?? Here are some ideas that were tossed out there...

Newark Bears, The Movie ....Starring,

Willem Dofoe as Jim Cerny

Adam Sandler as Stu Smilowitz

Marc Anthony as Michael Collazo

Helena Bonham Carter as Stephanie Rosman

and narrated by Kelsey Grammar as Ed Kalegi..

More "Stars" to be announced later!

A Very Special Farewell (for now)

Tonight's game marks the last for one of the Bear's most tenured and hilarious seasonal staffers. Steve Boland has served as the man behind the mic since 2001. He has announced not one, but two Atlantic League Championship games at The Den. He has coined numerous Newark Bear's favorites including: "Wear the Bear!" when promoting the merchandise store and referring to the team as "your Newark Bears." No one will ever forget his famous Cotton Eyed Joe introduction, or the time he spilled a gigantic cup of water on all the sound and video production equipment (oops!).

Steve, the Bears can not thank you enough for all of your hard work, commitment, and humor. The production booth will truly not be the same with out you!

The Bears will welcome back Steve to the Den for a more official farewell event later in the season. For now, if you are at tonight's game be sure to give a curtain call up to the box.

Munch Mobile Coming to the Den!

The Star Ledger and NJ.com's Munch Mobile is coming to the Den on May 30th as part of the Bear's NJ Toll Increase Extravaganza. For the past 10 years, the Munch Mobile has cruised NJ to find the state's best eats. 

The Bears are excited to offer some new menu items this year including cotton candy, funnel cake, and David's cookies. We hope our food exceeds the Munch Mobile's expectations!

Behind the Mic...30 Hours with Ed Kalegi (and counting)

Hello again from the press box. It is a beautiful day for baseball in Newark, and we are currently in the middle of another 15+ hour shift working the NCAA Division III Regional tournament.

With yesterday's rain out, there is much to catch up on...in terms of our conversations. Here are some continued highlights...

Ed Kalegi:.....now batting, Giovannie Sanchez. Ya know, that is my favorite name of the tournament to announce. 

BB: Really? My favorite one is Mike Guadango or Joe Fanceschini - because it sounds like you are saying "Francis Skinny." Did you know he was a member of the Toms River Little League World Series Championship team?

Ed Kalegi: I did not. Regardless, it has seriously gotten to the point where this morning I put breakfast on the table and said: (announcer voice)"here's the starting breakfast, eggs and toast."

....hours later

BB: Are you seriously reading my women's magazine over there?

Production Guy: yeah, it's literature - is that a problem?

Ed Kalegi: He's learning. He is trying to figure out what women want - so he can offer that. Ya know every time I go to the supermarket, I am tempted to pick up a copy of Cosmo so I can finally find that one spot that "drives him crazy".

(silence)

The tournament continues tomorrow - so be sure to check back for more riveting updates!

No Minor Accomplishment

Hey fans, check out this new book by Bob Golon - No Minor Accomplishment.

Here is brief synopsis from the publishing company:

In No Minor Accomplishment, sports historian and New Jersey native Bob Golon tells the story of the state's baseball scene since the Trenton Thunder arrived in 1994. Drawing on interviews with team owners and employees, industry executives and fans, Golon goes behind the scenes to show how maintaining a minor league ball club can be a risky business venture. However for the fans, baseball in New Jersey is wholesome, exciting family entertainment.

Basically the Bears get a lot of shout outs!!! Bob Golon will be signing autographs and on hand to answer questions about his book at the Bears game on May 30th at 7:05

This Just In...Nike Newark Eagles Sneakers!

We were just informed this morning, that Nike has released a special Newark Eagles sneaker. As of now, we are not sure of too many details regarding the sneaker - but they are pretty great looking! We'll let you know when we find out more information about their availability etc. 

Here are some shots - This is the men's version:

 

...and the women's:

Men's Air Max Light..

Behind the Mic...15 Hours with Ed Kalegi

Bears & Eagles Riverfront stadium is home to the NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Regional this week. With 4 games each day, the front office and game day staff has become pretty close, very quickly.

Ed Kalegi, Newark Bears PA announcer and on-field host has been on site working the tournament. No questions have gone unasked and no topics have been left undiscussed during yesterday's near 15 hour press box shift.

Here are some of the highlights....

BB: You do a lot of voice over work when you are not working for the Bears, what are some of your other current projects?

Ed Kalegi: In the off season I work for the NJ Ironmen (Save by Meola!). Right now I am the voice of weather phone as well appearing in two movies coming out later this summer and next winter.

..............hours later..

BB: I am really looking forward to seeing the new Sex & the City Movie!

Ed Kalegi: Ya know, it is always weird for me to catch that show, because I actually used to be classmates with Kristin Davis. We both attended Rutgers, and were actually scene partners in some acting classes. By the end of the semester, our friendship was on the fence of dating - but then, things got weird. Wait- don't post that, my wife might read this!

............hours later...

BB: How many outs to go?

Ed Kalegi:....177

Check back for more updates from the press box throughout the weekend. We'll be here, stop by!

Now Batting...(cue the music!)

Now that we have completed 2 homestands, the players have settled into their personal batting (or pitching warm up) music. We get a lot of inquires from fans about the names and artists of some of these songs. Ask and you shall receive...

Randall Simon - Low, Flo Rider
Mike Just - Self Esteem, Offspring
Tim Sweeney - Take You There, Sean Kingston
Keith Reed - You Know What It Is, T.I.
J.J. Truillo - Low Rider, War
Rich Scalamandre - Bleed It Out, Linkin Park
Corey Aldridge - Clap Back, Ja Rule

Diamond Dash, Tomorrow!

Moms, don't forget tomorrow you will have a chance to race to win a free diamond ring courtesy of Carbo Jewelers. Can't wait to see you all there. Happy Mother's Day and good luck!

The Saturday Morning Shuffle

Even for a Saturday night 6:05 games, the Newark Bears front office staff arrives at the ballpark at 9AM. There is a ton to do to get the ball park ready, and there are always numerous events taking place before the game even starts, (blood drive today!)- and most importantly there is usually breakfast. This morning, we enjoyed some bagels from The BagelBistro in North Arlington.

Jealous of our breakfast?? Don't forget to come out on Mother's Day when Bears General Manager, John Brandt will be cooking omelets for all moms!!

Jerson Ravelo Stops By!

Jerson Ravelo, an Olympic Boxer who currently lives in Newark, NJ, stopped by the Den for last night's game. Jerson will be boxing undefeated Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward in the Cayman Islands on Showtime, June 20th. Jerson was a 2000 Olympian for the Dominican Republic. Ravelo is 18-2 as a professional and looks to gain steps to a Super Middleweight Championship bout.

Jerson is active with the youth of Newark and assists them daily letting them know that there are people out there that do care.

Jerson, thank you for stopping by, best of luck next month!

Castro Arrives!

Ladies and Gentleman, Ramon Castro has returned to Newark. Ramon arrived at the ballpark yesterday from Venezuela. Everyone is super excited to have Ramon back - not only because his crazy antics keep all us of entertained, but because Ramon finished off the season last year batting .343 - the 3rd highest in the Atlantic League! Ramon has been working out since he has arrived, and is looking forward to joining his teammates during the upcoming home stand. Welcome back!

Join our Team!

The Newark Relay for Life, benefiting the American Cancer Society is taking place at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium on June 28- 29th - and fans, we need your help. Join the Newark Bears Relay team by clicking here.

The over night event is one of the largest fundraisers in the state, and the Newark Bears are proud to be apart of it. Stay tuned for updates on exciting performances and event highlights!