A clean slate

Unfortunately, other commitments (read: work) kept me from the Rapidz press conference yesterday - I would have liked to have been there.  The good news is that both dailies and CTV attended and gave good coverage.  Hopefully the solid coverage and reporting will continue through September.  The final tally on the logo change came down on the Rapids/Rapides side of the ledger, but that might have been expected; fans often object to the tweaking of an original design.  In any case, what’s done is done and as some commenters have noted, we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that it’s nice to be able to even have a logo to debate (if you follow my meaning).

The other positive news is that the Rapidz owners have recognized the value of the front office staff put in place by Miles Wolff.  You will recall that Miles’ first hire was Lorraine Charrette, someone that was viewed as critical to the success of the fledgling franchise.  Having been with the Lynx for thirteen years, she embodied all the front office knowledge gained by the AAA franchise - the “intellectual property” if you will.  Recognizing her husband Don Charrette’s business sense and work ethic, Miles was quick to snap him up a month later.  Sales and media relations rep. Francois Marchand, groundskeeper Josh Teuscher and Field Manager Ed Nottle followed.

It bears repeating: Mr. Wolff’s credentials speak for themselves when it comes to both baseball and the business of sport.  But you could forgive a new ownership group if they elected to clean house and stamp their own identity on their new team - it’s certainly their prerogative.  So it’s both reassuring and commendable that they have recognized the value of the solid nucleus of people that Miles put together by leaving them in place.

We had hoped Miles would be in Ottawa longer - how could you not?  For all the accolades and achievements, the man is as humble and unpretentious as you will ever meet.  Ask Ed Nottle about Miles’ contribution to baseball when you get the chance this season.  Like Howard Darwin and Ray Pecor, the two owners that preceded him, Miles is a class act and an honorable man.  Still, we recognize that there is intrinsic value in “local ownership” - both for Ottawa and the overall strength of the Can-AM League. 

It’s a relief to be able to put the politics, legal wrangling and uncertainty behind us and to turn our attention where it belongs: May 22, 2008.