Best Team Introductions:
Which team introduction is the best produced, executed, fresh and innovative. Consider creativity, value to fans, execution, quality of presentation, fan interaction and attention to detail. We level the playing field by considering budget constraints to minor league teams. The category will consider focus primarily on the standard introduction (opening night variations will be considered, but the focus is on the standard game production). Due to the category we will also rely heavily on video reviews (YouTube, etc.)

Teams noted for excellence in 2007:

* Portland Trailblazers Opening Night 2007
* Atlanta Hawks
* Ottawa Senators

I am really excited to add this new category this year, with the widespread use of on-line video we are now better positioned than ever to see introductions across the coutry at all sports levels and in all sports.

I have started to add a lot of Introductions to the YouTube page (under the “Introduction” tabs), currently I have about 140 videos of introductions indexed.

When you send nominations for this category, it is highly encouraged that you send on-line video (like a YouTube link) with it.  You can nominate yourself or any team in the comment box here or send an email to us here.

–Cudo

This week is focused on the Best of Awards on Gameops.com, so stop back daily for more updates.  I am adding the previous year’s Best of Awards to the site, reformatting them and adding some video.

The Best of 2004 awards are now live, including the Manchester Monarchs now legendary Mullet Night, another victory for the Red Panda, and seven teams mentioned in the Best Team Operations category.

You can see all the Best of Awards (from 2004-2007) now, and we will have all the years back to 2001 up before the December Update when the 2008 winners are announced.

• Best of 2004
• Best of 2005
• Best of 2006
• Best of 2007

–Cudo

As we build towards the 2008 Best of Awards, we are excited to introduce a new Category for 2008.

For years most teams have featured a mascot and many have dance teams or cheerleaders, but  the last few years has seen an explosion of additional entertainment teams.  They include “fat guy” dancers, drumlines, senior dance teams, dancing ground crews and dunk teams.  We realized that these groups are underrepresented in our awards.  Last year we introduced the category and this year will elevate the category to full award status.

Best Entertainment Team
Performance Group whose work was fresh, creative and interesting, serving as a valuable tool for their team and in their community. Providing quality entertainment and additional value for fans. All sports team performance groups are eligible. Consider quality, uniqueness, and marketplace value.

Teams like the PHX Percussion Drumline and the Miami Heat Dancers were mentioned last year as top contenders.

We are looking for nominations now in this category (use the comment box on this page) or use our Contact Us page.

Also we have the 2005 Best of Awards posted, winners include the Coyote, Bucket Boys and the Lakewood BlueClaws.

–Cudo

Best Touring Act

The touring act or halftime show that excels in providing quality entertainment for your fans. Consider drawing power, quality, cooperation of the act, media, and value. All touring acts and non-team affiliated shows and performers are considered.

The Red Panda Act has dominated this award as the the only winner in every year of the Gameops.om awards. Named Best Act in 2004, 2006, and honorable mention in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005.

We are accepting Nominations now for Best Act, you can comment in this post or email us.

We also encourage you to send YouTube links to video of the acts to help our panel.

–Cudo

Best Team Operations
Which team is doing the best job in their game operations and game presentation. We level the playing field by considering budget constraints to minor league teams. Consider creativity, value to fans, overcoming sport and budget limitations, quality of presentation, and attention to detail.

You can submit nominations for Best Team Operations here (in the comments)or via email.

Last year’s winners included the New Orleans Hornets, Fresno Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns.  2006 winners included the Miami Heat, Hagerstown Suns, and San Jose Sharks.

Nominations this year already include the Lowell Spinners and Minnesota Twins.

Nominations are open.

-Cudo

With the year coming to a close, we are ramping up for our annual Best of Gameops.com Awards.  Our annual review of all things operations and entertainment was done by polling a dozen of our most trusted non-biased industry pros.  We made a slight adjustment last year to our categories, and now have seven categories:

• Best Mascot
• Best Act
• Best On-Field Promotion/Contest
• Best Game Promotion
• Best Team Operations
• Best Entertainment Team, and
• Best Introductions

This is the eighth year of our awards and the second year that winners receive the highly-prestigious Golden Steagle Bobblehead award for excellence.

Over the next several weeks, much of the blog will be focused on the awards, both highlighing the categories, linking to past winners and accepting new nomination.  When we rebuild the web site this year there are parts that are still being reformatted, including the Best of Awards.  So each week we will add another year of awards so you can see past winners and we will feature a new award topic.

We accept nominations from anyone.  Nominate your favorite team, something you saw or read about, nominate yourself, or nominate someone in your league you admire….in the end nominations help us compile a more complete list to consider.  You can nominate by commenting on a blog, faxing to our office, or emailing us (info @ Gameops.com).

We have reformatted the Best of 2007 and it is now live.  Read about last year’s winners, including Parker, Benny the Bull, Red Panda, the President’s Race, Bob L. Head, the Hornets, Grizzlies and Suns.  The new updates will all have some YouTube video to further highlight the winners.

It’s not only a great spot to see the best of the best, but to find ways to improve your own promotions.

–Cudo