I received a note from an act this week, asking me to check him out on YouTube. David Burlet is the Original Baseball Juggler and is based in France.

Some acts don’t have natural breaks that would make it tough to perform in baseball, but this stage show (8 mins on YouTube) is something that could be split up and performed over several inning breaks.

Check out the video of this interesting and original baseball-themed juggling act, which could be coming to a ballpark near you soon.

–Cudo

For more info:

www.davidburlet.com

We have a new feature on The Store, with select pages of information on products.  You can find these pages via links in the store and the more common ones will be listed in the store navigation menu on the left side of every page in The Store.

These article pages feature some products that we do no offer directly from Gameops.com, but we provide helpful insight as well as links to the products by vendors like Amazon.com or CafePress.

The first page created is for Mascot Stilts.  Many mascots use dry wall stilts to elevate their shows to a new level (sorry).  Our mascot stilt page shares some insight on how it’s done, recommends a brand name and also links to about 10 options to purchase these drywall stilts.

You can see the new Mascot Stilt Page in the Gameops.com Store.

Feedback on these new pages is always welcome.

–Cudo

The WNBA is taking their game outside in a historic professional first. The Liberty will host the Fever at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.  This in the wake of the NHL’s outdoor events in Buffalo and the announcement of the Wrigley Field game this winter.  The NBA is also planning a game in Arizona Oct 11th for the 2008-09 preseason.

These spectacle games have been a TV rating and business success for the most part. The NHL’s Buffalo game drew the best regular season rating in over a decade.  The unique setting is likely to draw in both regular viewer and expose new fans to the sport.

NEW YORK - Move over, Roger Federer. Venus and Serena Williams, too. The WNBA is taking over center court at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Since opening in 1997, the world’s largest outdoor tennis-only venue has been the main stadium for the U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. It’s where the Williams sisters have won two women’s titles each, and Federer the last four men’s championships.

On Saturday night, there will be a different ball bouncing on the court when the New York Liberty host the Indiana Fever in the first outdoor regular-season game in professional basketball history — men’s or women’s. (msnbc)

This is the second time the Liberty have left the friendly confines of Madison Square Garden.  The New York Liberty played some of their 2004 home games at Radio City while Madison Square Garden was renovated for the Republican National Convention. (from answers.com)

Underplayed in the coverage of the event so far is the connection between the site (the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center) and the WNBA.  Women’s professional sports in the US would simply not exist at the level it does today without Billie Jean King and her efforts on and off the court.  I hope the Liberty have some plans to connect Billie Jean King and their event.

–Cudo

Read more about Billie Jean King in the Necessary Spectacle Book Review Blog

The The Fun Is Good Veeck Conference will take place Thursday and Friday, October 23-24 2008 in Fort Myers, Florida. The Veeck Conference is about marketing, promotions, sales, the business of sports, special events and more. It’s about fun, laughter and creating a workplace that drives you and your employees towards success. The F.I.G Conference is sculpted for a wide audience leaving all attendees feeling invigorated and refreshed. Come join us for the most fun that you’ll have doing business authentically.

The focus of this year’s conference will be “harnessing creative power” and finding FUN in all aspects of our business. Keynote speakers and break-out forums will address a cross-section of sales, marketing, promotion and operational issues. From customer service to building per-cap sales, staging the best promotions to corporate sales, the 2008 Conference will offer fresh ideas, encourage creative problem solving and provide a venue to exchange ideas.

I attended this conference last year and it’s definitely worthy of your time. It does focus a lot on minor league baseball, but the lessons learned can all be applied across sports and business. I was a little surprised at the large proportion of attendees that were from minor league baseball, but its more a function of Veeck’s popularity in baseball than of the content of the conference.

I have not seen a list of speakers yet, but last year had a nice mix of creative consultants, sports operations, and business-world types.

You can get more information at the Fun is Good website.

–Cudo

Showcasing a game in an outdoor arena on New Year’s Day worked so well the first time, it appears the NHL is going to go for it again.

An announcement is expected later this month for the 2009 Winter Classic, the second one pitting the Chicago Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings at fabled Wrigley Field, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported on its Web site.

An announcement is expected next week before the “Blackhawks Convention” at the Chicago Hilton. According to the Star Tribune’s report, the game was approved last week when NHL commissioner Gary Bettman met with the Blackhawks, Cubs and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

Last New Year’s Day, more people tuned in to see the NHL play outdoors than any other regular-season game in more than a decade. (ESPN)

Looks like the NHL will reprise their successful outdoor game this season, this time at Wrigley Field in Chicago. No word if Tony Esposito, Michael Jordan, Oprah, or Steve Bartman will drop the puck.

I would praise the NHL more for the Buffalo game, however they rejected Gameops.com request to cover the game live….a snub I am still wrestling to overcome.

Stay tuned to see if I will give them a second chance in the Second City.

–cudo

The Sioux Falls Canaries, Miller, and 103.7 KRRO present Free Beer Thursday on every Thursday Night! Gates open at 5pm with the Miller beer free until 6pm.

If this doesn’t draw fans, I am afraid nothing will.

To see our database of over 1000 promotions, click here.

–Cudo