REPORTER April 1, 2014

Homer, Dan Rajkowski, and Joel Skinner

Program: Charlotte Knights Before introducing our speaker Wells Van Pelt reminded Rotarians that they are invited to enjoy a night with family and friends and cheer on the Charlotte Knights as they host the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs on Tuesday, May 6 at the brand new BB&T Ballpark. Charlotte Rotary has secured the Piedmont Natural Gas Picnic

Area as well as a block of seats for members to enjoy a ballgame together with family and friends. After that reminder, Wells proceeded to introduce our speaker, Dan Rajkowski. Dan is the Charlotte Knights Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and became a member of our club in 2007. Dan has held his two titles since November 2012. Before that he spent seven years as the Club’s Vice President and General Manager. Under his guidance, over 2 million fans passed through the gates at Knights Stadium. His Knights played their final game in Fort Mill on September 2, 2013. Due to his tireless efforts, Dan has played a very influential role in moving the Knights from Fort Mill, SC to Charlotte. BB & T Ballpark is currently being constructed and the Knights are scheduled to play baseball there this month. Opening day is set for Friday, April 11. A 28 year veteran of the baseball business, Dan has operated clubs at all classifications of Minor League Baseball and has been honored with numerous awards over his career. He was named the Southern League Executive of the Year in 1997. In 2000, he was the recipient of the highly coveted Larry McPhail Promotional Award for Minor League Baseball and was elected to the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame. One year later he received the Bobby Mattick Award for dedication and excellence in the field of player development while he was with the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Dan has worked for owner Don Beaver over the past 20 years, managing three of his teams. Beside the Charlotte Knights, he also ran teams in Knoxville and New Orleans. Dan mentioned that Joel Skinner the Knights field manager was with him at the meeting and would speak after Dan made a few remarks. He reminded us about the famous quote from the movie Field of Dreams – “If you build it, they will come.” Dan said that now that they have built it, if they don’t come, we will have blown millions of dollars and he will be fired. They must and will come. He mentioned that the Knights broke ground on the BB & T Ballpark on September 20, 2012. He proceeded to show us slides of the progress made since then. They expect over 600,000 fans in the inaugural season. Located in Uptown Charlotte, BB&T Ballpark is one of the best minor league ballparks in the country. With a capacity of 10,200 and featuring the widest and brightest video board in Minor League Baseball, state-of-the-art technology, a 360 degree concourse and incredible views of the playing field and the Charlotte city skyline, BB&T Ballpark will provide every fan with a lifetime memorable experience. Dan thanked the Founding Partners – BB & T, Carolinas Healthcare System and Piedmont Natural Gas. Other partners he thanked included Duke Energy. The Ballpark has an upper level club, dugout suites, luxury suites and a homerun porch. He mentioned that the White Sox and the Knights had signed a six year extension and that the Ballpark is not expandable for major league baseball. Dan thinks that that major league baseball is 15 to 20 years away for Charlotte.

Dan introduced Joel Skinner, the Knights field manager, who is starting his third season with the team and has 148 wins. Joel played nine seasons in major league baseball. Joel gave us some perspective on working with the players on the Knights roster. They play 144 games and only have five days off during the season. Only four percent ever make it to the major leagues and only four percent of that group plays for four years or more. The players get paid $2,500 for a five month season. Written by Jim Kelley Head Table: Kathy Boone, Wes Clark, John Tabor, Wells Van Pelt, Stephanie Hinrichs; Invocation: Lee Tabor; Visitors & Guests: Ken Poe; Health, Happiness & History: Mac McCarley; BBB: Tom Bartholomy; AV: Jessica Dupree & Nikki Keith: Photos: Bert Voswinkel

Charlotte Rotary Baseball Social – May 06 Sign up for the club social May 6th at Knights Stadium. The club has 200 seats in the picnic area. Each ticket includes admittance, plus an all-you-can-eat buffet. The club will pay for you and one guest. If you want to bring more guest, you can buy additional tickets from Sandy ($30 per additional ticket). She will invoice you. Sign up is on a first come-first serve basis. Call Sandy to make your reservation.

Go to the Conference – We’ll pay Registration

The Club will pay your registration if you attend the District Conference. This is Governor Luther’s prominent event. Ramesh Ferris will be our keynote speaker Friday night, followed by Casino Night. We will be doing a service project Saturday afternoon, and you will find there is plenty of fun, fellowship, and education. See Sandy if you are interested.

Photos from the Luncheon

Photos from our luncheons and other events can be found on Flickr Click here and bookmark in your browser.

Other Club News and By The Numbers • John Mahaffey has been awarded the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of

America; Natalie English provided information on the Charlotte Chamber’s Business Climate report held April 1st; George Cochran extends an invitation (free) to Digital Film People: April 8th, 5:30 reception in room 105, Arts & Communication building at CPCC at 5:30 – curtain rises at 7:30 in the Halton Theater.

• Keith Nowokunski reports Andy Bressler, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Research, will be speaking at the Charlotte Economics Club on “Healthcare Reform: Outlook and impact on Health Care Sectors.” Charlotte City Club, 12:00 – 1:30 on April 24th (www.charlotteeconclub.org).

• Community Volunteer Opportunities: Warrior Dash 4K obstacle mud run (www.warriordash.com) needs help with packet pick up, passing out water, etc. May 17th in Huntersville. Urban Ministry Center (www.urbanministrycenter.org/volunteer) can use help in several areas.

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS 08 Bruce Darden 10 Russell Ranson 10 Karen Steffens 12 Mark Markanda UPCOMING ANNIVERSARIES 12 Ada and John Nicolay 12 Penny and Steve Eanes 13 Alison and Wells Van Pelt ATTENDANCE Visitors & Guests 16 Club Members 163 Total Attendance 179 Percentage 57.6% MEMBERSHIP 04/01/2014 316

07/01/2013 316 Net Increase New Members: Resignations: UPCOMING LUNCHEONS April 8th – Youth Exchange Program

charlotterotary.org 704.375.6816 841 Baxter Street | Suite 118 | Charlotte, NC 28202-2720 USA © The Rotary Club of Charlotte 2014