FASFIM:

If you’ve ever been at Nat Bailey Stadium, you’ve probably wondered, "How much do these guys get paid".  Well, it’s probably about as much as you get working at McDonalds over a two-week period.  It is really not that much, despite being a professional athlete.  The big cash comes in the Majors, and considering most players who have played for the C’s won’t ever necessarily realize their dream, they need something to fall back on.  

Along the way, they will need help financially to keep the dream going, to support their families while they’re off on the road for 5 months.  A new organization started by the families of two ex-Canadians is trying to better the lives of those minor leaguers struggling to make ends meet.

Financial Aid Serving Families in Minors is a non-profit organization catering to all MILB families who qualify for financial aid (a list is being worked on apparently).  To qualify you would need to be married and/or have a child (one at least).  This also meets the Federal poverty guidelines, so it is not just something where a player can say "I need money," when they’re really not poor.

The organization hopes to one day create an education scholarship delivered annually to disadvantaged youth who excel in baseball and in the community.  A children’s book is also in their sights, to be sold in MLB and MILB team stores.

Their events include ‘A day in the life’ of a Midland Rockhound and Kane County Cougar, while the winner receives an Autographed Bat and Ball, to go with their new Team Jersey and Hat. 

Who started the company?  2004 Canadians Nick Blasi and Steve Sharpe, as well as his wife Laurel who is President of the organization.

Laurel Sharpe spoke to Nat Notes about the organization this week:

"I am living first hand, the life of a minor league family.  It is challenging and difficult to keep a family together, while traveling, finding a place to live and the minor league salary.

FASFIM was formed to advocate family wholeness, assist player’s children and support married players in Minor League Baseball.  We work to fulfill our mission with fundraising and providing financial aid through housing expenses, groceries and travel.  Thereby alleviating some of the hardships and struggles for the minor league family, living at or below the federal poverty line.

Pope John Paul II said, ‘As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live’, and I could not agree more."

Thanks so much to Laurel for her time, and I encourage everyone to visit the link below.

You can learn more at their website, where you can also donate money to the cause. 

Alumni Report:

This is an abbreviated version of the alumni report, but seeing as how his wife is head of FASFIM, we look at Steve Sharpe’s (top) season so far:

The 2004 Canadian was 3-0 in AAA Sacramento between April 25th and May 25th, before returning to Stockton, where he pitched three shutout games in the month of April.  He has pitched four times since coming back to the Cal League, and has given up just three hits in 9 innings.  He is 4-0 with a 2.49 ERA this season, combined.  He has just two walks with the Ports as well.

Sharpe attended Central Missouri State, while Jeff Gray went to Southwest Missouri State, and Gray has had a phenomenal season.

The 2005 hurler is 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA with the Sacramento Rivercats, but has just 5 strikeouts in 18.2 innings.  That sounds worse than it is because he’s still managed to get batters out, as they’re batting .169 against him.

Gray was called up for Mothers Day, and pitched to one batter (Vernon Wells) and got him out to end a Blue Jays threat in the 9th, before being sent down that week.  He was called up last week, threw another out in the Bigs, and was once again sent down.  The hardships of baseball, I tell you.

Tickets:

Since Canadians tickets first went on sale on May 23rd, Ticket director Jason Takefman assures me that they have soared since, and the C’s have enjoyed much success whether it be online, by phone, or at will-call.

"Ticket sales were great this week, and really complimented our historic Opening Day Saturday (June 20th) [...] Box Seats are hard to come by for a few games already."

C’s Food at The Nat:

How many times have you said to yourself, ‘Man I want something different tonight, I’m done with Ice Cream and Hot Dogs,"?

Fear no more, as the C’s have you covered.  They have introduced a new initiative geared towards vegetarians, and fans who just like variety.  From the press release:

 (Nat Bailey Stadium – Vancouver, BC) – The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club has been named as one of the Top 10 Vegetarian Friendly Minor League Ballparks in North America by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).  Nat Bailey Stadium has been rewarded for having “cruelty free” menu items available for their fans.

Currently on the Nat Bailey Stadium menu, the Canadians offer up a host of healthy alternatives including Veggie Dogs and Vegetarian Sushi (veggie rolls and brown rice veggie rolls).  Available in our Granville Island Brewing Executive Dugout Suite the C’s offer up veggie burgers, fresh fruit platters and mixed baby green salads.

“We are proud to be recognized for something that we as an organization have worked hard at over the past few seasons.  The Canadians know that Vancouver is a very health conscious city and we want fans to know when they come to the ballpark they can maintain their healthy lifestyle while enjoying a baseball game in the sunshine”, says Canadians President Andy Dunn.

“We would also like to recognize our concession partners Aramark .  With our partnership alongside Aramark, we are very pleased to be able to offer all of our fans quality concession options here at Nat Bailey Stadium”.

The Canadians ranked in the top ten out of more than 200 Minor League stadiums and were the best in the Northwest League according to PETA’s latest report released on June 1^st.

You can view the PETA report in its entirety by click the link below:

http://www.peta.org/feat-veg-ballparks09-p3.asp

Sounds great, and makes me want to head to the Nat for some food right now.  

On another ‘note’ (pardon the pun), the C’s are holding another batch of singing auditions this weekend, to compliment how many hopefuls came out last Sunday to sing the National Anthems at ballgames.   They will be next Friday, June 5th, at Oakridge Center (West Galleria), between 6 and 7pm.

And if you’re into getting your kid into C’s gear, why not attend ‘Mommy and Me Hit The Tee’ next Wednesday at Nat Bailey.  Email Andrew Seymour for info on the kids ‘Baseball 101′ for kids between ages 3 and 5.  His contact info’s on the C’s website.