If you’ve ever watched a youngster in right field misjudge a fly
ball or overthrow the cutoff man, don’t underestimate him. He might
be in professional baseball someday.
Brad Seymour is a living example of that kid.
If you’ve ever watched a youngster in right field misjudge a fly ball or overthrow the cutoff man, don’t underestimate him. He might be in professional baseball someday.
Brad Seymour is a living example of that kid.
As the General Manager of the Single-A Lancaster JetHawks, Seymour oversees one of the most successful minor league teams in California League history, and in a few short weeks he’ll receive a World Series ring from his parent club, the Boston Red Sox.
Not bad for a kid who batted ninth.
Seymour’s playing career started out quite inauspiciously according to his dad, Bob Seymour.
“He wasn’t very good, but had a passion and love for the sport,” Bob said. “He wanted to stay close to the game.”
So, when Seymour’s Morgan Hill Pony Baseball playing days came to an end, he began working as a concessions attendant for the San Jose Giants.
Upon graduating from Live Oak High School in 1994, Seymour began his climb toward his present job. After stints in school at the University of Missouri and West Valley as a broadcasting major, Seymour finally graduated from Colorado Tech with a business degree.
In between attending school and his employment with the Giants, Seymour managed to land a position with the Sioux Falls Canaries of the Independent Northern League, where he spent nine seasons perfecting his leadership and business marketing skills. Occasionally, he’d run into Bill Murray, one of the principal owners of another franchise within the league.
Seymour’s return to California became possible when the JetHawks had a general manager position become available and the club offered him the job. He jumped at the chance, and this season will be his fifth at the helm of creating an experience at Clear Channel Stadium or, The Hanger, as the JetHawks’ field is affectionately known.
“I honestly never thought I’d be in this position,” says the 35-year-old Morgan Hill native. “I had a passion for the game and wanted to be involved in it in some capacity. It’s exciting to see prospects come to this team and fun to watch their development and get to know them.”
Now, fun is what Seymour gets paid to provide for every fan that comes through the turnstile. He provides it, and then some.
“I tell everyone that I’m in charge of everything in foul territory, bringing people into the ballpark, giving them a good product and providing entertainment,” Seymour says.
On a current home stand, the fan experience included Feed Your Face Monday, an all-you-can-eat affair, continued with Tumbleweed Tuesday, Weight-Loss Wednesday – for the people who obviously ate too much on Monday – and Buck’s Beer Thursday.
“The fun part,” Seymour says, “is coming up with creative ideas that apply to the surrounding community.”
With this in mind, Aerospace Day has become a hit and he’s seen the likes of Buzz Aldrin and Chuck Yeager visit The Hanger.
In between innings, you can visit the batting cages or Fun Zone with your kids, enjoy the Party Deck or possibly munch down on some ribs at the Barbecue Tent.
Seymour has been quite successful in guiding this Single-A ‘Sox’ affiliate, and it’s quite evident by looking at the attendance figures. The JetHawks normally bring in over 200,000 fans per season, averaging roughly 3,000 per game.
For a team located in the outer reaches of the greater Southern California Region, that’s quite an accomplishment. Seymour admits he relishes every moment; the excitement that comes with professional baseball.
“I’ve seen four homers in one game, twice,” says Seymour, “and I’ve seen future major leaguers come through here (such as current Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher and Cy Young award winner Brandon Webb) and got a chance to see a World Series game in Colorado. I enjoy being in this capacity.”
Years from now, Seymour won’t get a chance to show his kids, Brandon and Ashley, how great a player he was in his younger days, but he’ll be able to display his World Series ring with pride.
Not many kids in right field ever get to say that.
Rich Taylor has been coaching youth sports for over 25 years, is the Co-Director of the ACE Powerband national arm strengthening program and formerly scouted and coached in professional baseball. His column, A Sideline View, appears once a week. Reach him at:
rj********@ya***.com
