GreenJackets draw up ideas

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Chris Scheuer has done this before.

The Augusta GreenJackets' executive vice president was general manager in 1997 when the GreenJackets last played host to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game. Standing in the picnic area at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park before Tuesday's all-star game, Scheuer sounded like a veteran as he talked excitedly about plans to put on the 46th annual game next year.

"We want to showcase Augusta as a city," he said.

Scheuer, general manager Nick Brown, media relations director John Butts and ticket sales director Frank Coppola were in Charleston for the 45th version of the SAL's midseason classic. The GreenJackets' crew made the trip east to enjoy the festivities and to get ideas for next year's game at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

The RiverDogs put on a show typical of owner Mike Veeck, leaving Augusta with a tough act to follow. The RiverDogs and Veeck are known for outlandish promotions, such as "Nobody Night," where fans weren't allowed in the stadium until after the sixth inning as the team tried to set the attendance record for fewest fans at a game.

Nothing that crazy went on for the all-star game, but there were some interesting pre-game activities.

Two players dressed in sumo wrestling suits had to spin around 10 times and run from third base to first, and in a tug-of-war game between Southern Division and Northern Division players, the North's players were forced to wear oven mitts to give the South the advantage.

"That's their persona," Scheuer said.

Charleston even put a different spin on the home run derby. The players swung wooden bats until they had seven outs, then they could pick up an aluminum bat. The players obviously enjoyed the flashback to their high school or college days as they watched their towering shots leave the ballpark.

Lakewood (N.J.) assistant general manager John Clark liked the aluminum bat idea. His BlueClaws played host to the all-star game in 2002 - a year after First Energy Park opened. Clark said the all-star games were a way for clubs to showcase their creativity while giving other clubs ideas for the future.

One Charleston idea Scheuer liked was the batting practice jersey given to the players. He thought players would like those as mementos rather than a watch with the all-star logo, which was given previously.

The final decision on the gifts is one in a long list that will have to be made in the coming year. Scheuer and his staff are already tossing around ideas, but there are many decisions left.

"We've just got to put a few details together," Scheuer said.

They have several logo ideas and hope to decide on one by the end of October so they can take it to the off-season league meetings.

The staff has booked the Radisson Riverfront Hotel Augusta and the adjoining Country Inns and Suites for the players and the front office personnel. The rest of the work will begin once the season ends in September.

A lot of the planning is logistical, Clark said.

"You've got to worry about everything," Scheuer added.

Hosts have to plan everything from where the post-game party will be held to making sure bus drivers know where to park when they arrive at the stadium.

The latter was a detail that might have been overlooked by Charleston. Scheuer said his bus had to do a U-turn because he wasn't sure which lot to park in.

It's no small task, but Scheuer is confident his staff is up to the challenge.

"It's a lot of hard work," he said. "but it's a lot of fun."

Reach Kristy Shonka at (706) 823-3216 or kristy.shonka@augustachronicle.com.