Oneonta Outlaws co-owner Keith Rogers came to the city Thursday with guns blazing to promote his New York Collegiate Baseball League team.
The Outlaws are moving from Saratoga Springs for the team's inaugural season at Damaschke Field.
Speaking at the Oneonta Rotary Club and Stella Luna Ristorante, Rogers clearly showed a passion for his team, the league and the sport.
Rogers' connection with the NYCBL goes beyond simply being an owner.
He and co-owner Dan Scaring met in 1990 when they played for the now defunct Schenectady franchise of the NYCBL and were roommates on the road.
"We've been best friends ever since," Rogers said.
About six years ago, the two got together and came up with the idea of starting their own team.
Rogers emphasized that the Outlaws will be committed to the community.
"I want everyone to feel like it's their baseball team," Rogers said.
Rogers was flanked by a familiar face _ local resident Steve Pindar.
"Steve is going to be our president of operations," Rogers said.
The NYCBL has also been following a pattern in terms of what communities new teams come into, Rogers said.
In several cases, NYCBL teams have started in communities that have just lost a minor league baseball team. They include Watertown, Little Falls, Elmira and Glens Falls, Rogers said.
And Oneonta can be added to the list.
A lunch featuring all local food at Delaware Academy on March 10 was more than just about promoting area farmers.
The meal of locally raised beef, vegetables and dairy products was presented by Farm Catskills, a not-for-profit membership group that supports and encourages local agriculture with the aim of "building sustainable communities in a working landscape."
A student who helped organize the event was also looking at the bigger picture.
Senior Shy Parenteau talked about how she was concerned about the nation's food supply. She also handed me a flyer outlining the Child Nutrition Act that included contact information for Rep. Scott Murphy, D-Glens Falls, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Sen. Charles Schumer.
There is an effort under way to include more funding within the Child Nutrition Act. Farm Catskills and Parenteau said they would like to see the federal government make it easier for schools to purchase locally grown food.
Procurement guidelines force schools to buy from the lowest bidder, which makes buying local food "difficult to impossible," according to Farm Catskills.
The Human Resources Committee recently looked at ways to recognize long-time employees, as well as the good work employees do on a daily basis.
At the committee's March 9 meeting, Fourth Ward Alderman Mike Lynch suggested the Common Council adopt a resolution honoring employees who have been with the city for 30 or more years.
Sixth Ward Alderman Veronica Diver said the city could start a "catch me doing something right" employee recognition program.
Jake Palmateer can be reached at 432-1000 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 221, or at jpalmateer@thedailystar.com.
