SHOPTAW ENTRY NAMED AND STAFFED

 

Russellville, AR (AP)—The expansion team owned by Daniel Shoptaw now has a name and a staff, even if the league doesn’t yet.

 

The Arkansas Contenders will take the field in March of 2001, competing against entries owned by Robert Arnwine, David Fletcher, Mark Shively and Chad Skelton.  Currently voting is being conducted to determine the league name, with Federal League leading so far.

 

“We wanted to set an example for the other teams,” stated Shoptaw.  “My team has been working diligently to fill these positions and to determine the organizational philosophy to make us a winning team.”

 

The Contenders, who will wear red, will play their games in the Polo Grounds, and most of their appointments reflect their conscious effort to reach back into the history of the game.

 

The general manager for the Contenders will be Stan Musial, and the first manager of the franchise will be the to-be Hall of Fame shortstop, Ozzie Smith.  Smith was unavailable for comment on his new position, but Musial was quoted as saying, “I’m looking forward to working with the players we have already drafted and will be focusing on the second half of that draft.”  Joe Dimaggio and Walter Johnson will be the hitting and pitching coaches, respectively.

 

Other front office jobs include Peter Gammons as Public Relations Director and Sandy Alderson taking over as Director of Player Personnel.  Alderson will be aiding Musial in preparing for the draft and working on targeting minor leaguers to be selected.

 

Scouting those minor leaguers will be Negro League icon Buck O’Neil and managing them will be Andy Stroud.  “I wanted to get Stroud into these league one way or another,” Shoptaw said with a grin.

 

In a tip of the cap to his father-in-law, the voice of the Contenders will be Marty Brennamen.  “I expect Marty to tell it like it is,” said Shoptaw.  “If a player’s not hustling, he’ll tell you.  He’s old-school.”

 

In all sports, a rivalry is needed to build up interest.  While all of the teams in the league will be competing against each other, sometimes a specific rival is needed.  Shoptaw has targeted the Arnwine entry as its main rival.

 

“Bob and I go way back, but we are going to do everything in our power to consistently thump him in the standings.  This year it shouldn’t be a problem, but I have a feeling it will be a battle in the years to come.”

 

In marketing news, the Contenders have signed deals to make TWA, Coca-Cola, Ford Mustang, and Café Santa Fe the official airline, beverage, vehicle and restaurant of the team.

 

The team motto will be “Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals” and the song will be “Nobody Does It Better” by Carly Simon.  For Love of the Game will be considered the team movie.

 

Applications are now being taken for the mascot, an oversized glove.