CLUB MUDDY: Mackenzie Schissel

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:06]I wish I would have got the red memo.

[00:00:07]It's Cardinals memo. I didn't >> I was actually was more matching you, but she's shamed.

[00:00:12]>> Oh my god. It would have been actually really funny if we started off where uh I the shirt he had on before he had blue and white.

[00:00:22]>> Rugby.

[00:00:22]>> So it would have been like red >> blue and white. We would have been like a flag.

[00:00:27]>> Yeah. Maybe before we bring Mackenzie on, you change into your and be like, "Well, now we're matching so she doesn't feel left out." No, I'm kidding. I don't give a [ __ ] Obviously, >> I should have brought t-shirts, >> right?

[00:00:38]>> Uh, is that the is the logo?

[00:00:42]>> It looks like it says just muddy.

[00:00:43]>> Does it? Yeah.

[00:00:44]>> Okay. Does that say that?

[00:00:46]>> That fits fits the shot.

[00:00:47]>> Fits the shot. Yeah.

[00:00:48]>> All right. I just wanted to make sure.

[00:00:50]>> We'll create the new one. Maybe it'll won't say that.

[00:00:52]>> It'll be lower. No, it'll be lower.

[00:00:54]>> Oh, that's right. Well, we need a new logo anyway because >> Well, we've got the We got the animated one. Just we use it.

[00:00:58]>> That's right. We should use that. Yes, >> we missed that one.

[00:01:02]>> It's used on the show for the show.

[00:01:04]Open. We can put it back there. Yeah.

[00:01:05]Yeah. I like that one better. Let's purge this one.

[00:01:07]>> Um, >> not that we're, you know, checks and balancing you, but we do have to do that occasionally. So, >> No, you don't. Not you.

[00:01:16]>> Oh, okay.

[00:01:16]>> Not you. Okay. All right. All right. All right.

[00:01:19]>> All right. It is warm in here.

[00:01:21]>> Don't question me. It is warm in here.

[00:01:22]>> It's a little sweaty. Do you think it's the Gold Schlugger?

[00:01:25]>> No. Surely not.

[00:01:27]>> Evil. We didn't We didn't We didn't drink any golder. I didn't drink golder either.

[00:01:33]>> God liar.

[00:01:34]>> Never mind these gold flexcks in my teeth. Okay, let's rock.

[00:01:37]>> And he's rolling on that.

[00:01:39]>> Really?

[00:01:40]>> Well, yeah.

[00:01:42]>> That's only the 14th worst thing you've had in your teeth in the last >> Robert.

[00:01:49]How are you?

[00:01:50]>> Like chewing tobacco. I was talking about >> Yeah, obviously. Do you floss?

[00:01:54]>> How often?

[00:01:57]>> Not daily.

[00:01:57]>> Oh, yeah. That was not How about you?

[00:02:00]>> Once a month, whether he needs it or not.

[00:02:01]>> It depends on what I eat >> daily.

[00:02:03]>> So, I'm on >> So, I'm going to say three to four days a week.

[00:02:05]>> I'm on a a new daily floss kick. Um, >> once you start on the routine, it's it's so ecky.

[00:02:13]>> My gums start bleeding and it freaks me out because you're not doing it enough.

[00:02:18]But I also read a thing that it was normal because it's your body's kind of like immunity saying this is a foreign object >> in your gum.

[00:02:25]>> I think like I think if you it's gingivitis is what it is.

[00:02:30]>> Well, mine just bled in the shower when I was like >> if you do it often enough they shouldn't really bleed.

[00:02:35]>> Yeah. I've only got one that bleeds. So I think it's just a thing. It's not the whole mouth. It's just like this one area that I hit.

[00:02:40]>> I would really wish that everybody that you know has the power to speak would also have to like carry a license saying Yeah, I flossed. I don't know.

[00:02:50]>> Yeah, >> I do on a pretty regular basis.

[00:02:53]>> I think I when I was young, I didn't care about really brushing my teeth or flossing or anything. I really didn't. I was such a gross kid. But then I think it was even after I had Claire, so that's pretty recent in the grand scheme of things that I was like, "Oh my gosh, I became kind of like a germaphobe when it came to my mouth and hands off." But then it was like daily. Yeah, >> cuz you really learn about, you know, health and um >> close talkers when you're pregnant that have terrible breath. I think that's maybe what >> Yeah, cuz when you're pregnant, your senses are like so heightened, >> man.

[00:03:28]>> No, but the health factor behind it, I think there's so much health factors behind flossing. It's um related your gum health is related to your heart health >> really >> directly. Hm.

[00:03:39]>> Um, so like things like that I think you look at once you like approach motherhood and stuff like that. You know, prior to that it's just you, so you only have to care about you. But then >> yeah, I'm like screw it. I'll just swish with some gold slugger.

[00:03:53]>> Yeah. But I do I do think flossing is once you start like the everyday routine type thing, >> it feels different. Yeah.

[00:03:59]>> I mean, I use the little pics. No, I use little picks and, you know, do that. So, >> did you ever have braces?

[00:04:04]>> No.

[00:04:05]>> No. Did you?

[00:04:06]>> No. No.

[00:04:07]>> My daughter just got hers off. Yeah, she did. She looks fantastic.

[00:04:10]>> She does, but I saw the before and afters and I'm like, >> you probably could have gone without braces.

[00:04:18]>> Really?

[00:04:19]>> I think she looks >> I think every time you go into obviously if you go into a place, they're going to be like, "Oh, you need braces." You know, let's It's a business and I get it.

[00:04:28]>> Um, she was my one and only, so I'm like, "Well, I'm going to do it. I want her to have the perfect smile and stuff." But looking at the before and afters, it's like she had my like character gaps that Alex has one of those.

[00:04:41]>> Yeah.

[00:04:41]>> Yeah.

[00:04:41]>> I love a gap. I love um uh one of my buddies had he broke half of his tooth off >> and it was his personality for years and years and years and then he got it fixed and I was like, I don't like it, man. I do not like it. You know, when you're >> punch him and break his tooth again.

[00:04:56]>> Yeah, kind of. Luke actually had one, too. brother smacked him and it for a while I was like I really like it fixed.

[00:05:05]Yeah.

[00:05:07]>> It makes me squeamish. I hate the teeth thing. Loose teeth.

[00:05:10]>> What do you guys think about pulling teeth? Are you guys okay with that?

[00:05:13]>> Pulling teeth >> for your kids that so I do that again.

[00:05:18]>> Like my friends have younger kids and if they come up to me and like flick their tooth with their tongue. I'm like I'm out. I am out. When I was a little kid, I would uh if I lost my tooth at my house, at mom and dad's house, I would not say I lost it. And I would like just kind of keep it there cuz then I knew if I stayed at my grandma and grandpa's house, I'd get more money.

[00:05:37]>> Oh yeah.

[00:05:38]>> I'd get like 20 bucks for a tooth. I knew you were.

[00:05:40]>> How did the tooth fairy do? Like she just knew that grandma and grandpa's was extra.

[00:05:45]>> I guess I had it figured out. I would just go, "Oh, I lost my tooth." And then my I think my grand like the third tooth my grandpa kind of caught on. He's like, "This is ridiculous." Hey, well listen, work smart, not hard.

[00:05:57]>> And I said I was past it. I'm not. Nora just actually lost a tooth while I was uh in St. Louis. She's like, "Look, mom." Like one of our big ones. I was like, "I thought you already lost a good mom here. Mom of the year."

[00:06:10]>> All like I guess I kind of was thinking of this cuz uh summer is approaching and we're getting ready to do all kinds of things and hopefully all kinds of baseball.

[00:06:20]>> Yeah. Um, I used to go to baseball games all the time when I was a kid. And the thing that, you know, stood out to me the most was the food, >> you know.

[00:06:29]>> Yeah.

[00:06:30]>> Um, hot dogs, nachos, whatever. But yeah, I'd always, my mom was pretty adamant about packing those little floss things.

[00:06:38]>> Yeah.

[00:06:39]>> For after your hot dog.

[00:06:40]>> Well, for after anything because my family always wants to get family pictures at the baseball games cuz that's like the tradition.

[00:06:48]So then I'm like, "Oh, cool. I got hot dog and nachos in my teeth. Like I don't have my floss.

[00:06:54]>> Um so yeah.

[00:06:55]>> So your mom's like packing getting ready for this baseball game. Do not forget the placers because we are taking pictures.

[00:07:01]>> Exactly. Exactly.

[00:07:02]>> Hilarious.

[00:07:02]>> So um >> my mom's like, "Can you at least put two matching socks on? We're going out of the house." You know, >> the food I think are is a big baseball memory of mine. Um growing up obviously born raised Cardinal fan. I'm not so big into baseball now. I do like watching it when I go over to my grandparents just cuz it brings back the nostalgia and then you know maybe I'll doze off and take a nap. Yeah.

[00:07:25]>> But uh my great grandma held season tickets.

[00:07:30]>> Okay.

[00:07:31]>> So like we were never like we were always at Bush Stadium. Like every vacation, every every thing was >> we're going to go to St. Louis and we're going on vacation to Bush Stadium. So that's cool. It was actually really cool. That was that was vacation.

[00:07:50]>> Obviously, good memories stuck with you.

[00:07:53]>> Best um player in my mind was Aussie Smith cuz he did the back flips when I was young. That was my great grandma's favorite.

[00:08:01]>> Okay.

[00:08:01]>> Then it moved on to Tom Pagnazi cuz I always had a thing for catchers including like the uh >> You think that's because of their butts that you can see? Yeah, I was going to say >> like even with the Quincy Gems I remember Oh my god, those catchers. That was my Yeah, >> I was a groupy.

[00:08:18]>> I was not I was too young to be that.

[00:08:20]But >> if I And if I were if I were young enough, I would be a doggy paddler.

[00:08:23]Groupy.

[00:08:24]>> Okay.

[00:08:25]>> For sure. I There's something about baseball players. And when you were talking about like the food is the best.

[00:08:30]Obviously, the food is great. People watching at a baseball game, whether at home or away, >> the best.

[00:08:37]>> It's amazing. So, even if you're not a fan of the sport, go and watch the people. And obviously the butts in those pants aren't too bad to look at either, right?

[00:08:45]>> The crowds are great.

[00:08:46]>> I'm not being gross. I'm not checking out. I'm >> watching where the outfield's aligned.

[00:08:49]I'm trying to figure out who the pitcher pitch count. The batter the batter lineups like, okay, he can't p Don't let him pitch to him because he kills. I'm I'm like going through all this stuff.

[00:08:58]You're all looking at asses.

[00:08:59]>> Speaking not always.

[00:09:01]>> Not always.

[00:09:02]>> Yes. Catchers. The best catcher.

[00:09:04]>> Well, and then also >> Molina.

[00:09:06]>> Mhm.

[00:09:06]>> That's who's on the back of my jersey as you can't see right now, but that was my favorite player.

[00:09:09]>> He's got a nice tush. Um, he I'm crossing my fingers there's rumors that he might end up becoming the St. Louis Cardinals coach at some point.

[00:09:18]>> Oh, really?

[00:09:19]>> Will that be accepted? Will that be accepted into the world of Cardinal?

[00:09:23]>> St. Louis, they'd love to have him. They don't feel like >> I thought I was like, is that like a traitor? Okay.

[00:09:30]>> No, he's part time. He's kind of like hanging out, but >> the guy and then he becomes cool. I swear to God, I picked him way before everyone. spoken to the world. Ellen was a big Mike Matheni fan and she was very happy when he became the manager. He was a terrible freaking manager, but she was very happy.

[00:09:46]>> Was he the one that got all the DUIs?

[00:09:47]>> No. Oh, no.

[00:09:49]>> No, that was Tony Larusa.

[00:09:50]>> That there we go.

[00:09:51]>> No mathemat ever drank. I mean, >> I don't think it was Tony. It was just the last.

[00:09:57]He got one in spring training. Had too much wine. Yeah, he's Italian.

[00:10:00]>> We would say like don't pull Larusa.

[00:10:02]>> Yeah.

[00:10:03]>> You know, coming home from the baseball games and stuff like that.

[00:10:06]>> Okay. For some reason, I was thinking it was the coach. I went to a lot of games growing up as a kid. Um, I went with my uh grandma and grandpa and my mom and dad, my cousins, we all went a lot and then we used to as a family with Ellen and our kids, we always went to at least one a year forever. And uh, yeah, it was great. It was a lot of fun. And one of the kids would eat so much they'd puke and it was awesome.

[00:10:28]>> Puke in the car.

[00:10:30]>> Uh, well uh, Scott I think puked in an Uber once.

[00:10:33]>> I love how we were calling them out by name.

[00:10:36]>> Alex ate. Alex went with some friends of ours and ate like ate hot dogs and didn't puke and when he was like probably in his teens and I'm like how did you not throw >> ballpark hot dogs?

[00:10:47]>> Yeah.

[00:10:48]>> And like Alex is chestnut.

[00:10:50]>> Oh my god. He was hailed him. Um >> now Michelle Michelle was always on her best behavior. Just wanted to have ice cream and she was fine. So >> well that's awesome.

[00:10:59]>> I uh I had a very Yeah. a very big love of baseball. Mostly attributed to my family. like it was kind of like you were born into it. If you didn't like it, then oh, we're going to give you up for adoption type thing. And um it played over into my adult life for a while. Uh when I was pregnant, I didn't know I've told you guys this story. I didn't know if uh my daughter was going to be a boy or a girl. So, she was just beans in my belly. Um and I had two names picked out for her. And I am so glad that she was born a girl because her boy name I was gonna say I don't think I've heard >> OJ.

[00:11:36]>> Was it >> OJ?

[00:11:38]>> OJ.

[00:11:38]>> Well, is he a baseball player?

[00:11:40]>> No, he was a football player.

[00:11:41]>> Exactly. Go along with the theme here, Randy. Um, the name was Cruz, which at the time >> I thought it was like one of the unused names, but that year in 2011, it was actually one of the most used names.

[00:11:55]>> Yeah, it became real popular. middle name was going to be yier. So, she was going to be Cruz yair.

[00:12:02]>> That is so funny because when you first said I'm glad it was I was going to be what was it like yada and >> yeah cruise y my grandma was so excited about it like >> she's like instantly in the will check.

[00:12:14]>> That's funny.

[00:12:16]>> Yeah. So, I also thought she was going to be a boy too because I was wanting a girl but I also Yeah. And I feel like the universe plays that thing, you know.

[00:12:26]But >> well, now that I'm thinking about it, >> even when she came out as a girl, I'm like, >> are you sure?

[00:12:32]>> Are you sure this is a little girl?

[00:12:34]>> Check under the hood.

[00:12:35]>> Cruz y is it is it going to be different later?

[00:12:39]>> Y pretty solid name.

[00:12:41]>> That's cool.

[00:12:42]>> I kind of like it.

[00:12:43]>> Okay. Well, if any of you want it, you have my blessing in having it because I really do like Y.

[00:12:49]>> I have friends I got a couple friends who named their kids Cruz when back in the day.

[00:12:53]>> It's cute. I also obviously am partial to Baya, so I'm glad you had a girl.

[00:12:58]It's good. Yeah, >> she uh her name was mispronounced at the sectional event. She's headed to track this weekend. So, I'm really hoping Yeah. Yeah. State for track. Sorry. I'm really really hoping that whoever is announcing the names that they can read because I feel like >> how they say it. Or you don't want to say >> No, they called her Mila and it's spelled M A >> Y L A. So my >> Yeah. Like so it's But if the So how I got that name was I loved the name Leila and I just put letters in front of it because Leila was a very overused name.

[00:13:37]>> Leila was the name of my bong when I was in college.

[00:13:40]>> Was it?

[00:13:41]>> Seriously?

[00:13:42]>> Oh my god. I don't think we've ever connected those dots.

[00:13:45]>> So I wanted you know Leila It's amazing.

[00:13:48]>> But um you know, I'm just saying like for the announcer, you're reading Leila.

[00:13:52]You don't say Laya. So like why is Mila Mila? Like come on guys.

[00:13:58]>> This is the one time the one moment >> we do have to give them a break because I can't imagine seeing all of those names especially with all the names that are unique now like trying to >> my story when I was playing football in high school. um last my last name obviously is different and so I like scored a touchdown against like uh Mex the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico and the the guy in the press box went Bob Goo on the carry.

[00:14:25]>> No. Yep.

[00:14:26]>> Yeah.

[00:14:27]>> No.

[00:14:27]>> And then my mother stomped to the press box and SAID IT'S PRONOUNCED GOTH.

[00:14:32]>> I can I can see G.

[00:14:34]>> No goo. And then so and then from that point on in high school my nickname was Bobby Goo.

[00:14:40]>> I was either Bobby Goo or Bobby Jack.

[00:14:41]Listen to what we're bringing back, folks.

[00:14:43]>> We can't say Bobby Jack.

[00:14:44]>> Bobby Goo.

[00:14:45]>> We can't do that one. That's why we could never name a kid Jack. Ellen Ellen loved the name Jack.

[00:14:49]>> Yeah. Yeah. Kid Jack.

[00:14:51]>> That took me a second.

[00:14:52]>> Yeah. Bobby Jack Goo or that um >> guest. Are we going to be able to air this? I feel like >> No, I've always said if we have a dog, we should name it Jack. And Ellen's still like, "No." I'm like, I think that'd be great for a dog name.

[00:15:05]>> It would be great. Great dog name.

[00:15:07]>> But you always name them something.

[00:15:09]Irish names. Yes. We currently have >> uh Darcy and Sullivan right now.

[00:15:13]>> So, we've had a lot of dog names.

[00:15:15]They've all been Irish. Jack's Irish.

[00:15:17]>> Oh, Jack.

[00:15:18]>> Jack. Jack. Jack. JFK. Who's Irish?

[00:15:20]>> Oh, Jack.

[00:15:21]>> Jack. Oh, Jack.

[00:15:23]>> Oh, Jack.

[00:15:24]>> Yeah, that'd be great, too.

[00:15:27]>> That's amazing.

[00:15:27]>> So, so yeah, that was Yeah, >> we're getting ourselves in trouble here.

[00:15:31]>> High school was uh was Yeah, I had a lot of nicknames. So, >> that's funny. Well, I was Hooper. So, >> yeah.

[00:15:37]>> Hooper, pooper, scooper, super duper. I mean it that never ends.

[00:15:41]>> Mine was >> still Yeah.

[00:15:42]>> bowl.

[00:15:43]>> Yeah.

[00:15:44]>> Smoke a bowl.

[00:15:45]>> [ __ ] >> Cereal.

[00:15:47]>> I didn't get that one. You [ __ ] >> No.

[00:15:49]>> Really?

[00:15:49]>> Uh-uh.

[00:15:50]>> That's cuz kids are stupid.

[00:15:51]>> Yeah. I had really red hair like as red as my shirt probably cuz like n I don't know. I think I put blonde highlights in it and then I have naturally red hair so it kind of turned orange and >> you know I mean >> the nickname that went with that everyone knows. What was that?

[00:16:09]>> What?

[00:16:09]>> Are you for real?

[00:16:10]>> Yeah.

[00:16:11]>> What?

[00:16:11]>> Red bull. That would actually have been good.

[00:16:14]>> I'm See, I'm thinking kids are not that smart. So, >> it was fire crotch.

[00:16:19]>> That has nothing to do with bull.

[00:16:20]Listen, you totally threw me off there.

[00:16:22]I was like, >> "No, it's my red hair."

[00:16:24]>> No, that was my nickname. That's funny.

[00:16:26]>> And I was like, "How do I get away from this?" And also the name Bull. Like, I didn't like the last name Bull because it was cereal bull, smokable D. Yeah, >> I'm going to get married right away and divorce that. Which name do I want? And I found this guy in high school one time. I thought he had the coolest last name. It was Winkle John.

[00:16:46]>> I mean, I I don't know that I would have ever said that's cool.

[00:16:49]>> Not cool, but jeez. I guess if you're I guess if you're scraping out there for >> When I I mean I guess if you're so pissed about Bull and you're like, you know what sounds good? Winkle John.

[00:16:58]>> Winkle. Winkle.

[00:17:00]>> I was like, oh, pen name. There you go.

[00:17:02]when I met Luke and I was like, "Oh, if this works out, I'll be Conrad. That's so much better." But then as we started to like, you know, started to really uh solidify our relationship, I was like, "I kind of want you to take Hooper because it dies with my sister and I."

[00:17:18]So I'm like, "I kind of want" And he was like, "Are you kidding me? There's no L Cooper."

[00:17:22]>> Cooper Cooper. Looper.

[00:17:24]>> Like, yeah. No, it's not happening.

[00:17:26]>> Is it Cooper or Hooper? Cooper. What?

[00:17:28]What? Well, obviously speaking of how to announce names, nicknames, things like that, uh, sporting events, our guest is probably sitting back there like, "What in the world are they talking about right now?"

[00:17:39]>> Exactly. But she's got to announce Well, she doesn't actually do the announcements, but >> doesn't Shaneie do it?

[00:17:46]>> Yeah. Our very own Shane Shane.

[00:17:48]>> Yeah, Shane. He does the playbyplay streaming for them. Yeah.

[00:17:52]>> For the dog paddlers.

[00:17:53]>> Doggy paddlers.

[00:17:54]>> The Quincy dog paddlers.

[00:17:56]>> Okay. a sneak peek at who our guest is.

[00:17:58]She still has to know all those names, how to pronounce them, how to manage them, how to >> how do you find them homes, which you're going to work on as well.

[00:18:06]>> And also when we were talking when I was like, "Oh, she probably doesn't want to be on." She's probably heard this and worse from these players cuz they're married to a baseball coach for the love of God.

[00:18:15]>> Yeah. Well, yeah. Uh >> and she was an athlete herself.

[00:18:18]>> I was going to say this isn't the worst thing she's heard, I'm sure. But really, really excited for this guest.

[00:18:23]>> I am excited, too. We're looking forward to hearing from the Quincy Doggy Toddlers general manager right after this.

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[00:19:16]It's a dogone good time.

[00:19:21]beyond just our mission, the friendships and fellowships that we get to create here and the relationships that we get to foster amongst our members. Um, I've got friends, I've got, you know, clients in my business from this. And at the end of the day, it's it's about the relationships with each other as well and working together as a team to to help those kids. So, um, give it a shot, you know, just just do what you can and and we'd love to see you join Kuanas.

[00:20:03]>> You can help >> be a hero to the families.

[00:20:07]>> You can be a hero to your community.

[00:20:10]Justice is for everyone.

[00:20:24]>> Well, is are we shell is our guest and she is the GM for the Quincy doggy paddlers and also married to the QU baseball coach as well. as she said his she is. But we're here to talk about her and her team today not having his team.

[00:20:41]>> Yeah.

[00:20:42]>> So, and we I just we're really glad that you know we're back that the dog that we have the doggy paddlers. Had a year without it. Stunk last year kind of a transition year this year.

[00:20:50]>> Ready to roll. Right.

[00:20:51]>> Ready to rock.

[00:20:52]>> We are ready to roll.

[00:20:54]>> How many players do you have?

[00:20:56]>> We have 40 currently.

[00:20:58]>> 40.

[00:20:59]>> Now, that will fluctuate throughout the year. We have pitchers that are in pitch count. We have everything in between.

[00:21:05]And so it'll float. It'll float at 40.

[00:21:08]>> So, real quick, because I know everyone is probably on the edge of their seats, how did doggy paddlers, the name come about? Because listen, it was very controversial at first in Quincy. Let's talk about it.

[00:21:22]>> I was not part of that.

[00:21:23]>> That's right. She's new.

[00:21:25]>> I was not part of that. But I was told that it was a public vote.

[00:21:31]everyone got to submit their their suggestions in the suggestion box.

[00:21:37]>> Um, and that's was a running name.

[00:21:40]>> In these independent leagues, they try to come up with offbeat names. So, that's I get it. You know, at first it was like, woo. But now it's like, okay.

[00:21:48]Yeah. Yeah. Pistol Shrimp. Danville D.

[00:21:51]>> Lucky Horseshoes. I mean, >> Decatur [ __ ] >> That's their team name.

[00:21:56]>> That's their team name. So, and >> used to be the Blues years ago, the old.

[00:22:00]>> Yeah. So, there's crazy names everywhere, but I think it encompasses what summer baseball is about.

[00:22:05]Obviously, we're a league to develop players, give them the opportunity to play at the next level, get better for their own teams, but summer baseball is fun. Summer sports are fun. There has to be some light to it, and we want to cater to a fun, familyfriendly, familyfriendly environment. And we have a cute mascot, >> which is named what?

[00:22:27]>> Dinger.

[00:22:28]>> Dinger. I wanted Douggee for dugout.

[00:22:32]>> Dugout.

[00:22:33]>> Yes.

[00:22:33]>> You just want to do the Douggee, >> huh?

[00:22:35]>> Do the Douggee.

[00:22:36]>> Well, I can't do that. But so originally, and I will say when I first heard doggy paddlers, I was like, what?

[00:22:42]Because I submitted a thing called the Mississippi Mudslingers, and it was this fish with um >> a mullet.

[00:22:49]>> And I was like, dude, come on. And it's a fish right on the Mississippi. I was like, I >> I could have swore I thought we would do more of a you know, doggy paddlers is still a water theme. I thought we would go more fish river, but you know, again, >> but I love it.

[00:23:04]>> But now it's here. It's fine. Let's just go have a cold beer, watch some kids play baseball, and it's fun.

[00:23:09]>> So, before we get to um you know, obviously the season, which is opening very, very soon, right?

[00:23:16]>> Yep.

[00:23:16]>> Tuesday. Tuesday. We're less than a week.

[00:23:19]>> Oh, it's so fun. I'm sure. Less fun for you, more nerves. Uh, right. Is >> it's kind of like 50/50.

[00:23:26]>> Okay.

[00:23:27]>> What will happen will happen.

[00:23:28]>> That's right. You can't predict everything.

[00:23:30]>> Um, but can we start way back because when you first came in I was like I mean we we've obviously talked before.

[00:23:37]>> Um >> I I I caught a slight accent and I was like, "Where are you from originally?"

[00:23:43]>> Canada.

[00:23:44]>> Yeah. A >> Hey, how's it going?

[00:23:47]>> Try not to.

[00:23:48]>> But you do. I love it.

[00:23:49]>> It comes out. it comes out. I am Americanized, I would say. When I first came to the States, >> I'm from Canada to Alabama, so that was like a big swing. Never picked up a southern accent. But then being in the Midwest kind of like I don't know, evened things out between those two.

[00:24:07]Happy medium.

[00:24:08]>> Kind out there. Going to oot there.

[00:24:10]>> Now, if my f like when I speak with my family >> Uhhuh. Oh, yeah.

[00:24:14]>> And you're from Calgary.

[00:24:15]>> Calgary.

[00:24:16]>> So that's like real real Canada. It is the wild west. I love it.

[00:24:21]>> The Saddle Dome, the Flames, the whole thing.

[00:24:23]>> Calgary Stampede.

[00:24:24]>> Now, you you played uh college and semi-professional soccer, correct?

[00:24:30]>> I would I would semi-professional can be like >> I understand that, >> but similar to what the doggy paddlers are doing. I was not paid, but similar to what the doggy paddlers do or the prospect league in general. It was a league, WPSL back then, a league to >> um compete and to progress. Um, but I did play division one college soccer at Jacksonville State University. Go Gamecooxs.

[00:24:52]>> Go Gamecocks.

[00:24:53]>> Um, a million years ago, it feels like >> that's so funny. And you're like downplaying all of this. I can't even run around the block. Okay. So, when I'm thinking about sports and even semi-professional or, you know, the different leagues, kudos to you for, you know, things.

[00:25:10]>> Well, Canada is such a soccer hot bed.

[00:25:12]We all know, >> right?

[00:25:13]>> That's why I LIKE WHY DIDN'T YOU PLAY HOCKEY?

[00:25:15]>> She did. She said, like dabbled. Not my best.

[00:25:19]>> Let her explain why because this is hilarious. Okay.

[00:25:21]>> Uh my hand eye coordination not good. My parents put me in soccer. And everyone asked me why soccer. My parents moved to a new community when I was when we were just entering kindergarten, which is kind of when you start playing sports a little bit. And they put me in soccer so I could make friends.

[00:25:39]>> Now I think it was more for them to also make friends as parents.

[00:25:42]>> Did they make cool friends?

[00:25:44]>> No.

[00:25:45]>> Okay. Well, backfired, but it did well FOR YOU.

[00:25:48]>> YEAH, IT paid off in the long run. Um, but yeah, soccer definitely more the foot eye coordination. Nobody needs to see me throw a ball or swing a bat.

[00:25:58]>> But here you are manager of a GM of a baseball team, but you know, again, you don't have to be able to play as long as you know the game. And but I think with you, you are also a college coach, so you are, >> you know, obviously recruiting was a big part of your job and here you're trying to recruit these guys to come play for us. So, I think your past experience ties in very nicely with what you're doing now.

[00:26:18]>> It's a nice mix being when I've interviewed a lot of interns, that's been a big part of the job, too. They always ask me like, "How did you get to where you are now?"

[00:26:28]>> Yeah.

[00:26:28]>> I'm like, "Okay, well, it's a lot of like this >> tangents." Yeah.

[00:26:33]>> And learn just everything. No. Do I have a degree in sports marketing or sports administration? No. my bachelor's of science in physical education is my undergrad and then I have a masters in education. Um but everything I've done up until this point has made me somewhat qualified for this role just with um sports management, game operations, everything that I've learned in college soccer um being a coach but having my husband in a baseball role as well.

[00:27:02]>> Helpful to have have that at home.

[00:27:04]>> So you are obviously you have the acumen. you are very sportsminded, right? Um, going through school and I don't want to speak for anybody but myself. I went for business management, business administration, marketing, I get into the real world and I'm like, "What the hell? I didn't learn any of this." Okay. So, when you're talking about sports management or um being a teacher, all of the things that you learn, I think, are obviously going to lend to being a good GM. But do you think that you're recalling all the stuff you learned in school or do you think it's more about being an athlete that helps you kind of understand these these mindsets?

[00:27:40]>> I think being an athlete has a big part of it. Um, but I I wanted to be a PE teacher.

[00:27:48]>> Okay.

[00:27:49]>> So I did a lot of practicum, student teaching, all that kind of stuff. And I left undergrad wanting to do that. And I moved home to back to Canada from Alabama. I went to school when I was 17 and I went home and I was like, what what am I doing at home? Yeah, this is crazy. So, I applied to every single graduate assistant position soccer in the country and got hired at William Woods University. So, I just dove straight into coaching. Yeah, I was there for a year, not very long. And then I came up to Quincy. Um, but >> in what year was this?

[00:28:23]>> 2019.

[00:28:24]>> Okay.

[00:28:25]Um, but I think just having I didn't have a clear I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up.

[00:28:32]>> Yeah. I don't think anybody Yeah, I was going to say I don't think anybody does and anybody who says they do, they're probably >> Exactly. I just knew that I didn't want like your typical 9 to5 and I didn't want to have to wear like regular people clothes.

[00:28:45]>> Yeah.

[00:28:46]>> I like I I love sports. I love being active, all that kind of stuff. And I just want to kind of encompass that kind of free flowing job title, I guess. For sure.

[00:28:55]>> So, but being an athlete has a good background to kind of what what to expect and what these players are wanting to expect.

[00:29:02]>> Sure. Absolutely.

[00:29:03]>> How did you How did you and your husband meet?

[00:29:05]>> A classic love story at Quincy University.

[00:29:08]>> Oh my gosh.

[00:29:10]>> I'm a hawk. Listen, I get it. I get it.

[00:29:15]I came in in 2019 and he had started as a GA in 2016. So, he's 10 years at QU for him this year.

[00:29:25]>> Wow. Yeah.

[00:29:26]>> Um, but he's been through all of the ranks in the coaching staff at for QU baseball. I also had that experience, too, which is really cool. Um, that's how we met. The rest is, I guess, history, but we have two kids. Um, >> two kids under three, guys.

[00:29:42]>> Two kids under three. I the reason why I'm in this role is because I had to pivot from college coaching having two college coaches in the same household.

[00:29:52]>> Even though it was opposite seasons, it didn't really match well. And then, you know, having kids and >> it's just crazy >> cuz coaching is coaching is even though yes, you only play in a certain whether semester or season or whatever, it's still year round with recruiting and everything you have to do.

[00:30:09]>> Yes. And especially at the especially at the division 2 level and you got all the >> stuff you got to deal with with uh eligibility and just all that kind of stuff and the the scholarships and the getting the p the paying Quincy University what more than 80% of the students are athletes. Yeah.

[00:30:26]>> So you know you are in that role you are counted on for the university to basically bring in the student body. So it's there's a lot of pressure on on Q.

[00:30:36]>> Well and also if you give a damn you're it's not just a season. Sure.

[00:30:39]>> It's not a seasonal job. I mean, you're constantly trying to improve. You're grabbing, like you you said, you know, recruiting, making sure that, uh, obviously technology plays a role in some of this stuff. So, uh, always learning, always dedicating yourself and your time to it. It's not a seasonal position, >> right?

[00:30:55]>> I do want to talk a little bit about, um, being a woman in this field. And I don't want to say that I don't I don't want to focus on like a female leader in this in in this industry, but it is kind of rare. Is that right?

[00:31:12]>> Yeah.

[00:31:12]>> Okay.

[00:31:13]>> Women in sports is evolving and growing rapidly.

[00:31:16]>> Yeah.

[00:31:17]>> Probably in the last 5 years, you've just seen an uptick in just that phrase, women in sports.

[00:31:22]>> Yeah.

[00:31:22]>> Um I've never kind of put I've never put myself kind of in that like propaganda area.

[00:31:30]>> Yeah. Right. Yes, >> because it's just like this is what I do.

[00:31:32]>> This is who I am. This is where I am.

[00:31:34]>> But it is really cool. There are a couple other um female GMs in the Prospect League, which is awesome.

[00:31:39]>> Do you know how many total?

[00:31:41]>> I believe three, including myself. Um the Pistol Shrimp and the Burlington Bees. Um >> Pistol Shrimps. I love that.

[00:31:48]>> I know. It's so funny. It's so fun. Um but it >> it's kind of just is what you make it if you kind of enter that role with confidence and you know what you're doing and you have a plan. Yeah. um you earn respect. Um but I think just having a background and some sort of knowledge before entering that helps a lot too.

[00:32:08]But I've never entered a position even soccer. So soccer is a very male dominated sport as well. Baseball clearly.

[00:32:15]>> Um but it's just you know what you know and you have to be confident when you do it.

[00:32:20]>> Yeah. Well obviously you're doing something right. So kudos to you. Now again I don't want to we're not getting into the propaganda but uh being a mother and being a GM and we were talking earlier a little bit about work life balance what are your thoughts >> that doesn't exist and uh people who say it does >> are we're not living the same life. up.

[00:32:40]>> It might exist if your kids are gone, but while you have kids, it does not exist.

[00:32:45]>> Even then, I don't think it's like you're constantly focusing on your family and your kids and trying to do better. And obviously, anybody who thinks that there is such a thing as work life balance, you're not giving enough to either, >> right? That's kind of how I look at it.

[00:32:59]>> True.

[00:32:59]>> Uh but I think it's incredible that you are the GM. Now, can you is there is there anything that you have found really surprising, maybe challenging, maybe great, it doesn't matter, but what's something that's like, "Holy cow, I didn't know this was going to be >> uh ticketing."

[00:33:18]>> Really, >> my nightmare.

[00:33:20]>> Really, just the the platform that we use and the printer system that we have and the amount of people that want physical tickets and aren't quite transitioned into like Apple Watch. You know our demographics, honey. That's why I'm telling you all why we accept cash.

[00:33:37]>> Just get a little printer and print it.

[00:33:39]They like to hold that, you know.

[00:33:40]>> I know. I know. And that I I love that.

[00:33:44]>> Um >> that's been a nightmare. It's a pain.

[00:33:47]>> Uh that's been tough. Um other things like logistically, bus, hotel stays, that kind of stuff.

[00:33:56]Pretty easy. I have now found out, not found out, I knew I was, but didn't realize >> how tough it was going to be to be like a a restaurant manager also with a concession and ordering all this stuff and figuring out a menu.

[00:34:08]>> You're doing all that, >> man. Okay. So, when I heard general manager, I'm thinking players.

[00:34:14]>> No, it's like general general thing.

[00:34:16]>> She's to make sure they don't run out of beer.

[00:34:18]>> Beer, but I brought the beer garden back, so I hope that's Yes. Um, but yeah, I'm a bar manager, a restaurant manager, a player manager, a fan manager, a everything. So, the hats are stacked. But somebody asked me yesterday like, "What are you what's your role during the game?" Like, uh, wherever I'm needed.

[00:34:40]>> Yeah. All eyes, all hats, all hands.

[00:34:42]Yeah. Yeah. Do you, um, feel like you've been well received?

[00:34:46]>> Um, I think so.

[00:34:47]>> Okay. Um, for somebody who doesn't have like a huge background in this specific role, um, I think I have a good understanding of the community. Um, and taking this role and any job that I've kind of taken, um, I'm big on that community impact um, and making sure that I can relate to the community in itself. Um, and giving back to a community that has given me a lot too. So that I think has helped me. Um >> I think you found our love language for sure. I mean we are so communitydriven that if you you've no doubt brought something back to our community which I think everybody um loves. I think everybody was missing it right. So you've brought that back in a way that is incredible. Um there's a lot of there's room to grow which is also a great thing. But if you are also giving back and yeah, showing love to our community, that's that's you're going down the right path, girl. For sure.

[00:35:48]Yeah.

[00:35:49]>> And I think that again, you know, we had the you know, we had uh before we had the gyms, we had the Rivermen and of course we had like minor league baseball. When was that?

[00:35:57]>> 80s. Long time ago.

[00:35:58]>> We had we had the Quincy Cubs and then we lost the Quincy Cubs in like the mid70s because we had it was a class it was an affiliate of the Cubs minor league team. We had a Yankees minor league team too. Oh yeah. But, you know, we've had this in we've had basically collegiate league ball ever since. And the gyms were very wellreceived. And then, you know, when that all stopped, then it was kind of like, well, what do we do next? But then the ownership group, which to their credit, they decided to come and do this on top of also owning the Springfield team.

[00:36:24]>> So, now Oh, really? Yeah. Same same owners. So, and I think that by coming in and doing this, they I mean, you know, they they've been told of the years when we had 3,000 people in the stands for fireworks nights and stuff like that. And will we ever get back to that? I don't know. But I don't think that's the important thing. I think if you have a solid crowd and you have a lot of fun and you have your specific fireworks nights and the team is competitive, nobody's asking them to win 75 90% of their games. Just have a competitive team >> and again, nice weather, cold beer, >> hot dog, it's all you want. Yeah, in some >> I don't think we're too ter Nobody's too terribly picky about it. I mean, it's like just go out and have fun.

[00:37:02]>> I mean, there are people >> Nobody's expecting to go out and watch the 27 Yankees play.

[00:37:06]>> You're always going to have those certain few people though, right, that are like we got to have this roster and we got to train. Is there trading? I don't even know what I'm talking about.

[00:37:13]>> So, there's like transactions that happen through the year. So, the the team that we'll start with on Monday will have a good majority, but we're right dead set in the middle of conference and regional play, okay? And then super regionals and then World Series. So, if we have players on good teams, which we do, which is really cool this year, >> we won't have a full roster um you know, probably the first week.

[00:37:38]>> Okay.

[00:37:38]>> I mean, for those guys, hopefully longer, but selfishly, I'd love them like right now.

[00:37:42]>> Um but those are the kind of players that we're going after. So, those es and flows will happen. Pitchers will be on a pitch count. Um, we'll have first half players, second half players. So, >> do you have any Quincy University pitchers on your team?

[00:37:56]>> Um, we do.

[00:37:57]>> Have you told your husband that screw the pitch count, you're going to use them as you need them?

[00:38:01]>> Um, >> get him ready. He's coming up >> possibly.

[00:38:06]We do have a couple Hawks. Um, couple position players. Um, couple pitchers.

[00:38:12]Uh but our field manager Kyle Faultz has been amazing too with getting those those guys going. And >> this is his first year, right?

[00:38:20]>> This is his first year. Yeah. Um so he has a young family, too. He has three kids under nine.

[00:38:26]>> And where's he from?

[00:38:27]>> He is from he's coming down from Montana.

[00:38:29]>> Okay.

[00:38:30]>> Um so him and his family, this is what they do in the summer. They just come down to wherever he's coaching and just have a summer with it.

[00:38:36]>> So super cool. I'm excited to meet them.

[00:38:39]Um, but yeah, uh, he's done a great job so far. And, you know, having a baseball person in my house.

[00:38:46]>> Yeah. You know, >> some connections and stuff has been really cool to build this roster and we're we're trying to improve every year, like you said.

[00:38:54]>> Sure. Yeah.

[00:38:55]>> We're not guaranteed to win every single game. I hope that's not the expectation, but on paper, we're looking pretty solid.

[00:39:01]>> Yeah. Just have a couple more beers if you're not if you're not having, please, too.

[00:39:05]>> Yeah. I hope so. Beer. That was going to be my thing. Like I think >> if you were more in control of the weather than you were players, I think that'd be would be better because if it's if it's like 80 80 if it's like low 80s, you go out there, it's great. It's just when it gets about to be 95 and it's >> Listen, but if you're dedicated, you don't care. You'll take your little rag out there.

[00:39:23]>> You sit in the sit in the beer garden in the shade. That's what I do.

[00:39:26]>> We have a tent by our beer garden.

[00:39:28]>> Right. There you go.

[00:39:29]>> It's a great time. Um, I do want to ask a couple questions and I hope this isn't >> ridiculous because I obviously don't know much about it, but how do you get Yes, I am constantly. Sorry.

[00:39:39]>> Uh, how do you get player? How do you recruit? What's the Are you like because I would think if I'm going to a different college and I'm like, "Hey, come to Quincy, Illinois." I'm googling on the map and I'm like, "What the right?" And I'm not being >> what Massachuses. I'm not being disenuino.

[00:39:57]>> But I'm saying, you know, there's got to be other places that they could probably go. So, how do you do that?

[00:40:02]>> That's you kind of answered it. Like, there are so many places >> and you're capped at a roster to start.

[00:40:08]Um, but trusting it's kind of a two-way street with player and coach. So, you're you as a player would say like, "Coach, I need help finding a summer placement." that coach would kind of use his network of like who do I who do I know who's affiliated with a summer team.

[00:40:26]>> Okay.

[00:40:27]>> Um and that's really what it is. That's what sports are right now. It's kind of who you know and how you get there.

[00:40:33]>> Um >> the prospect league is a is a competitive league if you think of all of the summer leagues um in in the country. And we've we've moved on some great players to the minor leagues, the MLB, like it from anywhere you where you look.

[00:40:51]>> Um, but it's kind of who you know, how well are you connected and how much are you trusted?

[00:40:57]>> Um, so having a rich history of baseball in Quincy, uh, we are on the map for people to or coaches to send their players to and how we take care of them.

[00:41:06]And that's a big part of it too is these kids are coming from somewhere else. And we have kids from coming all over the country, different different countries in general, South Korea. Really, we have two South Koreans. We have a Canadian.

[00:41:19]Um, >> that's incredible.

[00:41:20]>> Kind of everywhere. And we want to show them Quincy and make sure that they >> that I didn't even realize.

[00:41:27]>> Happen stance. But listen, happen stance.

[00:41:28]>> I'll take it.

[00:41:29]>> Okay. So, obviously, you know, and I want to kind of I want to Yeah. Okay. So Quincy is obviously hard maybe to recruit to because if you're looking at things you're like ah but once you're here >> Yeah.

[00:41:41]>> It's a very um I obviously it's a great community.

[00:41:45]>> Yeah.

[00:41:46]>> What kind of feedback do you get from players uh from their experience here or what I mean what have you heard?

[00:41:53]>> Yeah. Um so we do have some players already in town. Now it's going to be a mad scramble between like today and and Saturday for when kids are starting to come in. And they're not kids, they're young men. that >> kids to me I feel old but >> right I mean trust me yeah well I'm old >> but Quincy is very unassuming and that is the best way to put it you get here you look on a map and you're like >> what the >> but then you get here and you're like well the big the big names your Targets your Kohl's you have Sephora now guys don't care about that but I do >> um goods >> but everything else somebody one of our players text me today and he's like hey what's the golf scene look like in Quincy >> oh the rainy the west view.

[00:42:34]>> We have a lot of golf courses here.

[00:42:36]>> Pretty good.

[00:42:37]>> Which is awesome. And then part-time jobs. A lot of these kids are looking for part-time jobs. Anybody hiring? We do have a very >> I think everyone's hiring in Quincy. So you guys have your >> very specific time availability.

[00:42:48]>> I was going to say their availability window is kind of narrow, >> small, but um had a great conversation with YMCA for some camp counselors. um different places like that that are just wanting help here and there. Yeah. Odds and ends, but um the amount of I put a post on some page. I was like, "Hey, I'm looking for >> some part-time jobs for these kids." The overwhelming support that have been like, "Give this person a call. I have availability. I have hours." All that kind of stuff is kind of what Quincy is.

[00:43:16]It is a tight-knit community >> that has each other's backs no matter what type of thing. And I'm fingers crossed hoping that happens on Tuesday for opening night. But >> it will, guys, because here's what we do. We show up for Quincy. We show up for the doggy paddlers. I mean, obviously >> home Quincy home home home opener then.

[00:43:35]Tuesday night.

[00:43:36]>> Yeah. Tuesday 26.

[00:43:37]>> All right.

[00:43:38]>> 6:30.

[00:43:39]>> I noticed you're not like biting your nails or anything, which is good. I would be on pins and needles stressing to the maximum. Yeah, it's been a tough um you the biggest thing about sports is you have a plan, but that is never the plan.

[00:43:55]>> That's in life.

[00:43:56]>> This is in life for sure. Um so there has been a plan. I have a running checklist and sometimes I look at it and have like checklist paralysis a little bit and I'm like that's too much >> analysis paralysis. I do it all the time.

[00:44:09]>> Yeah. But um my husband told me the other day like what is meant to be is going to happen.

[00:44:15]>> Let go and let God. And what people don't know, they don't know. So like if I think something needed to be perfect, which I I was very type A before I had kids. And then you kind of become like type C with both of those.

[00:44:28]>> Don't let the perfect be the end.

[00:44:30]>> You can't be perfect. You really good is fine.

[00:44:32]>> Obviously, dance, some people call it a sport, some people don't. I'm not here to uh argue that, but I did take dance. And the one thing everybody said is if you mess up, just keep going. Nobody's going to pay attention. Nobody's going to know. You just keep going. As if it didn't happen.

[00:44:46]I assume that that's just what you're going to have to do. You just do it.

[00:44:49]>> Yeah.

[00:44:49]>> So, is this the the schedule has it changed this year? Last year, it seemed like they were playing like the same teams over and over. Did they spread the schedule out this year?

[00:44:56]>> Yeah. So, we acquired So, we lost a team, we gained a team. Well, we lost Yeah. So, we have 20 teams in the Prospects League. We're split east and west, right?

[00:45:05]>> Um we cross over. So, our midseason we have a huge swing out to Pennsylvania and back. Um but in between we have our main stays, our constants like uh Burlington, Alton, Clinton, of Allen, Illinois Valley. Uh but we sprinkle some in there like Cape Cod, um Johntown, um Johnson, we have different teams that we're we're playing. Now, if you look at like newer teams to our league, um I guess we are new. Uh but like Decar, newest team, um Cooko, uh Creek Chubs, if you think Quincy Doggy Paddlers, >> Cooko Creek Chubs.

[00:45:45]>> Yes.

[00:45:46]>> I kind of like it.

[00:45:48]>> It's a I'm not going to say what I'm thinking, but you know what? Okay.

[00:45:51]>> I listen, it's different.

[00:45:53]>> It is different. It's fun. It rolls off the tongue.

[00:45:55]>> Yeah.

[00:45:56]>> Yeah.

[00:45:56]>> But um I think it's luck of the draw every year, too. Last year was very repetitive. Mhm.

[00:46:01]>> Um but this year we are playing lots of new lots of new teams.

[00:46:05]>> So all of these guys come in from far and away where do they stay?

[00:46:12]>> Host families uh for the most part.

[00:46:16]>> Um and then where wherever we can place them. So this year and last year we they did have some players on QU campus last year which is awesome. This year we will do the same thing. Uh but host families play a vital role in how we operate.

[00:46:32]Sure.

[00:46:32]>> Not only with the experience we're giving our players. Um but our overall operating budget too. Host families, sponsors, season ticket holders make up over 50% of our operating budget. Okay.

[00:46:44]>> Uh which is >> that was going to be my next question.

[00:46:46]>> That that's a big chunk of it. Um and we you know we I appreciate them more than they'll ever know. Um, but our host families for sure they give a safe place for these boys to stay, maybe some breakfast here and there if they're awake by then. Um, but they're giving a Quincy experience, too.

[00:47:06]>> What a cool experience. Okay, so I spoke to is it Susan?

[00:47:09]>> Susan Truz.

[00:47:10]>> Yes. So, she is um the host family coordinator and also has been a host family and is a host family. Um, it >> intrigued me, right?

[00:47:19]>> Um, I told her I we live in our house obviously. It's a mess. We have younger kids. We have people coming and going all the time. She was like, "Nope, I don't think they really care. They're so busy anyway. All they need >> they're not here a lot."

[00:47:30]>> But then how cool of an experience?

[00:47:32]Let's say you're an empty neester or retiree and you just maybe let's say you're bored or on the flip side, you have young kids who are loves uh of a baseball, right? Or any sport really.

[00:47:44]How cool would it be to have this famous person in your house?

[00:47:48]>> Yeah, >> please.

[00:47:50]um my girls would probably just fall in love and then we'd be screwed. Yeah. But uh it's a great it's a great opportunity and something that I don't think you you don't come across that opportunity very often, >> right?

[00:48:04]>> Yeah. I think >> and we've had host families in Quincy going on 30 years.

[00:48:09]>> Really?

[00:48:10]>> There are some main stays in our host family kind of bulk here which has been great and then we've acquired some new ones as well. Um, but they're anywhere from a family like Susan's who they have a young child and they thought like why not this year. We acquired a new one as well this year, the Peters family. Um, and that's kind of how some QU players actually or an S&T player, their families started hosting when those current college players were 8, nine, 10 years old, right? And then it just kind of kept going from there, which is really cool. And I think that's kind of what it's all about. Like you you're doing it for a reason. Either you love the game of baseball, you want to give these kids the best experience. Quincy loves showing Quincy off also, >> right?

[00:48:58]>> Um and that's kind of the biggest part of it. And just giving back to somebody else and showing them a good safe time.

[00:49:06]Now, these these guys aren't there a lot of the time. They have a busy schedule, >> but they greatly appreciate the uh hospitality when they when they have it here.

[00:49:17]>> Very uh low maintenance as far as I understand it because they're rarely there. Uh they bring their own stuff, right? So it's not like you're providing a whole a whole host. Yeah. Right. Um, and then >> it is obviously about, you know, showing them who we are and creating kind of that Quincy vortex, but um, you get season tickets, too.

[00:49:39]>> Season tickets, some merch perks.

[00:49:41]>> Yeah, that kind of stuff. Last night we had our first, um, partner social, so season ticket holders, host families, businesses, that kind of stuff, which I'm hoping we can do regularly throughout the year. Um, I've been trying really hard to show the community that we're not just a summer business.

[00:50:00]This is a full >> 365 operating business. Um, and we want to treat our our people >> just like that all >> throughout the year. So, >> um, yeah, it's uh whenever whenever we can acquire new people, host families, sponsors, season ticket holders, whatever, we're trying to do all >> you're on it. What about uh employees or volunteers or people for the actual stadium the night of the ball game?

[00:50:28]>> Yeah. So, we can't uh put on a game without our help in the concessions, our bartenders, our kids zone attendants, our ticket um booth operators, and those people play a vital role in the summer.

[00:50:42]We have a crazy schedule. We have 28 games between May 26 and August 1st. Um, pending maybe fingers crossed, right?

[00:50:51]There's >> I was going to say, don't even say it, Mackenzie. Don't even say it.

[00:50:54]>> 28 home games.

[00:50:55]>> Home games.

[00:50:56]>> That's 28 games. Yeah. So, >> so those people that help us are invaluable.

[00:51:01]>> Well, I'll tell you what. Um, and and if anybody wants more information, you can click the link that's on our website because we have a link to every doggy paddler's game. We've got the links up there, but then you can just also straight go to which website >> for you?

[00:51:14]>> paddlers baseball.com.

[00:51:16]>> Okay.

[00:51:16]>> Did you get us uh like a box or anything?

[00:51:18]>> We got some tickets. So, uh one other thing just talking about uh just soccer and then your kid. Are your kids old enough where they're actually playing and you're doing like mom stuff with that?

[00:51:26]>> Not quite because they're only 9 and three yet? No.

[00:51:29]>> But but you you had to balance that. You were still a coach when you had your first child, correct?

[00:51:35]>> Yes. Yep. Yep. So Marley was born in October of 2023.

[00:51:42]Um I coached the following season 2024 and then that was kind of the deciding factor of like can we do this? Can I'm sure we we could have done that for sure. But was I able to give all parts of me to the entire household? Probably not.

[00:51:57]>> That's that work life balance we're talking about, right?

[00:51:59]>> Work life balance non-existent but trying. Um, and then when I accepted when we were speaking about this job, the GM role, I was pregnant and then had Frankie, she will be nine months. Oh my god, I love that name. Next month, Frankie Joe. Um, and that was kind of just like, whoa, this is crazy. People are like, are you on maternity leave?

[00:52:24]I'm like, I've never had maternity leave. Is there such a thing?

[00:52:28]>> Um, but and in Canada you have like a long maternity leave. to my Canadian folks like you're working. I'm like, >> "Yeah, >> but is it work if you love your job, Mackenzie?" This is what I'm saying.

[00:52:39]>> That's what I Yes. So, yes, work life balance should be an emphasis when you are a mom. And this has been a topic of conversation in our household, too.

[00:52:46]Like, >> sure.

[00:52:47]>> How many hats can I wear? But then also wear like the most important hat, right?

[00:52:51]>> Uh but Marley is two and a half. She'll be three in October. I don't know if it's half. I don't know. Two and a half.

[00:52:58]Almost three.

[00:52:59]>> Yep. Whatever you say. Hey, hey, listen.

[00:53:01]28. But I don't care. Yeah. 28 months.

[00:53:03]>> Yeah. I don't know. She loves sports.

[00:53:06]Oh, cool.

[00:53:07]>> It doesn't matter. Well, she really only knows baseball and soccer, but >> um she has lived at the baseball stadium for the last two years of her life really and the soccer field. She'll come. I also coach soccer here in Quincy as well with the a club in town.

[00:53:21]>> Um >> you want to shout that club out? Say which club. It's okay.

[00:53:24]>> Quincy Rush Soccer Club.

[00:53:27]>> Triyouts this week. Makeup try out on the 27th. Um, anyways, >> shameless plug.

[00:53:32]>> She's around all the time. Frankie, if she could walk, she would be >> kicking a ball >> right there, swinging a bat. Um, but it's it's fun to watch all of that happen and progress and how that fits into our lives and how we make it happen for our girls. And, um, it's super cool.

[00:53:50]There's not much like >> I'm sure we'll explore like the dance and the art and the soft things, but >> now that's not it.

[00:53:57]>> You got it. But I think it's probably uh, you know, predetermined where they're eventually going to end up, but I think it's, you know, it it's the environment that they're raised in. What a cool environment.

[00:54:07]>> Yeah.

[00:54:08]>> I mean, >> yeah, >> I can't I can't imagine being raised at a baseball field or a soccer field just like >> it's like a dream.

[00:54:14]>> Oh my gosh. And I'm not even a big sportser, but I think about I think about like oh my gosh, if I were hanging out with like the big guys playing the sports and thinking I would just think it was so cool and you know all their friends are going to be like can we come with you?

[00:54:28]>> I know it's going to happen. It'll happen.

[00:54:32]>> It is so cool. And then also I I maybe you don't have work life balance but you have a very um multi-passion right? So you have your family and then you have your job and then you have uh the passion that kind of comes under which is all of the sports and the rush and >> I think it's possible to balance that because it's kind of like when you become a mom you don't split your heart it just grow right so then it's like you just you're just growing the love for all the things and >> what are you Michelle Silverstein >> I'm just saying I get because you know listen I got a girl who's about to turn 16 I'm all up in my emotions so yeah you don't it doesn't you yeah you Sweet.

[00:55:14]>> The best advice I got was don't change your life for your kids. Fit your kids into your life and make it kind of merge. So, >> our life is busy. It's chaotic. It's crazy. I >> started post this is separate, but I've created kind of like a mom community on like Instagram. Oh, >> cool. um just starting posting like daily of just like >> what what did we do today type thing and it is incredible to see how much moms and parents just fit into their lives with having kids and how your life doesn't have to change because you have kids. It can stay the same. It's just going to look a little different and you have to be organized >> to the best you can but also able to pivot on the fly because you never know.

[00:56:00]We're going through potty training right now. That's a separate topic for another time.

[00:56:04]>> Yeah.

[00:56:04]>> But >> it's just what it is. It's fun. It's crazy. It's chaotic. Something different every day, but it's very fulfilling.

[00:56:12]>> And you're creating memories not only for your family, for your girls, but for so many in Quincy. So, thank you so much for that.

[00:56:19]>> I tell you, I hope. Let's see. So, let's hope for just good weather Tuesday night. Yes.

[00:56:23]>> And let's hope for a fun competitive season and cold beer and thick hot dogs.

[00:56:27]>> There we go.

[00:56:29]>> I'm looking forward to it. magnet schedule giveaway opening night. It'll be fun.

[00:56:34]>> All right. Like I said, you'll have all the we'll have all the games scheduled on our website and of course you can go to their website and we'll uh we'll hook you up. We'll share all the stuff on social media so we can have some nice full crowds out at QU Stadium.

[00:56:44]>> Yeah. Let's show up Quincy for the Doggy Paddlers. Uh you know what to do Tuesday night.

[00:56:48]>> Mackenzie Shisle, thank you very much.

[00:56:50]Thank you for having me. We'll see you next week. Thank you.