In 2008, northwest Arkansas got its first minor league baseball team, the NWA Naturals and on April 10 of that year, the team took the field for the first time on opening day at Arvest Ballpark. The Naturals, a member of the Texas League and the Double-A affiliate of the 2015 World Series Champion Kansas City Royals, have been a highlight of our region and in 2010 won the Texas League Championship. As fans, we enjoy eating crackerjacks and watching players swing the bats, but there is a lot that happens outside of games, that make a team successful both on and off the field.
This course will open your eyes as to what it takes to run a minor league baseball team, from off-season planning, to marketing and staffing, all the way up to game day. Trey Garner, NWA Naturals account executive will lead a presentation and discussion on the team’s history, marketing and advertising strategies, roles and responsibilities of the staff and what goes into a making a game happen. Following the presentation, participants will embark on a VIP tour for a behind the scenes look at Arvest Ballpark. This course includes parking at the stadium and ticket(s) to watch the Naturals take on the Corpus Christi Hooks. The game is set to begin at 7:05 pm following the presentation and tour. The home for Northwest Arkansas Naturals baseball, Arvest Ballpark brings you 70 home games of fun and family entertainment each summer while at the same time serving as a spectacular regional venue that has hosted festivals, fairs, and charitable events throughout the years.