WINNIPEG GOLDEYES DAILY CLIPPINGS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 1st , 2021

- Saltdogs Homer Four Times to Down Goldeyes— Goldeyes (Steve Schuster), 7/31/21 - July 31 st Game Highlights (Video Link)— (Jason Young), 7/31/21 - ‘Dogs Cruise to Even Series— (Michael Dixon), 7/31/21 - Challenges Continue as Goldeyes Head Home— (Taylor Allen), 7/28/21 - Goldeyes Absolutely ‘Ecstatic’ About Return to —Winnipeg Sun (James Snell), 7/26/21 - Goldeyes Return to Shaw Park Aug. 3—Winnipeg Free Press (Joseph Bernacki), 7/24/21 - Goldeyes Finally Returning Home, Will Play Games at Shaw Park—Winnipeg Sun (Ted Wyman), 7/24/21 - Goldeyes Will Return to Winnipeg, Home Opener August 3 rd —Winnipeg Goldeyes (Steve Schuster), 7/22/21

SALTDOGS HOMER FOUR TIMES TO DOWN GOLDEYES STEVE SCHUSTER – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – SATURDAY, JULY 31 st LINCOLN, NE – The Winnipeg Goldeyes (32-34) lost 11-5 to the Lincoln Saltdogs at on Saturday night.

The Goldeyes took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third on a two-out, RBI single from Max Murphy and a hit by pitch with the bases loaded to Raul Navarro .

The Saltdogs (34-32) then scored 10 unanswered runs, beginning with a four-run bottom of the third. Kyle Kinman tripled leading off and scored on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Josh Altmann hit a three-run home run to right-centre.

In the bottom of the fourth, Altmann hit his second three-run homer of the night, this time to left field, to extend the Saltdogs’ lead to 7-2.

Skyler Weber led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run down the right field line. Lincoln opened a 10-2 lead in the sixth on a Justin Byrd solo homer to right-centre and a Curt Smith fielder’s choice.

The Goldeyes sliced the deficit to 10-3 in the top of the seventh. Tyler Hill doubled to centre leading off, took third on a Kevin Lachance lineout to right, and scored on a Murphy groundout to shortstop.

Austin Rei’s two-out, RBI single to left in the top of the eighth pulled Winnipeg within 10-4. Lincoln answered in the bottom half when Altmann doubled leading off and came home on a David Vidal groundball double play.

Navarro doubled home a run in the top of the ninth to provide the game’s final margin.

Jake Hohensee (3-3) was credited with the win in relief for Lincoln. Greg Harris (1-5) started for the Goldeyes and took the loss, allowing six earned runs on five hits in three and one-third innings. Harris walked five and struck out three.

Keenan Bartlett started for the Saltdogs and took a no-decision, allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits in four and one-third innings. Bartlett walked one and struck out three.

The series concludes Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m. Eduard Reyes (5-6, 6.72) faces left-hander Greg Minier (5-1, 3.00). All the action can be heard locally on CJNU 93.7 FM and worldwide at www.cjnu.ca

The Goldeyes play their 2021 home opener on Tuesday, August 3 rd against the . First pitch at Shaw Park is at 6:35 p.m.

Advanced tickets are on sale now by visiting www.ticketmaster.ca . For more information about the Winnipeg Goldeyes’ 2021 remaining schedule, ticket options, and the Goldeyes’ comprehensive COVID-19 readiness plan, visit www.goldeyes.com

VIDEO: JULY 31 st GAME HIGHLIGHTS JASON YOUNG – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – SATURDAY, JULY 31st LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOKeWLqsyeQ

‘DOGS CRUISE TO EVEN SERIES MICHAEL DIXON – LINCOLN SALTDOGS – SATURDAY, JULY 31 st LINCOLN, – Josh Altmann hit two three-run homers, and the ‘Dogs hit four total home runs in an 11-5 win over the Winnipeg Goldeyes on Saturday night at Haymarket Park.

Altmann gave Lincoln (34-32) a 4-2 lead with a three-run homer to right in the 3 rd , and he then pulled a three-run homer to left to make it 7-2 in the 4 th . In his second game back from a 12-day absence, Altmann went 4-for-5 with two homers, two doubles, three runs and six RBIs, while his 12 total bases were the most for a Saltdog this season.

Skyler Weber hit a solo homer on the first pitch of the 5 th inning, and Justin Byrd homered on the first pitch of the 6 th inning. Lincoln’s four homers gave them 44 for July – the most in the American Association.

Altmann had Lincoln’s third multi-homer game of the year, while Byrd went 1-for-2 with a solo homer, three walks and three runs scored. Weber went 3- for-4 with a solo homer and a walk, while Kyle Kinman had a triple and a run scored as the designated hitter in the nine spot.

Keenan Bartlett allowed just one earned run over 4.2 innings, and Jake Hohensee earned his third win of the year with 1.2 scoreless innings in relief. Carson Lance allowed one run in the 7 th , Tyler Anderson allowed one in the 8 th , and James Pugliese allowed one in the 9 th , but the ‘Dogs scored double- digit runs for the seventh time in the month of July.

The ‘Dogs worked eight walks and struck out only six times. Lincoln pegged Winnipeg (32-34) starter Greg Harris for six runs over 3.1 innings, and with Cleburne’s loss to Houston and Sioux City’s loss to Gary SouthShore, the ‘Dogs are back to 3.5 games out in the South Division playoff race.

The ‘Dogs and Goldeyes will play the rubber match on Sunday afternoon. First pitch time is scheduled for 1:35 p.m., and pregame coverage begins at 1:05 p.m. on ESPN Lincoln 101.5 FM/1480 AM.

CHALLENGES CONTINUE AS GOLDEYES HEAD HOME TAYLOR ALLEN – WINNIPEG FREE PRESS – WEDNESDAY, JULY 28 th Ask Winnipeg Goldeyes manager Rick Forney how challenging it's been playing away from Shaw Park for the past two seasons and he'll begin to chuckle.

Where to even begin?

"Well, it starts in the offseason when you're trying to put your team together and you're calling players and telling them who you are and who you work for," Forney said in a phone interview.

"Players know that the Canadian border is closed. Just the fact that you're trying to build a team without a place to play, you don't even know what to tell them or where you're going to play. It's very difficult."

It was determined the Fish would play this season in Jackson, Tenn., until the -U.S. border situation allowed for them to return to their ballpark. The Goldeyes, who were 30-31 heading into Tuesday night's contest in Sioux City against the Explorers, went 18-15 at despite averaging a league-worst 579 fans per contest.

"We had a home schedule playing in Jackson, but it's not our home. You're playing in an empty ballpark and it's a grind," Forney said. "You just don't get excited for it every day. Players need that little adrenaline boost every night. When you're playing every day, it can be exhausting mentally, physically, and emotionally on you. You need that little boost from someone rooting you on and we've been without that for the past couple years."

The Goldeyes have already said their goodbyes to Jackson as their final game there took place Sunday. After their current six-game road trip, the Fish will make their triumphant return to the capital next week and play their real home opener Tuesday evening against Sioux City. There's no capacity limit but fans must be fully vaccinated to attend. The Goldeyes have 20 home games left on the schedule and started selling single-game tickets Tuesday.

Returning to The Great White North doesn't come without it's own fair share of obstacles, though.

"Some of the people that have been on your team all year aren't coming because they're not vaccinated," said Forney.

"You're going through a little bit of a clubhouse breakup as well… No one's team is fully vaccinated and that includes mine. I'll probably have 22-24 guys but they won't be the guys that I've been playing with."

And just how hard is that going to be?

"I guess we'll find out," Forney said. "It's not going to be good."

Forney has already lost his hitting coach as the 58-year-old from southwest Missouri left the team last week as he's not vaccinated and didn't want to follow the American Association's new mask mandate. Some fully vaccinated players and staff on the Lincoln Saltdogs tested positive for the virus leading to the league deciding to enforce a new rule that would make non-vaccinated personnel wear masks on the bench during games. If they didn't comply, the organization would be fined $500 and the fine would double if they violated the rule again.

"I'm respectable of this disease. I know this disease exists, but it has no effect on me," Beauchamp said in an interview from home. "… I told everybody with the team at the beginning of the year, I said if I have to wear a mask or take the vaccine, I'm out."

Beauchamp, who has never contracted COVID-19, said he isn't an anti-vaxxer, but he believes the coronavirus vaccines aren't working and that the Lincoln outbreak is proof.

"What's the point in getting the vaccination if it doesn't work?," he said.

As per the World Health Organization's website, "Vaccination protects you from getting seriously ill and dying from COVID-19," and that "no vaccine is 100 per cent effective and breakthrough infections are regrettable, but to be expected."

Manitoba announced only 11 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, the lowest case count since September, and has 67.1 per cent of the population fully vaccinated.

Goldeyes owner said it's too soon to speculate on next year and whether or not Beauchamp — who has yet to wear the Fish uniform in Winnipeg as his first season on the job was in 2020 when they were a travelling team based out of Fargo — will be back with the organization.

"Kash is a very black and white situation. He will not be joining the team here. We found someone in Winnipeg who will be filling that role very well," said Katz, who wouldn't reveal who the replacement will be but said it's a familiar face to Fish fans.

"It's a very conscious from Kash because he's not vaccinated and anybody playing for the Goldeyes has to be double-vaxxed. He's made a decision and it's his decision. We respect and honour that decision, but we've told everybody 'If you're not double-vaxxed, you don't work for the Goldeyes.' As far as coaches, players, and managers, that's just black and white, real simple. No discussion on that topic."

The team wouldn't reveal how many players or which ones will not be making the trip to Winnipeg, but you can count on seeing first baseman Kyle Martin on Aug. 3 at Shaw Park. Martin, a Texas native who's hitting .291 on the year with 20 home runs and 68 RBI, said while it's unfortunate to see some teammates and a coach go, but nobody in the clubhouse was trying to sway anyone's decision on the matter.

"They've helped us get this far, but as for the vaccination, that's their personal preference. I'm not going to hold anything against them by any means," Martin said.

"It's their decision, their lives, their bodies. That's where we are, losing some key players, but we're just gonna have to push a little bit harder then. We'll need some of the new guys to step up and help us win a few more games."

GOLDEYES ABSOLUTELY ‘ECSTATIC’ ABOUT RETURN TO SHAW PARK JAMES SNELL – WINNIPEG SUN – MONDAY, JULY 26 th The Winnipeg Goldeyes team home opener is happening next Tuesday at Shaw Park, followed by 20 regular season home games. The opener marks the Goldeyes’ first home game since September 2019. So far this year the team played out of Jackson, Tenn.

The Goldeyes have received permission to operate Shaw Park at 100% capacity, the team said in a statement issued Thursday. All players and coaches, as well as players and coaches from visiting teams, will be fully vaccinated. Also, all on-site fans are required to be fully vaccinated.

“All members of the Goldeyes family are absolutely ecstatic to have the team coming back,” team owner Sam Katz told the Winnipeg Sun on Monday. “We worked with both the provincial and the federal government and have gotten everything cleared. There’s a lot of work to do in a short period of time, but we are happy to do it, and make sure Shaw Park is a totally safe venue.”

Katz said Goldeyes players, some of whom have never seen Winnipeg or Shaw Park due to the pandemic, are looking forward to coming home. He said the home opener represents a new beginning.

“Hopefully we’ll never have to deal with this again,” he said. “We are just looking forward to the fans coming back and enjoying what they’ve enjoyed for almost 27 years here at Shaw Park with all of the excitement and the great games and the variety of food. They will see changes, but all those changes are meant to make sure they are 100% safe.”

Katz said the pandemic significantly affected the team. The closed U.S. border meant they operated last season without some staff, including a clubhouse person and trainer. He said the team, without a home, travelled from place to place, which was challenging.

“But more importantly than that, the guys just never got an opportunity to experience what Winnipeg is like,” he said. “Even when they were the home team, they had the fans cheering for the other team. This year was a little bit different. At least we were able to get some of our key staff across the border. So we have our own trainer and our own clubby. Playing in Jackson, it was a beautiful ballpark, but it’s not the same as playing in front of your home fans.”

For the upcoming home opener, fans under 12 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult at a 1-to-1 ratio and are required to wear a mask. Mask requirements will be in effect for all indoor spaces at Shaw Park.

GOLDEYES RETURN TO SHAW PARK AUG. 3 JOSEPH BERNACKI – WINNIPEG FREE PRESS – FRIDAY, JULY 23 rd The long-awaited return of the Winnipeg Goldeyes is set to bring the team back to Shaw Park for an Aug. 3 celebration.

"Well it’s very exciting and hard to put into words," said Andrew Collier, Goldeyes General Manager.

"It’ll be 701 days between home games for the Goldeyes, pretty much living on the road the last two seasons. Everybody is thrilled to be back." It’s a welcome return for Goldeyes Owner Sam Katz, who didn’t hold back his excitement.

"Well put it this way, many years ago there used to be a TV show called The Wide World of Sports, and they used to start off with ‘The Agony and the Ecstasy," said Katz. "Well we’ve gone through the agony for almost two years, today is ecstasy to put it bluntly."

The Aug. 3 matchup against the Sioux City Explorers will mark the Goldeyes’ first game at Shaw Park since Sept. 2, 2019. A lot has changed in the world since that time and for the Goldeyes, their 2020 season found them playing out of Fargo, N.D., in a move that tested everyone in the organization. The Goldeyes shared with the Fargo Moorhead RedHawks as a result of the pandemic. Collier says a tremendous amount of effort was put in from field manager Rick Forney to keep the team organized.

"I don’t think enough can be said about Rick Forney and what he does," said Collier.

"Last year playing in a different ballpark and sharing a park where we were never really the home team. This year convincing players to come play for the Goldeyes has been a whole different situation for him and he’s done a great job these last two years."

The same message was echoed from Katz, who saw Forney step up to fill the shoes for others who couldn’t travel south of the border.

"I know a lot of the responsibilities Rick had to take over, being on the road all the time, not having a home, it was extremely difficult," said Katz.

"Last year we couldn’t get our trainer Evan (Fehr), and our equipment manager Jamie (Samson) in with the team, this year we could. There were times when Rick had to put the ice bag on the pitchers."

Now in 2021, the Goldeyes have spent the majority of their season playing home games out of The Ballpark at Jackson, in Jackson, Tenn. While Katz and Collier appreciated not having to share a stadium this season, the return to Winnipeg is going to test the organization's ability to be ready in a short period of time.

"The other side of the equation is the interaction with the fans which I missed," said Katz.

"The financial challenges with revenue still exist as your expenses were still there. To me our world is changing drastically. It’s a unique scenario which, God willing, no one ever has to go through again."

After positive steps were made with the provincial government and the international border, the Goldeyes have fulfilled the requirements to operate Shaw Park at 100 per cent capacity for 20 games. Katz noted every Goldeyes player and coach has been fully vaccinated since May, and the other teams in the American Association have followed suit in order to play in Winnipeg.

All Fish fans wishing to attend must be fully vaccinated and mask requirements will be in effect for all indoor spaces at the stadium.

Through 57 games, the Goldeyes find themselves 28-29 as they approach the two-thirds mark of their season. Collier says the Fish, who are 6-4 in their last 10 games, have been playing a lot better lately and expects the return to Winnipeg to bolster team morale.

"We’ve had some close games that didn’t go our way whether it was pitching or hitting but I think things are coming together now," said Collier.

"I think living out of a suitcase all summer even though we were in Jackson, the players were packing up all the time. I think given everything the team has been through, if we can win tonight and get back to .500 I’m pretty happy with that."

With the significant absence from Shaw Park, both men said the new Goldeyes members will now be able to put a visual on a place they’ve heard so much about from when times were simpler.

"I think to a player they are all thrilled to get back to Winnipeg, they’ve all heard so much about it, they’ve seen the pictures and videos," said Collier.

"Here’s the biggest challenge, they hear the stories but they can’t grasp it," said Katz.

"They hear about Shaw Park and Friendly Manitoba on our license plates, but it’s not a slogan, it’s real. We have extremely friendly people. Hopefully the fans will be able to show how much the team really means to them."

Katz says the challenge of a two year departure from Shaw Park ranks near the top in difficulty alongside originally building the stadium, and negotiating a lease with the city which is still not complete. Despite all of this, the owner is elated to bring a safe and fun baseball atmosphere back to Winnipeg.

"You have to be patient, hang in there and persevere and that’s who I am," said Katz. "The people that come to work for the Goldeyes, it’s a family and the family bonds together. No one is afraid to roll up their sleeves and get whatever needs done."

Individual tickets to the Goldeyes will go on sale Tues., July 27, at 9 a.m. and the organization will be contacting season-ticket holders on options for the remainder of the season.

GOLDEYES FINALLY RETURNING HOME, WILL PLAY GAMES AT SHAW PARK IN AUGUST TED WYMAN – WINNIPEG SUN – FRIDAY, JULY 23 rd The Winnipeg Goldeyes are finally returning home.

For the first time since September of 2019, the American Association baseball team will play at Winnipeg’s Shaw Park in its 2021 “home opener” on Aug. 3.

“It’ll be huge, emotional,” Goldeyes general manager Andrew Collier said. “This is what I’ve done for 27 years and to have it taken away, it’s been tough.”

The Goldeyes played out of Fargo. N.D., and on the road for all of the 2020 season and started this season playing out of Jackson, Tenn.

Pending final review, the team has been granted permission by Canadian and Manitoba health officials to play their final 19 home games of the season in Winnipeg. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the closed Canada- border, the Goldeyes were unable to play games in their home park.

The team will be able to have 100% capacity in terms of attendance, provided all ticket holders are fully vaccinated.

“We’re beyond ecstatic after almost two years away,” Goldeyes owner Sam Katz said in an interview with the Sun Thursday.

“Having the Goldeyes back in Winnipeg is something we’ve been praying for and looking forward to for quite a long time. It’s been a very difficult challenge, these last two years and it’s been difficult for the staff, the players, the coaches, the managers and it’s been a financial kick in the head. That sums it up.”

The Goldeyes will host the Sioux City Explorers in a three-game series Aug. 3-5 and then the Aug. 6-8.

The Goldeyes, under long-time manager Rick Forney, have a 28-29 record and sit in fourth place in the North Division, nine games back of the Milkmen. They have played 32 games in Jackson and have four more games in the Tennessee city before they return home.

“It’s a good day, to say the least,” Katz said.

“It’s a very proud moment that we were able to survive. There was a lot of sacrifices that had to be made and most of the owners in the league, who know the financial situation that we’ve been through, are actually impressed that we’re still standing.

“Of course that takes financial commitment from yours truly and others but the bottom line is I’m very proud that we’re still standing. The Goldeyes are near and dear to a good percentage of our population and I felt it was important for us to keep playing.”

The Goldeyes are the only Canada-based team in the American Association.

That means their team members and all of their opponents will have to go through strict protocols in order to get across the border for games.

All of the players and coaches will be fully vaccinated upon their entry into Canada and will require a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival. Things started to look better for the Goldeyes earlier this month when provincial health officials announced the of the League would be allowed to have 100% fully vaccinated fan capacity for home games in 2021.

However, getting Manitoba health officials on board was only part of their negotiation.

“Our challenge was the border crossing,” Katz said. “Of course we communicated with the provincial authorities, had good conversations with Dr. (Brent) Roussin and his staff. That was all worked out, we submitted our protocols and they were great to work with. But then we had the obstacle of the border crossing, for us to come back and for the teams that come in for three days and go out after three days.”

Katz has lost a considerable amount of money over the last two years while keeping the Goldeyes going. He didn’t know exactly when the team would be allowed to come back but he always believed he needed to keep things going for a fan base that couldn’t attend games.

“Kudos to Sam for keeping us alive for this long,” Collier said. “Now we can get home and get playing and see people at Shaw Park, which will be awesome. I’m absolutely thrilled. It’s 701 days between games. We’re all pretty excited.

“I have not seen a live game since the last game we played in 2019.”

The Goldeyes intend to contact season ticket and mini-pack holders about the remaining slate of games in the coming days. Individual tickets will go on sale to the general public next Tuesday, July 27, at 9 a.m.

“Just seeing people in the stands, seeing some really good friends who have been ticket holders for a long time, is going to be so great,” Collier said.

“You talk to them by text or you see them and they always ask, ‘When can we see a game?’ Up until today, it’s always been ‘I don’t know.’”

COVID-19 protocols will be in place for fans.

“We’re gonna make sure that it’s the safest environment possible,” Katz said. “We have all the protocols in place and that’s gonna be our priority.”

GOLDEYES WILL RETURN TO WINNIPEG, HOME OPENER AUGUST 3 rd STEVE SCHUSTER – WINNIPEG GOLDEYES – THURSDAY, JULY 22 nd WINNIPEG, MB – Pending final review, the Winnipeg Goldeyes have been granted permission to return to Shaw Park beginning August 3 rd .

The Goldeyes’ official 2021 home opener is set for Tuesday, August 3 rd , and a total of 20 regular season home games at Shaw Park have now been added to the remaining schedule. August 3 rd will mark the Goldeyes’ first game in their home park since September 2 nd , 2019.

Shaw Park Enhanced COVID-19 Safety Measures: https://goldeyes.com/covid19-readiness-plan/health-safety- home/?utm_source=PressRelease&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=WereComingHome&utm_id=WereComingHome&utm_content=Anno uncement

“The Winnipeg Goldeyes are ecstatic to finally return to home,” said Goldeyes’ owner Sam Katz . “We are grateful to the government and health authorities for allowing us a path to host games at Shaw Park. We are especially excited for our loyal fans that will finally be able to attend a Goldeyes game for the first time in almost two years.

“We are also very excited for our first- and second-year players who will have the opportunity to enjoy our great city and the true Goldeyes’ experience,” added Katz. “We want to express our sincerest gratitude to the ’ staff and the citizens of Jackson, Tennessee for their incredible hospitality and support throughout this season.”

All Winnipeg Goldeyes players and coaches, as well as players and coaches from visiting teams will be fully vaccinated (at least two weeks since receiving their second dose) upon their entry into Canada. Hub protocols will also be in place for both teams.

The Goldeyes have received permission to operate Shaw Park at 100 percent capacity. All fans in attendance will be required to be fully vaccinated. Youth fans under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult at a 1-to-1 ratio and are required to wear a mask.

Mask requirements will be in effect for all indoor spaces at Shaw Park, including the box office, washrooms, and merchandise store. Masks are encouraged to be worn on the concourse and in the seating bowl.

Two adjustments have been made to the Jackson-based schedule that was announced back in May. Monday, August 23 rd versus Kane County has been moved to Friday, August 20 th . August 23 rd is now a scheduled day off. The double header on Saturday, September 4 th versus Fargo-Moorhead has been separated with a single game now scheduled on Friday, September 3 rd .

First pitch times Monday through Friday have been changed to 6:30 p.m. Saturday (6:00 p.m.) and Sunday (1:00 p.m.) start times remain the same as previous seasons. The Goldeyes will host two weekday afternoon games on Thursday, August 5 th and Thursday, August 19 th . Both afternoon contests begin at 12:00 p.m. The August 21 st double header versus Kane County begins at 5:00 p.m.

In the coming days, the Winnipeg Goldeyes will contact Season Ticket and Mini Pack holders with ticket options for the remainder of the 2021 season, and will be given first priority on seat selection.

Individual tickets will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, July 27 th at 9:00 a.m.

The Winnipeg Goldeyes appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding.

For more information about the Winnipeg Goldeyes’ 2021 remaining schedule, as well as the Goldeyes’ comprehensive COVID-19 readiness plan, visit www.goldeyes.com