Mixed feelings as RiverDogs' season comes to end

Dylan Sebuck's feelings mirrored those of most of the nearly 3,800 baseball fans who showed up at Riley Park on Monday for the Charleston RiverDogs' final South Atlantic League game of the season.

A baseball fan who pitches, catches and plays first base, Sebuck came out with his parents, Jeff and Shari Sebuck, and brother Cameron because it was Labor Day, the final game of the season and because a fireworks show would take place following the game.

"I'm kind bummed out because they're not going to make the playoffs and bummed out because the season is ending," the 9-year-old Jennie Moore Elementary School student from Mount Pleasant said.

Across the park, William Washington, a season ticket holder since 1997, was in his usual seat on the first base side. Before the game, Washington passed out baseballs he had found along the outfield wall to young fans.

"One game I had about 50 balls," Washington said. "I started going (to Charleston minor league games) in 1977. The police used to run me off when I'd climb up

a tree to watch games (at the old College Park). I love RiverDogs baseball."

Mixed feelings

For general manager Dave Echols, the RiverDogs may have ended another successful season, but the work continues. He has already begun working toward the 2012 season when the RiverDogs will host the South Atlantic League All-Star Game.

"It's a long grind for the players and the front office staff. Soon, you're going to be able to enjoy what would be a normal day. You're working 9-5 and your weekends are free. But at the same time, because we all love the job and love what we do, there's a definite letdown. We have to wait until spring training to get our fix again. It's definitely a mixed feeling."

There are 16 full-time RiverDogs staff members and on game nights, the club employs from 100 to 150 part-time employees who do everything from serve as the official scorer to selling peanuts and other concessions.

Jeremy Helms, the official scorekeeper, echoed Echols' thoughts. A former college baseball pitcher at Wingate University who just finished graduate school at The Citadel, Helms is studying for the LSATs and hopes to get into law school.

"I have a passion for the game and even though I'm not involved directly, this is a way of being around baseball as much as I can," Helms said. "It will definitely be an adjustment now that the season is over. When they're away on the road, I always look forward to the first game back. Now, I'll have to wait until April of next year. I'll be watching baseball on TV, but it won't be the same."

Joshua Burton has been selling boiled and roasted peanuts at RiverDogs games for 10 years as a way of making extra money.

"I work full-time (as first mate) on the Fort Sumter Tour Boats, so from April to September I come here when the RiverDogs are in town. When they're on the road, I'll stay on the boat for a dinner cruise," Burton said. "When the season ends, it's kind of a welcome relief. It's an opportunity to spend some of that money I've saved up."

Fireworks at the Joe

While baseball is the big draw, the RiverDogs are one of the most successful minor league organizations when it comes to promotions and the Friday fireworks shows are legendary. The club also ended the 2011 season with a fireworks show Monday.

Echols said the club spends $4,000 to $4,500 for the regular show and up to $10,000 to $12,000 for the Fourth of July fireworks show.

That draws fans like Abe and Pat Merriam, retirees from Vermont who have season tickets for the fireworks shows.

"This is the fourth year we've had season tickets for the fireworks shows," Pat Merriam said. "It's inexpensive entertainment."

"To me, minor league ball is like the semi-pro ball I grew up with," Abe Merriam said. "It's pretty good baseball. Win lose or draw, it's fun."