Chuck Brockett
The 55th season of Midwest League professional baseball begins in Burlington, tonight, when the Bees host the Peoria Chiefs.
Chuck Brockett is the long-time General Manager of the Bees and says as the smallest market to host a full season professional franchise the city of Burlington faces some unique challenges.
“I think a lot of it has to do with our community support with all of our local sponsors and we have a lot of groups that will come in and volunteer time to help with renovation of the ball park”, said Brockett. “To hold on to a franchise like this in the smallest market says a lot about our community.”
A non-profit organization called the Friends of Community Field was established in 1998 to help the franchise raise money for capital improvement projects.
The Bees have been an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels since 2013 and Brockett feels the Angels will provide them with a competitive club.
“I think we are going to have a really solid pitching staff. Our biggest thing right now is to get good pitching early, have a good bullpen and come up with timely hitting.”