Professional baseball in Ottawa is back, again. This time it carries a new name, logo and management to the plate to try and hit a home run with the public.
General manager Barry Robinson is trying to involve the public in major decisions. He held a vote to decide the baseball organization’s new name.
The name Ottawa Voyageurs won out over the Colonels, Raftsmen, Trappers and Jax. The winner was announced Feb. 17 after nearly 1,400 people voted.
Robinson challenged the public to design a team logo. The search wrapped up March 2 with 37 entries.
According to Robinson, the campaigns were launched to try and draw in more local involvement and hopefully generate excitement for the team’s inaugural 2009 season.
“It’s about community ownership. With this you’re going to have a greater chance of success. We want to make them feel a part of the process,” he says. “Give them a voice.”
Michael Cleyn, 20, is a Carleton student whose entire family voted in the campaign. Although the name he voted for wasn’t chosen, he says the process still made him feel more connected to the organization.
“It made me feel like they cared about what I thought, like I was a part of the management,” he says.
The Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball league decided to take ownership of the team after zip.ca’s Ottawa Rapidz went under last year.
The Rapidz finished the 2008 season in last place with an embarrassing $1.4 million debt. Robinson says the team’s financial troubles tarnished baseball’s reputation in Ottawa.
On average the team only filled one-fifth of the seats in Lynx Stadium.
The Voyageurs are financially supported by the Can-Am League but are currently on the look-out for potential owners.
“Our financial situation is solid but limited,” says Robinson. He says if the team flops financially in the 2009 season, it would mean the end of professional baseball in Ottawa, since the lease for the stadium expires this year.
Management has also signed a deal with the Arrow and Loon, a locally-owned restaurant that will open a second location in Lynx Stadium.
Restaurant manager Elie Khalil, says this move will attract fans.
“Everything we sell here is locally bought. We’re very excited. It will make our customers happy,” he says.
Former Rapidz player Frasier Robinson, a 23-year-old left-handed pitcher was the first player to be signed to the Voyageurs line-up on Feb. 27. Frasier Robinson is the son of GM Barry Robinson. The younger Robinson says he’s excited about the community-involvement campaigns. “It introduces the community to the team,” he says. “It’s more entertaining.”
Winner of the logo competition will be announced by the end of March and the players will begin training in mid-May.
Their home-opener is May 28.