VIPERS SIGN BUSCH TO LONG-TERM CONTRACT

The Calgary Vipers today announced plans that will enhance the long term viability of the franchise both on the field and off.

Team president Peter Young disclosed that the Vipers have signed field manager Mike Busch to a two year guaranteed contract extension that will see the Vipers first and only skipper stay with the team through the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

“Stability and consistency are very important in a sports franchise”, said Vipers owner Jeff Gidney. “By showing our fans that our field boss in committed to a guaranteed two more seasons I think we’ve reiterated our intentions of remaining a big part of the sports fabric in the community.”

Busch, a former Los Angeles Dodger and two sport all-American from Iowa State, has compiled a career record of 91-96 as the Vipers wrap up their second season.

In 2005, Busch piloted a tenacious Vipers club to a 51-and-44 record, just a half-game shy of a wildcard playoff berth. The Snakes finished both halves of the Northern League season in second place in the North Division. He was also named manager of the North Division All-Star team, winning a 5-1 decision over the South Division.

Busch was introduced as the first manager of the Calgary Vipers on March 2, 2005. He had spent the previous two seasons tutoring under former Toronto Blue Jays skipper Tim Johnson with the Lincoln Saltdogs, then of the Northern League.

The Davenport, Iowa native was a two-sport All-American (football and baseball) at Iowa State University and was chosen by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the 1990 draft.

On August 30, 1995, legendary Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda called upon the then 27-year-old to bat for pitcher Mark Guthrie in the ninth inning of a game between the Dodgers and the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. He had made it to "the show". He remained with the Dodgers through the final month of the season and their NLDS loss to the Cincinnati Reds, appearing in 13 games during which he was used primarily at third base. Busch made the most of his limited playing time however, smacking three home runs in 17 at bats. In addition to his late-season stint with the Dodgers, Busch was recognized as a Pacific Coast League All-Star.

Busch split the 1996 season between the big club and Albuquerque, hitting four home runs and driving in 17 in 38 games with the Dodgers.

In 1999, Busch joined the Northern League as a member of the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks and hit a league-leading 21 homeruns. He would close out his playing career with the Sioux Falls Canaries in 2000-2001, finishing with 171 career minor league home runs and 539 RBI.

“I’m pretty comfortable with the long term goals of both Jeff and Peter”, said Busch. “I also love the city and can see so many improvements in the fan base and the marketing of our product. I think that by committing to another two years I’m demonstrating that I’m also devoted to this club and the ownership”.

The Vipers also announced today their intentions to make significant improvements to Foothills Stadium. “Our goal is to replace every seat in the stadium within a three year window”, stated Young. “We’re now meeting with various seating companies to determine which product is best for the park. We will also be introducing a level of VIP seating in 2007 with a number of 8 – 12 person boxes complete with personalized vendor services.

In 2007 the team will attempt to enhance the fan experience with a new “food court” at the entrance to Foothills Stadium. “Since taking over concessions we have been listening to our fans about their preferences in ball park food”, said Director of Marketing Perry McGeough. “Fans will notice significant changes next season in both the service and quality of products. And our prices will definitely be lower than any other professional team in the city.”

This weekend the Vipers will wrap up their second Northern League season with three games against the Winnipeg Goldeyes. During each game the Vipers will hold a “Shirts Off Their Backs” auction. At the conclusion of each game the players will actually hand over their game jersey to the highest bidder and autograph it for them.

On Saturday and Sunday all fans will receive the 2006 Vipers Team photo as they leave the stadium.

Sunday’s game will also feature the Vipers Player of the Year Awards and at the conclusion of the game fans will be entertained with a free concert by the Northern Pikes.

And Vipers coach Brad Doss will not be away from the game for very long following the 2006 Northern League season, as he plans to embark on a trip as a representative of Major League Baseball International.

Doss will be spending five weeks between Uganda and Ghana in Africa helping to develop a grass roots baseball program in those countries through developmental camps for both players and coaches.

The program is designed to raise the profile of baseball in Africa while also providing the knowledge and structure to maintain a minor league baseball system. MLB International currently has representatives in over 50 countries.

Over the past five years, Doss has been involved in minor league baseball programs in countries all around the world including three years in France beginning in 2001; China, Japan and Croatia in 2003; Italy in 2004 and England in the spring of 2006 just prior to rejoining the Calgary Vipers.

The Vipers also announced an expanded partnership with the University of Calgary Dinos baseball program. The Dinos, under new skipper A.J. Fystro will begin their fall program at Foothills Stadium within a week.