An inability to consistently hit the curveball might have kept Chris Peters from playing professional baseball, but it hasn’t stopped the new Jacksonville Suns general manager from pursuing a career in the industry.
The Suns are an AA affiliate of the Miami Marlins (formerly the Florida Marlins) and they host, on average, 350,000-400,000 fans a year.
As general manager, it is his job to keep those fans coming back to the ballpark.
“It’s not like being the general manager of the entire franchise. I don’t have any control over selecting the players on our team,” said Peters, 28. “I am always working to increase ticket sales, bringing more groups in and seeking out advertisers.”
Parts of drawing customers are the promotions and attractions offered at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Peters considers himself lucky to be able to learn from, and have access to, the experience and knowledge of the Bragan family, owner of the Suns, to develop promotions.
The mainstays at the ballpark have been 50-cent family feast nights, $1 beer Thursdays and Friday fireworks shows.
New ideas help keep the entertainment at the ballpark fresh.
“We were one of the first to offer (Leprechaun World Wrestling Championship) and Whiplash the Cowboy Monkey,” said Peters.
The process for developing new entertainment is a team effort, though, said Peters.
“The whole staff will sit down and think about what would bring them to the stadium,” said Peters.
The Clearwater native is entering his fifth year with the Suns. He has worked as the food and beverage director, assistant general manager and now general manager.
Peters graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in sports management.
Before joining the Suns he worked for the Clearwater Threshers, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins and Fort Myers Miracle.
As the general manager, he is responsible for sponsor relations and for making sure day-to-day operations run smoothly.
“I make sure the giveaways are ready to go and that sponsors and fans have the best experience possible at the ballpark,” said Peters.
Though he grew up in the spring training city of the Philadelphia Phillies, it was the draw of the ivy clad walls of Wrigley Field in Chicago that drew his attention as a kid watching the Cubs on WGN.
That doesn’t mean he won’t root for the “hometown team” Tampa Bay Rays or the Miami Marlins.
“It’s nice to see the players who come through the system for the Marlins and to see them have success in the major leagues,” said Peters. “The competition and level of talent is really good here.”
Overall, Peters feels lucky to have found a career in a sport he loves.
“I love my job. I get to come to the stadium and work in a great atmosphere,” said Peters.
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