Arkansas Newsroom

Share this post

Ozier gets promoted to interim GM

www.arkansasnewsroom.com
Baseball on Broadway

Ozier gets promoted to interim GM

Newport's Grant Black gets his second start for the Redbirds, plus stats, scores and so much more

Jeremy Peppas
Jun 28, 2021
Share this post

Ozier gets promoted to interim GM

www.arkansasnewsroom.com

Welcome to Baseball on Broadway, a weekly look at the Arkansas Travelers that's normally published on Monday. Due to some upcoming travel this week, it is coming out a bit early and on Sunday night. This newsletter is extra coverage for readers of ArkansasNewsroom.com and, remember …

Paid subscriptions make this newsletter possible, so consider a paid subscription if you’re able.

Subscribe if you like, pay if you can

Tickets to Arkansas Travelers baseball games at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock can be purchased by clicking here.

Ozier named Travs interim General Manager

Sophie Ozier

Sophie Ozier, who previously served as assistant General Manager of the Arkansas Travelers, was promoted to interim General Manager on Tuesday.

Ozier replaces Paul Allen, who had served as general manager since 2013 and joined the team as an intern in 2005 before going to work full-time in 2006, the last season the Travs played at the now demolished Ray Winder Field in Little Rock.

Paul Allen

Allen will continue to live in North Little Rock and will be working for Swagelok, an industrial supply company with offices in the city.

Ozier has been with the Travs since 2017 when she started as a corporate event planner, and became assistant G.M. in December 2020.

Others who have served as the G.M. of the Travs include Bill Valentine, who held the role for 33 years, and he was replaced by Pete Laven.

The other current front office positions remain the same.

In on the field action, the Travs, this past week, went 3-3 in the six-game trip to Springdale and Northwest Arkansas with Sunday being a wild 11-10 win.

The 3-3 mark kept the Travs above .500 in the league standings and in third. Wichita leads the division, while No. 2 Tulsa hosts the Travs this Tuesday for six consecutive games.

The Travs will be back in North Little Rock on Tuesday, July 6 to face Frisco in a six-game homestand.

Individual leaders

  • Brian O'Keefe drops to No. 11 in hitting and Jake Scheiner falls to No. 20 and Bobby Honeyman is right behind at No. 21.

  • PennMurfee climbs to No. 8 in pitching, Alejandro Requena is in at No. 13 and Devin Sweet is at No. 10. 

Transactions

  • June 26: Bernie Martinez assigned to Arkansas Travelers from Everett AquaSox.

  • June 25: Arkansas Travelers placed RF Keegan McGovern on the 7-day injured list.

  • June 22: Arkansas Travelers placed RHP Tyler Herb on the 7-day injured list.

  • June 22: Arkansas Travelers activated RF Dom Thompson-Williams.

  • June 22: RHP Stephen Kolek assigned to Everett AquaSox from Arkansas Travelers.

  • June 20: Arkansas Travelers activated RHP Ryne Inman from the 7-day injured list.

Players of the Week

  • To be announced.

The scores

  • Tuesday: Travs 4, NW Arkansas 2

  • Wednesday: NW Arkansas 5, Travs 2

  • Thursday: NW Arkansas 4, Travs 3

  • Friday: Travs 5, NW Arkansas 1

  • Saturday: NW Arkansas 8, Travs 5

  • Sunday: Travs 11, Nw Arkansas 10

The standings

  • Wichita ... 28-20 … .583

  • Tulsa ... 27-20 … .574

  • Travs ... 24-23 … .511

  • NW Arkansas ... 22-23 … .489

  • Springfield ... 16-31 … .340

Grant Black’s Corner

About Grant Black’s Corner: This is a weekly look at current Minor-League players with Arkansas roots. Have an addition to this list? Email us at arkansas@substack.com or leave a comment on the post.

Newport's Grant Black is still in Memphis and has thrown a total of 36 strikeouts in 30.1 innings pitched for the Redbirds and Double-A Springfield.

Black picked up his second start of the season on Saturday at Toledo and the MudHens. Black’s first start of his Minor-League career also came against Toledo. It was Black’s sixth appearance for the Redbirds has recorded a 4.09 ERA with 10 strikeouts for Memphis.

It was a no-decision day for Black as he threw three innings and gave up three runs before being pulled. Memphis rallied to the win at Toledo on Saturday night though.

Grant Black

The Redbirds are in Memphis this coming week and if you’re willing to brave the traffic jam because of a broken bridge, it could very well be worth the trip. If you happen to be coming from Newport or northeast Arkansas, don’t mess with the new bridge. Just go to Dyersburg, and come down through Ripley. There’s fireworks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night as part of the Fourth of July celebration event at AutoZone Park. You can also buy a ticket to get all you can eat burgers and hot dogs, which seems like a pretty good deal. Get more details by clicking the link here.

Many thanks to Arkansas high school baseball expert Kevin Bohannon for his help in compiling this list. You can catch him on the radio at 103.7 The Buzz as he's the station’s high school insider. He is also the co-host of The Hawg Talk podcast, which can be listened to here. He’s also on Twitter, @CoachKBo_HTP, so give him a follow. 

Others on the Corner

Note: Click the player’s name to get current stats.

  • Luke Bandy, Springdale: Greenville Drive, High-A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and @Luke_Bandy

  • Gray Fenter, West Memphis: Bowie Baysox, Double-A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles and @Bear_Fenter

  • Logan Gragg, Prairie Grove: Peoria Chiefs, High-A Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals and @GraggLogan23

  • William Hancock, Little Rock Catholic:  Quad Cities River Bandits, the High-A Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals

  • Blaine Knight, Bryant: Bowie Baysox, the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.

  • Grant Koch, Fayetteville: Greensboro Grasshoppers, the High-A Affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates

  • Tink Hence, Watson Chapel: GCL Cardinals, the Rookie Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals and @HenceTink3

  • Blaine Knight, Bryant: Bowie Baysox, Double-A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles and was called up from Aberdeen IronBirds and @blaineknight10

  • Evan Lee, Bryant:  Wilmington Blue Rocks, the High-A Affiliate of the Washington Nationals and @Evan_Leeeee

  • Casey Martin, Lonoke: Clearwather Threshers, the Low-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and @cmartin15_

  • Jake Reindl, Fayetteville: Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Low-A Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and @jreindl24

  • Cody Scroggins, Bentonville: Salem Red Sox, the Low-A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and @cody_scroggins

  • Gavin Stone, Riverside High School (Lake City): Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Low-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers and @gavinstone02

  • Nick Starr, Conway: Hickory Crawdads, the High-A Affiliate of the Texas Rangers and @nickstarr6

Leave a comment

Schedule, tickets and promotions

On deck this week

AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, June 29: at Tulsa; Wednesday, June 30: at Tulsa; Thursday, July 1: at Tulsa; Friday, July 2: at Tulsa; Saturday, July 3: at Tulsa and Sunday, July 4: at Tulsa

Next week

Tuesday, July 6: Frisco 

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlights: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy

  • Game Highlight: Diamantes Night; Presented by Univision

Wednesday, July 7: Frisco 

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV

Thursday, July 8: Frisco 

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members

Friday, July 9: Frisco 

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Post Game Fireworks Show; Presented By Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield

  • Promotion: Baseball Giveaway; Presented By Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield

Saturday, July 10: Frisco 

  • Start time: 6:10 p.m. 

  • Promotion: Team Card Set Giveaway; Presented By Jacksonville Parks and Recreation

Sunday, July 11: Frisco 

  • Start time: 2:10 p.m. 

Ticket offers

  • Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford

  • Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.

  • $10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.

Rest of the schedule

AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, July 13: at Northwest Arkansas; Wednesday, July 14: at Northwest Arkansas; Thursday, July 15: at Northwest Arkansas; Friday, July 16: at Northwest Arkansas; Saturday, July 17: at Northwest Arkansas and Sunday, July 18: at Northwest Arkansas

Tuesday, July 20: Wichita

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy

Wednesday, July 21: Wichita

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV

Thursday, July 22: Wichita

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members

Friday, July 23: Wichita

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Post Game Firework Show; Presented By Metro Disaster Specialists

Saturday, July 24: Wichita

  • Start time: 6:10 p.m. 

  • Promotion: Evan White T-Shirt Giveaway; Presented By New Age Distributors

Sunday, July 25: Wichita

  • Start time: 2:10 p.m. 

Ticket offers

  • Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford

  • Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.

  • $10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.

AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, July 27: at Springfield; Wednesday, July 28: at Springfield; Thursday, July 29: at Springfield; Friday, July 30: at Springfield; Saturday, July 31: at Springfield and Sunday, Aug. 1: at Springfield

Tuesday, Aug. 3: Northwest Arkansas

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy

Wednesday, Aug. 4: Northwest Arkansas

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV

Thursday, Aug. 5: Northwest Arkansas (DH)

  • Start time: TBA

  • Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members

Friday, Aug. 6: Northwest Arkansas

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Post Game Fireworks Show; Presented By Oaklawn Racing & Casino Resort

Saturday, Aug. 7: Northwest Arkansas

  • Start time: 6:10 p.m. 

  • Promotion: Wrestling Ring Giveaway; Presented By Midtown Billiards & Svedka Vodka

  • Game Highlight: Clunker Car Night; Presented By Midtown Billiards

Sunday, Aug. 8: Northwest Arkansas

  • Start time: 2:10 p.m. 

Ticket offers

  • Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford

  • Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.

  • $10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.

Tuesday, Aug. 10: Springfield

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* *Sales tax will be added for all food and beverages. Presented By Hiland Dairy

Wednesday, Aug. 11: Springfield

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV

Thursday, Aug. 12: Springfield

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members

Friday, Aug. 13: Springfield

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Post Game Fireworks; Presented By Arvest Bank

  • Game Highlight: Diamantes Night; Presented by Telemundo

Saturday, Aug. 14: Springfield

  • Start time: 6:10 p.m. 

  • Promotion: Jake Fraley Bobblehead Giveaway; Presented By BEEF Council

Sunday, Aug. 15: Springfield

  • Start time: 2:10 p.m. 

Ticket offers

  • Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford

  • Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.

  • $10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.

AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, Aug. 17: at Frisco; Wednesday, Aug. 18: at Frisco; Thursday, Aug. 19: at Frisco; Friday, Aug. 20: at Frisco; Saturday, Aug. 21: at Frisco  and Sunday, Aug. 22: at Frisco 

Tuesday, Aug. 24: Corpus Christi

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy

Wednesday, Aug. 25: Corpus Christi

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV

Thursday, Aug. 26: Corpus Christi

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members

Friday, Aug. 27: Corpus Christi

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m.

  • Game Highlight: Pyro In The Park; Presented By Cutwater Spirits/Budweiser

Saturday, Aug. 28: Corpus Christi

  • Start time: 6:10 p.m. 

  • Promotion: Tooth Ball Giveaway; Presented By Rock Dental Brands

  • Game Highlight: Teacher Appreciation Night

Sunday, Aug. 29: Corpus Christi

  • Start time: 2:10 p.m. 

Ticket offers

  • Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford

  • Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.

  • $10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Wichita

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m.

  • Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy

Wednesday, Sept. 1: Wichita

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV

Thursday, Sept. 2: Wichita

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members

Friday, Sept. 3: Wichita

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Post Game Fireworks Show; Presented By MiCampo

Saturday, Sept. 4: Wichita

  • Start time: 6:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlights: Diamantes Night; Presented by Univision

  • Post Game Fireworks; Presented By Fuller & Son Hardware

  • Promotion: Growth Chart Giveaway; Presented By Fuller & Son Hardware

Sunday, Sept. 5: Wichita

Start time: 2:10 p.m. 

Ticket offers

  • Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford

  • Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.

  • $10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.

AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, Sept. 7: at Springfield; Wednesday, Sept. 8: at Springfield; Thursday, Sept. 9: at Springfield; Friday, Sept. 10: at Springfield; Saturday, Sept. 11: at Springfield; Sunday, Sept. 12: at Springfield; Tuesday, Sept. 14: at Wichita; Wednesday, Sept. 15: at Wichita; Thursday, Sept. 16: at Wichita; Friday, Sept. 17: at Wichita; Saturday, Sept. 18: at Wichita and Sunday, Sept. 19: at Wichita

*Sales tax will be added for all food and beverages.

Paid subscriptions make this newsletter possible

Subscribe if you like, pay if you can

Share this post

Ozier gets promoted to interim GM

www.arkansasnewsroom.com
Comments
TopNewCommunity

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Jeremy Peppas
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing