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It's miners and minors for CONSOL
Business editor
mbradwell@observer-reporter.com
Ask CONSOL Energy Inc. Chief Executive J. Brett Harvey which word sounds a lot like "miners" and he'll quickly tell you "minors," as in baseball.
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Under the 10-year agreement, the five-year-old complex will now be called CONSOL Energy Park. Both companies declined to disclose the amount paid for the naming rights.
"It's the minor league and the miners. It matches perfectly," Harvey quipped as he took the podium in WCFE's executive suite, adding that his company sees an interaction between one of the nation's largest coal producers putting its name on the front of the park operated by one of the Frontier League's most successful franchises. He said CONSOL Energy employs more than 2,500 people in the area, as well as another 3,500 in West Virginia and Ohio.
"Our people are here and, more importantly, the people who are going to be working for us the next 50 years are going to be here," he said.
Following the press conference, Harvey said putting the company's name on the stadium is a logical extension of a corporate branding campaign with television and print ads that his company launched in February.
At the time, Harvey and other CONSOL executives said that with many of their employees set to retire and the increased demand for its coal, the company will have to increase its hiring of everyone from accountants to coal miners.
"It really ties into the branding campaign," Harvey said Thursday. "We're going to be hiring thousands of people."
He added that while CONSOL Energy extracts coal from the area, "we also want to put something back in, too. Our hearts are here and our future is here, so it makes sense."
Swiatek noted that since the ballpark opened on May 29, 2002, as home to the Wild Things, it has grown into an all-purpose entertainment complex.
"CONSOL Energy Park will now become synonymous with regional entertainment," he said.
In addition to the 53 home games that will be played at the park this year, Wild Things spokeswoman Christine Blaine announced a lineup of other events, including a June 16 country music festival with co-headliners Trace Adkins and Gary Allan, as well as Danielle Peck and the Povertyneck Hillbillies. A July 28 "Salute to the Classics" program will include The Contours, Kenny Vance & The Planatones, The Vogues, The Jaggerz, The Fabulous Hubcaps, Pure Gold and The Four Townsmen.
Swiatek said WCFE depends upon a number of other corporate sponsors to operate the park and keep ticket prices affordable for families. According to attendance figures provided by the Wild Things, the team has played to sold-out audiences in each of its five seasons at the 3,200-seat stadium, which can hold up to 5,000 for concerts.
"Without (sponsors), we couldn't do what we do today," Swiatek said, adding that WCFE is responsible for 100 percent of the operating expenses and improvements to the facility, which also hosts baseball teams from California University of Pennsylvania, Pitt, Duquesne, Trinity High School and the annual Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League tournament.
Frontier League Commissioner Bill Lee, who attended Thursday's press conference, recognized the Wild Things franchise "as one of the leaders of the league in creativity, marketing and in the business relationships they form. It's wonderful to have partners like you in the league," he said.
When the park opened in 2002, it was named Falconi Field in honor of Washington businessman Angelo Falconi, who made a major contribution to the facility, but did not purchase naming rights.
"We'll always recognize Angelo Falconi for what he did here," Swiatek said, adding that WCFE has the ability to sell naming rights under its contract with Baseball Scholarships Inc., a nonprofit entity from which it leases the stadium.
