Episode 216 - Copperhead Road

Derrick Welsh is the GM of the Southern Ohio Copperheads. A unique twist to summer collegiate baseball, the Copperheads are almost exclusively a student-ran organization. The Copperheads have been in existence for 25 years and play in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. Derrick shares a little about the history of the team and shares a little about his background. We talk about the league and he shares his Proffitt & Loss. 

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Southern Ohio Copperheads -

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Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Copperheads (@Copperheads)

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Transcript

0:17

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another episode of the Year Earned Fund Average podcast. I'm your host Eric Profit, coming to you from Wichita, Kansas, and with me as always, I have, Johnny Bowen from the Bayou Broadcast Center, late Charles Gumbo Gators super fan. Well, Johnny, we have a special guest with us today. We have Derek Welsh with us. How are you, Derek? I'm doing good. How are you? I'm doing well. Appreciate you joining us. So, uh, Derek, you Bel believe you work in Summer Collegiate Ball. Would you mind sharing with everybody who the team is and what you do with the team? Yeah, so I'm the general manager this season for the Southern Ohio Copperheads. we are a team in the Great Lakes Summer. Uh, league, getting ready for the season. I love it. Yeah, coming up here, we're at the time of this recording about mid-April, so still have a little bit before some of the summer collegiate gets going, but Johnny and I, that's one of our favorite, things we like having on here is the teams and different leagues, uh, in the summer collegiate realm. So, always love hearing about the different communities and everything, and summer ball. But Johnny, if I'm not mistaken. We haven't had on the Arizona Diamondbacks. Is this the first snake, mascot team name that we've had? You know, the Diamondbacks just won't return my calls or email. I mean, they act like they're a major league club or something. Like they're too good for us guys. Like they're just too good for us. And I'll email and say, you, you got a chance to be the first major league team to be on this podcast. That's right. Well, to be fair, we have had a couple people on who were in minor league baseball who are now with an MLB team. So we've done that, but just not had anybody speak directly about MLB. I think you're right. I can't remember in the four plus years of having a team on that had a primary identity was a snake. So I think this. Historic tonight, uh, with tonight's episode. That's right. Congratulations, Derek, on being the first, uh, snake identity that we have on the podcast, but, uh, of course. Yeah. That's awesome. One of the first segments we like doing is talk about a favorite hat. Would you mind sharing a hat with everybody please? Yeah, so I, I'll narrow down to two that I have in my mind right now. One is just our copperheads hat that all of our staff wears. It's just a black and white hat with the yellow logo. And then the other is an Ohio State baseball hat. My uncle actually played baseball for Ohio State, and uh, that was the last hat that my grandpa bought before he, unfortunately passed away. So I enjoy wearing that one too. But yeah, it's probably down to those too. I love it. And obviously the listeners can't see it, but I believe you're drinking out of an Ohio, Ohio State Cup, if I'm not mistaken. Yes. Yeah, I'm, yeah, always. I love it. Now, uh, Mr. Boland, what hat do you have today, sir? Well, this is a pretty, pretty recently acquired, I did not wear it in Starkville. When you see the, if you, if the listeners could see the colorway is the kids say a little Memphis Red Birds tonight, powder blue with the red, what do they call'em? Dirty Bird, I think is the logo name for the pitching Cardinal Red Bird is uh, what I'm, what I'm going with tonight. And for myself, I kind of feel left out anytime I see you wear one of your 75 Cape Catfish hats. So today I have a Prospect League, Cape Catfish, uh, has catfish and, pretty big green letters and has the Catfish logo go behind it on a black hat. So I wanted to join the party with, uh, Johnny here, and I got my Cape Catfish that I'm wearing today. That is an outstanding hat. I'm trying to think if I've seen, I pr that store pretty, you know, every couple weeks, you know, and but for the record, I think it's four that's close to 75. yeah, the, uh, parrot head, the fish, uh, sandwich. and then the gray, I have the same hat. Uh, so maybe does that count as one? It's the same hat, two different colors? No, that's two different ones. Okay. Two. Okay. Gray, gray and black. The 47 brand with the full logo. So four, uh, that I wear all the time. There we go. Well, uh, Derek, I wanted to ask a little bit, so obviously you said you're with the Copperheads now. So prior to that, did you really have anything you were doing in baseball or kind of what's a little bit about your background? Yeah, so the cool thing about the copper is, I'm not sure if you guys know, but we're a, we consider it a community owned, student operated. Um, the student operated piece being, we have 35 or more students that run the team. Uh, we do have one guy that's not a student that kind of oversees everything to make sure, uh, we don't fall off the rails. but everybody else is a student in college, so I'm actually still a student at Ohio University. Most of the. Staff is at Ohio University, but we occasionally do have some other, students from regional, other regional campuses as well. so yeah, I actually played baseball at Hawkin College. It's a, it's a JUCO here in southeast Ohio, for two years before transferring to Ohio. just decided it was time to hang it up after a 15 year long career of playing baseball. Yeah, it's been, it's been an, uh, really enjoyable ride, since I've joined the Copperheads and I'm actually from Athens, Ohio too, which is where the Copperheads are from. Uh, so I went to Copperheads games as a kid grew up watching all those players come through. Um, so it's been kind of like a full circle, position that I've been able to be in for the last couple of years. really enjoyable. So you said Ohio, is that the Bobcats? Ohio Bobcat. Yep. There we go. I love it. Yeah. Well, uh, obviously we talked a little bit, uh, before we got started here, but knew a little bit about the league itself. We had on prior to actually their very first game, Joe with the Flag City Sluggers. And you had mentioned, obviously that was their first year last year, but the Copperheads been around a little bit, longer. So would you mind sharing just a little bit of the background of the Copperheads, kind of how long they've been around, a little bit about their history. Yeah, so this is actually our 25th year anniversary. Wow. Since we were founded in 2002, we did have two seasons canceled, for COVID in 2020 and 2021. but it pretty much started just because, anybody in Athens before the Copperheads were here could tell you that there was really nothing to do. In the area during the summertime, um, when the, when the college students are here during the school year, there's a little bit more to do, but once they leave, it's kind of like a ghost town without the university. Um, so there was just some community members, some people at the university, I think the OU Baseball coach, and then the Masters of Sports Administration, leader at the time kind of all came together. And they actually were trying to figure out if it would be possible to bring a minor league baseball team to southeast Ohio. after some quick communication, they, they found that Bob Brand Stadium, which is the stadium at a Ohio University and where the copyrights play, isn't suit to fit a minor league baseball team. and so the OU Baseball coach at the time, um, Joe Carbon knew. I had previously coached in the Great Lakes League, and was able to put together a little exhibition league in 2001 with the, the US Collegiate National Team, versus the Great Lakes All-Star team that year. and it was kind of like a test run to see how southeast Ohio. Would respond to a baseball team. Um, there ended up being like 1500 fans that game. And that was, that was enough for them to kind of go forward with bringing a team there. and then since then there's been a team. the best way to explain the copperheads and it, if you've. Listen to the Flag City Sluggers episode. You, you kind of understand because they base their model of operations on the copperheads. But the best way to go to understand it is to break it up into three different segments. It's players obviously, and then the students, like I mentioned, and then the fans. The players is obviously the most, straightforward one, just collegiate. Ball players trying to get some, some more reps during the summertime. Um, students, I kind of already went into depth a little bit and then the fans, um, Athens in southeast Ohio is not the most wealthy area, so it's providing family friendly fun to those fans. for people that might not be able to go to Red's games, they might not be able to go to guardian's games, whatever it is. so we charge$5 for tickets. Kids 14 and under, get in for free, free parking. we have like 15 different, theme nights this year. Uh, we have five firework nights. So it's just a lot of fun in multiple different ways. and that's really what we're about. Like we don't, we don't do a single thing without having the fans in mind, and doing what's better for them. that's, that's really how the copperheads are operated. I appreciate you sharing that background. Yeah. Obviously you have some collegiate teams out there that have been around for quite some time, but, for the most part you don't see teams that are around for 25 years, so that's awesome. You guys are going into that 25th season. Uh, do you happen to know a little bit of, I mean, to me, I don't know that it's that common to have it kind of student ran, but obviously if it's working for you guys and the sluggers kind of went after that model, do you happen to know if that's something where, you guys had gotten from somebody else or kind of how that came about? Yeah, no. other than the sluggers, I don't think anybody in our organization knows of another team that is, as student ran as we are. I know it. When they, when they first started, they used the master's admin program at Ohio University, which is the number one in the world. but then their program kind of switched in the summer and so we moved to grab more undergrad students. And ever since then, it's kind of been that way. but yeah, to answer your question, I don't think there is anyone like us. Yeah, I was gonna say that's not something I was really familiar with, but obviously it seems to be, good enough where the, you know, the sluggers are kind of doing that same model. So I'd be curious to see if other teams might essentially start to do that.'cause I mean, that sounds like a really cool idea. And again, I just love that you guys have been around for so long and even having a couple years you had to take off, able to start it back up there, what, 2022 or so then? Mm-hmm. Yep. And then, you know, obviously going into now the 2026 season. So uh, my first question, Derek. Yeah. What, what is the origin of the nickname? So the Copperhead Snake is, is just like a common snake here in southeast Ohio. But a little fun fact about it is we had a, like a naming competition at one of the local elementary schools. Um, before the season started. and then I think it came down to the, the Copperheads and then the flying squirrels. I'm not really sure where the flying squirrels came from,'cause I've lived here my whole life and I've never seen one. So I think I'm glad the Copperheads won, won that competition. But yeah, it's a pretty cool nickname. and like you said, there's not really a lot of snake teams, so we kind of, we kind of have that going for us. It's a great nickname. I also wanted to compliment you. very nice team store. You know, I've perused it. Derek, that's how I do my research for this podcast. I've no great secret, right? I've shared that many times, about, you know, I look at team, you know, the merch and, I really like the t-shirt with like the whole snake. Oh, yeah. Mm-hmm. Kinda looking like that's, that's a pretty cool, that's a pretty sharp. I love the hat design. it screams baseball logo. Yeah. Not any other sport. I was talking to somebody the other day about college baseball and I said, I love when college baseball programs, and maybe you could say softball as well mm-hmm. Have their own logo. Yeah. With that this distinct for the sport. Yeah. And, and when, you know, when I saw the logo, that's been some time back. Like I said, I've been. following the team on Facebook for a while now. Like that, that screams baseball. Yeah. I don't have even know what sport it is if I see the hat. That's a baseball team. So I, really good job that you guys are doing with the team store. Uh, I'm an old man, well documented. Do they play any portion of the great Steve Earls Copperhead Road at Ball games? That's what was my question that came, Sorry. we play that song more than once each game. I can, I can guarantee that. Oh, you probably couldn't play the whole thing'cause of some content issues. that song is old. I saw him in concert when I was in high school. Eric Prophet. That's, that's going back away. Yeah. maybe the chorus part. I didn't, I didn't know if you guys played that at the ballpark or, or not. And like Eric said, I really am impressed with the structure, the way, the model that you guys are doing. And, you know, like you said a few moments ago, you're providing affordable family friendly entertainment. And, and one of my fears that I've noticed the last couple years is that kinda used to be minor league baseball. Yeah. and as prices, you know, and it's getting, you know, and, it's like you're not major League baseball. You shouldn't have, and I know it's not, I know we're near to what you, but still. Or, you know, I wonder out loud is kind of minor league baseball pricing. Some fans out. Yeah. Well that used to be like you guys charged, that was a$5 ticket, free parking or a couple bucks to park. And, uh, I looked online the other day at, uh, a t-shirt from my wife and a hat for me. And with shipping it was gonna be over 70 bucks. Like what? You know, like, I mean. it's a t-shirt. Yeah. And a, an adjustable hat, you know, and I, I, like I said, I kinda, so one of the thing I think that Eric and I love so much about collegiate, wood, bat, be reasons, but exactly what you said. Affordable, family friendly. You bring the kids, have a good time. Enjoy a night at the ballpark. and seems like some of the independently collegiate ball, you know, is still in that model of, you know, we've talked to people, they don't even charge admission on this podcast. Yeah. You know, they don't. It is just, Hey, show up, park for free. Get in for free. Just come watch us play. And, and it's just so, it's so refreshing to see with what you guys are doing. Like I said, other collegiate teams, leagues. keeping families first and, and keeping the, the prices down. And, hey, if I go to the game and I get in for five bucks, I'm gonna go to the merchandise place, right? I'm going, I'm gonna eat a hot dog. I'm going, you know, you'll spend money. Yeah. You get'em in there, right? You're getting them there and you have things to offer there. And so you're. making money that way. But yeah, I absolutely love it. I've asked this question now, Derek, I've said this many times here, I believe in recycling, and I have my one when I, if it's a team owner, general manager. This is my question, and Eric and I have got some great answers to this question. If money was no option, what would be your dream promotion? Like they said, Derek. Here's a blank check. You book a one night event for our team, what would you do? Wow, that's a really good question. Oh man. it's hard not to say the bananas to coming to town. It's hard not to say that. And that's the first thing that came to my mind too. I think I would go like some type of. Really cool slash big stadium. Like if money wasn't a thing, I could just build that, even if it was for one game and just going all out for that one game too. Uh, I think that could be really cool too. But yeah, that's a really good question. Yeah. Like I said, I recycle it. It's, it's, it's one of my go-to questions in four plus years of this podcast. Like, so when it's a. General manager, team owner. Like I said, we've got so many, many great answers. Uh, what's your major? What are you studying in college? So it's sports management with a marketing minor. Oh wow. That's fantastic. Yep. That is fantastic. Well, Derek, I wanted to ask just a little bit more. So obviously we talked about the league itself, but so the, great Lakes Collegiate League, I believe is what you had mentioned. So, since you guys have been around for the last 25 years, is that the, league that you've always been in? Or just tell us a little bit about the league itself a little bit more if you can. Yeah, so that's the league we've been in. Um. Since 2002, uh, like I mentioned, the, the All-Star team, came and played at Aubry Stadium to kind of test run, and we've been in that since then. Uh, the league's changed just like every summer. Collegiate Baseball League changes. I believe there's been 14 teams in it at some points, and right now there's eight. there's two teams in Michigan and then the other six there in Ohio, including us. It's a pretty, it's a pretty competitive league. it's nothing like the Northwoods League at the moment, but, we do have some D one players, D 2D three, and AI and juco. Um, so it's pretty much every level, which as a, as a baseball fan and someone who knows baseball, it's a pretty cool, uh, unique experience to get to watch. A D one pitcher go up against a NI batter and just see what happens. there's not a lot of other leagues or teams that let you experience that, like really anywhere else. Um, so yeah, it's, it is pretty competitive. Yeah. Now you'd mentioned obviously, uh, kind of one of your favorite, you know, teams is obviously Ohio State. Uh, do you gravitate towards any MLB guardians or the Reds or anybody else? Definitely more of a Reds fan. Reds definitely more Reds fan. Yeah, I actually, I kind of grew up going to. More of the, in Cleveland games. Mm-hmm. my grandpa had a connection to get a lot of tickets. That's cool. But, but since then, I've kind of been gravitating more towards the, the res, but I definitely follow both. Cool. Well, uh, Derek, one of the segments we do is the profit and the loss and the profit's. Something you gained or earned, obviously that could be, your time with the Copperheads now, or getting to grow up watching a little bit of, you know, obviously the Copperheads, uh, or with the Indians, or the Reds. Any, uh, specific profit or gain you can think of. Yeah, it's definitely, definitely with the Copperheads, it's given me a lot, um, over the last two years, just like growing as a professional in the sports industry. It's been an amazing experience. and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I've just learned so much about so many different things just because we're a pretty small staff, so I have to be pretty hands-on with, like everything that you can think of in it. Baseball organization that's off the actual playing field. Um, so it is been really cool and I've just grown as a person too. Um, and then also, like I mentioned, it's been. It's been really cool to get to, like, put this experience on for fans, for the community that I grew up in and for the team that I grew up watching, um, and coming to games, with my family. it's been a great experience for sure. Uh, what about the flip side of the loss? Any, particular moment with the Copperheads or any, uh, MLB team or player that you, uh, enjoyed watching? Any loss you can think of. I, I think the biggest thing last year was it was just a super wet summer. Mm. And we had, I think it was 16 of our 21 home games forecasted rain. I think we only had like four or five actually get chance it or postponed, but it was just like either rain before the game and then it would just de like deter fans away or would, um. Ran in like the third inning and then we'd play again after an hour long, uh, layoff. So that was, that was definitely unfortunate. But, but we managed past it, hoping for a little bit of better weather this summer for sure. Yeah, for sure. I enjoy getting to travel around and I've had my fair share of games that we've traveled outta state to watch that get rained out and it's like, oh man, I came all the way here and it gets, gets rained out or whatever. But yeah, I remember. You know, here in Kansas we had quite a, a pretty wet year last year as well. So yeah, I'm also hopeful that,'cause we have, the Wichita Wind surge, just the double A, the Minnesota Twins, we have a minor league team here and, for the most part don't usually get rained out. They have great ground crew and everything, but last year there was a few different times that, the games got postponed or whatever. So hopeful that this year's a little bit drier. But, Derek, it's been a lot of fun having you on. If anybody wanted to go out there and. check out the merch that Johnny had been talking about. get tickets, anything like that. Uh, do you have the website? Yeah, it's just copperhead baseball.com. It's pretty simple. And then you can also find us on all social media as well. I love it. Yeah. Make sure you guys go out there, follow the Copperheads online if you get up. in the area. Check out a game this summer or the next summer. But, check us out as well. We're earned fund Average. Average is a VG. We're on Instagram, Twitter, blue sky and threads. And Eric, one more time. Really do appreciate it. Thank you for your time today. Thank you guys. Thank America, lower your standards average is what these guys do best. Oh You