Uproar over Management Changes at NLR's Dickey-Stephens Park
By: Lauren Trager, KARK 4 News
Updated: November 29, 2012
A Facebook group (click here) is planning a protest and boycott over what it's members call a debacle at a North Little Rock ballpark.
They're not happy about recent changes in management at Dickey-Stephens Park, the homestand of the Arkansas Travelers.
"I'm asking for answers and so far, I'm talking to a wall," says John Crow, a long-time Travs fan, shareholder and advertiser. He started the Facebook group titled Take Me Out of the Ballpark after learning the general manager and assistant general manager had been given the boot two weeks ago.
"My first gut feeling was curiosity," he explains.
Since then, Crow and others have tried to get answers about why, but nothing so far.
"Yes I think something shady is going on, I hate to point fingers, but there's a lot to indicate that something wasn't on the up and up here," he says.
Executive committee members tell KARK they can't comment on personnel matters.
Now, Crow says his group will do what it takes to get answers. The citizens, he says, deserve it.
"This is a community based organization and they owe it to the community to explain what's going on, not shut the door and say no comment," Crow says.
But other fans don't seem as concerned.
"Quite honestly it doesn't matter to me, we'll keep going to the games, it doesn't matter who the management is, we'll keep going," says Travs fan Penny Henderson.
Others say, they were in the dark about it all.
"I didn't even really know this had happened," says another fan.
Whether the staff changes will truly be felt in the bleachers remains to be seen until next season rolls around.
Click here to visit the Take Me Out of the Ballpark Facebook group page.
They're not happy about recent changes in management at Dickey-Stephens Park, the homestand of the Arkansas Travelers.
"I'm asking for answers and so far, I'm talking to a wall," says John Crow, a long-time Travs fan, shareholder and advertiser. He started the Facebook group titled Take Me Out of the Ballpark after learning the general manager and assistant general manager had been given the boot two weeks ago.
"My first gut feeling was curiosity," he explains.
Since then, Crow and others have tried to get answers about why, but nothing so far.
"Yes I think something shady is going on, I hate to point fingers, but there's a lot to indicate that something wasn't on the up and up here," he says.
Executive committee members tell KARK they can't comment on personnel matters.
Now, Crow says his group will do what it takes to get answers. The citizens, he says, deserve it.
"This is a community based organization and they owe it to the community to explain what's going on, not shut the door and say no comment," Crow says.
But other fans don't seem as concerned.
"Quite honestly it doesn't matter to me, we'll keep going to the games, it doesn't matter who the management is, we'll keep going," says Travs fan Penny Henderson.
Others say, they were in the dark about it all.
"I didn't even really know this had happened," says another fan.
Whether the staff changes will truly be felt in the bleachers remains to be seen until next season rolls around.
Click here to visit the Take Me Out of the Ballpark Facebook group page.
