Five questions with Chuck Arnold, 36-year-old general manager of the Biloxi Shuckers, who’s beginning his second season in Biloxi, after two seasons with Pensacola and 10 seasons with a St. Louis Cardinals affiliate.
Why are you excited about this season?
“You’re always excited to open a new season. We’ve got a great new lineup of promotions, with something every night, whether it’s food, ticket specials, Friday giveaways, or Saturday fireworks, and we’re going to build on the community involvement that we’ve had in the past year, where we’ve made a positive impact on this community outside the ballpark and the entertainment.”
What are the challenges of getting people into the park?
“Baseball is a long season with 70 homes games. That’s why we’re working hard to have new promotions that attract people from the entire community, not just baseball fans. Anybody can come to MGM Park and have a good time.”
What about the ticket prices?
“We have tickets starting as low as $7 for the berm in the outfield, which is located next to Schooner’s Fun Zone. A lot of families with young children enjoy sitting there, where the children can run around, and the family can have a picnic. We also have tickets from $11 to $15 for regular seats, and $22 for club seats, as well as opportunities for groups to purchase discounted tickets and have a picnic at the park. On Sundays, we have a special where you receive four tickets, four hot dogs and chips, and four drinks for only $60. We also offer military, senior, and youth discounts on individual tickets.”
How would you describe the experience of a minor league game in MGM Park?
“Immediately when you walk into MGM Park, you’re greeted by our wonderful staff, from the ticket takers, to the ushers and the general staff. It’s a very family friendly environment, with Schooner the mascot, high energy music, a high energy staff that wants to help create a positive experience. You also have the opportunity to watch future Major League players every night and the Shuckers pull out a win.”
And how is it opening against Pensacola, your former team?
“I loved my time in Pensacola, but I’m excited to be a part of the Biloxi community now. We’re trying to bring a lot of their success here to Biloxi. We have an amazing ballpark, a lot more amenities and we’re creating our own brand, which we hope to rival and exceed what’s going on in Pensacola.”
Learn more about the Biloxi Shuckers
