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The Roots Of The Game. |
Chip Rossetti is the Founder and Commissioner of the Pastime Baseball League. Chip was also the co-founder of the All American Hockey League and is formerly the Vice President and General Manager of the Evansville IceMen of the AAHL. Prior to founding the AAHL and the IceMen, Chip worked in professional indoor football with the Evansville Bluecats, in the United Indoor Football Association, and the Huntington Heroes in the American Indoor Football Association. Prior to working in indoor football, Chip worked in minor league baseball and helped start up the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League, in Marion Illinois. Chip is an experienced sports executive, with talents in a multitude of areas. From the overall management of an organization down to the smallest task, Chip has done it all. He has been the General Manager of two minor league organizations, as well as the Director of Sales, Marketing and Promotions for another. He was named UIF Executive of the Year in 2007 and AAHL General Manager of the Year in 2008-2009. His Evansville IceMen minor league hockey team was named Organization of the Year for the 2008-2009 season, as well as the 2009-2010 season. They also received Website of the Year for the 2009-2010 season. Chip was also nominated for a Leadership Evansville award in 2009. Chip capped off his time with the IceMen by winning the AAHL Davidson Cup Championship in 2010. He is also responsible for the Evansville IceMen forever being enshrined in the Professional Hockey Hall of Fame. Prior to his time in professional sports, Chip was an accomplished video and documentary producer, as well as a 3D animator. Most notably, Chip produced the documentary "No More Sunsets: The Last Days of a Meth Addict" in 2006. This documentary sold all over the world and was featured on CNN, Fox News and many other media outlets. As a video producer, Chip has won 3 Telly Awards and 5 Videographer Awards for his productions. He has won awards at several film festivals for his 3D Animated Short films, including the "Best Animated Short Film" Award at the 2004 "20,000 Leagues Under Industry Film Festival" in Cleveland, Ohio and the "Best In Show" Award at the "Show Me Digital Film Festival" in Cape Girardeau, MO. Chip also recently completed publishing his first book, "Get In The Game: Minor League Marketing, Major League Results". Chip is married to his wife Denise and they have 3 girls, Peyton (13), Bailey (8) and Jessica (1). They currently reside in Evansville, Indiana. |
There are many reasons fans connect with the PBL. Maybe it is because the atmosphere reminds them of their youth. For some the idea of stepping back in time, even for just a few hours to a simpler time in their lives, is exciting. Imagine walking through the gates and being greeted by a ragtime band. I kid, dressed like a 1920's newspaper boy, handing out programs. Vendors, dressed in candy striped shirts, selling peanuts, popcorn and crackerjacks. Imagine having the ability to buy a $5 dollar adult ticket and a $2 dollar kid's ticket, and be entertained for an afternoon or evening. Imagine being able to go to the concession stand and feeding your family of 4 for around $10 dollars. For others, it is the exposure of very talented athletes becoming role models for their children. Some may be attracted to the intensity of the game. Still others are attracted to the unadulterated purity of the sport. One reason people connect to the PBL is because the can. The PBL plays in smaller venues which puts the fans right in the middle of the action. Players are accessible and approachable. Nothing beats the idea that fans can get close to the players. PBL players are accessible to fans of all ages before and after the games. Fans get to know players for their personalities as well as their "roles" in the PBL. The PBL encourages its players to let their personal styles, passion and "dimensions" shine. Many players embrace the opportunity to be a role model for aspiring players and fans. These fan-friendly players are highly marketable and fans can relate to them. |