Front Office Feature: Generals GM Marcus Sabata
Under the standard scope of a minor league season, May is a month of many works hours, little sleep, and daily baseball on the diamond. For a general manager at the helm, opening the ballpark in the early morning hours, and securing the padlocks at night is commonplace. Yet during
Under the standard scope of a minor league season, May is a month of many works hours, little sleep, and daily baseball on the diamond. For a general manager at the helm, opening the ballpark in the early morning hours, and securing the padlocks at night is commonplace.
Yet during a time of the year that should find the Jackson Generals in the middle of a ten-game home stand, the daily routine for general manager Marcus Sabata is anything but ritual. There are no tickets to total, no concessions to inventory, no game-day meetings to lead. Instead, the second-year GM distributes time helping power wash the park, or hoping on the zero-turn to give the stadium grounds a fresh mow.
The daily maintenance continues, but after the Southern League announced on Monday the cancelation of the league All-Star events in Jackson, the question swells: Will the baseball-ready Ballpark see baseball at all?
“No official decision has been made on the 2020 Minor League season, however, I’m not very optimistic that a season will be played,” Sabata said. “Not playing is obviously very disappointing, not only for our fans, but also our staff. Baseball is what we do so not having it makes for a very empty feeling but it’s nobody’s fault and we will do the best we can.”
Minor League Baseball must await the instruction from Major League Baseball if it hopes to resume in 2020. So despite business and public venue restrictions being lifted across Tennessee, the decision to take the field is out of the Generals’ hands. The organization is repurposing it’s efforts in the meantime, and has set plans to host community events during baseball’s vacancy.
“We have been asked by the Jackson Madison County School System, as well as the City of Jackson, to host a few graduations at the Ballpark,” Sabata explained. It didn’t take us long to say “yes” and because we are keenly aware of the financial situation created by COVID-19, we will host the events at no charge to the school district and are donating all our staff time to ensure that the graduates have a memorable day.”
The Generals community efforts go beyond just the reutilization of the facility. Front office members recently spent time at the Regional Inter-Faith Association, a group pressed for volunteers while facing increased demand for meals they provide.
“We see ourselves as a community asset,” Sabata said. “We want to be a partner when times are good but when times are tough, we want to make sure the community knows that we are here to assist if they need us.”
With the 2020 season very much in doubt, and an MLB contraction discussion still needing resolution before the 2021 season can be played, Sabata hopes that the local narrative begins to shine a more positive light on the impact of the franchise in recent years.
“With our partnership with the city getting so much attention, it is easy to forget that the Generals have achieved some great things over the last few years that we are very proud of,” Sabata pointed out.
In addition to winning the Southern League Championship in 2016, 2018, and 2019, the Generals were honored with the Tennessee Pro Sports Field of the Year in 2017 and 2018, voted the 8th most accomplished Minor League franchise of the 2010’s by Baseball America, voted the “Best Sporting Event’ in West TN in 2019 by the Tennessee Magazine, and were also honored to receive the 2019 Pro Sports Team of the Year, along with the Memphis Redbirds.
“These accomplishments are a great source of pride to Jackson,” Sabata acknowledged. Like other sports franchises, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our product, but I think our resume stacks up very well with anyone.”
Goldeyes Season and Individual Tickets Available Now
JACKSON, TN – The Jackson Generals are excited to release the full 2021 schedule of the Winnipeg Goldeyes, with all home games to be played at the Ballpark @ Jackson. As has been previously announced, due to the ongoing closure of the US/Canadian border, the Goldeyes will be playing their
Nitro Circus to visit The Ballpark at Jackson on October 16th
JACKSON, TN – The Jackson Generals are pleased to announce that Nitro Circus will visit Jackson for the first time with a Saturday, October 16th show at The Ballpark at Jackson. The You Got This tour is part of an extensive North American trek that will visit more than 25
The Ballpark at Jackson Expanding Professional Baseball, College Baseball, Concerts, and other Events
JACKSON, Tenn. – The Jackson Generals continue to aggressively expand entertainment offerings at The Ballpark at Jackson for the summer of 2021 and beyond. Jackson is poised for the busiest and most diverse entertainment calendar in the history of the Ballpark. Beginning May 21st, the Ballpark at Jackson will host
MercyMe to Play June 3rd Concert at The Ballpark at Jackson
JACKSON, Tenn. – The Jackson Generals and Rush Productions are excited to welcome MercyMe to Jackson, announcing on Tuesday plans for a concert at The Ballpark at Jackson on Thursday, June 3rd. MercyMe is a Grammy-nominated American contemporary Christian band and the winner of eight Dove Awards since its inception
USA Championship Wrestling to Hold Major Event at The Ballpark at Jackson
Jackson, TN - USA Championship Wrestling announced that they will be heading back to The Ballpark at Jackson on Saturday night May 8th, 2021 and will be featuring many household names in the world of Professional Wrestling. In September of 2020, USA Wrestling drew over 2,300 fans to the Ballpark
The Ohio Valley Conference Championship is Returning to Jackson
Jackson, TN: The 2021 Ohio Valley Conference will make its return to The Ballpark at Jackson from May 27-29. The OVC Baseball Championship was previously held at The Ballpark at Jackson from 2010 through 2016. This year’s championship will feature the top four teams in the OVC standings competing in
Generals Welcome Lane College to The Ballpark at Jackson
Jackson, TN: The Jackson Generals have agreed to host Lane College’s remaining home baseball games for the 2021 season at The Ballpark at Jackson. “We are very appreciative that the Generals and their ownership have offered to host our remaining home games and have also offered to cover the costs
Generals Issue Letter to City of Jackson Regarding Future
January 21, 2021 Mayor Conger, I acknowledge receipt of the letter delivered on your behalf by the City Attorney yesterday. You have correctly identified the critical paragraph in the License and Use Agreement (Article IIIF), which states that the “Club covenants it will always be a member of the National
Generals 2020 Economic Impact Report
Click to view the Generals 2020 Economic Impact Report: https://bit.ly/31B72C4
Jerry "The King" Lawler to Host 50th Anniversary Event in Jackson
JACKSON, TN - The Jackson Generals and USA Wrestling have announced a collaboration to bring Jerry “The King” Lawlers 50th Anniversary Celebration to The Ballpark at Jackson. The event, scheduled for Saturday, September 26th, will feature eight matches, including a Thunderdome Cage Match and welcome a long list of wrestling
Minor League Baseball Announces Cancellation of 2020 Season
JACKSON, TN – In a release Tuesday, Minor League Baseball has announced the official cancellation of the 2020 season. The Generals 23rd season of professional baseball, officially scheduled to begin on April 9th, had been temporarily suspended due to concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus. Minor League Baseball President & CEO
Snoop Dogg and Twista Concert Postponed
JACKSON, TN – The Jackson Generals in conjunction with Blue Cap Entertainment announced on Monday the postponement of the Snoop Dogg and Twista concert at The Ballpark at Jackson, in the wake of the novel coronavirus concerns. The event, scheduled for July 20th, still plans to come to town in
Travel Ball Takes the Field in Jackson for First Tournament Weekend
JACKSON, TN - The sight of the infield dirt receiving a fresh drag, and the foul lines being chalked could only mean one thing; baseball was making its long-awaited return to The Ballpark at Jackson. It was not the Jackson Generals taking the field, as many would expect in mid-June,
At The Plate: H&M Company, Inc.
The H&M logo lines the tops of the dugouts and fills the on-deck circles at the The Ballpark at Jackson. Since near the beginning of the franchise, H&M Company, Inc. has served as one of the Generals longest-standing community partners in helping bring professional baseball to the city of Jackson.
A June Update From The Jackson Generals
As the days begin to feel more like summer, all of us at the Jackson Generals truly miss welcoming our fans into The Ballpark at Jackson, and coming together to enjoy our great game. We have the baseball itch, and we know you do too. We hear from our fans
The Ballpark at Jackson to Host High School Baseball Tournaments
JACKSON, TN - Baseball is set to make its return to The Ballpark at Jackson, as the Jackson Generals announced Monday a partnership with Net Elite Baseball and Pastime Tournaments, which will bring high school tournaments to town over the summer. Tournament dates range from June 11th through August 2nd,
The Ballpark at Jackson to Host Fathers & Fireworks Event
The Generals have announced the first ever Fathers and Fireworks event, scheduled for Saturday, June 20th at The Ballpark at Jackson. Celebrate the weekend with dad, or bring the whole family, to enjoy this unique Ballpark viewing experience. Tickets to the event are just $5 per person, and will reserve
Generals Open Gates For Local Graduation Ceremonies
As the public health risk escalated through March and April, thousands of Tennessee seniors nearing the finish line of their high school journey were left in limbo. After four laborious years, the chances of a traditional graduation were slim, and school officials were left seeking alternatives. “We started tossing ideas
Southern League Announces Cancelation of All-Star Events in Jackson
JACKSON, TN – The Jackson Generals, in accordance with the Southern League, announced on Monday the cancelation of the 2020 Southern League Home-Run Derby and All-Star Game due to the global coronavirus pandemic. The Ballpark of Jackson was set to host the annual showcase on June 22-23, for the first
Generals and RIFA Pack Meals For Jackson Community
The Jackson Generals spent the week teaming up with the Regional Inter-Faith Association, helping pack snack backpacks and provide meals to the Jackson community. RIFA is a local faith-based organization that has been helping curb hunger throughout the city since its founding in 1976. Volunteer Coordinator Dan Ward says that
Changeup: A Conversation With Jackson Generals Co-Owner David Freeman
As the calendar turned to 2020, there was fervent anticipation for the 23rd season of professional baseball in Jackson. In a year celebrating the tenth anniversary since the renaming of the franchise, the Jackson Generals had sights set on winning a third straight Southern League title and their fourth in
Generals Official Statement on COVID-19 and FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions Q: Is your office open? A: As of May 1st, our offices are now open to the public Monday-Friday from 9 am-5 pm. The Generals Team Store is also open for in-person sales M-F from 9 am-4 pm. All Generals staff have been instructed to adhere to
A May Update From The Jackson Generals
All of us at the Jackson Generals want to sincerely thank our outstanding fans and partners for your patience as we navigate these unprecedented months, and wait for a picture of what baseball may look like in 2020. We miss the warming days of April spent at a ballgame, the
Single-Game, All-Star and Home Run Derby Tickets Now On-Sale
JACKSON, TN - Single-game, All-Star, and Home-Run Derby tickets are now available for purchase online ahead of the Generals 2020 season. The Generals schedule features 12 fun-filled Saturday nights, the return of the ever-affordable Dollar Thursdays presented by Leaders Credit Union, plus can't-miss All-Star events June 22-23. Tickets start as low