Editor’s note: This is the first story in a four-part series profiling minor league baseball squads in the state. This week’s focus is on the Traverse City Beach Bums. Next, we’ll take a look at the Lansing Lugnuts. If you miss any of the stories, check out our Web site at www.candgnews. com.

By Jon Malavolti
C & G Sports Writer

TRAVERSE CITY — There’s one baseball stadium where you can call the players “bums” and they won’t mind.

That’s because they are.

Welcome to Wuerfel Park, home of the Traverse City Beach Bums.

The independent professional baseball Frontier League minor league squad, now in its third year of existence, plays its home games just a short drive from the popular tourist destination — known mostly for its beaches and golf courses; but, if you’re headed to Traverse City this summer and you’re a baseball fan, a day trip to see the Bums in action is a must.

Wow factor
Imagine if Churchill Downs was redesigned with some Cape Cod flair in mind.

That’s one way to describe the exterior of the park, which was built to resemble one of the beach resort hotels that dot the shoreline of cities like Traverse City.

Leslye Wuerfel, the general manager and chief financial officer of the Beach Bums, says there’s a simpler term used by fans to describe the interior of the stadium when they enter for the first time — “wow.”

“You walk in right behind home plate, and there’s a huge ‘wow’ factor,” she said. “We hear that over and over again.”

Season-ticket holder and Traverse City resident Karen Lundy said Wuerfel Park was among her favorites of the dozen or so stadiums she’s visited.

“You just see it, and it’s like ‘wow,’” Lundy said. “I think they did a good job. I don’t think there’s a bad spot to sit. They knew what they were doing —they went to other parks and took the best of them all, I think.”

While the players spend most of their time down on the field, most have been around enough to recognize the park’s appeal.

“This is definitely a top-notch facility,” said outfielder Mike Epping, who hails from Oklahoma City. “This is right up there with any minor league park you’ll see around. It’s amazing.”

The majority owners, Leslye and John Wuerfel, and son, Jason, each brought a unique perspective to the drawing board back when they set their plans for constructing the stadium.

“John went at it because he’s a builder and said, ‘This is what I can do,’” Leslye said. “And I said, ‘Well, as a fan, I want to be able to see the game when I’m standing at concessions; I don’t want to have to go out of the ballpark. I don’t want to hear the fans cheering — I want to see what’s going on.

“And Jason came in from the player’s standpoint and said, ‘As a player, this is what would be sweet.’”

Planting the seed
Leslye’s and John’s interest in running a baseball team was sparked when Jason, who played at the University of Michigan, was playing on a team in Wisconsin. When the team went up for sale, they began negotiations with the owner, but he later decided he didn’t want to sell.

But that didn’t deter the Wuerfels from getting a team, as they eventually decided to start one in their hometown.

“We went (to Jason’s game) and it was just so much fun,” Leslye said. “I stood in line with the people, and I just saw how it brought the community together and said, ‘You know, this would be something really cool in Traverse City.”

They built the stadium, which opened in May 2006, on 26 acres about 10 minutes south of downtown Traverse City.

During construction, they dug down about 5 feet, so the field sits below the stands. The excess earth was used to create a hill used for lawn seating in the outfield.

For now, baseball is the main attraction at Wuerfel Park, but Leslye said that other events, like concerts, could be on the horizon.

Stars to come out
Wuerfel Park will hold at least one big event aside from the Beach Bums’ games this summer when it hosts the Frontier League All Star Game July 16. A home run derby and skills competition will take place the day before.

Meet the Bums
The Beach Bums’ roster is full of talented young players who have been drafted by Major League Baseball teams, and their approachability before and after games is one of the main reasons fans keep coming out.

“It’s family friendly, and the players are wonderful,” Lundy said. “They’re great with the kids. They’re more than willing to talk to you, get pictures and autographs, whatever.”

Hungry for entertainment
When hunger hits, the concession stands are packed with the usual fare of fan favorites, highlighted by some good-sized burgers fresh off the grill, foot-long hot dogs and a pair of ice cream shops with plenty of seating.

Ticket prices range from $6 to $10, and parking at the stadium will cost you $2.

There are several reasons to visit Wuerfel Park, but Leslye and the rest of the Beach Bums’ organization put fun at the top of the list.

“This is not the ballpark to come to if you’re real serious,” she said. “We want our players to have fun and showcase their talents, but we want the people to think baseball — with a smile on their face.