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• 'They need help right now'

• Tokay High graduate Lacey Herman stars in faith-based film

• Herald residents worried about gravel mining proposal

• Flag City Starbucks slated for shutdown

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• Regional Roundup

February 8th, 2010

• Public Meetings

• Locals pick best, most memorable Super Bowl commercials

• Regional Roundup

February 6th, 2010

• The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch

• Meet Larry, Curly and Moe

• Baboon business

• Regional Roundup

• Several Lodi venues let you watch the Super Bowl in style

• Lodi Library celebrates 100 years of serving the community

• Culinary craft

February 5th, 2010

• Kids, teachers help Haiti by collecting pennies for Learning Link

• Lodi, Galt students reach out to help Haiti earthquake survivors

• Tasered suspect claims he is Yosemite Sam

• Hours of sweat and work go into putting on crab feeds

• Things looking up for state's real estate

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• Stray bullet strikes Lodi home; police suspect gang activity may be factor

February 4th, 2010

• Managers at Geweke Toyota answer questions about recall

• Lodi City Council votes to replace play structure at Century Park

• Lodi extends ban on pot shops for another year

• Mokelumne River triathlon set for June

• Family, friends to run half-marathon in memory of Galt family

February 3rd, 2010

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• Delta College trustees again collide over stipend committee

• Lodi-area senators Dave Cox, Lois Wolk admit to gifts; Tom Berryhill case pending

• Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts

• Galt City Council avoids budget cuts — for now

• New Lodi Memorial Hospital emergency room opens to the public without a hitch

• Bad bugs, weeds are hot topics at Grape Day

February 2nd, 2010

• Big rig plows 7 cars

• Local business leaders say tourism, Costco, Home Depot may play roles in city's future

• Former Lodian Erica Davis is first paraplegic woman to summit Kilimanjaro

• Jumpers across California

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• No snow leopards, otters for Micke Grove

• McNerney leads in campaign cash

• Police: Train victim was a Lodi teen

February 1st, 2010

• Find cuddly alpacas not too far from Lodi

• Public Meetings

• Patients can expect faster, better service when Lodi Memorial Hospital's new emergency room opens

• Man killed by Amtrak train in Lodi

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• Will terrorists be given Miranda warnings? (72)
• President Obama's first year (67)
• Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts (64)
• Local business leaders say tourism, Costco, Home Depot may play roles in city's future (60)
• Islamic symbol in mosaic — what is all the fuss? (49)
• Writer comments on Neely column (42)
• The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch (41)
• Many reject the politics of 'no' (37)
• Police: Train victim was a Lodi teen (31)
• We need to conduct respectful conversations (30)

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GrapeSox owner Stevie Mac prefers 'hands on' method

After throwing out the first pitch at the recent Sierra Baseball League All-Star Game at Zupo Field, Lodi Grape Sox owner Stevie Mac settled into his usual nine-inning routine.

Constantly on the move during a game, Mac stops to chat with the fans in their seats, rubs elbows with the players and coaches, checks in with the press box and runs a tight ship with his vendors and staff to make sure everyone gets the thrill of a fun night at the ballpark.

This entire summer collegiate baseball league enterprise, from the founding of the SBL and the Grape Sox and the purchasing of the San Luis Obispo Blues, is Mac's creation, all the way from concept to actualization.

"I picked Lodi because I fell in love with the community and Tony Zupo Field. I believe this kind of team belongs in communities like Lodi. I think people here love this style of baseball," Mac said. "These players are the future pro stars of tomorrow, and I am so excited about how good this team has turned out. Lodi is a great place for this franchise and our kids love playing in Lodi."

Mac, 49, is the former host of a sports talk show called "Stevie Mac's Sports Attack" which aired on ESPN Radio until he sold the show to concentrate on developing the SBL concept.

Stevie Mac poses in front of the San Luis Obispo Blues' home ballpark during a recent contest. Mac quit his job as a sports radio talk show host to focus on conceiving and managing the new Sierra Baseball League and his ownership of the first year Lodi GrapeSox. (Courtesy photo)

"I got my start in sports talk radio. One thing led to another, and before you know it I had my own show for 12 years. I sold the show in January because of the league," Mac said. "There are times when I do miss it full time and sometimes I do a special show on ESPN radio. But, for the most part, it was a lot of fun."

According to Mac, starting the SBL was the fulfillment of many dreams, but was really the vision of two people.

"A legendary baseball coach named Phil Swimley and myself felt there was a need for a true 'Super League' in California, and this first year has been very rewarding," said Mac. "It has worked out very nicely for many teams and fans in cities just like Lodi." Still, despite the presence of hometown players like All-Star center fielder Matt Fuson, who prepped at Lodi High and Tokay High products, pitcher Andrew Troncale and infielder Steven Malcolm, Mac does not believe the Grape Sox have reached their full potential in the community.

"I don't think we have done a very good job of marketing the team. There are still a lot of people in Lodi that don't even know that we have a team. But there is no question that the team is good for Lodi and Lodi is very good for the team," Mac said. "The enterprise itself is very exciting, and I believe the community, as a whole, those who do know about our club, like the quality of players that we put on the field." Mac acknowledges that initially, some mistakes were made, but quickly rectified, thanks to his hands-on style of running the team operations.

"Well, it(being hands-on) actually was my style. I had someone else running my franchise in Lodi, but things were not getting done and the vision I had for the club was not being implemented by management," Mac said. "So it became evident that this particular operation needed more of a hands on approach, which I have provided only for the past three weeks. Quite frankly, if you don't watch a small operation like this carefully, things can get away from you quickly."

In spite of its first-year growing pains, Mac is quick to assure the GrapeSox fans of his loyalty and commitment to the community.

"We are so grateful to be here, and look forward to a bright and promising future here in Lodi," Mac said. "We have made some little mistakes that we need to fix in year two, but I am proud of our people for the quality of team we have brought to Lodi in year one."