By David Saltzer, AngelsWin.com Senior Writer
If you want to see the Angels play, go to Anaheim. If you want to see where the Angels are made, go to Orem. That’s because almost every player in the Angels’ organization starts his career playing for legendary coach Tom Kotchman—the winningest coach in the Minor Leagues. It’s up to coach Kotchman to instill Angels’ baseball in all of his players and to develop their skills to meet the demands of the higher levels in the organization. As the plaque on the wall in the stadium attests, the Angels’ Major League roster is filled with former Owlz players.
Located about 650 miles from Orange County, the Rookie League Orem Owlz should be a destination that every Angels’ fan visits. Getting to the stadium is an easy drive up the I-15. There are many interesting and stops along the way, and plenty to do once there—making the trip ideal for either a long weekend or an extended stay.
Completed in 2005, Brent Brown Stadium (home of the Owlz) is located on the Utah Valley University Campus. The stadium provides beautiful views of the Wasatch mountain range, making afternoon games beautiful and sunsets spectacular. It is one of the nicest stadiums in the Pioneer League. The stadium is very family friendly, with an enclosed play area for kids. It also has plenty of fun places for younger adults, including grass seating.
Here, to tell us more about the stadium and team, is the Owlz General Manager, Jason Badell.
Jason Badell July 22, 2011 from AngelsWin.com on Vimeo.
AngelsWin.com recently visited the Orem Owlz to learn more about the stadium and to meet many of the newest members of the Angels’ organization—the draft class of 2011.
This year the Owlz are stacked with talent. On the team are three 1st round draft picks—C.J. Cron (2011), Kaleb Cowart (2010), and Taylor Lindsey (2010). The Owlz have pitching and hitting. Many players from the team have appeared on our weekly Hot Prospect Lists.
Here, to tell us more about the team and about his life as a Minor League announcer is Brandon Marcus, the Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations.
Brandon Marcus from AngelsWin.com on Vimeo.
Over the coming days, AngelsWin.com will be posting many interviews with the players and manager that were recorded during the visit with the Owlz. AngelsWin.com will be posting interviews from Tom Kotchman (Manager), C.J. Cron (DH/1B), Kaleb Cowart (3B), Frazier Hall (1B), Garrett Baker (LHP), Ryan Jones (OF), Taylor Lindsey (2B), Juan (Junior) Carlin (LHP), Abel Baker (C), Daniel Vargas-Vila (RHP), Nick Maronde (LHP), Trevor Hairgrove (SS), Shane Waller (RHP), and Logan Odom (LHP). We will also include an additional feature with an interview recorded with Joel Racker, the President and CEO of the Utah Valley Conventions and Visitors Bureau for fans interested in learning more about the area and for planning a trip up.
Keep logging onto www.angelswin.com for the latest interview from the Orem Owlz. We will publish one new interview each day Monday through Friday.
Here are some pictures I took while visiting the Orem Owlz with my family. Check out the last picture in the slide show which lists all of the former Angels' Minor Leaguers who played for the Owlz and graduated to the big leagues.
(This slideshow may not play in the latest version of Internet Explorer. For best results use Firefox or Google Chrome)
