Boys of summer...Desert edition

It was Jim Murray, the late sports columnist of the Los Angeles Times, who once suggested "if baseball isn't a business, then General Motors is a sport."

It's a notion that Andrew Starke is not about to dispute as he orchestrates the final touches for the Palm Spring Power's 2005 season opener

For the 25-year-old former Mercer University All-American, a job connected to baseball is a slam-dunk labor of love.

"This is a chance to stay involved with the game and be around young people who are energetic about playing baseball," Starke said during an interview in his sparsely furnished office at Palm Springs Stadium last week. "I enjoy a job like this rather than something where you sit at a desk in a cubicle from 9 to 5 every day."

Starke launched his entrepreneurial venture more than a year ago. It was a decision based on a gut feeling that the Coachella Valley provided a good venue for a baseball team of college players who were keen to be part of a summer league. Starke figured this area had an untapped fan base, a suitable ballpark and a need for additional summer entertainment.

"We've been well-received by the valley. And I feel the first season was only the tip of the iceberg," said Starke, a Houston native who received his bachelor's degree from Mercer University in 2002. "Last year, our costs were over $150,000, but we more or less broke even. The goal long-term though is to make a profit."

That's the business aspect of Starke's labor of love. And as the sole investor, he's the only one directly impacted by the bottom line.

"What I bring to the table is a background in the game, which helps me evaluate the baseball side of things, and a passion to succeed," said Starke. "I have a lot of enthusiasm, which I think is important for anyone in a leadership position because it should rub off on others. I wore an awful lot of hats in our first season. There's nothing I would ask someone to do that I haven't done, or wouldn't do, myself. I don't mind working hard."

A workaholic with sort of a flair for driving nails with a velvet hammer, Starke credits his parents for instilling that mentality at an early age. He landed his first job of walking neighbors' dogs at the age of 10 and later built a mowing business into a 30-lawn operation by the time he was a senior in high school.

His office under the grandstand at the stadium is anointed with memorabilia that suggests its occupant has an ongoing love affair with baseball. A bookshelf is cluttered with framed photos and game balls. But there's only one piece of framed art on the walls. Titled "Between the Lines," it includes a reproduction of some obscure ballpark somewhere. Below that is a freeverse poem about "becoming a legend when you step between the lines of a ballfield." About being a "catalyst of tradition, striving to measure up to heroes past and present." It ends with an impactful message about those who step between the lines "becoming members of an elite group; the boys of summer."

"I saw it in a store in Orange County," said Starke. "Had to have it. I just really like the message about the game."

Starke's team is coming off an inaugural campaign that produced considerably more wins (36) than losses (23), plus a creditable showing (among the final eight) at the National Baseball Congress (NBC) Tournament in Wichita, Kan. Three 2004 players with local connections - Tommy Foschi (La Quinta High School), Rego Nieto (La Quinta High School) and Fred Carron (College of the Desert) - are back. The balance of the 2005 roster is comprised of college athletes with remaining eligibility. Thus, they will remain amateur athletes who can't be compensated for playing baseball here this summer - a condition that keeps the Power's overhead down.

"But the talent level is dramatically higher on this roster," said Starke, who legally can help players by finding part-time jobs for them and host families willing to provide room and board. "We have a number of players with prior success on the field."

The team's new manager is Estevan Valencia, a Banning resident whose baseball resume includes the Northwoods League (a Midwest-based summer league) and current status as an assistant coach for the University of California-Riverside. His top assistant is Herb Claggett, longtime head coach at Palm Springs High School and an assistant at College of the Desert this spring.

Starke said this year's promotional package again will include fireworks and on-field contests for fans. The Power also has partnered with local nonprofit organizations in ticket sales for the team's 31 home dates. A nonprofit can pocket $2 from each $5 ticket sold. Marketing also figures to be enhanced by a TV package in which Time Warner Cable will show 16 home games on Channel 10.

"The hookup with the nonprofits generates revenue for them and attendance for us," said Starke. "Plus we believe they'll come back. The overall theme is family entertainment. Come out and have fun at the ballpark. If anybody comes to a game and doesn't get their money's worth, I'll give them a full refund."

Palm Springs Mayor Ron Oden credits Starke for "bringing baseball back to the valley in a big way."

"They had a winning record and did well in the National Baseball Congress World Series," said Oden. "That's quite an accomplishment for your first season. This is affordable family fun. Kids bring their gloves to the ballpark. We had 3,300 fans at the first game - in June in the desert. You have to say we have baseball fever. Palm Springs is known for many things. And now we're back on the baseball map; thanks to Andrew Starke."

Starke said advertising was the top revenue producer in 2004, followed by ticket sales, concessions and merchandise sales. With nonprofits involved this season, he expects ticket revenue to increase.

"It costs us $500 to $750, including the lights, to rent the stadium for a home date," Starke said. "And there's also staffing. We'll also spend about $10,000 on baseballs and bats. This is a wood-bat league. That means broken bats that have to be replaced." A return trip to the NBC's big dance in Wichita also would mean additional expenses - for transportation, lodging, food and uniform maintenance.

"It's my operation," said Starke. "I absorb the losses. But I came to the desert because I wanted to create something I could be proud of. The idea is to put a good product on the field, a hometown team that brings the whole valley together."

Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Janet Cook said the Power provides another entertainment outlet in the valley.

"I went to games last year. It's a good family atmosphere." said Cook. "They help set Palm Springs apart just like the art museum. But their appeal is valleywide. And they seem to be working hard to be good members of the whole community."

POWER SCHEDULE

7:05 p.m. starts unless noted

JUNE

June 3: Colorado Sox

June 4: Colorado Sox

June 5: Colorado Sox

June 7: at So. California Fire

June 8: So. California Fire

June 10: Casa Grande Cotton Kings

June 11: Casa Grande Cotton Kings

June 12: Casa Grande Cotton Kings, doubleheader, 4 p.m.

June 14: Denver Cougars

June 15: No. California Long Horns

June 17: Phoenix Blazers

June 18: Phoenix Blazers

June 19: Phoenix Blazers, doubleheader, 4 p.m.

June 22: So. California Glory

June 24: at Havasu Heat, doubleheader, 4 p.m.

June 25: at Havasu Heat, doubleheader, 4 p.m.

June 26: U.S. Military All-Stars

June 27: at Santa Barbara, 5 p.m.

June 28: at Santa Barbara, 5 p.m.

June 29: So. California Fire

JULY

July 1: Las Vegas Desert Devils, doubleheader, 4 p.m.

July 2: Las Vegas Desert Devils, doubleheader, 4 p.m.

July 6: Navy All-Stars

July 8: Las Vegas Team Famous, doubleheader, 4 p.m.

July 9: Las Vegas Team Famous

July 10: Las Vegas Team Famous, doubleheader, 4 p.m.

July 14-17: Pacific Southwest League Tournament, TBA

July 19: At Southern California Fire

July 20: Inland Empire Rockets

July 22: U.S. Marine team

July 23: North County Waves

July 24: U.S. Air Force team

July 26: Langley Blaze (Canada)

July 27: Langley Blaze (Canada)

THE LEAGUE PACIFIC SOUTHWEST LEAGUE

Palm Springs Power

Phoenix Blazers

Casa Grande Cotton Kings

Lake Havasu Heat

Las Vegas Team Famous

Las Vegas Desert Devils