Omaha Storm Chasers

We have a league! We have a schedule! We have a coaching staff!

The Storm Chasers first game back at Werner Park is less than 50 days away! On a jam-packed episode of The StormCast, Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone break down the 2021 schedule, discuss Omaha's new opponents in the Triple-A East, and introduce the members of the Chasers' coaching staff. Plus, a conversation with Storm Chasers president Martie Cordaro about the excitement building for home opener on April 13th, the organization's long-standing partnership with the Royals, and more!

Full episode breakdown:

• introduction to the 2021 schedule (2:33)
• breakdown of the teams in the newly-formed Triple-A East (9:51)
• historical ties between Omaha and its various opponents in the Triple-A East (14:00)
• CONVERSATION WITH MARTIE  (26:33-45:06)
• on Omaha's long-standing partnership with Kansas City (27:37)
• COVID protocol hurdles for 2021 (29:09)
• the Storm Chasers 42 total games, and 24 home games, against Iowa (31:49)
• expectations for daily promotions (34:14)
• timetable to game times to be announced (35:44)
• potential promotions/giveaways for 2021 (36:29)
• travel adjustments (38:25)
• familiarity of the coaching staff (40:28)
• potential for Royals top prospects in Omaha, as well as other AL Central prospects from other teams (41:41)
• Jake and Tony introduce the new Royals affiliates, Quad Cities and Columbia (47:25)
• the uniqueness of Omaha's long relationship with Kansas City (52:56)
• an introduction to the 2021 coaching staff (54:54)
• answer to last episode's trivia question (1:04)
• new trivia question (1:07)

TRIVIA QUESTION: Which was the most recent International League team that Omaha faced?

Be sure to stay up to date with the Storm Chasers on social media by following the team on Twitter (@OMAStormChasers), Instagram (@omahastormchasers) and Facebook (Omaha Storm Chasers). Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show! Share any comments or questions via email to [email protected]. 

On this episode of The StormCast, Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone chat with former Omaha Royals radio voice Frank Adkisson! He shares stories and memories from his tenure as the franchise's broadcaster from 1988-1997, including tales of the 1990 Triple-A title run, when the O-Royals bullpen ordered a mid-game pizza, Deion Sanders' inside-the-park home run at Rosenblatt Stadium, the team bus accidentally taking the team to a New Orleans aquarium, and more!  

Prior to their conversation with Frank, Jake and Tony talk about Jake's move to Omaha, his drive across the country, and finally being in the same time zone.

Inside the conversation with Frank Adkisson (6:16-46:29):

• arriving in Omaha in 1988 (7:03)
• memories from the division title teams of '88, '89, and '90 (12:31)
• traveling to places east of Omaha during the Triple-A Alliance days (14:50)
• the 1990 title team and the 20-inning marathon game in the 1990 American Association Championship Series (16:12)
• his favorite road cities (19:14)
• what Mike Jirshele was like as a player and the time he pitched in a save situation (20:48)
• Harold Reynolds' arrival in Omaha (23:07)
• Luis Aquino's no-hitter, the most recent nine-inning no-hitter in franchise history (25:44)
• the time the O-Royals bullpen ordered a mid-game pizza (28:14)
• being in the booth during the OJ Simpson car chase (35:38)
• advice for Jake as the new radio voice (42:54)
• erroneously going to a New Orleans aquarium (44:35)

Afterward, Jake and Tony discuss former Chasers to earn non-roster invites to Royals Spring Training. Finally, Tony answers the trivia question from our last episode (54:55) and shares a new one (57:11).

Trivia Question: How many league titles has the Omaha franchise won between its time in the American Association and the Pacific Coast League?

Be sure to stay up to date with the Storm Chasers on social media by following the team on Twitter (@OMAStormChasers), Instagram (@omahastormchasers) and Facebook (Omaha Storm Chasers). Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show! Share any comments or questions via email to [email protected]. 

On this episode of The StormCast, Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone welcome Baseball America Senior Editor Josh Norris! Josh talks about the recently released Baseball America Top 100 Prospects List, the four Royals prospects on the list (Bobby Witt Jr. - 16, Daniel Lynch -25, Asa Lacy - 37, and Jackson Kowar - 95), other names to keep an eye on in the Royals system, and more! 

Prior to their conversation with Josh, Jake and Tony give an update on past/present Chasers playing winter ball, including one who won a league title in Nicaragua and a fan-favorite with a chance to hoist a trophy in Venezuela.

Inside the conversation with Josh Norris (7:01-40:08):

• the process behind creating the Top 100 prospects list (7:32)
• the change in the process without a 2020 Minor League season (8:42)
• how league executives and scouts impact the list (10:17)
• why Bobby Witt Jr. is a special player (12:10)
• an overview of the Royals' farm system (13:42)
• similarities between this generation of Royals prospects and the Blue Wave of last decade (15:52)
• why you should keep an eye on Kyle Isbel (16:30)
• Royals prospects outside the Top 100, but in the conversation (18:42)
• the timelines for Asa Lacy and Daniel Lynch (20:25)
• how the scouting grade system works (22:09) 
• expectations for Jackson Kowar (23:59)
• potential Top 100 prospects to play for the Chasers in 2021 (30:22)
• what to expect when it comes to initial Minor League assignments in 2021 (31:54)
• international signee Daniel Vasquez and the track record of international shortstop prospects (36:24)
• what Josh is most looking forward to about being back at a ballpark (38:18)

Afterward, Tony answers the trivia question from our last episode (43:09) and shares a new on (44:10), while Jake shares some exciting news (45:03)

Trivia Question: Bobby Witt Jr. is the 16th-ranked prospect in Baseball America's Top 100. Before him, who was the most recent Royals position player prospect to be ranked among the Baseball America Top 100 prospects?

Be sure to stay up to date with the Storm Chasers on social media by following the team on Twitter (@OMAStormChasers), Instagram (@omahastormchasers) and Facebook (Omaha Storm Chasers). Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show! Share any comments or questions via email to [email protected]. 

Welcome to the first episode of The StormCast in 2021! To kick off the new year, Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone welcome Jake Kalish, who's been a stalwart member of the Omaha Storm Chasers pitching staff since he made his Triple-A debut in 2017. 

Inside the conversation with Jake Kalish (5:41-42:44):

• what he's been up to since the 2020 "season" ended (5:52)
• how the lack of reps in 2020 will affect player's careers (6:39)
• if he ever got the chance to hit at the Alternate Site since he was a two-way player in college at George Mason (8:17)
• how he learned to switch-hit (10:10)
• the process of increasing his velocity this offseason (14:52)
• the importance of mechanics and optimizing "pelvic velocity" (16:40)
• memories from his experience playing for Team Israel in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and why he looks up to Jason Marquis (23:37)
• Cody Decker's "Mensch on the Bench" mascot doll (24:32)
• the time Jason Marquis visited his elementary school (26:19)
• out-dueling Clayton Kershaw in Oklahoma City in 2017 (28:12)
• what he loves about Omaha (34:17)
• favorite Omaha jersey (35:43)
• Runza vs. Wawa (36:22)
• go-to food spots in Omaha (38:00)

Afterward, Tony answers the trivia question from our last episode (44:35) and shares a new on (46:16).

Trivia Question: Jake Kalish threw seven shutout innings against Oklahoma City the night he out-dueled Clayton Kershaw. Who was the Omaha pitcher who threw the final two innings of that game?

Be sure to stay up to date with the Storm Chasers on social media by following the team on Twitter (@OMAStormChasers), Instagram (@omahastormchasers) and Facebook (Omaha Storm Chasers). Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show! Share any comments or questions via email to [email protected]. 

On the final episode of The StormCast in 2020, Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone welcome Clint Scoles, who's been writing about the Kansas City Royals organization and prospects at Royals Academy for the last 10 years. His coverage includes prospect guides, rankings, draft reviews, interviews with players and front office members, and more.

Before their conversation with Clint, Jake and Tony take a look back at the previous episodes in 2020 and pick their favorites! You can find the full archive here.

Inside the conversation with Clint Scoles (6:51 - 36:15):

• assessing the Royals player development over the last decade (7:05)
• why the Royals need to draft well (8:26)
• Clint Scoles' Top 50 prospects (12:32)
• why he's high on Jonathan Heasley (14:18)
• takeaways from the 2020 season (16:04)
• how the lack of a minor league season will affect development (18:39)
• discussing the Royals recent free agent signings (22:58)
• LIDOM postgame celebrations (28:05) 
• Royals prospects like Franchy Cordero, Khalil Lee, etc. playing winter ball (28:48)
• Erick Peña's comparison to Carlos Beltran (30:57)
• Bobby Witt Jr.'s potential to be a superstar (32:57)
• what we miss most about going to a ballgame (35:19)  

Afterward, Tony answers the trivia question from our last episode (41:08) and shares a new on (42:17).

Trivia Question: Name the two Kansas City Royals first round draft picks in the last decade that have played on Opening Day and the years they were in the Opening Day lineup.

Be sure to stay up to date with the Storm Chasers on social media by following the team on Twitter (@OMAStormChasers), Instagram (@omahastormchasers) and Facebook (Omaha Storm Chasers). Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show! Share any comments or questions via email to [email protected]. 

Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone welcome Storm Chasers Vice President/General Manager Laurie Schlender (4:18) to The StormCast! She shares the background of her career with the Omaha franchise, including becoming the highest-ranking female in the organization's history in 2011, getting recognized with the Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year Award in 2017, and earning a promotion to General Manager in 2019. Laurie also discusses what she misses most about baseball, the importance of the #ChasersFamily, and mystery boxes! 

Inside the conversation: 

• the virtual roundtable with fellow female MiLB executives hosted by Kelsie Heneghan of MiLB.com in late November (5:30)
• the differences between an MLB GM and an MiLB GM (7:09)
• how the environment in Omaha has encouraged staff growth (9:08)
• her journey from part-time CPA in the early 2000s to GM (12:02)
• why it's important to step out of your comfort zone, especially in Minor League Baseball (17:47)
• winning the Rawlings Award and why it's bittersweet (19:48)
• the trials and tribulations of her first season as GM in 2020 (22:17)
• fan experience and safety in 2021 (28:00)
• what she missed most in 2020 (30:06)
• the birth of the #ChasersFamily theme (31:43)
• the Storm Chasers Jingle Contest (35:05)
• Storm Chasers Mystery Boxes (36:27)
• looking back on 2020 years from now (39:54)
• Rosenblatt Stadium memories and why she'll never do a full-size bat giveaway (42:01)

Also, Tony shares the answer to last episode's trivia question (50:33) and challenges everyone with a new one (54:08).

Trivia Question: How many female general managers are there in the Pacific Coast League?

Be sure to stay up to date with the Storm Chasers on social media by following the team on Twitter (@OMAStormChasers), Instagram (@omahastormchasers) and Facebook (Omaha Storm Chasers). Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show! Share any comments or questions via email to [email protected]. 

On this episode of The StormCast, Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone catch up with MiLB.com senior writer Ben Hill! He shares his experiences traveling around the country visiting every minor league ballpark, his memories of trips to Omaha in 2010 and 2015, meeting fans thanks to his “Designated Eater” program, his thoughts on wacky team names and zany promotions, and more! Plus, a trivia question about a former major leaguer with Nebraska ties. Enjoy!

Inside our conversation with Ben:
- what he's been covering in the absence of a season (3:31)
- how Minor League Baseball is a reflection of America (6:51)
- how teams will recover from a lack of success (8:40)
- what he loves about Minor League Baseball (10:45)
- how he carved this career path (12:04)
- memories of visiting Omaha for the last game at Rosenblatt Stadium and again in 2015 (13:48)
- managing Celiac disease on road trips (16:27)
- the "Designated Eater" program (18:14)
- collections of Minor League "stuff" (21:55)
- pit stops and road trips in travels (24:37)
- completing his quest to visit every active ballpark in 2018 (27:07)
- the Storm Chasers nickname and other team names (29:51)
- being a part of the 50 Summers documentary (37:31)

After our conversation with Ben, Tony delivers the answer to last episode's trivia question (46:24) before challenging us with a new question (47:50).

Trivia question: Who is the only player in Major League history to win a Gold Glove as an infielder AND as an outfielder?

Be sure to stay up to date with the Storm Chasers on social media by following the team on Twitter (@OMAStormChasers), Instagram (@omahastormchasers) and Facebook (Omaha Storm Chasers). Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show! Share any comments or questions via email to [email protected]. 

Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone welcome Storm Chasers manager Brian Poldberg (4:00) to the podcast! While there wasn't a 2020 Minor League season for Brian Poldberg to manage, he still found himself working with Kansas City Royals minor leaguers and high-profile prospects at the Royals' Alternate Training Site in Kansas City, Kansas. 

Our conversation includes:

• what Poldberg did during unexpected time off in April and May (5:38)
• what he was most excited about ahead of the 2020 season (6:17)
• when he got the call to run the Royals' Alternate Training Site (8:34) and what the day-to-day operations were like
• his excitement about high-profile pitching prospects like Daniel Lynch and Jackson Kowar (11:29)
• comparing the current Royals prospects to previous periods of success (12:54)  
• what makes Bobby Witt Jr. so impressive and where he could start the 2021 season (13:26)
• under-the-radar players at the Alternate Training Site (16:53)
• impact of the lack of actual game competition in 2020 (21:15)
• getting to know players and building a rapport (24:06)
• watching former players like Whit Merrifield have success (29:01)
• memories of watching games at Rosenblatt Stadium as a kid (30:20)
• what it's like managing his hometown team (32:04)
• reminiscing on the Storm Chasers 2014 Triple-A title run (36:12)
• facing Randy Johnson in the minor leagues (37:25)
• favorite road cities in the Pacific Coast League (38:41)
• best place for a meal in Omaha (39:29)

Following the conversation, Tony answers last episode's trivia question 
(47:45) before wrapping up the show with a new trivia question (50:24). 

Trivia question: In what organization did Brian Poldberg make his professional debut as a player?

Be sure to stay up to date with the Storm Chasers on social media by following the team on Twitter (@OMAStormChasers), Instagram (@omahastormchasers) and Facebook (Omaha Storm Chasers). Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show! Share any comments or questions via email to [email protected]. 

Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone welcome former Omaha Storm Chasers and current Kansas City Royals outfielder Nick Heath (2:53) to the podcast! 

In addition to the inside scoop on what Nick has been binge-watching since the offseason started (3:30), the conversation includes:

• how it feels to officially be a big leaguer (5:26)
• what Nick was doing when he got the call that he was headed to The Show (6:04)
• the first thing he did after he got "the call" (7:43)
• memories of his first appearance in the big leagues (11:16)
• the amount of unread messages Nick had waiting for him after his debut (12:56)
• conversations with and support from teammates like Bubba Starling and Whit Merrifield after debuting (15:18)
• why Danny Duffy made his rookie experience so special (19:07)
• Danny Duffy's enormous hat size (19:32)
• last year's close-knit team in Northwest Arkansas (21:50)
• friendly competition with Khalil Lee for the stolen base crown (23:20)
• why stolen bases are important in modern baseball (27:05)
• where he keeps the ball from his first hit (29:31)
• offseason goals (32:25)
• facing Royals up-and-coming pitchers at the Alternate Training Site (33:05)
• watching Brett Phillips and his dance moves in the MLB postseason (39:19)
• being a good teammate (40:34)
• live at-bats against Trevor Bauer in Arizona (44:25)
• visiting the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum with Bobby Witt Jr. in July (47:08)
• wearing Kansas City Monarchs jerseys (49:20)
• favorite Royals and Storm Chasers uniforms (49:51)  

Following the conversation, Tony answers last episode's trivia question 
(52:39) before wrapping up the show with a new trivia question (53:48). 

Trivia question: In what round of the 2016 MLB Draft did the Kansas City Royals select Nick Heath?

Be sure to stay up to date with the Storm Chasers on social media by following the team on Twitter (@OMAStormChasers), Instagram (@omahastormchasers) and Facebook (Omaha Storm Chasers). Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show! Share any comments or questions via email to [email protected]. 

Jake Eisenberg and Tony Boone welcome former Omaha Storm Chasers and current Kansas City Royals outfielder Nick Heath (2:53) to the podcast! 

In addition to the inside scoop on what Nick has been binge-watching since the offseason started (3:30), the conversation includes:

• how it feels to officially be a big leaguer (5:26)
• what Nick was doing when he got the call that he was headed to The Show (6:04)
• the first thing he did after he got "the call" (7:43)
• memories of his first appearance in the big leagues (11:16)
• the amount of unread messages Nick had waiting for him after his debut (12:56)
• conversations with and support from teammates like Bubba Starling and Whit Merrifield after debuting (15:18)
• why Danny Duffy made his rookie experience so special (19:07)
• Danny Duffy's enormous hat size (19:32)
• last year's close-knit team in Northwest Arkansas (21:50)
• friendly competition with Khalil Lee for the stolen base crown (23:20)
• why stolen bases are important in modern baseball (27:05)
• where he keeps the ball from his first hit (29:31)
• offseason goals (32:25)
• facing Royals up-and-coming pitchers at the Alternate Training Site (33:05)
• watching Brett Phillips and his dance moves in the MLB postseason (39:19)
• being a good teammate (40:34)
• live at-bats against Trevor Bauer in Arizona (44:25)
• visiting the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum with Bobby Witt Jr. in July (47:08)
• wearing Kansas City Monarchs jerseys (49:20)
• favorite Royals and Storm Chasers uniforms (49:51)  

Following the conversation, Tony answers last episode's trivia question 
(52:39) before wrapping up the show with a new trivia question (53:48). 

Trivia question: In what round of the 2016 MLB Draft did the Kansas City Royals select Nick Heath?

Be sure to stay up to date with the Storm Chasers on social media by following the team on Twitter (@OMAStormChasers), Instagram (@omahastormchasers) and Facebook (Omaha Storm Chasers). Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show! Share any comments or questions via email to [email protected].