Mitche Graf was recently named the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Short Season A; Northwest League) president of business operations, marking the experienced entrepreneur’s first role in baseball.
Graf comes to the job with a unique background, as he currently co-owns three businesses with his wife and has authored several books on business. He is now shifting his focus to baseball, as he assumed the president of business operations post with the Volcanoes earlier this month.
At the onset of his first season in baseball, Graf’s goals are to increase attendance and place an emphasis on a strong fan experience in just about every area of the operations at Volcanoes Stadium. More from the Statesman Journal:
Graf’s goal this season is an attendance figure of 110,000, which would be more than a 50 percent increase from 2018.
So how does he plan to get there?
Graf’s first priority is to establish a “six-star experience” for fans that includes “a smile at every turn, concession lines at lightning speed and entertainment value that is unsurpassed.”
The words “six-star experience” instead of the familiar five-star rating system provides a window into Graf’s thought process.
“You always hear people say five-star,” Graf said. “I wanna go beyond that.”
The Volcanoes published a press release on January 3 to announce Graf’s hiring. “We are excited to have Mitche join our front office staff and guide our Team into the future,” Volcanoes owner Jerry Walker said in the press statement. “Mitche has an extensive track record of success and a passion for the business. He cares about people – our fans, our marketing partners, and our employees. He and his family have attended many Volcanoes’ games and his goal is to make Volcanoes Baseball the Best it can be.”