5 SERIES PREVIEW JACK SNYDER TAKES
UNORDINARY ROUTE TO PRO BASEBALL
BY THE NUMBER
The Charleston RiverDogs come back from the all-star break to begin a crucial nine-game homestand against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and the Down East Wood Ducks. Myrtle Beach, an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, visits the Holy City for the first time since opening weekend of the 2022 season. This will be the fourth time these two teams face off against one another, with the Pelicans leading the overall season series 8-7. Coming out of the all-star break, the Pelicans are 59-28 (12-9 in the second half) and have already clinched a playoff berth, edging the RiverDogs by just one game. Led by Buddy Bailey, the Pelicans own the best overall record in all of Minor League Baseball. Coming into the homestand, they sit a game behind Columbia in the Carolina League South Division for the second half of the season. For the Pelicans, 2021 second round pick James Triantos is one of the most highly regarded prospects in the Cubs farm system at the third base position. Outfielder, Kevin Alcantara, the number four prospect in the Cubs organization, is another player to watch.
Down East, an affiliate of the Texas Rangers, will visit The Joe for the first time this season. It will be the second series overall between the Wood Ducks and RiverDogs, as the two teams split a six-game series at Down East back in June. In the second half of the Carolina League season, they sit at 12-8 (45-41 overall) and 2.5 games back of Fredericksburg in the Carolina League North Division as of July 22. The Wood Ducks are led by Steve Mintz, who was promoted to Manager after being the team’s pitching coach since 2017. As a team, the Wood Ducks lead all of minor league baseball with 204 stolen bases this season. Maximo Acosta is rated by MLB.com as the 12th best prospect in the Rangers farm system. He has 25 stolen bases this season and leads the team in doubles with 17. On the mound, LHP Mitch Bratt has led the staff with his 4-2 record and 1.81 ERA in 12 appearances (11 GS). The RiverDogs, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, open this nine-game homestand with a 56-30 record (10-10 in the second half). Led by Manager Blake Butera, the RiverDogs sit 2.5 games back of first place in the Carolina League South Division after falling just one game short of clinching a playoff berth in the first of the season. In the month of July, the RiverDogs have been led offensively by two top 10 prospects in Carson Williams and Willy Vasquez. After hitting three home runs in the last series against Lynchburg, Williams leads the team with 13 on the season. He leads all of the Carolina League in total bases as well as triples. In his last 15 games, Vasquez is hitting .393 with three home runs and 19 runs driven in. His batting average has risen almost 40 points in the month of July.
Friday, July 22, 7:05 pm: Friday Fireworks presented by REV Federal Credit Union/Boeing Red Shirt Friday: The RiverDogs will shine a spotlight on active duty and retired military members and their families, while the team wears their brand-new red alternates on the field. The red jerseys will be auctioned to fans at the end of the season. Following every Friday night contest make sure to stick around for the best fireworks show in the Lowcountry! Enjoy this week’s fireworks along with a soundtrack of country music hits to celebrate the 50th anniversary of 103.5 WEZL. Fridays are presented by 103.5 WEZL and Live 5 News.
Saturday, July 23, 6:05 pm: Post-Game UFO Launch on UFO Night/Saturdays Live at The Joe presented by Breeze Airways: Make sure to join us tonight for what is certain to be an out of this world experience. The RiverDogs have hit a few baseballs into another orbit over the course of the season, but we will send something else airborne after this game. Following the final out, fans will help us launch 2,000 UFO toys into the air above the ballpark in an extra-terrestrial display. In addition, the RiverDogs will take the field for second time this season as their alternate identity, the Boiled Peanuts! The team will tip their sweetgrass caps to South Carolina’s official state snack by wearing dark green uniforms with a peanut pattern on the sleeves. The cap features a peanut-patterned brim and the logo depicts a peanut relaxing in a boiling pot of water. Saturdays are presented by 92.5 Kickin’ Country, 101.7 Chuck FM and FOX 24.
Sunday, July 24, 5:05 pm: Plant Propagation Party/MUSC Health Family Sunday/Holy City Sunday: We planted the seeds for this game last season and it really started to grow on us. This idea stems from our deep-rooted desire to let our fans leave a game with something living and breathing. The solution: we’ll give you a pot, soil and a houseplant clipping and you do the rest. A green-thumb is not a requirement, just water it and watch the growth begin. The kids will love watching the fruits of their labor. We will also be joined by the RockNRoll Chorus for classic rock a cappella performances before the game and while kids run the bases post-game. Parking is free on every Sunday! Before, during and after each Sunday home game, we will make it all about the kids. From the video board, to between innings contests, and even the opportunity to run the bases, Sundays are sure to be a memorable day for the whole family. In addition, the team will be sporting their new Holy City uniforms. Sundays are presented by Mix 95.9, Star 99.7 and ABC News 4.
Tuesday, July 26, 7:05 p.m.: Dog Day presented by Twisted Tea: We hope to see you and your dog at the game on this night! The RiverDogs invite you to bring your pup to The Joe for each Tuesday home game this season. In addition, enjoy $2 hot dogs and beer as Twisted Tea adds a new twist to Tuesdays this season with goofy on-field games and fan-oriented fun throughout the game. Tuesday games are presented by 96.9 The Wolf.
Wednesday, July 27, 7:05 pm: Wicked Wednesday presented by Wicked Weed: Make sure to keep an eye out every Wednesday for a new wicked ticket deal. This week, we are offering $2 tickets for all seats in the upper and lower seating bowl with the code: STEAL. The Down East Wood Ducks are in town meaning this is a sweet deal to watch a rematch of the 2021 championship series.
Thursday, July 28, 7:05 pm: Sleigh Night with Santa Hat Giveaway/Thirsty Thursday presented by Budweiser: Let us bring a little holiday cheer to your summer on Sleigh Night! The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a RiverDogsthemed Santa hat. Think of this as Christmas in July for folks 21 and older. On another note, there is a reason that Thursday nights at The Joe provide one of the best atmospheres in Minor League Baseball. As always, $1 beers are available throughout the ballpark all night long. $4 well cocktails will also be available during “happy hour” from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Enjoy live music in the Ashley View Pub courtesy of DJ DollaMenu. Bottoms up! Thursdays are presented by 95sx.
Friday, July 29, 7:05 pm: Friday Fireworks presented by REV Federal Credit Union/Boeing Red Shirt Friday: The RiverDogs will shine a spotlight on active duty and retired military members and their families, while the team wears their brand-new red alternates on the field. The red jerseys will be auctioned to fans at the end of the season. For the second time in the homestand, stick around for an incredible display of post-game fireworks! Enjoy this week’s fireworks along with a soundtrack of 80s rock jams. Fridays are presented by 103.5 WEZL and Live 5 News.
Saturday, July 30, 6:05 pm: Anime Night/Saturdays Live at The Joe presented by Breeze Airways: Kamehameha!!! Grab your shuriken and help us take down our aite from Augusta on this night celebrating iconic Japanese animation. This game marks the return of another popular promotion from the 2021 slate. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a custom RiverDogs anime poster. We also encourage you to come dressed in cosplay. After the game, stick around for a light show featuring our LED ballpark lights! Saturdays are presented by 92.5 Kickin’ Country, 101.7 Chuck FM and FOX 24.
Sunday, July 31, 5:05 pm: Perros Santos de Charleston presented by MUSC Health/MUSC Health Family Sunday: We’ll suit up as Los Perros Santos de Charleston for the final time this season as part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión initiative. The game will feature a Spanish-speaking PA announcer, a kids craft table on the concourse and a variety of Latin hot dogs available in the concession stand, partnership with El Informador. In addition, Latina 95.5 & DJ Havana Santos will be on the concourse prior to the game. Parking is free on every Sunday! Before, during and after each Sunday home game, we will make it all about the kids. From the video board, to between innings contests, and even the opportunity to run the bases, Sundays are sure to be a memorable day for the whole family. Sundays are presented by Mix 95.9, Star 99.7 and ABC News 4.
Jack Snyder grew up on the southside of Chicago in the city of Mount Greenwood. It is a blue-collar town with a lot of construction workers and manual labor.
The youngest of three boys, his father is a policeman, and his mother lives about 20 minutes away. When he was not playing baseball, he and his brothers were playing some kind of sport. Everything was extremely competitive in their household between him and his older brothers, who did not make things easy on him.
“One time, we were playing football,” he said. “I started crying because I was bleeding, and they told me that NFL players would not cry, so I need to stop.”
It was his brothers that made him the competitor that he is. It was toughness that got him an offer to play Junior College baseball at Triton College in River Grove, Illinois and later, Western Carolina University, where he found success with the Catamounts, winning Pitcher of the Month in May 2021.
Despite his success at Western Carolina, Snyder was not able to get a professional contract with a Major League team last year. Instead, he signed with the Schaumburg Boomers of the Frontier League.
The Frontier League is a professional independent baseball league in the northeastern and midwestern United States. It is an MLB Partner League that takes undrafted college players as well as former prospects that were released by their organization.
The conditions are tough in this league, as each team has a salary cap of $85,000. The travel was difficult as well, as Snyder said that he would not even have a seat on the bus. He sat on the floor when the team travelled. He said that this was the best introduction to professional baseball that he could have had.
“The league is a lot better than people realize,” said Snyder. “The older players took me under their wing.”
He found success with the Boomers last year. In 14 appearances out of the bullpen, he went 2-1 with a 2.14 ERA and helped Schaumburg win the league championship.
Even though Snyder had a great experience in the Frontier League, the want to play in the Major Leagues was still there. Last offseason, his friend reached out to him and told him about Tread Athletics, a place where pitchers go to train.
There, Snyder got stronger, more mobile and gained velocity on his fastball. Tread also has a pro day every year, where Major League teams go to scout talent and sign free agents. Snyder felt like he had a good day, but there was something holding him back.”
“I was still under contract with Schaumburg,” said Snyder. “Teams were hesitant to sign me because there was a $10,000 buyout that they did not want to pay.”
There were still a couple of teams that were interested in Snyder, including the Seattle Mariners and his hometown team, the Chicago White Sox. The Diamondbacks also were so interested that they invited him out to Arizona to throw for them. Then, the Rays called.
“They told me that they liked me, but we are going to go into Spring Training and see what we have first and then call you in a few weeks,” he said. “I told them that there were a couple of teams that were interested in me, and a few hours later, they called me back with an offer.”
Snyder’s first taste in the minor leagues was not like many others. After two appearances in HighA Bowling Green, he was sent to Charleston, where things got interesting.
“This is a day that I will talk about for the rest of my life,” said Snyder. “If I am a coach, I am telling this story when somebody talks about how tired they are.”
At 9:30 a.m. on April 23, Snyder got a call that he was being sent to Charleston. This is where things got interesting. He drove about an hour to the Nashville Airport, where he flew to Charlotte, NC.
After that, there was a two-hour delay. Then, after the delay, he flew from Charlotte to Lynchburg, VA. From there, the team bus picked him up and took him to Salem, where the RiverDogs were playing the Red Sox.
Around the eighth inning, Snyder arrived, got his uniform on, did his drills and went out to the bullpen, where he was told by Pitching Coach R.C. Lichtenstein that he was coming in the next inning.
“I got about five warm up pitches, and they asked me if I was good to go,” he said. “At this point, yes; I am ready to go.”
After being called in from the bullpen, all Snyder did was pitch the final 1.2 innings of the ball game, giving up no runs, hits or walks and struck out four batters: An unforgettable day.
The success has continued for Snyder throughout this season for the RiverDogs. He has been one of the team’s best pitchers out of the bullpen. As of July 21, he is 6-0 with a 3.66 ERA with five saves in 21 games.
For a kid that is from a blue collar town, the qualities that he got from his family have helped him throughout his career, especially one that did not start in the traditional sense.
