Zolz Entertainment

ZOLZ "IN THE NEWS"

From the Poughkeepsie Journal:

Zolzer making return to Renegades - By Dan Pietrafesa

The Hudson Valley Renegades are headed into the future with a part of their past. The Renegades announced Thursday the return of the popular and controversial Rick Zolzer as the public address announcer for the 1999 season. Zolzer was the team's public address announcer in 1994 and '95. "I'm looking forward to seeing the fans - they were so awesome to me," said Zolzer, who said he will likely do this for only a few seasons.

The fans share Zolzer's excitement about his return. "Yes! You have just made my day," reacted Theresa Briccetti of Wappingers Falls to the news. "The one thing I loved about Rick is he always had the crowd into the game. Given if the Renegades are losing, the crowd is in the game. He brings a lot of excitement to the games." "Very cool - he just made the games so exciting," said Fishkill's Jane Balasiano, a season ticket holder. "He got the crowd involved and played music for different people. He got the crowd going throughout the whole game."

Zolzer takes over for Lisa Morris. Apparently, Morris and Hudson Valley officials could not come to an agreement concerning the in-game entertainment package for the 1999 season. Renegades officials and Morris came to the mutual agreement last week that she would step down from the position. When the position became open, Zolzer was contacted. Even though Zolzer was not with the team the last three seasons, he remained friends with team president Skip Weisman and general manager Steve Gliner. Weisman and Gliner are both involved with the programs at the Dutchess County YMCA, where Zolzer works as the director of marketing. "This came together in the past few days," Gliner said. "I'm not surprised (he's back). We always kept the lines of communication open with him (the past three years). We are excited about having Rick back with us." Zolzer will meet with team officials next week to discuss the in-game entertainment package for this season. "We'll meet and I'll present them with things I think we could do this summer," said Zolzer, a long time area disc jockey. "I'll be treating it as a wedding with 4,300 people. It's entertainment. We're entertaining these people (at the games). We want them to smile, laugh and giggle."

Zolzer's background in minor league baseball should be a plus for him and the Renegades. During the 1989 and '90 seasons, he was the marketing and promotions consultant with the South Atlantic League's Spartanburg Phillies (Class A). Zolzer was the public address announcer for the Renegades in the franchise's first two years of existence. In 1995, he was named the team's director of marketing and promotions.It was in his tenure with the Renegades that Zolzer became Unpopular and yet controversial figure. In one instance, Zolzer picked up some national attention after being ejected from the booth by an umpire. After leaving the Renegades, Zolzer worked as the public address announcer for the Northeast League's Newburgh franchise. He also served as a marketing consultant for the league.

Zolzer's return concluded a busy off-season week for the Renegades. It started a week ago with the announcement about Morris. On Monday, the 1999 schedule and New York-Penn League's realignment plan for the upcoming season were both released. The news concerning Zolzer appeared to be the biggest winner. "We're excited to have him back," Balasiano said.