Mayors and former mayors, including the mayor of Winnipeg, the former CEO of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and renowned American lawyers, among others. Nearly 250 owners, general managers, players – of course! – made the trip to Quebec City, often with their families, to take part in the Frontier League All-Star Game organized by the Capitales.
Seeing so many big names from the circuit gather for the event is unusual, agreed commissioner Steve Tahsler, even if he considers that the group of owners of his league is “very close-knit.”
Some members arrived early with their loved ones, by motorhome, in order to discover the charms of the city or to attend a show as part of the Summer Festival.
In Steve Tahsler’s eyes, “the great reputation that Quebec enjoys internationally” is not unrelated to this phenomenon. His wife and father-in-law also made the trip for the festivities, which take place Tuesday and Wednesday.
But, Tahsler also noted, “the fact that the Capitals are such an important part of the league, with a good reputation, also plays a big part.”
President and tour guide… with a smile
And these same Capitals wanted to be faithful to this reputation. Usually, besides the official meetings and the match itself, the participants occupy their time each in their own way.
You only had to see President Michel Laplante struggling on the phone Tuesday at noon to make sure everyone had transportation to get to their next activity to understand that the organization wanted to do things differently, so that everyone would have great memories of Quebec.
The big boss of the Capitals also served as a tourist guide on Tuesday, helping some choose which restaurant they should go to in the evening or giving directions to a large Quebec banner established in Old Quebec.
Karting, waterfall and castle
On the menu of proposed outings: karting, visit to Montmorency Falls as well as the Château Frontenac, among others. And, of course, the Canac Stadium, which they were all going to discover or rediscover on Tuesday evening, as part of the circuit competition.
“There are minority owners here that I have never seen before. [aux rencontres de la ligue]”, said Michel Laplante with a smile, when met at the Auberge Saint-Antoine, where one of the meetings also scheduled was taking place.
For the latter, this All-Star Game was not only an opportunity to mark the 25th anniversary of the Capitales. It was also a way to thank the league and its owners for being so welcoming to his team five years ago, when the pandemic brought its share of constraints, but also, uncertainties surrounding the independent baseball franchise (see other text at bottom).
“We didn’t say it that way, we didn’t say it was a way to thank them,” the president said. “But when we decided that we would host the All-Star Game, we said to ourselves that we were going to make them experience it in the right way.” READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
“We have people who have come from all over the United States: from New York, from Pittsburgh, from Chicago. And what we have to show them is very beautiful,” he smiled.
“He makes us forget that he was an athlete first”
In Quebec, Michel Laplante has a reputation as a man who not only has great ideas, but also works hard to implement them. And the Capitales president quickly acquired the same notoriety among his counterparts in the Frontier League.
“He quickly made us forget that he was an athlete first,” said circuit commissioner Steve Tahsler of the former pitcher (who also excels at tennis and volleyball, among other things).
“He has such good business sense and such a strong identity that yes, we know he played, but what we recognize in him since his arrival is in particular his contribution and his ideas for our circuit,” Mr. Tahsler also praised him.
The festivities for this all-star game for fans had not even begun when we met Michel Laplante on Tuesday. The last few days (and Wednesday) had not been easy, he confirmed, but we could feel his pride.
Two titles and the cream of the circuit
It’s hard to be otherwise: after all, he recalls, the Capitales’ debut in the Frontier League “could have really gone badly.”
The pandemic had forced the team to cancel the 2020 season, their first in the league, before the circuit even followed suit. Then, the Capitales didn’t really play in 2021: they instead began the campaign as a “traveling club” called Team Quebec, and also composed of players from the Trois-Rivières Aigles.
They then played the first part of the season exclusively in opposing stadiums, before health measures were relaxed and matches could be played at Stade Canac.
The Capitals had gotten through it, but the whole process had not been kind to the club’s coffers.
Three years later, here they are, double title holders in this league which they officially joined in 2019, welcoming with open arms the cream of the circuit.
“It’s crazy, isn’t it?” Michel Laplante rejoiced.
2024-07-16 20:01:55
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