Go Behind the Scenes of Summer Baseball: Highlights From Plank Talk Episode 4
In the latest episode of the Rogues new Plank Talk podcast on YouTube, host and Rogues Broadcast Director Bryan Welch sat down with Dave May, the president and co-owner of the Medford Rogues. The conversation offered fans a rare peek behind the curtain of summer collegiate baseball, detailing the massive workload of the offseason and revealing May’s exciting new role with Major League Baseball’s Oakland A’s.
The Grind of the 10-Month Offseason
To the average fan, a summer baseball season seems to appear out of thin air. However, May emphasized that the 9- to 10-month offseason requires non-stop logistical maneuvering. When Bryan asked what goes into managing a franchise during the off season, May highlighted several key areas of front-office focus:
- Operational Evaluations: Reviewing the successes and failures of the previous year.
- Fan Experience Upgrades: Testing and selecting new concession items and designing fresh merchandise.
- Roster Construction: Heavily recruiting top-tier college talent to build a competitive summer squad.
- Scheduling: Organizing complex travel and game dates with league rivals.
From Medford to the Major Leagues
In a personal update, May shared details about his new winter venture. Last October, he accepted a position as the Manager for Sales and Operations for the Oakland A’s Spring Training facility in Mesa, Arizona.
Having just wrapped up his first Spring Training season, May spoke highly of the experience. He noted the complex in Mesa was currently hosting the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) college baseball tournament.
For May, the tournament represents a perfect bridge between his two worlds, allowing him to scratch his “college baseball itch” and connect with familiar faces in the sport while preparing for the Rogues’ summer launch.
May gave immense credit to his local front-office team, specifically General Manager Jeff Weiss and Director of Communications Tracy McCormack. He noted that their hard work kept operations seamless and “took a lot off my plate” during the transition into the new season.
During the offseason evaluation process, Dave May and the Medford Rogues front office curated a highly anticipated lineup of promotional theme nights and interactive game formats. The primary special events featured on the 2026 schedule include:
- Rowdy Ball: An action-packed, fast-paced game night featuring fan-centric antics and custom rules inspired by the Savannah Bananas.
- Fireworks Shows: Multiple post-game pyrotechnics displays scheduled throughout the summer to maximize night-game entertainment.
- Country Night: Live country music during batting practice, gates open early, and western-themed stadium promotions.
- Jersey Auctions: Special theme-jersey nights where fans can bid on game-worn player jerseys to support local community causes.
- Beat the Heat Days: Giant outdoor waterslides out in the parking lot to keep families cool during hot afternoon games.
- Little League Night: A community event offering free general admission to all youth baseball and softball players who wear their team jerseys to the field.
- Father’s Day Specials: Dedicated family promotions featuring custom stadium raffles and holiday ballpark packages.
Opening Weekend Rivalry
The fruits of that offseason labor are finally arriving, with Opening Weekend just days away. May expressed immense excitement about getting “the boys and the band back together” in Medford.
The season kicks off with a high-stakes matchup against the Seattle Studs. May highlighted the Studs as a longtime rival of the Rogues, promising an electric atmosphere for the Medford community right out of the gate.
The Medford Rogues vs. Seattle Studs rivalry is one of the most anticipated annual matchups in West Coast summer collegiate wood-bat baseball. Anchored by a fierce geographic battle between Southern Oregon and Western Washington, this matchup brings elite collegiate talent together for high-stakes, non-league showdowns.
A Clash of West Coast Powerhouses for Opening Weekend at Harry & David Field
The intensity of the rivalry stems directly from the caliber of the two programs.
- The Seattle Studs: Operating as one of the most decorated independent summer programs in the country, the Studs have won multiple National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series championships. They enter every series as a polished, formidable opponent.
- The Medford Rogues: Playing out of the Pacific Empire League at Harry & David Field, the Rogues counter with a passionate local fanbase and an aggressive, energetic style of play.
Tradition of Opening the Season
In recent years, the front offices of both clubs have established a tradition of scheduling each other for Opening Weekend. This strategy tests both rosters immediately and guarantees an electric atmosphere for the fans
The 2024 Opener: The Studs quieted the home crowd early with a dominant 8-1 opening-night victory, forcing the Rogues to quickly shake off their first-game jitters.
The 2025 Comeback: Proving how evenly matched the teams are, the Rogues dropped the first two games of the four-game series before executing a gritty weekend comeback. Behind stellar pitching, they stormed back to win the final two games and earn a hard-fought series split.
More Than Just Baseball
What transforms Medford baseball into a series of summer community events begins with the home field excitement that surrounds the opening series. The Rogues faithful turn out for the Studs 4-game series at Harry & David field. The Rogues frequently draw near-capacity crowds, pulling in close to 950 fans per night. The front office leverages this high-energy rivalry to showcase all their hard work in the offseason, surprising their fans with marquee promotions, the list of post-game fireworks shows and all the new changes at the ballpark.
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