Jackson Generals Assistant General Manager/Interim General Manager

Story by Lyda Kay Ferree, The Southern Lifestyles Lady. Photography by Woody Woodard.

Marcus Sabata moved to Jackson in late 2017 and was with the Jackson Generals for the 2018 season as a Group/Corporate Sales Rep. He was promoted into the Assistant General Manager role in October of 2018 and added the Interim GM role in March of 2019.

Marcus grew up in Southwest Kansas where he graduated from Garden City High School. After high school he majored in Political Science at Garden City Community College.

Marcus has been around the game all of his life, and in that time he has served as a coach on numerous levels of baseball, including Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth, American Legion and high school as an assistant coach at Garden City High School.

Prior to joining the Generals, Marcus served as the General Manager for The Garden City Wind of The Pecos League of Independent Baseball.

He is married to his beautiful wife, Tammie, and they have five children: Preston, Ryan, Brytnee, Justin and Jarret.

Marcus is happy to call Jackson home, and he looks forward to many exciting nights at The Ballpark at Jackson. Go Generals!!!

“Our fans are the lifeblood of what we do. They give us great ideas. They are very knowledgeable fans. They understand the Generals, and they take it very personal. That’s a good thing. They tell us things we can improve on.”

— Marcus Sabata

VIP: When did you arrive in Jackson?

Marcus Sabata: We moved here the day after Christmas in 2017 from Garden City, Kansas.

VIP: When did our ball park open in Jackson?

MS: It was built in 1998, so it’s about 20 years old. We are very proud of it.

VIP: Was baseball your favorite sport as a child and later as a young man?

MS: Yes. I came from a time when you played every sport. But baseball was always a favorite for me when I was a young kid. Like most kids, I collected baseball cards. I could probably retire if I hadn’t played with and ruined them.

VIP: Talk about the pluses of our baseball park in Jackson.

MS: There isn’t a bad seat in the place. There isn’t a seat in the ballpark that you don’t get a great view of the field. Our park won the Tennessee Sports Field in 2017 and 2018, and we are very proud of this honor. Our concessions are fantastic. Our concessions manager does a great job. We have quality ballpark food. There is a Fun Zone for the kids. We offer a little bit for every age group. You don’t have to be a baseball fan to enjoy our park.

We have a full calendar of fun events. Every Saturday home game is a theme night, plus we offer numerous promotions. Monday is Integrated Communications “Belly Buster” Night and that includes a ticket and all you can eat hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, popcorn, ice cream and soda for only $16. Thursdays are Leaders Credit Union “Dollar” Night with $1 tickets, hot dogs, popcorn, soda and beer.

Saturdays are our most popular night. Theme nights include Spy/Detective Night, Space Jam Night, Sarge’s Carnival with A Christmas Story in July, Disney Night, Turn-Back-The-Clock Night and SEC Night. Every Saturday Night we have a giveaway to the first 1,000 fans, plus we shoot off fireworks, weather permitting, behind the Center Field wall. Our promotions staff pulls out all the stops. There is never a dull moment at the ballpark.

VIP: What would improve our ballpark, and what you would like to add?

MS: Considering the park is 20 years old, it’s in pretty good shape. We will need to address the field lights in the offseason, and the outfield wall will need some attention. But our operations staff does such a great job maintaining the ballpark as does the City of Jackson. They are such great partners. Considering the age of the park, it’s in really, really good shape.

VIP: What’s new at the park this year in term of activities, events and concessions?

MS: We are bringing back “Dollar Night” in 2019 on Thursday nights. Our fans spoke, and we brought this promotion back. We talk to people at the stadium, and we look at our social media. We talk to our fans in many ways, and that is important. Our fans are the lifeblood of what we do. They give us great ideas. They are very knowledgeable fans and fans who have skin in the game. They understand the Generals, and they take it very personal. That’s a good thing. They tell us things we can improve on. The more we can do that, the better.

VIP: What is the target market for the Jackson Generals?

MS: We don’t necessarily have a target market. We have something for everybody. Even if you’re not a baseball fan you can hang out at the stadium and enjoy a cold beer and good refreshments and enjoy the game. We give away tickets to local schools and offer day game field trips for the kids. We offer $1 beer on Thursday nights. We try to cater to the young and old.
Geographically, we get fans from West Tennessee, Missouri, North Mississippi and Arkansas. Our fan base is large. West Tennessee is our target area.

VIP: Talk about the individual rates and group rates.

MS: We have group packages. If you want to bring 100 people out, the cost is only $6 per ticket. It is a very affordable entertainment option. Minor league baseball is great about offering affordable entertainment. We give discounts to military personnel and seniors. We offer picnics in our picnic pavilion with some of the best food in West Tennessee.

VIP: Tell me about your family, and do they enjoy living in West Tennessee?

MS: My wife and I absolutely love it here! She works in Medina at the South Gibson School District. West Tennessee has been good for us although I must admit it was a bit of a culture shock from the Midwest to the South. The summer heat is no joke!

VIP: What are your hobbies, and where do you like to travel on your off days?

MS: We don’t get to travel as much as we would like, especially during baseball season. I’m a bit of a history buff. I like to visit Shiloh National Military Park. I read a lot when I have time, and we have two dogs, Murphy and Yawkey.

What to Know

Jackson Generals
4 Fun Place
(731) 988-5299
jacksongeneralsbaseball.com
A full calendar of events is listed on our website
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram