The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Professional Baseball Club have promoted long-time minor league sports executive Mark Viniard to the club’s General Manager position. Viniard has been with the team since late August as the Sr. Director of Business Operations.

As the club’s first-ever General Manager, Viniard, 39, will be responsible for overseeing all day-to-day business operations of the club including ticket sales, group sales, corporate partnerships and marketing. The native of Hamilton, IL has been in minor league baseball since 1991, working his way up from intern to general manager in stints with six teams over 13 years.

“Over the last several months, I have had the opportunity to work closely with Mark on several occasions, and his passion and enthusiasm for this team have been evident from day one,” said Hall of Famer and Blue Crabs Owner Brooks Robinson. “We are confident that Mark and his staff will work hard to ensure a memorable, inaugural season for fans throughout ‘Crustacean Nation.’”

Before joining the Blue Crabs in August, Viniard was the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Iowa Stars of the American Hockey League. Throughout his career, he has also served as the Director of Marketing for the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, FL and has been with minor league baseball teams in Charlotte, NC; Winston-Salem, NC; Kannapolis, NC; Canton, OH; Wichita, KS and Clinton, IA. Viniard was the Assistant General Manager during the inaugural season and the opening of a new ballpark in 1995 with Kannapolis. He was elevated to General Manager for the 1997 season.

“Mark’s past responsibilities and experiences, as well as his contributions to the Blue Crabs in his short time here, suit him perfectly for his new role, “said Opening Day Partners Sr. Vice President Brad Sims, who had been serving as interim general manager. “His leadership skills and commitment to the Southern Maryland region are key attributes that set him apart and made our decision quite easy.”

Viniard graduated from Quincy (IL) College in 1990 and currently resides in White Plains with his wife, Rocell, and son, Sam (3). Rocell is the Vice President and Director of Marketing for the National Harbor project, which is currently under construction just south of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Prince George’s County.

“I am very excited about being named general manager of the Blue Crabs and feel very privileged to have been given this tremendous opportunity,” Viniard said. In my short time here I have been very impressed with the excitement surrounding this team from local fans, and we look forward to bringing affordable, family entertainment in the form of professional baseball to all of Southern Maryland.”

The Blue Crabs team office is located in Hamilton Center One at 3200 Crain Highway, Suite 203, Waldorf, MD 20603. The main phone number is 301-638-9788. Office hours will be Monday – Friday from 9am-5:30pm, and fans are encouraged to stop by or call to reserve inaugural season tickets, purchase official team merchandise, inquire about corporate partnership or skybox opportunities, and ask general questions about the team and ballpark.