D’backs work crowd in Sun City Grand

Amy Buchan of the Arizona Diamondbacks often knows about baseball transactions before the players even find out the news.

How does she do it?

Buchan isn't a confidante of Josh Byrnes, Diamondbacks general manager, or even a well-placed official with Major League Baseball.

"I might mention that I'm taking so-and-so player for a hospital visit and the word comes down that I probably shouldn't do that," Buchan said Tuesday during a speech before the Sun City Grand Memorabilia Club. "That's when I usually know that something is going on."

As the Diamondbacks director of community relations, Buchan serves as the liaison between the community and the team.

Her department fields nearly 150 requests every week for player appearances, guest speakers and team donations.

Buchan helps coordinate programs such as Chad Tracy's "Cover to Cover" reading program as well as Orlando Hudson's meet-and-greet ballpark visits with autistic children.

"Other than the general manager (Josh Byrnes), the toughest job on our team is the director of community relations," said Bobby Freeman, the Chase Field organist who also spoke to the Sun City Grand club. "People always want something when they call. It's always gimme, gimme, gimme."

"There's more out there in the community than just what's on the field, and Amy has done a great job handling all those requests."

The hour-long presentation featured a wide-ranging question-and-answer session with the 30 persons in attendance.

Topics covered the origins of the Diamondbacks' mascot to the club's decision two years ago to switch team colors from purple and teal to Sedona red and Sonoran sand.

The idea for Baxter the Bobcat, the team's mascot, originated from a fan contest, Freeman said.

"The son of one our players, Jay Bell, actually came up with the name of D. Baxter," Freeman said. "A bobcat is a desert-dwelling animal in Arizona and its first home was BOB (Bank One Ballpark)."

Buchan said Major League Baseball encouraged the Diamondbacks to change their team colors.

Prior to the switch, the team had ranked 29th out of 30 teams in merchandise sales.

"I know there are a lot of teams that wear red, but there was no red in the NL West," Buchan said. "And the Colorado Rockies already had purple.

"I know the change wasn't popular at first, but I think it's gone over well."

Freeman also fielded questions about the long-delayed opening of his restaurant in Surprise.

The Diamondbacks organist indicated the restaurant is slated to open sometime between October and December.

"Since we decided to build a restaurant, there have been six sports bars open in Surprise," Freeman said in explaining the delay. "So we've decided to change from a sports bar to an upscale diner with a sports theme."