But, engrossed as he is in the baseball operation, Pinto knows that the Southern Illinois Miners are about more than baseball. There is a base of hard-core baseball fans that show up at Rent One Park to watch baseball.

For most people, a night at the park is a social affair with a baseball background. It is this group the Miners have to get back into the park.

Pinto unveiled his master plan to do that earlier this week. His plan is ambitious. He wants to change everything for the franchise’s 10th anniversary season. Well, almost everything: playing winning baseball is still a priority.

And, Pinto has started from the bottom up. He wants Rent One Park to be spotless. Cleanliness had slipped in recent years. Miners’ employees are to offer exemplary customer service.

As an example, Pinto said if a youngster spills a drink, ushers are to see that the mess gets cleaned up, then take the child to the front of the concession stand to get a fresh drink – on the Miners.

Concession offerings have been expanded. Baseball fans will be able to choose from pork tenderloin, ribeye, Philly steak and cheese sandwiches, or even meatballs made from Pinto’s family recipe.

Finally, going to the ballpark could be lucrative for fans.