The Soft Pitch

A record crowd and a record 36 Valley-area businesses competed in Avnet’s 7th Annual 16-Inch B2B (Business-to-Business) Softball Desert Classic tournament on Saturday, November 14 in Tempe, AZ. The 16-inch softball classic is one of Avnet’s key annual community outreach programs, attracted more approx. 1000 players and fans.

Men’s champion again for 5th year was Dirks Moving and Storage over Open Lane and Avnet’s warehouse team also going for 5 in a row failed as Infusionsoft upset them in the bottom of 7th with 2 runs in best game of the day.  The first-place co-ed team and men’s team won a Phoenix Coyote suite tickets; second-place teams won a $25 gift certificate for every team member to Don and Charlie’s, a local Scottsdale restaurant.

The big highlight was the XTRA Sports 910 beat the valley CEO’s 7-3. Lead by pitcher Gene Holmquist from Ensynch, Brad Casper from the Dial Corporation their MVP, Avnet’s Ed Smith, Ecoedge Barbara Johnson, Vince Adam and Bob Anderson our valued suppliers and Stephen Dow from Emerson, and ss Chuck Vermillion from OneNeck, among others competed, but failed to beat XTRA’s Bickley and MJ’s stars including Howler from the Coyotes. The CEO’s were coached by Avnet’s Vallee and Smith from SCF AZ.

The event benefit Spark of Hope, a Tempe-based organization that focuses on providing assistance directly to disabled children and their families who are not supported by traditional charitable programs.

It’s about fun, networking, employee morale and helping needy children — a grand slam. I’m so proud the game of 16″ softball is making a difference in the valley. I want to thank our sponsors and team behind the scenes lead by Lisa DeBride and Spark Design. Our brand is enhanced in so many a positive ways as we do these programs…one; as business improves some of these folks will become employees.

“There are not a lot of events that can bring so many local businesses together, especially one that benefits one charity,” said Ensynch President and CEO, Gene Holmquist. “It’s an opportunity for our coworkers to give back while also having the chance to meet other Valley professionals.”

The championship games and CEO vs 910 will be broadcast on Avnet’s web based video network, Avnet OnDemand , December 7 at

Hensley donated beverages, Vienna Chicago hot dogs were served and a children’s area included face painting, animal balloons and other events.
Tournament sponsors were: SCF Arizona, Ensynch and Computer Associates and the presenting sponsor is Spark Design. Also lending support: The Phoenix Sports Commission, PrismaGraphic, XTRA Sports 910AM, Brodeur Partners, Vienna Beef and BMA

It used to be that that quote “Good things come in small packages” made me think of the ruby bracelet my husband bought me for our 10^th wedding anniversary. Nowadays I veer off to thoughts of an iPod Shuffle the size of lapel pin or my newest toy, a Flip Mino HD.  I decided to give it a try and jump into video blogging after I heard Brad Whitworth from Cisco talk about how the ease of use convinced a top Cisco executive to blog for employees and customers using it.

 My first try? Definitely shaky cam style. I used it to interview the judges for the Avnet Marketing and Communications Awards.  I haven’t heard of other companies doing this – but Avnet has been holding an internal awards competition for its marketing professionals for more than 10 years now.  It recognizes the best of our marketing efforts, but also encourages Avnet marketers to try new things and benchmark themselves against their colleagues globally.

 (Hold on there Avnet employees – I’m not giving away any secrets here of who won.  You’ll have to wait for the awards ceremony to learn that!)

We have seen in our customer and community scores that we have increased in our brand preference by 15 % due to company personality…the trust in our employees and things they do in the community top that list.  

I believe that my favorite past time has had an impact on that score.  As I reflect on the opening of the Chicago 16 Inch Softball Hall of Fame today in Forest Park, Il. Avnet has indeed been able to enjoy our brand being noticed by being involved in the sport/sponsorship.

Out 7th annual 16″ B2B Tourney for Businesses is scheduled for Nov 14th…there is a buzz about it…starting with the 28 teams from last years venue and the all the CEO’s who played in the “featured game” on TV vs the XTRA Sports 910 Radio squad (the CEO’s won). By the way the games on TV were the # 2 show on Phoenix Tv during the day both years  it was shown. ( I must admit it is is either really good TV or what are those folks doing on that day?…geez get a life).

The venue has a great impact on morale for companies here, many of which are our vendors, suppliers and customers, which is good thing ! I know people want to work us because of the vibe. We have been able to raise money for charities too. This year we will support the Phoenix Sports Commission Youth programs and AZ Sports Hall of Fame effort. Last an most important I know our employees enjoy playing it, and it’s great for morale. Men and women play and we have from senior leaders to sales to warehouse players involved.

Did you know the great game of softball started in Chicago in 1887…when bored alumni of Yale and Harvard were waiting for ticker tape scores of the big football game between the two schools? They wrapped up a boxing glove and started hitting with a broom stick. Want to know more about 16 Inch softball? 16Inchsoftballhof.com  By the way our HOF Inductee Park looks great. Special thanks to KODAK, March manufacturing and Vienna as sponsors…trust me Avnet’s name will be noticed there too.  Looking forward to the ceremony and celebrity game. By the the GOV of Illinois declared by proclimation, today is 16 Inch Softball Day in Illinois. If in the area stop by from 11-3 and say hello

Today was cool. Our queen of employee morale here in PHX is Lisa and she rented out two Tempe theatres for over 500 employees and family members to attend the new Indy movie. Great to see him back on the silver screen and also to know I lived long enough to see it. The matinee tickets were paid by employees…with only a portion paid by Avnet. It was great feeling to see so many smiling folks. Lisa does a great job of running sporting events, getting discount tickets and other programs to enhance our company culture, pride and employee experience/engagement.

Oh by the way: I enjoyed the flick but was expecting a bit more…bottom-line go see it. Another good day here.

When I think of the movies I think of one our key Avnet family members, Jon Avnet. Jon is the grandson of our founder. He is a well known producer of quite a few movies; Fried Green Tomatos, Risky Business and award winner with Broadway hit Spamalot. I had the pleasure to meet him and his family at dinner a few years ago when he came for our 50th anniversary event. An excellent story teller but what impressed me most was that he was not a name dropper… we had to drag out stories out of him about the Hollywood crowd. Then as the big day unfolded his passion for his family legacy and apprecaution that we kept the Avnet brand going (we didn’t screw it up) and successfully was very apparent..more good times here. He would be worth interviewing as a past employee who made assemblies, maybe he will make a movie about us one day.