Dragons get helping hand from boosters

Club makes players feel at home with Easter dinner, birthday cards, breakfast for the bus

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By Kyle Nagel

Staff Writer

Thursday, June 12, 2008

In 2001, the Dayton Dragons advanced to the Midwest League playoffs, which placed some players in apartment lease limbo. A few resorted to unusual bunking methods to finish the season, including sleeping in the Fifth Third Field clubhouse.

Avid fans Bill and Merri Mercer of Bellbrook heard of the players' plight.

"My wife said, 'Maybe these kids could use some help,' " Mercer said.

From that statement, Mercer and a small gathering of friends created one of the most envied booster groups in minor-league sports. The Dragon Friends, founded shortly after the 2001 season, is now 100 members strong. It provides players and organization members with some comforts of home, including birthday cards and road-trip breakfasts.

The group, with monthly meetings, official bylaws and its own Web site, is one of the most organized and respected among low professional franchises, adding to the respect other cities hold for the Dragons and the Miami Valley.

Among their offerings, the Dragon Friends lend players linens and other needs for apartment move-ins, provide transportation and even hold Easter dinners.

"It feels more like we're welcome here, more like we're at home," said pitcher Philippe Valiquette, who spent parts of the past four seasons with the Dragons. "It makes life a lot easier."

Members aren't allowed to ask for autographs and pose for pictures at functions, just two of the rules meant to keep the focus on the players and help the group follow its motto: "Helping the players, coaches and families feel at home."

Although separate from the Dragons, the Dragon Friends cooperate with the club to assist in areas beyond team responsibilities.

One of most popular duties is the road-trip breakfast, served before the team loads the bus. The Mercers wake as early as 3 a.m. to make egg sandwiches, casseroles and fruit cups and send the players off with full stomachs.

"The fruit cups are unbelievable, that's my favorite," said Dragons manager Donnie Scott. "They always give me two fruit cups."