Seasons in the Sun

South Side Sox readers may have noticed a new name popping up in our photo credits: Tiffany Wintz (@TiffW96). Tiffany hops aboard with us this offseason, as one of our minors writers and photographers. She’ll be working out of Kannapolis, but may also lend coverage to Winston-Salem, Charlotte, and even Birmingham. Feel free to pass along a welcome to Tiffany; you’ll be seeing more of her throughout the season, as we track our affiliates more closely than ever.

Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Love is the most important thing in the world.
But baseball is pretty good, too.
— Yogi Berra

I’ve always loved that quote by Yogi, because that’s how I feel. Baseball will always be a part of me. Since I now have teamed up with South Side Sox, I thought I would introduce myself to all the White Sox and MiLB fans out there.

My name is Tiffany Wintz. I’m originally from Long Island, N.Y., but have been living in the Carolinas for more than 12 years now. I always liked baseball growing up, but now I can never imagine my life without it. My father taught me everything he knows about the game, and I thank him for that knowledge. My true love for the game, though, started four-and-a-half years ago, when I was introduced to minor league baseball.

My father and I were searching for something fun and new that we could do together, so he decided to look up minor league parks in North Carolina. Two teams were not too far from where we live, the Kannapolis Intimidators and Hickory Crawdads. Both parks were about the same distance, so my father asked me which team I’d like to see first, and I chose the Intimidators.

My first MiLB game in summer 2014 was an experience I’ll never forget. At that time, I didn’t know that the Intimidators were one of three White Sox affiliates based in North Carolina. Since then, I’ve been going to Kannapolis games, and to other Carolina-based ballparks, with my baseball buddy, my father.

I have been lucky to see these talented young ballplayers grow, and have become good friends with many. Minor league baseball has its ups and downs, for fans and players alike; it’s great how close you get to these players, but it can bring you down when you hear that one of your friends or favorite players got released or traded.

It’s a roller coaster, but a fun and exciting ride all the same.

I’ve had many unforgettable memories at MiLB games, just from the past few years as a fan. A while back, I decided to get a Nikon to take pictures at the games, and love that camera dearly. It’s great to be close to the action, and to capture every big moment.

I’m really looking forward to all the writing, photos, and fun memories still to be made, and to share with you at South Side Sox.

Like one of my favorite poets, Walt Whitman, once said: “I see great things in baseball.” There sure are, Walt. There sure are.

Tiffany Wintz/South Side Sox

I can’t wait for the 2019 season to start!