SCOTT ROMNEY
CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL,
PRESTIGE FINANCIAL
BEES SEASON RECAP
The Salt Lake Bees completed their 23rd season in
franchise history in 2016. They finished out of the playoffs
with a 63-79 record on the season, 9.5 games behind
division-winning El Paso.
Smith’s Ballpark hosted 503,659 fans in 2016, marking the
first time since 2013 the club broke the 500,000 mark.
With two rainouts during the regular season, the Bees
averaged 7,195 fans over 70 home dates, the sixth highest
mark in the Pacific Coast League.
Scott Romney became Prestige’s
chief legal counsel in July 2014,
overseeing the company’s
legal affairs and regulatory
compliance.
Scott joined Prestige from
the United States Attorney’s
Office, District of Utah, where
he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney working as the deputy
chief of the National Security Section, specializing in the
prosecution of federal crimes, including bank fraud, wire
fraud, and money laundering. Among his many jury trials,
Scott represented the United States against well-known
environmental activist Tim DeChristopher.
During the season, the Bees hosted 10 fireworks nights
while fans enjoyed theme nights, including Salt Lake Gulls
and Buzz throwbacks, Los Angeles Angels and Utah Jazz
nights, and community events like Pack the Park Pink and
Military Appreciation Night.
Scott was named one of Utah’s Legal Elite and has
received special recognition awards from both the United
States Secret Service and the United States Department
of the Interior. Prior to becoming an assistant U.S.
attorney, he completed a judicial clerkship for Judge Dee
Benson at the United States District Court.
Salt Lake Bees Head Groundskeeper Brian Soukup and
the Bees grounds crew were awarded a 2016 Sports Turf
Management Presidential Commendation for their work
on the field at Smith’s Ballpark.
A native of Salt Lake City, Scott holds a B.S. in political
science from the University of Utah and a J.D. from
Brigham Young University. He resides in Salt Lake City.
The clubhouse was full of new faces as the Bees set
franchise records for transactions (231) and players used
(74). Overall, 36 players suited up for the Bees and the
Angels, including MLB debuts for pitcher Greg Mahle and
catcher Juan Graterol, and seven MLB rehabilitation
assignments, including Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton
Simmons and former University of Utah standout C.J.
Cron. The Bees also saw two-time Cy Young Award
winner Tim Lincecum pitch in seven games, including two
at Smith’s Ballpark.
The Salt Lake pitching staff had plenty of individual
accolades during the 2016 season. Left-hander Nate
Smith was chosen to represent the Angels at the 2016
MLB All-Star Futures Game. Tyler Skaggs became the
Bees first Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week since
2014 when he struck out a franchise record-tying 14
Omaha batters on July 14. Troy Scribner would earn his
own Pitcher of the Week nod two weeks later when he
pitched a two-hit shutout at Sacramento in his Triple-A
debut on July 31.
On offense, manager Keith Johnson made up for a lack of
power hitters by utilizing the team’s speed on the base
paths. Salt Lake stole 180 bases, shattering the franchise
record of 145 set by the 2003 club. The charge was led
by Quintin Berry, who finished tied for second in
franchise history with 35 steals on the year and Todd
Cunningham, who stole 23 bags.
The 2017 Pacific Coast League season begins on Thursday,
April 6, 2017, with the Bees home opener on Tuesday,
April 11. WS
BRENT WOOD
GENERAL MANAGER,
LHM CHRYSLE