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Top 10 upcoming promotions 08/07/2007 9:23 AM ETBy Benjamin Hill / Special to MLB.com
Minor League teams are known for their game-day promotions. Every Tuesday during the season, we'll preview 10 of the best for the week ahead. If you'd like a particular promotion to be considered for this feature in the future, please send it to benjamin.hill@mlb.com with "Promo Preview" in the subject line.
Okay, so this week is a "Top 11." I lost count.
Fresno Grizzles (Pacific Coast League)
All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream
Wednesday, Aug. 8 vs. New Orleans Zephyrs
On July 22, the Grizzlies offered fans the opportunity to gorge on all the ice cream they could eat. Well, it looks like there was some left over, because this Wednesday the Grizzlies are once again running an all-you-can-eat-ice-cream promotion. As if that wasn't enough, after the game 2,000 lucky fans will be handed a chocolate milkshake as they leave the stadium. This promotion serves as ample proof that America is the greatest country in the world.
Swing of the Quad Cities (Midwest League)
Most Livable Cities Celebration
Wednesday, Aug. 8 vs. Dayton Dragons
On June 25, sash-wearing representatives from the U.S. Conference of Mayors emerged from a smoke-filled room and declared Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Ill., to be the most livable small cities in America. Both of these mini-metropolises are part of the "Quad Cities" referenced in the Swing's team name, meaning that much of the club's fan base hails from an exceedingly livable swath of this great country. On Wednesday, the Swing will recognize the Mayors' pride-inducing announcement by staging a celebration at John O'Donnell Stadium. Two thousand free tickets will be distributed prior to the game, and the exalted U.S. Conference of Mayors will be on hand for a pre-game ceremony that will pay tribute to both Davenport and Rock Island.
Jupiter Hammerheads (Florida State League)
"Who is Then" Finals
Thursday, Aug. 9 vs. Dunedin Blue Jays
ESPN recently staged a "Who is Now" competition, in which the most "of-the-moment" sports celebrity was determined through a popular vote. Inspired by the mind-numbing insipidness of this contest, the Palm Beach Cardinals and Jupiter Hammerheads (who both call Roger Dean Stadium home) have teamed up to hold a week-long "Who is Then?" promotion. Beginning Aug. 3, the two clubs have pitted random individuals against one another (such as Bill Clinton vs. Plato), and had the fans vote on who is the most "Then." By Thursday, the eight-man field will have been narrowed down to two, and the ultimate winner will be crowned the "Zen of Then." This is so brilliantly stupid that it actually caused me physical pain to write it up.
Vermont Lake Monsters (New York-Penn League)
Tie-Dye Baseball Giveaway
Thursday, Aug. 9 vs. Aberdeen IronBirds
While there is no specific political ideology tied into this Lake Monsters' promotion, it is a safe assumption that most of those in attendance will be of a decidedly liberal bent. After all, it's "Summer of Love Night" at Centennial Field, a Ben and Jerry's-sponsored night of hippie-fied fun that will be highlighted by the distribution of 1,000 tie-dye baseballs. These balls will be great to have a catch with, provided that those doing so tie their hair into manageable ponytails before putting on a baseball glove.
Potomac Nationals (Carolina League)
Randy Knorr Bobblehead Giveaway
Friday, Aug. 10 vs. Winston-Salem Warthogs
The Potomac Nationals are managed by Randy Knorr, a former catcher who played 19 seasons in professional baseball -- including 11 in the Majors -- before finally retiring his tools of ignorance after the 2004 season. On Friday, the P-Nats will honor their illustrious skipper (who is presumably working his way toward managing the Triple-A "Knorr"-folk Tides) by distributing bobblehead dolls bearing his likeness. These fine items feature Knorr striking a supremely confident pose, with his right hand leaning on a baseball bat and his left hand firmly planted on his hip (clearly, this was a .226 lifetime hitter who was not to be messed with). Fans attending Friday's game are advised to arrive early, as only 1,000 bobbleheads will be given away.
Bowie Baysox (Eastern League)
Saturday, Aug. 11 vs. Binghamton Mets
All-American Girls Professional League Tribute Night
The advent of World War II decimated the Major Leagues, as many of the nation's top players went to fight in Europe and Asia. The All-American Girls Professional League was created to fill the void, and ended up providing fans with 12 seasons of top-quality hardball action. The movie A League of Their Own immortalized these women players, and in the process exposed the AAGPL to a new generation of fans. On Saturday, the Baysox will welcome seven of the league's alumni to Prince George Stadium. These women -- who are now more than a half-century removed from their playing days -- will pose for pictures and sign autographs in addition to participating in a pre-game ceremony.
Kane County Cougars (Midwest League)
World's Largest Pillow Fight Attempt
Sunday, Aug. 11 vs. Peoria Chiefs
Sunday evening's contest between the Cougars and the Ryne Sandberg-led Chiefs promises to be a riveting one, but it won't be as riveting as what will be occurring after the game. Then, thousands of people will take to the field in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for "Largest Pillow Fight" (the current mark is approximately 3,500). Two thousand mini-pillows will be distributed before the game, but serious fighters should bring their own. Despite all this planned mayhem, the Cougars are stressing that this pillow fight should be "light-hearted," and plan on dividing the field into various sections (to accommodate various levels of aggression among fighters). Aferward, exhausted fans can collapse onto their pillows and enjoy a fireworks show from the outfield grass.
West Virginia Power (South Atlantic League)
Office Party with Bob Vance
Saturday, Aug. 11 vs. Savannah Sand Gnats
Quite a few clubs have run office-themed promotions this season, which feature games and contests modeled around the movie Office Space and/or the NBC sitcom "The Office." The West Virginia Power's "Office Party" promotion has a leg up on the competition, however, as it includes a guest appearance by actor (and West Virginia native) Robert R. Shafer. Best known for playing Bob Vance on "The Office," Shafer has also accumulated substantial B-movie cred for his role as Officer Joe Vickers in 1989's Psycho Cop. Perhaps the Power will one day plan an "Officer Party" promotion as a means to commemorate this.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Eastern League)
New Hampshire Space Exploration Day
Sunday, Aug. 12 vs. Altoona Curve
The Lancaster JetHawks' "Aerospace Appreciation Night" remains the gold-standard of outer space-related Minor League promos, but the Fisher Cats are quietly establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with. On Sunday, the club will be distributing 2,000 Astronaut Bobbleheads as part of "Space Exploration Day." The best thing about these dolls is that they don't appear to be honoring a specific space traveler. They merely say "Astronaut." Perhaps this anonymous individual is actually Jay Buckey, a former astronaut who is now running for Senate. He'll be at the game to pose for pictures and sign autographs.
Yakima Bears (Northwest League)
Dan Wilson Night
Sunday, Aug. 12 vs. Everett AquaSox
For the third season in a row, the Bears are welcoming a former Seattle Mariner to Yakima County Stadium. In 2005 the guest was Edgar Martinez, while in 2006 the club was graced with Jay Buhner's presence. This year, long-time Mariner catcher Dan Wilson is the guest of honor. The 37-year-old has waived his appearance fee, and instead is asking that the evening be focused on raising awareness of orphaned children. Wilson will appear on the field with 100 orphaned and foster children prior to the game and is then scheduled to sign autographs throughout much of the contest. Not surprisingly, Wilson and his wife, Annie, have four adopted children of their own.
Reading Phillies (Eastern League)
Charlie Wagner Tribute and Figurine Giveaway
Tuesday, Aug. 14 vs. Erie SeaWolves
Charlie Wagner was a baseball lifer, and one of Reading's most well-known native sons. After spending six years in the Major Leagues as a member of the Boston Red Sox, Wagner went on to a 50-year career as a scout and Minor League instructor. In later years, he became a well-dressed fixture at Reading Phillies games. The press box was named in his honor after the 2000 season, and he was crowned the club's first "King of Baseballtown" in 2003. Wagner died last season at the age of 93, and on Tuesday the R-Phils will pay tribute to his legacy with a special pre-game ceremony. Additionally, Wagner figurines will be given away to the first 2,000 adults in attendance.
Bonus Coverage!
There are so many promotions taking place this time of year that some gems will inevitably slip through the cracks. Here's brief rundown of some promos that didn't quite make it into last week's column, but could or should have:
Salute to the Watermelon (Columbus, Aug. 3) -- From eating contests to seed-spitting contests to a World's Strongest Man-style lifting competition, this promo had it all (if by "all" you mean "three things related specifically to watermelons").
PB&J Cookoff (Fresno, Aug. 4) -- Fans were able to enjoy the myriad ways that this culinary concoction can be prepared. Like, y'know, with crusts or without.
Marty Markowitz Bobblehead (Brooklyn, Aug. 5) -- In which everyone's favorite borough president was immortalized in bobble form. Way to go, Marty.
Toothbrush Giveaway (Lake Elsinore, Aug. 5) -- Apparently, this promotion took place after a rogue group of commando dentists overtook Lake Elsinore's stadium.
Sherman Helmsley Appearance (Myrtle Beach, Aug. 6) -- You know him as George Jefferson. He's now moved all the way up to Class A Advanced promotional appearances, but he still has a long way to go before reaching the top.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
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