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05/01/2007 9:29 AM ET
Top 10 upcoming promotions
What's going on this week in the Minors?
By Benjamin Hill / Special to MLB.com
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 Former "CHIPs" star Erik Estrada, circa 1984 in the photo above, returns to Altoona on Saturday. (AP)
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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 the subject line: "Promo Preview."
Fort Myers Miracle (Florida State League)
Hurricane Aware n' Prepare Night
Thursday, May 3 vs. Tampa Yankees
Hurricane season officially starts on June 1, and Floridians need to be ready. After all, preparedness is next to cleanliness which is next to godliness. On Thursday, the Miracle will do everything they can to insure that their fan base knows how to respond the next time a ferocious tropical storm batters the Atlantic coast. The club will be giving away prizes such as gas cans, generators, plywood and flashlights, and local meteorologist Jim Syoen will conduct a pregame hurricane seminar. If all that talk about violent storms is too much to take, don't despair. It's "Thirsty Thursday," and beer is half-price.
Portland Beavers (Pacific Coast League)
Superhero Night
Thursday, May 3 vs. Salt Lake Bees
The Beavers take on the Bees on Thursday night, in what is sure to be a riveting battle between mammal and insect. But what may be even more riveting is the action that will be taking place in the stands, as fans are encouraged to come to PGE Park dressed as their favorite superhero. The most creatively dressed individuals will win prizes, and who doesn't love winning a good prize now and then? It's good for the soul.
Trenton Thunder (Eastern League)
Reality TV Night w/ Rob and Amber
Thursday, May 3 vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats
We all love Rob and Amber Mariano, that wily husband and wife duo who captured the nation's heart through star-making turns on "Survivor" and "The Amazing Race." The couple's charisma and charm united our fractured country, and in the process taught us all what it means to live, laugh and love. Rob and Amber will be special guests at this Thursday's Thunder game, providing fans with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see their heroes in the flesh. The two lovebirds will throw out the first pitch and then sign autographs throughout the game, and a fireworks display will cap what is sure to be a perfect evening.
Sacramento River Cats (Pacific Coast League)
Cinco de Mayo Dinger Bobblehead
Friday, May 4 vs. Tucson Sidewinders
Dinger, Sacramento's mascot, has a lot going for him. The friendly feline is known throughout the city for doing community service work, chasing yarn and shooting hot dogs into the stands at Raley Field. A lesser-known fact is that Dinger is also an avid supporter of Mexican holidays, especially ones that occur during the baseball season. On Friday, the River Cats will be distributing Cinco de Mayo-themed Dinger bobbleheads to the first 3,000 fans in attendance. Yes, Friday is May 4. And yes, "Cinco De Mayo" translates to "Fifth of May" in English. But cut Dinger some slack. It's admirable that the commemoration of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin's 1862 victory over Spanish occupational forces is this important to him.
Altoona Curve (Eastern League)
Erik Estrada Appearance
Saturday, May 5 vs. Akron Aeros
The Curve's "Retro Celebrity Series" was one of the most successful promotions of the 2006 season, as the club welcomed the likes of Sherman Hemsley ("The Jeffersons") and Barry "Greg Brady" Williams to Blair County Ballpark. But the most popular guest turned out to be none other than "C.H.I.P.S." star Erik Estrada, who won the hearts and minds of all in attendance by staying more than two hours after the conclusion of the ballgame in order to make sure that every single autograph request was fulfilled. This Friday, the Curve will kick off this year's "Retro Celebrity Series" by welcoming Estrada back to Altoona for a Cinco de Mayo celebration. What better way to commemorate the holiday than with salsa and C.H.I.P.S.?
Indianapolis Indians (International League)
Mini-Marathon Celebration
Saturday, May 5 vs. Louisville Bats
Indianapolis, in addition to being the home of the world's most famous auto race, also plays host to a mini-marathon of epic proportions. With over 35,000 participants, the annual 13-mile race is one of the largest of its kind. This year's mini-marathon takes place on Saturday morning, and during that evening's ballgame the club will commemorate the occasion by welcoming running greats Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers to Victory Field. In addition to scrambling madly for foul balls, the fleet-footed duo will sign autographs and pose for pictures with any interested fans.
Nashville Sounds (Pacific Coast League)
Bryant Figurine Giveaway
Saturday, May 5 vs. Round Rock Express
Normally, "Promo Preview" would not highlight a giveaway that essentially functions as a paid advertisement. But we'll make an exception when it comes to Nashville's Bryantman Figurine giveaway, as these things look really cool. Appliance repairmen are usually pretty unremarkable looking fellows, but not if they work for Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems. As the figurines make clear, Bryant repairmen are perfectly sculpted, tights-wearing superheroes. The Sounds will distribute the Bryantman figurines to the first 2,000 fans in attendance, so you may want to camp outside the ballpark the night before the game just to make sure you get one.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Eastern League)
Curt Schilling Bobblehead Giveaway
Saturday, May 5 vs. Bowie Baysox
Most Minor League bobblehead giveaways honor someone from the team's past, or at least a superstar from the parent club. The Fisher Cats' Curt Schilling bobblehead giveaway falls into neither of these categories, as Schilling never played for New Hampshire, and the club is an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The 40-year-old righty is an Eastern League alumnus, however, so maybe that's reason enough. In 1988, well before the days of bloody socks and noxious self-aggrandizement on a national stage, Schilling made 21 starts for New Britain. Regardless of the motivation, the Fisher Cats will be giving away Schilling bobbleheads to the first 2,000 fans to pass through the turnstiles on Friday. Be there.
Stockton Ports (California League)
Blue Moon Odom Appearance
Sunday, May 6 vs. Lake Elsinore Storm
John "Blue Moon" Odom compiled 84 victories over a 13-year pitching career, and his best seasons were spent with the Oakland A's. In 1972, for example, the right-hander went 15-6 with a 2.50 ERA as the A's won the first of three consecutive World Championships. On Sunday, Mr. Odom will visit Stockton's Banner Island Ballpark for a meet-and-greet autograph session. Fans should take advantage of this opportunity. After all, it's a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence. Sorry. That didn't even make sense.
Bowie Baysox (Eastern League)
"Office Space" Night
Monday, May 7 vs. Reading Phillies
Mike Judge's film, Office Space, a 1999 send-up of the absurdity of white-collar cubicle culture, has become a justly revered cult classic. On Monday, the Baysox will pay homage to the film's greatness by holding Office Space Night, in which the Mike Judge feature will be honored all game long. The highlight of the evening is sure to be the Charity Technology Smash, in which fans will be able to take out their frustrations with malfunctioning office equipment by smashing it into oblivion. "PC Load Letter? What does that even mean?"
Benjamin Hill is a contributor to MLB.com This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
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