Promotions 101
One of the most unique and attention-getting promos staged in the Minor Leagues last season was the State College Spikes’ “Night of 100 Promotions.” This special evening was exactly what its name implied — over the course of nine innings, the front office staff incorporated 100 unique promotions into the game presentation. Sure, the definition of “promotion” may have been stretched passed its breaking point just a tad (Free Smells? Ballpark Air Giveaway?) but that was all part of the fun.
The Spikes have decided to up the ante this season, because taking place on Monday is — wait for it — “The Night of 101 Promotions.” Thanks to my vast network of clandestine Minor League sources, I have been able to obtain a list of every single promotion that will be taking place.
Prepare Yourself:
| 162 Free student tickets from SPA |
| 4 Lucky fans will get their seats upgraded |
| Be a lucky wristband winner |
| Be Ike’s sweetheart for the night |
| Be on the Dance Cam |
| Be on the Fan Cam |
| Bounce in the Kids Zone |
| Buy tickets from Scott Walker |
| Catch a bag of peanuts |
| Catch a t-shirt |
| Chant “Fear the Deer” |
| Clap when the Spikes score |
| Compete in the Big Shoe Race |
| Compete in the Hamster Ball Race |
| Compete in the Scrub Race |
| Complimentary mints in the bathroom |
| Do the chicken dance |
| Do the wave |
| Do the YMCA |
| Dollar Dog Night |
| Draw on the concourse with sidewalk chalk |
| Eat 5 hot dogs for $5 |
| Eat as much as you want in an All You Can Eat Seat |
| Eat milk and cookies in the ballpark |
| Find out score from other Pirates affiliates |
| Find Waldo in the ballpark |
| Flyover (by a bird) |
| Follow along with the game on 3WZ |
| Free high-fives |
| Free laughs |
| Free low-fives |
| Free memories |
| Free napkins at all concession stands |
| Free Pocket Schedules |
| Free programs at gates |
| Free Smells |
| Free statistics sheet at Customer Service |
| Gates open 1 minute early |
| Get a player’s autograph |
| Get a schedule poster |
| Get your picture taken with a lifesize hot dog |
| Get your picture taken with a lifesize ice cream cone |
| Give your recyclables to Gang Green |
| Go green with the Spikes |
| Guess the Attendance |
| Guess the player of the game |
| Guess the speed of the 3rd pitch of the 3rd inning |
| Guess which eyeball will win the 20/20 Dash |
| Have your birthday announced |
| Hear the weather from Mountain Man Matt |
| Help support the Children’s Miracle Network |
| Hug an intern |
| Hugs from Nookie Monster |
| Hula Hoop on the concourse |
| Ike the Spike Autograph Session |
| Inhale ballpark air |
| Invisible Giveaway |
| Jeer the Jammers |
| Kids Run the Bases after the game |
| Look for the lucky Sheetz ad |
| Look for the lucky Wegman’s ad |
| Man-powered program cooling system |
| Meet the front office staff |
| Meet the GM of the Spikes |
| Pet Bob the Baseball Dog |
| Play “I Spy” with your friends |
| Sanitize your hands on the concourse |
| Save money with Ike’s Headlight Special |
| Score the game in your program |
| See the future Florida Marlins |
| See the future Pittsburgh Pirates |
| See the view of Mt. Nittany |
| See your favorite Spikes player |
| Self-guided concourse tour |
| Sing “Take me out to the ballgame” |
| Sing along to the National Anthem |
| Sing the 7th inning stretch |
| Skittles Giveaway |
| Socialize with fellow Spikes enthusiasts |
| Superhero headshots |
| Superhero walkup music |
| Talk to an usher |
| Throw out a first pitch |
| Toss tennis balls onto the field |
| Try the Chef Special |
| Try to catch a foul ball |
| Use your ticket stub at McDonald’s |
| Vote for a special song to be played |
| Watch for a broken bat |
| Watch for upcoming promotions |
| Watch Ike’s “Single Ladies” Dance |
| Watch the Gameday Show Live |
| Watch the Gang Green superhero skit |
| Watch the rockets red glare |
| Watch the World’s Fastest Infield Drag |
| Wear Spikes gear to the game |
| Win 5 free car washes |
| Win a free pizza |
| Win a free taco when the Spikes score |
| Win a prize if the Spikes get a home run |
| Win a team autographed ball |
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So there you have it. Check out the Spikes on Monday for a jam-packed evening of being,
bouncing, buying, catching, chanting, clapping, competing, doing, drawing, eating, finding, following, getting, giving, going, guessing, having, hearing, helping, hugging, hula-hooping, inhaling, jeering, looking, meeting, petting, playing, sanitizing, saving, scoring, seeing, self-guiding, singing, socializing, talking, throwing, tossing, trying, using, voting, watching, wearing, and winning.
The above 43 verbs pretty much sum up the Minor League Baseball experience. They also sum up the experience of being alive.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
BensBiz
great summer-izing
OK… I think “dollar hot dog night” and “Eat 5 hot dogs for $5″ are the same thing. Also, since when was 7th Inning Stretch a song?
I’m pretty sure “Dollar Dog Night” and “Eat 5 hot dogs for $5″ are the same thing. Also, since when has the 7th Inning Stretch been a song?