The 2008 campaign is a big one for the venerable old International League, which, much like John McCain, is celebrating its 125th year of existence. This milestone will be commemorated in a number of ways, perhaps most notably when the Rochester Red Wings and the Syracuse Chiefs clash in the "Cooperstown Classic" at the Baseball Hall of Fame on May 18th.

But, for my money, even more intriguing is the IL's recently announced fan photo contest. Starting on May 1, fans are invited to submit photos they have taken within International League ballparks. Each month, the best entry will be awarded with what is currently described as "an exciting prize package."

This contest will surely result in a deluge of amateur photographs from aspiring shutterbugs around the country. In order to create order from the chaos, the league has divided the contest into several distinct categories. The category for May is "Ballpark Action". This will be followed in short order by "Fans", "Mascots", and, my favorite, "Ballpark Promotions."

Once again, this contest begins on May 1, at which point fans can submit their photos to www.ilbaseball.com/photocontest

I'm a fan of baseball, the International League, contests, photography, the internet and categories, so you better believe I'll be keeping an eye on this throughout the season.

Also, lest I forget...New Promotion Preview column out now. Click here, and make sure to cast your vote for the week's best.          

I received the following email a few days ago, and it illustrates the fact that while some Minor League promos are the result of offseason brainstorming sessions, others are formulated on the spot:

The Connecticut Defenders put a positive spin on a bad situation on Thursday. The stadium lights didn't go on, and caused a 42-minute delay, so onfield MC Johnny Gill came up with the idea of 'Guaranteed Lights Work Night." Everyone who attended Thursday's game just needed to show their stub in order to receive a ticket to Friday Night's game vs Reading, which was followed by a fireworks show.....Brilliant!

This mysterious dispatch was simply signed "Defenders", leading me to believe that it was sent by a disparate group of Marvel Comics superheroes.

Regardless, it illustrates the fact that those who work in the Minor Leagues must have the ability to think on their feet. There are endless logistical details involved with the task of presenting a professional baseball game, and things often don't go as planned.

In fact, if anyone else has a "Tale from the Minor League Frontlines", send it along (milbbusiness@yahoo.com) and I'll post it for the world to see.    

I just cannot resist the impulse to list a triumvirate of noteworthy Minor League news items:

-- The Florida State League's Dunedin Blue Jays are doing their part to make sure that area Little League teams get to experience a true professional baseball atmosphere, thanks to their "Jays on the Road" program. From the press release:

"The Dunedin staff will be armed with a high-tech sound system, microphones, and in-game promotions that are done nightly at Knology Park. The Jays plan to turn the average little league game into a fun and exciting professional baseball game!"

"Jays on the Road", which may or may not have been inspired by this recent stunt, kicks off tonight, and will continue throughout the season.

A Close Shave -- Last week, Huntsville Stars General Manager Buck Rogers announced that if attendance at Friday's game surpassed 5,000, he would let a lucky (?) fan shave his head at the conclusion of the contest. The night's attendance turned out to be (drumroll, please) 4,812. Come on Huntsville -- if the chance to see a front office executive get a haircut won't bring you out to the ballpark, then what will?

Dodd Stadium Goes Under the Radar -- Last week, the Connecticut Defenders debuted the "General Dynamic Electric Boat Submarine". This underwater military apparatus/t-shirt cannon will patrol the field at Dodd Stadium every home game, piloted by an honorary t-shirt shooting captain. Of course, the submarine is missing just one thing -- another drumroll, please -- a name! The sub's official christening is scheduled to take place on May 9. Until then, the Defenders are running a "Name the Sub" contest at Dodd Stadium.

Promo Of the Day -- At the risk of being redundant, I'm going with the Altoona Curve yet again. Tonight is "Salute to Forgotten Presidents". From the press release (spoiler alert!):

"Fans coming to Blair County Ballpark will be privy to information that nine U.S. Presidents did not attend college (you'd be shocked at the list of names).  Also being revealed this evening will be the factoid that James Buchanan was the only President to originally hail from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the only unmarried man to occupy the White House.  In addition, the most portly of all U.S Presidents, and the first to throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to a baseball game, William Taft, will make a special appearance during one of the between-inning contests during the game."

Additionally, any fan who shares a last name of a U.S. President will get into the ballpark at half-price. It is worth noting that just one player in tonight's game between the Curve and the Akron Aeros has a presidential last name: Altoona infielder Shelby Ford. 

Upon checking my email this morning, I discovered a 1-2 punch of interesting promotional information. Let us now ease ever-so-gently into the weekend by perusing these bits of notable Minor League happenstance:

Tri-City ValleyCats Release Promotional Schedule -- Regular readers of this "Pro" blog will remember the ValleyCats from this post, when Assistant General Manager Vic Christopher shed some light on the team's promotional strategies. It was an illuminating window into a surrealist, Dada-esque world in which Deer/Banana hybrids comfortably shared the spotlight with Vespa-riding chickens. Well, today, the short-season ballclub released its 2008 promotions schedule. Highlighting the season's giveaways are a series of Mayoral bobbleheads, in which each of the Tri-Cities will be represented: Albany's Jerry Jennings on June 30, Troy's Harry Tutunjian on July 9, and Schenectady's Brian Stratton on July 28.

Also of note in Tri-City: World's Largest Spiedie on June 29, April Fools Day in July on July 1 (comedians in the concourse!), and Pappy Southpaw's 99th Birthday on July 13.

Stop Talking About the Distant Future! -- Uh, okay. Well, how about a little info on what is happening in Altoona this evening? That work for you? Great. Check this out:

It's Salute to Tools Night! I cannot resist the urge to quote from the press release, so here it goes:

"A double entendre will be at work as the Curve not only honor everything on your dad's work bench from hammers and nails to screwdrivers and "T" squares, but also will poke fun at famous people who are "tools", described by 'Urban Dictionary' as 'someone always trying too hard to fit in, and because of this, never will.'"

You want more? You get more!

"Fans will be enlightened with a plethora of tool trivia, for example, in England, the wrench is called a spanner and was patented in 1835 by Solymon Merrick...In addition to apparatus-type tools, the human-type tools will also be featured on Friday. Former Miami Dolphins and current University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban, who this year equated consecutive losses by his Alabama football team to Pearl Harbor and the September 11th Attacks, will be among the evening's honorees."

For even more promos to look forward to this weekend, click here. Thanks, everybody.

The Lowell Spinners (Class A Short Season affiliate of the Boston Red Sox) are already well-represented on the mascot front, as Canaligator, wife Allie-gator, and daughter Mille-gator form an uncommonly strong familial triple-threat.

The Spinners have nonetheless added yet another mascot to their stable, but this one is of a decidedly different bent: last week, the club announced that the Red-Tailed Hawk has been named the official mascot of the Yankee Elimination Program.

Okay, so there are two questions that the casual fan (Hi Mom!) may be asking his or herself right now:

1. What is the significance of the Red-Tailed Hawk?
2. What is the Yankees Elimination Program?

In response to #1, the Red-Tailed Hawk has become very popular to fans of the Boston Red Sox. One of these fine feathered specimens has been building nests in Fenway Park since 2002, and earlier this month the Red-Tailed Hawk made the news after attacking a 13-year-old girl who was touring the stadium as part of a school field trip (from the "You Can't Make This Stuff Up" department, the girl's name was Alexa Rodriguez).

Now, moving on to #2 -- the "Yankee Elimination Program" is a longstanding Spinners initiative, in which the club attempts to replace local "Yankee" youth teams with "Spinners". In fact, here's an article on the topic, written by a young and impressionable Benjamin Hill in 2006:

Click here.

Of course, there's one more layer to this story, and long-time readers of this fine blog should be able to guess what that is. Okay, all together now: the mascot needs a name. If anyone has any suggestions as to what the Red-Tailed Hawk should be called, then email elewis@lowellspinners.com and include your name, phone number and hawk-name suggestion.

Finally, Spinners fans who wish to see a Red-Tailed Hawk live and in-the-flesh should attend their August 4th contest. Jonathan "The American Birdman" will be the guest of honor, and he'll be  bringing a Red-Tailed hawk to LeLacheur Park.

And While I'm On the Topic -- Anyone remember this post of a few weeks ago, when I highlighted the fact that the Thunder's new anthropomorphic lightning bolt mascot needed a name? Well, a name he has received: Strike.

According to the press release, this rather pedestrian selection beat out the likes of Wonderboy, Alex Tricity, Franklin, and Fulgurite.

Promo of the Day -- I'm going to lift this right off of this week's "Promotion Preview" column:

"Fort Myers Miracle (Florida State League)
Ladies of the Professional Pillow Fight League, April 17
Make plans for a late night at Hammond Stadium on Thursday, because at the conclusion of that evening's contest between the Miracle and the Threshers there will be a very special event: Pillow Fighting! That's right, the Ladies of the Professional Pillow Fight League will engage in post-game all-holds-barred combat for the enjoyment of a sure-to-be-enthusiastic "Thirsty Thursday" crowd. Laina Beaton -- the league's No. 1 contender -- is scheduled to appear, as are the likes of Eiffel Powers and Carma Monoxide. Be there!"

One of my favorite recurring promotions around the Minor Leagues is the Lancaster JetHawks' "Tumbleweed Tuesday", in which the ticket price for each Tuesday home game is determined by the previous day's wind speed.

This promo came about because the JetHawks play in California's Antelope Valley, which is known as being a particularly gusty region of the United States -- a fact which, as we shall soon see, is sometimes dramatically illustrated at Lancaster's Clear Channel Stadium.

On Monday, in preparation for the season's first "Tumbleweed Tuesday", Lancaster Assistant GM Derek Sharp measured the wind speed according to his own unique set of calculations, and found that it was blowing at 15 MPH. This meant that tickets for Tuesday's game would be a mere $1.50.

But, as is so often the case, the cruel hand of fate soon intervened. For there was no game played at Tuesday at all, due to...wait for it...high winds. (Cue Nelson's "Ha-Ha" laugh here).
With gusts of over 50 MPH expected, conditions were deemed unsafe for baseball. Conditions were great for tumbleweeds, however. These drifting, transitory shrubs had a veritable field day, and were able to scatter their seed all over the Antelope Valley. Bad day for baseball, but a great day for the propagation of the species!

From the Barometer to the Thermometer -- In much happier weather-related news, the Cedar Rapids Kernels are staging a "Get Back to the 70s" promotion tonight. This promo has nothing to do with tired cultural references to a bygone era, and everything to do with the fact that Spring is finally here. In celebration of the fact that today's high temperature will be over 70 degrees (for the first time since October, 2007), the Kernels will throw out 70 first pitches prior to the evening's contest against the Great Lakes Loons. Fans who wish to participate should arrive at the stadium at 5:30 and keep an eye out for Mr. Shucks, the club's anthropomorphic corn mascot. Or better yet, keep an "ear" out. Get it?

Finally...Don't forget that tomorrow in Harrisburg is "Guaranteed Rainout Night". If the hometown Senators do, in fact, play their regularly scheduled game against New Hampshire, then all fans will receive a FREE ticket to Monday's contest against Erie.

As we all know by now, beloved mascot Parker has left his Fresno Grizzlies over what the team has termed "reconcilable differences". At issue is Parker's belief that the Fresno fans should be able to "Pack the Park" for tonight's home opener against the Tucson Sidewinders.

When I last reported on this developing story, Parker had relocated to the top of the the Security Bank Building (the tallest building in Fresno). This unique vantage point gives him a birds-eye view of Chukchansi Park, therefore making it easy for him to determine if the Park has indeed been packed.

Now, Fresno Mayor (and former television star) Alan Autry is getting in on the act as well. Autry has offered to make Parker the "Honorary Mayor of Fresno" if he attends tonight's game. That's a mighty big carrot to dangle in front of Parker, who, like nearly all mascots, has always had honorary mayor aspirations.

In a most convenient development, Parker has just established his very own "plog". There, fans can read updates on what has been going on in the life of this most courageous and principled mascot. In his latest entry, Parker outlines his "honorary mayor" platform, which includes such crowd-pleasing legislation as "Free Popcorn and Hot Dogs to Everyone."

But in order for this to happen, Parker needs to come down from the roof of the Security Bank Building. And in order for that to happen, Fresno fans need to pack Chukchansi Park tonight. I don't know about you, folks, but the suspense is killing me.

The Weekend in Promos (Now commentary free! For more info, click here)

TONIGHT: Performance by Guns 'N Roses tribute band "Appetite for Destruction" (Fort Myers Miracle), Dale Earnhardt's race car on display (Hagerstown Suns), Commemorative Ticket Giveaway (Lehigh Valley IronPigs), Transformers Opening Weekend (Lexington Legends), Jimmy Rollins/Ryan Howard Double Bobblehead (Reading Phillies)

SATURDAY: Pope On A Rope Giveaway (Charleston RiverDogs), 100th Aniversary Pagoda Caps (Reading Phillies)

SUNDAY: Grandparent's Day (Erie SeaWolves), Tremor's Birthday and Mascot Mania (Rancho Cucamonga Quakes), Championship Logo Baseballs (Trenton Thunder)

Have a great weekend, everybody. Let me close by congratulating Minors Moniker Madness champion Will Startup, who officially has the best name in the Minor Leagues.

It is laid out in the Ben's Biz Blog constitution (email me if you would like to review a copy of this hallowed document) that any Minor League promotion that can be described as "Willy Wonka-esque" will receive coverage. Therefore, I am now obligated to highlight one of the Sacramento River Cats' most recent publicity-seeking endeavors.

Throughout the past week, the River Cats have distributed 500 bags of peanuts throughout the Sacramento area. Within one of these complimentary parcels of salted legumes is the highly sought-after "Golden Ticket", which can be redeemed for 2008 River Cats season tickets.

Hopefully, this "Golden Ticket" will end up in the hands of a deserving individual, much like Charlie was eventually awarded the titular chocolate factory in Roald Dahl's beloved book. Stay tuned...

Promotion of the Day

Well, this isn't so much a promotion as a flat-out "event", but the Northwest Arkansas Naturals play their first home game tonight (weather permitting). Fans will receive special commemorative tickets as they enter Arvest Ballpark, and the likes of George Brett, Arkansas governor Mike Beebe, and Subway spokesperson Jared Fogle will be in attendance. Three skydivers are slated to deliver Texas League Baseballs to the umpiring crew, and an F-16 flyover will occur just after recording artist Joe Nichols finishes singing the national anthem.

And then there will be a ballgame! Welcome to the world of Double-A Baseball, Northwest Arkansas. I hope you enjoy it watching it as much as I enjoy writing about it from 1500 miles away.

The New York-Penn League wants YOU to help redesign their logo. The league's current mark has announced its retirement following the end of the season (how a "mark" announces its retirement is beyond me, but I'm just going by what the press release says), and the 14-team circuit is now accepting new logo submissions from all comers.

From the press release:

"All serious artists are invited to submit their logo designs to tbawmann@lowellspinners.com. Designs are due no later than June 1, 2008 and must be done in Vector format using Adobe Illustrator of Macromedia Freehand. The winner will be voted on at a New York-Penn League general manager's meeting at a later date."

Now, I'm a very intuitive person, and I know what you're asking yourself at this point: "What's in it for me?"

Well, Mr. Greedy, let me refer you once again to the press release:

"The logo winner will receive a prize packet from the New York-Penn League consisting of a lifetime NYPL pass, merchandise, promotional items, the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at any site in the league, promotion on each team's website and much more."

Not bad, huh? So let's get going, artists. The NYPL needs a new mark!

Promotion of the Day -- It's a light day for Promos, so I'm going to lift this straight from my Promotion Preview column:

Altoona Curve -- Pack Your Bags For Myrtle Beach/As the Curve Turns

The Curve and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans are part of the same ownership group, which leads to interesting promotions like this one. This afternoon, 20 lucky Altoonians (Altoonites?) will win a bus trip and hotel accommodations for two in Myrtle Beach from April 23-26. Once these fans have arrived in Myrtle Beach, they will be able to take in a Pelicans game at beautiful BB&T Coastal Field. Sounds pretty sweet, right? Shockingly, Myrtle Beach does not seem to be running a corresponding "Win a Trip to Altoona" promotion.

Also taking place in Altoona on Wednesday: "As the Curve Turns," a game-long salute to the soap opera.

  

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

The Kinston Indians' season-opening series against the Winston-Salem Warthogs were rained out, and neither team has played a game yet this season. This miserable situation has prompted Kinston GM Shari Massengill to make a highly unorthodox (and possibly illegal) guarantee.

If tonight's game against the Frederick Keys is rained out, then one lucky ticketholder will win $5000 of broadcaster Chris Hemeyer's salary.

"His [Hemeyer's] professionalism, experience, talent, play-by-play skill and boyish good lucks make him an invaluable part of this organization," said Massengill. "That being said, if we can't get games in and revenue streams dry up, he will be the first member of the front office to be laid off. I mean, why do we need a broadcaster if we don't have any games?"

Hemeyer is going along with Massengill's plan, albeit reluctantly.

"I'm sure other bosses have asked their employees to do similar things," said Hemeyer during yesterday morning's hastily scheduled press conference. "But I'm sure if my great friends gathered here from the local media found out through their vast resources and unmonitored internet access that this was illegal, they would let me know immediately."

According to weather.com, there is a 10% chance of precipitation in Kinston tonight. For Hemeyer's sake, let's hope that the game is played.

Also Tonight: Dime-A-Degree Night (Altoona Curve), The Writers Strike Back (Charleston RiverDogs), Shawon Dunston Jersey Night (Iowa Cubs)

Hey, What'd I Miss? (Yesterday's Promos): Slinky Giveaway (Greensboro Grasshoppers), Mitten Giveaway (Iowa Cubs), Little Legend of 2008 (Lexington Legends), Family Guy Night (Wilmington Blue Rocks), Fingerless Gloves Giveaway (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers)

Also: New Promotion Preview Column Up Now!

And Finally -- Parker Update: On Friday, I wrote about Fresno Grizzlies' mascot Parker, who had threatened to boycott Opening Day if the Grizzlies did not sell out Friday's Home Opener. Parker is serious about the threat, and has since left the team due to "reconcilable differences."  He is now spending his time on the roof of the nearby Security Bank Building, which gives him a birds-eye view of the Grizzlies Chukchansi Park. Presumably, he will come down from his perch if the Grizzlies do indeed "Pack the Park" on Friday night. Stay tuned...

When it rains, it pours.

Earlier this week, I covered the unorthodox mascot trade that took place between the Everett AquaSox and the Tri-City Dust Devils. I followed that up yesterday with news on the public debut of the Quad City River Bandits' new mascot. And, now, today, yet another bit of mascot news has emerged. This needs to be reported on, for it is big:

Parker, the mascot of the Fresno Grizzlies, is on the verge of staging an Opening Day walkout.

You see, just last week the Grizzlies drew a record 14,084 fans to Chukchansi Park for an exhibition game against the parent San Francisco Giants. Parker was so enthralled by the atmosphere at this contest that he wants to see a similar crowd for next Friday's Opening Day game.

"He [Parker] wasn't upset, but he was resolute that if Grizzlies fans could produce the type of atmosphere for an exhibition contest, it should be no problem to do it again for Opening Day," said Scott Carter, the Grizzlies' Vice President of Marketing. "Parker is a baseball purist at heart, and like all fans he realizes the special appeal that Opening Day has. His point was simple: 'Real fans go to Opening Day'".

That sort of stoic, big-picture thinking is certainly one of the reasons that Parker was named the best mascot in all of professional sports by the (highly recommended) industry website gameops.com. He's one the greatest in the game.

But, let's be serious...the best way to insure a packed house in Fresno on Opening Day would be if the Drag Kings made a threat similar to Parker's. People in Fresno will do just about anything in order to make sure that they can continue to enjoy the svelte footwork of the Minor Leagues' Premier Dancing Grounds Crew.

This Weekend in Minor League Promotions

A handy, commentary-free list for your viewing enjoyment.

Friday: Refrigerator Perry Appearance, Refrigerator Giveaway (Altoona Curve); Replica Championship Ring Giveaway (Clearwater Threshers); Tribute to Fallen Lieutenant Mark Niedermayer (Fort Myers Miracle); Russell Martin Bobblehead Giveaway (Las Vegas 51s); Ozzie Smith Appearance (Mobile BayBears)

Saturday: 10th Anniversary Salute to 1999 Night (Altoona Curve); Vintage Baseball Card Set Giveaway (Binghamton Mets); Scarf Giveaway (Iowa Cubs); Mitch Williams Appearance/Buster the Mascot Birthday Celebration and Pillowcase Giveaway (Lakewood BlueClaws); Retro Hat Giveaway (Omaha Royals); Lose Your Blues Night (Quad City River Bandits); Turn Back the Clock Night/Ernie Broglio Figurine (Stockton Ports)

Sunday: Flower Seed Packet Giveaway (Clinton LumberKings); 35th Anniversary of the Designated Hitter (Columbus Catfish); Nolan Ryan Replica Jersey (Corpus Christi Hooks); Stocking Hat Giveaway (Iowa Cubs); Performance by Local American Idol Contestants (Omaha Royals); 2004 and 2007 World Series Trophies on Display (Pawtucket Red Sox); Biggest Bandit Fan Contest (Quad City River Bandits); Star Trek Appreciation Day (Wilmington Blue Rocks).

For more promo info, click here. And, please, email me promo tips, reports, and reviews at milbbusiness@yahoo.com. Have a great weekend, folks.     

There's no going back now.

Approximately one hour ago, Syracuse's David Purcey threw the first official pitch of the Minor League season. And with that, the floodgates opened. For the next five months, there will be a virtually nonstop cavalcade of games throughout the 14 affiliated Minor Leagues.

Fortunately, this dramatic change in the Minor League landscape provides this already overloaded blog with even more subject fodder! If there's one thing I love here at Ben's Biz Blog, it's fodder!

Promotion of the Day: This is already mentioned in my Promotion Preview column, but I'm going to have to go with the Altoona Curve. Not only will co-owner (and future NFL Hall-of-Famer) Jerome Bettis be throwing out the first pitch, but the club will also be giving away a kitchen sink during the contest. This symbolic gesture is meant to imply to the fans that the Curve will be "throwing the sink" at them in 2008.

Also tonight: Victory Bell Giveaway (Columbus Clippers), Replica Statue giveaway (Corpus Christi Hooks), Schedule T-Shirt Giveaway (Huntsville Stars), Jake Peavy Appearance and # Retirement Ceremony (Lake Elsinore Storm), Bruce Sutter First Pitch (Rome Braves).

Rascal It Is: The Quad City River Bandits have announced the name of their new raccoon mascot, and it is Rascal. This mischievous moniker beat out the likes of Rocky, Roscoe, Smokey, and Woody in a "Name the Mascot" popular vote, which is what was predicted all along by Ben's Biz Blog commenter "Andre_b_28" back on March 22nd. Rascal made his public debut on Tuesday at --where else? -- a local Flooring Outlet. This was apparently to symbolize the fact that the Quad Cities community will soon be "floored" by River Bandits baseball.

Visitors to MiLB.com (my "parent" site, for all intents and purposes), will notice that we have a wealth of Opening Day coverage.

As a writer (and, therefore, a narcissist), I would like to direct you to the content that I am responsible for. Let's see here...there's this little "Looking Ahead" piece...and this fun little number on Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's Opening Day losing streak...and, while I'm at it, please check out the latest "At Home With" as well as the latest Minors Moniker Madness voting results.

But, all this pales in comparison to the one thing that I have thus far neglected to mention: the first edition of "Promotion Preview" for the 2008 season!

Starting today, and then every Tuesday for the remainder of the season, Promotion Preview will highlight 10 of the top promos taking place around the Minors. The column includes a lot of information each week, but there is more (always more) to talk about.

To that end, I plan on using this blog to highlight additional promos, run photos and reviews, and (hopefully) jumpstart promo-related discussion and debate.

And there's no time like the present to get started. Let's now look at the (cue thundering voice and ocean wave sound effects): Promo of the Day:

Lakeland Flying Tigers
Teacher Appreciation Day -- Free Master's Degree Giveaway
Wednesday, April 2 vs. Southeastern University (exhibition game)
I was tipped off to this pre-season promo by Lakeland GM Zach Burek, who wrote that "I don't believe that any team has ever given away a Master's Degree." While I can't confirm this, I'd certainly be inclined to agree. Here are some further details, provided my Mr. Burek:

"The Flying Tigers have partnered with Southeastern University to play an exhibition game and to honor local public school teachers. One teacher will win free tuition to complete his/her master's degree in Elementary Education, Educational Leadership, or School Counseling from Southeastern University. To be eligible to win, Polk County public school teachers must have submitted their answers to six essay questions stating 'Why I deserve a free Master's Degree.' Five finalists were selected and will be recognized during the game and the winner will be announced and recognized on the field in the middle of the sixth inning."

Some great stuff going on in Lakeland tonight, no doubt. Thanks to Zach Burek and the Flying Tigers for getting in touch. If YOU have any promo info you'd like to share, please email me at milbbusiness@yahoo.com.

The "Transactions" section of the newspaper sports section is easy to overlook, seeing how it is usually filled with items such as this:

"Prairie League

DES MOINES RATTLESABRES: Agreed to terms with P Jamie Navarro on a one-year contract."

But I nonetheless scour the transactions every day, because it occasionally yields fantastic Minor League news items such as this:

"Northwest League

EVERETT AQUASOX: Traded mascot "Webbly" to Tri-City Dust Devils in exchange for their mascot, Dusty the Dust Devil."

A mascot trade? Now that's fascinating. Some further research on my part uncovered this press release, which reads in part:

"Webbly's existing contract with the AquaSox was set to expire at the end of the 2008 season. The 12-year veteran frog made it known through his agent that he hoped to restructure and extend his agreement in order to avoid a potential holdout."

Unfortunately, the two sides could not come to an agreement, and the AquaSox decided the best thing to do would be to trade Webbly now, rather than risk losing him to free agency at the end of the 2008 season and receiving nothing in return.

So, Webly's days with the AquaSox have come to an end. His replacement, Dusty the Dust Devil, had spent the previous seven seasons in Tri-City. In Everett, Dusty will platoon with Frank (an anthropomorphic frankfurter) and Popfly (a puppet).

"I am positive that Dusty will be a positive addition to our staff and I believe that a Dust Devil, a Hot Dog, and a Puppet can coexist on the same team," said AquaSox GM Brian Sloan.

Rest assured, I will be following this riveting mascot trade story as it progresses.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Also, please be assured that I will be spending as much time as possible throughout the week on this here blog. Without any warning, MLBlogs has undergone a thorough overhaul., and there is much to learn. Please email me (milbbusiness@yahoo.com) if you run into any problems with the new and "improved" Ben's Biz Blog.