Meet the MacPhail Nominees: Peoria Chiefs

Throughout the week, this fine blog will run interviews with representatives from the nominated teams, in an effort to shine some light on their promotional strategies and philosophies.

Yesterday's featured club was Eastern League nominee the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Today, we move into America's heartland in order to highlight the Peoria Chiefs. All answers are courtesy of Chiefs broadcast and media manager Nathan Baliva. All questions are courtesy of me.

Prior to the season, had your team ever been nominated for a MacPhail Award? If so, ever won it?

NB: We were the Midwest League recipients after the 2005 season, but to the best of my knowledge we have never won the MILB award.

How would you define your team's promotional philosophy?

NB: "Your Home for Summer Memories!" is our organizational slogan, as we try to give

our fans something to remember each and every time they enter O'Brien Field. Each year we try to expand and build upon the traditions we have established in the past while also starting new ones that our fans will embrace.

What were some of your biggest promotional successes from last season?

NB: We played a regular season game at Wrigley Field in Chicago in front of a MWL record crowd of 32,103 fans while also garnering national attention. Our free hot dogs and peanuts nights on Wednesday increased our average attendance on Wednesday nights more than 1300 from last season. We also brought in local and national celebrities such as Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter, Illinois basketball coach Bruce Weber, Bradley soccer coach Jim DeRose, Jason Earles from Hannah Montana, Illinois State basketball coach Tim Jankovich and former Illinois basketball player and ordained minister Roger Powell. We also drew over 6,000 fans on average for our 12 fireworks shows, which each featured a Pitch-In for Charity. Our Jimmy Buffett Night was a sell-out yet again this season with a post-game concert by Coco Loco and the Chiefs players/coaches all wore Hawaiian jerseys that were auctioned for charity after the game.

Any misfires, mishaps, or ideas that just didn't work?

NB: We had a Classic Car Cruise scheduled that was a first time event for us that failed to take off the way we anticipated. The logistics were tough and hopefully will we have them corrected for the next try.

What are your favorite sports promotions of all time?

NB: The White Sox Disco Demolition comes to mind. The St. Paul Saints with a Bud

Selig tie giveaway after the MLB All-Star game tied in 2003. And Jay Buhner look alike night in Seattle where fans could shave their heads.

In a perfect world, what sort of promotions would you like to stage in 2009 and beyond?

NB: We have a few tricks up our sleeves for 2009 and in a perfect world they would lead to 70 sellouts for us here in Central Illinois!