Results tagged ‘ Bowie Baysox ’
Here Goes Somethin’
Hello, and welcome to the latest and therefore greatest era in Ben’s Biz Blog history.
As you may or may not have noticed, the entire MLBlogs network has transitioned from Typepad to WordPress. This switch in blogging platforms has not been without growing pains, but like the Davies brothers on treadmills the Kinks are being worked out.
Minor League Baseball news waits for no blogger, however, so I’ll put aside my anxiety and dive right into the fray. I have two lead items for today, both hailing from indestructible subgenres of the Minor League experience: mascots and logos.
On the costumed character front, the Tucson Padres have jumped out of the frying pan and into the friar. Behold this spectacular seminarian, a dimpled deacon with a haircut that’ll bowl you over:
Thumbs Up for Papal Authority!
Sez the team:
The Tucson Padres are excited to announce the “identical long lost twin” of the Swinging Friar, the San Diego Padres mascot, is here in Tucson.
Weird, you’d think that a friar would be more likely to have a fraternal twin. Regardless, this missing mendicant needs a name and that’s where you come in. The team is currently accepting submissions, at media@tucsonpadres.com as well as their official Facebook page. A few fans have already suggested “Friar Tuc”, and while I like that in theory it would lead to rampant pronunciation confusion.
Robed Pierre?
Moving on to the world of logos, the Bowie Baysox hope that you’ll fall for this one hook, line, and sinker:
Drawn to 'Scale'
Reminiscent of pitching greats such as Steve Trout and Catfish Hunter, this logo will be worn by the team during each and every Friday home game. Explains the team:
The fish is a combination of the rockfish or striped bass and the Oyster toadfish. Those two species were selected because both thrive in a healthy Bay. In conjunction with the new logo, the Baysox have partnered with the Chesapeake Bay Trust to help raise funds for the independent, nonprofit grant-making organization.
The logo was designed by the Philadelphia-based 3601 Creative Group, proving that there are other fish in the sea besides Plan B Branding and Studio Simon. Baysox fans are split in their opinion of the new look, with many registering disapproval on Facebook. I recommend that the team compile these dissenting views under the headline “Friday Fish Fried!” Surely the Friar would approve, based both on name similarity as well as day of the week dietary restrictions.
It’s time to bring this first post of a brave new era to an end, but not before mentioning the Tennessee Smokies’ “Deal of the Century.”
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of professional baseball in East Tennessee, the team is selling Opening Day tickets for a dollar (100 cents). But this deal is only available for 100 hours, starting yesterday at 1 pm and extending through Thursday at 5 pm. Act now!
And, please, let me know if you are having any issues with this blog (finding old entries, post layouts, missing photos, etc). I will do my best to rectify.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
The Onus Is On You To Fear the Sea Cow and Let It Snow
Over the past several weeks, I have methodically taken note of all the teams who are planning some sort of Valentine’s Day promotion. My current tally now stands at 33, and I am sure there are some that I am missing.
But, you know what? I’ve written about this kind of thing before, in multiple MiLB.com feature stories (HERE and HERE) and blog posts (HERE and HERE). So at this juncture, I’m just going to make a simple request:
Send me funny photos and videos from your Valentine endeavors, and I will compile a (hopefully) hilarious blog post with the best of what I receive. In the meantime, here’s a video featuring a diaper-wearing mascot playing front office Cupid.
It’s otherwise a pretty slow day here in Minor League Baseball-land, but we’ll get by. We always do.
I do, however, want to highlight an event going on tonight: Minor League Baseball on Ice!
The NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning will be hosting “Minor League Baseball Night” at the St. Pete Times Forum on Friday. Not much to it, really — a bevy of Florida State League teams will have info booths set up on the concourse, attempting to educate fans on the wonders of Minor League Baseball.
And, according to the Brevard County Manatees website, anyone who visits the team’s booth and utters the words “Fear the Sea Cow!” will receive a special gift.
In my mind, simply having a legitimate reason to say “Fear the Sea Cow” to a total stranger is a gift in and of itself.
Meanwhile, much of the country is still dealing with the after-effects of last week’s blizzard. Instead of stressing out about the situation, the Cedar Rapids have taken a “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” approach.
And since it’s Friday, I’ll close with a video even more gratuitous. Check out who can now add “Children’s Book Author” to his resume:
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
Tis the Season For Blog Posts With Tis In the Title
Welcome to the 191st, and final, Ben’s Biz Blog installment of 2010. It’s been a year filled with love, laughs, and learning, much better than 2009′s alliterative noun triumvirate of ambiguity, ambivalence, and antipathy.
But now, like a timid jouster, it’s time to go gently into that good Knight. Before doing so, let’s take a metaphorical spin around the proverbial block in order to see how Minor League teams across the country are celebrating the holidays.
We’ll start with some photos from Fort Wayne’s Parkview Field, which is looking rather picturesque this time of year.
Later, he got all introspective in the home dugout.
Moving from introspection to Inland Empire, the 66ers have put together a video chronicling their wokplace Secret Santa follies. The lesson here is that traditionally-sized clothing is anathema to the mascot race.
And, by the way, the 66ers have a new blog. Check it out. Perhaps one day the team will reach the blogging heights that have been attained by the Great Lakes Loons, who recently put together a mammoth photo-heavy year-in-review post. THIS is probably the best single post done by a Minor League team this year.
Meanwhile, the Williamsport Crosscutters put together an article in which former players share their Christmas memories.
The best Christmas recollection comes courtesy of Evan Porter: Last year I was with my family on Christmas morning, when I got a call from former teammates Adam Buschini and Jeremy Barnes. They both just called to say how much they missed me. Made me cry, and then Poppa brought in a baby Golden Retriever puppy.
And it wouldn’t be December in the Minors without a team-produced “Twas the Night Before Christmas” parody. This year, the Bowie Baysox got in on the action.
If you would like to be wrapped up all cozy like the infantile team employees in the above video, then — guess what? — the Montgomery Biscuits have got you covered.
Naughty, nice, doesn’t matter.
And finally — mercifully — that’s going to put an end to Ben’s Biz Blog 2010. Here’s to a magical, magnanimous, and altogether marvelous 2011.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
A Day In the Life
Tomorrow, as it’s been said, is only a day away. And tomorrow’s tomorrow, when it becomes the present, presents a bountiful array of enticing presents to fans gracing Minor League ballparks with their presence.
Wishing to continue my reign as a preeminent prescient promotional prognosticator, I now present this truncated list of just what, exactly, is taking place tomorrow. Taken in toto, it serves to illuminate the the voluminous vitality of the Minor League landscape.
I know many of you would like to punch me in the face after reading the above two paragraphs, but you can’t. I’m light years away, and ensconced in bubble wrap.
To the list!
Hank Conger Bobblehead Giveaway (Arkansas Travelers) — In honor of the switch-hitting backstop who suited up for the team in ’08 and ’09.
William Seward Bobblehead Giveaway (Auburn Doubledays) — In honor of New
Yorkstate’s 12tgh governor, who suited up for the commonwealth from 1839-1842. He later served as Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln. Now he’s a bobblehead.
Three World Record Attempts (Bowie Baysox) — As detailed in this week’s “Promotion Preview” column, the Baysox are attempting to reach new heights in the categories of “Most People Sitting on a Whoopee Cushion”, “Most People Doing ‘The Twist’”, and “Most People Engaged in Simultaneous Air Guitar.”
Farmer Axle Bobblehead (Bowling Green Hot Rods) — It’s “Agriculture Night” in Bowling Green, hence a giveaway featuring a tractor-driving mascot.
Lumberstock (Clinton LumberKings) — An all-day festival featuring live music, cornhole tournaments, and plenty of food and drink. “Wood”n’t you like to go?
Retro Jersey Giveaway (Corpus Christi Hooks) — An inimitable item mimicking the ’80s incarnation of parent club the Houston Astros.
Ryan Dempster Theme Jersey Auction (Daytona Cubs) — Proceeds benefit the Ryan and Jenny Dempster Family Foundation.
Buster Posey Bobblehead (Fresno Grizzlies) — If you want one of these then you better Buster move to Chukchansi Park.
Jimmy Hart Appearance (Lexington Legends) — The “Mouth of the South” attempts to devour Applebee’s Park.
Ladies Night w/ Rafe Hernandez (Mahoning Valley Scrappers) — The “Days of Our Lives”
star visits Eastman Field, delighting fans with hourglass figures.
Jacoby Ellsbury Bobblehead (Pawtucket Red Sox) — Free to the first 4000 fans age 14 and under. Or at least those, like Ellsbury, who can pass for 14.
Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Jerry Lawler Appearance (Richmond Flying Squirrels) — Because two legendary grapplers are always better than one, unless they gang up on you.
A few odds and ends before closing up shop:
– A new “Farm’s Almanac” feature is up now, about the Frederick Keys’ “Volt Night” and executive chefs in Minor League Baseball. “Volt Night”, in which Top Chef’s Bryan Voltaggio manned a concession stand, was a huge hit in Frederick (attracting a near-sellout crowd on a Tuesday night). The Baltimore Sun ran an excellent recap and photo gallery of the event.
– For sheer wordplay lunacy, it will be hard to top the Huntsville Stars’ September 6 promotion. The game will be preceded by the “Okra Win-Free Labor Day Marathon”. 103 people will split the duties of running the race (no one will “win”, see?) and okra will be a side dish in the steak dinner following the race. Plus, an invitation has been extended to Oprah Winfrey, who once ran a marathon. The entire event should be soundtracked by THIS.
– Finally, from the “Why Didn’t I Think of That” department, the Lancaster JetHawks have passed along word that they’re planning a “90210 Night” promotion for September 2. Get it? 9/02/10. It’s been right there in front of us, all along.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
A Young Fan Enjoys His Golden Years
Being handed a bobblehead upon entering a stadium is all well and good, but such a means of acquisition is hardly challenging.
In recent years, more ambitious fans have taken part in team-run bobblehead scavenger hunts. These competitions require skill, cunning, and commitment, requiring participants to decipher website clues and then travel to a specific location in order to track down a hidden bobblehead.
The Bowie Baysox have been pioneers in this emerging field, regularly stashing “golden bobbleheads” in well-concealed public locations. The first fan to find it receives an array of prizes, including team merchandise, game tickets, and the opportunity to throw out a first pitch. Their most recent contest featured the “Golden Matusz“:
The individual who discovered this coveted bobble was young Ben Griffith (posing here with his father, Clif):
Ben is a bobblehead scavenger hunt prodigy, as he also discovered the “Golden Louie” in 2008. In order to shine some light on what it takes to advance to the top of the field, he took the time to answer a few questions via email.
Ben’s Biz Blog: First the Golden Louie, now the Golden Matusz.
What led to this desire
to locate hidden bobbleheads, and how did you become so
good at it?
Ben Griffith: Well, my dad saw the Golden
Louie on the website and located the clues. Then we worked very hard and found
the Louie. I thought it would be exciting to get the opportunity to have all
the rewards and throw out the first pitch.
BBB: Are there any specific strategies or preparation
techniques you use when it comes to these scavenger hunts?
BG: My Dad says it’s important to find the clues as soon as they come out.
BBB: For those who have not been fortunate to find a
golden bobblehead, can you explain how it is different from a normal one? Is it
made of real gold?
BG: It’s not real gold
but it looks similar to real gold but not as shiny. It’s different because it’s
one of a kind…and it’s gold.
BBB: Have you made any friends (or rivals) while
looking for the bobbleheads? Do fans recognize you at the ballpark now?
BG: Yes. We’ve met Mr. Tom (Sedlacek,
Communications Manager for the Baysox) a couple times and he’s been very nice
to us. Some of the workers remember me from when I found the Golden Louie.
BBB: Any plans to retire, or will you be participating in the team’s next contest?
BG: My Dad says we should retire but I want
to keep going.
BBB: You must be a baseball fan in addition to an excellent scavenger hunter. Who
are your favorite team and players? Do you play baseball?
BG: My favorite team is the Orioles. A lot
of my favorite players used to play for the Baysox, Matt Weiters, Nolan
Reimold, Brad Bergensen, Lou Montanez, Jason Berken, Chris Tillman and of
course Brian Matusz. My most favorite is Brian Roberts. I do play baseball.
I’ve been playing since I was 5. This is my second year playing for 2 teams at
the same time. I play on a select team where I am the only 9 year old and all
my teammates are 10. When I grow up I want to be a Major League Baseball
player.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
Hair's the Scoop
The Bowie Baysox staged “Beard-A-Palooza” this past Monday, and I am fortunate to have attained photos from this hirsute celebration.
The promotion was exactly what its name implied: a celebration of beards. Between-inning games and contests were devoted to this most dignified form of facial hair, and all bearded individuals received discounted admission to the ballpark.
I’ll start things off with a 2010 Photo of the Year contender. I like this picture so much because 1) these guys are no johnny-come-latelies to the beard scene and 2) their innate good-naturedness is so immediately apparent:
This between-inning game involved contestants attempting to shave a balloon. I’m truly grateful that I have a job that allows me to regularly write sentences such as the previous:
I have no idea what’s going on in the next two photos, but this aura of mystery enhances the visual:
The Baysox aren’t the only team to have recently staged a follicle-related promotion. The Lake County Captains held “Hairstyle Appreciation Night”, which team director of promotions Jonathan Levey described thusly:
Hairstyle
Appreciation Night paid homage to all facets of hair. Barbers were on hand to
cut hair during the game with all tips received contributed to Locks for Love.
The Captains player with the best hairstyle head shot (Casey Frawley) on the
video board had $50 donated to Locks For Love in his name. The Captains hosted
several contests including: Best Hairstyle, Craziest Hairstyle, Best Wig and a
Wig Relay Race. There was also color hair spraying for the kids and many
different movie and photo clips to honor hair throughout the evening.
Casey Frawley? ‘Fraid I’ve never haird of ‘em:
Captains staff:
Multi-Tasking on the Concourse:
One of the evening’s biggest stars:
As much as I love writing about hair-related promotions within the world of Minor League Baseball, allow me to briefly point out that my latest “Farm’s Almanac” feature is a good one. It’s on umpiring in the Minors, and I hope you find it engaging and informative.
Okay, with that plug out of the way, let me return to the Baysox. The following video has nothing to do with hair, however. Rather, it is an amusing look at prospects Zach Britton and Caleb Joseph as they spend an evening at Camden Yards with something less than all-access:
That’s going to do it for me, for this week. In closing, I’ll leave you with yet another “at-bat walk-up” song selection. THIS.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
Pictures Tell the Story
A post earlier this week was dedicated to the preponderance of top-quality videos that had recently arisen from the vast Minor League landscape. But lest anyone think I’m giving short shrift to the still image, today’s entry will feature a few of the many photos I have recently received.
So let’s, as they say, get to it.
Yesterday was Earth Day, spurring teams across the country to spout their environmental bonafides in fortuitously-timed press releases. But only one club is currently featuring both a power-generating hamster as well as a fanatical wearer of an all-encompassing green body suit.
That club would be the Fort Myers Miracle:
Sez the team:
Sparky makes appearances nightly to run in a hamster wheel…for a half-inning the entire ballpark is energized thru his swiftness. If Sparky slows down the lights on the scoreboard may dim.
While Sparky is running to his little heart’s content, the newly introduced “Green Guy” keeps the inside of the stadium clean.
Let’s move from Southwest Florida to South Bend, Indiana. There, the Silver Hawks staged their annual “Halfway to Halloween Night” promotion. The evening featured discounted admission to those in costume, such as these characters:
That Pirate up there on the right was the winner of the costume contest, marking the first time since 1992 that the Pirates were able to win anything. His “booty” was a pair of round-trip airfare tickets, which he gripped with gusto:
Regular readers of my weekly “Promotion Preview” column (and aren’t you all?) will recall Bowie’s “Outdoorsman Night”, a salute to fresh air recreational activities. Cold weather put somewhat of a damper on the proceedings, but nonetheless the show went on. Here’s a ballpark image you don’t see every day:
Baysox media relations director Tom Sedlacek, who sent these pictures, writes “I’m not exactly sure what this race was, but contestants had to put on all the camo gear and run.” Sounds reasonable enough to me!
Sedlacek also wrote that “neither contestant in the duck call competition actually knew how to use the duck call.” There is something about this image that saddens me.
And when I feel down, there’s only one thing that can lift my spirits: baseball-themed adolescent folk art. The Bowling Green Hot Rods staged “Art Night” earlier this month, which was highlighted by a calendar giveaway featuring youthful interpretations of the Bowling Green Baseball experience.
I don’t know what it is, exactly, but this drawing in particular really speaks to me:
Kudos to this young artisan, may he (or she) go on to a creative career of colossal consequence.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
Charleston's Got Male
In keeping with yesterday’s theme of taking a closer look at just-released promotional schedules, I would like to bring the Charleston RiverDogs to your attention.
The always irreverent South Atlantic League ballclub released their 2010 promo schedule yestereday, and it is filled with many dates worth circling. Or at least potentially worth circling. You see, the RiverDogs are masters of the mysterious, and many of their theme nights sound less like baseball promotions and more like an unpublished Daniel Pinkwater novel. For instance: “What Do You Put On Your Grits?”, “The Holy City Breaks Wind”, and “It’s Raining Relish.” And let’s not forget such potential classics as “MacGruber Does Your Taxes”, “There is no ‘I’ in A-Team”, and “Aaron Radatz Predicts the Final Score.”
And then there’s July 17′s “Lady Liberty Statue Giveaway“, in which fans will receive a mini-replica of Charleston’s proposed “male Statue of Liberty.” The team is having fans vote on which man’s face they would like to see on the giveaway statue, with the choices being Steven Colbert, Andy Dick, Chris Rock, and mascot Charlie T. RiverDog.
I am not making any of this up, and would like to note for the record that Andy Dick on the Statue of Liberty would mark a new low for American civilization. Even lower than THIS
. Actually, I take that back. I love Pat Boone’s metal album and would suggest that team’s play it at the stadium. Put THIS on when the opposing team’s closer takes the mound.
– To move on to music of a more durable quality, I’d suggest everyone take a listen to the new Baseball Project track. I’ve written about the Baseball Project before, and had the opportunity to see them in New Orleans while attending the Minor League Baseball Promotional Seminar. They will worth keeping an eye on in 2010 and beyond.
– Don’t let all this talk of music make you think I am forgetting videos. Far from it. First I would like to share the Bowie Baysox’s new video podcast, which begins with a flurry of Eastern League puns that I found to be delightful:
And here, the Gwinnett Braves show that they’re ready for the season. Perhaps a bit prematurely:
I have fulfilled today’s blogging requirements, and as such may now retire to my country estate for an evening of Port and Sports. It’s what I do every Wednesday, and tonight’s agenda includes women’s volleyball and a bottle of Presidential 20-year Tawny.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
Blogging Bouillabaisse
What should I write about today?
I’ve spilled way too much virtual ink about Valentine’s Day already, and not too much is shaking on the 2010 promotional front. So my only option is this: to systematically exhaust my supply of topics that for some reason or another my moderately-addled mind has deemed “blogworthy.” Topics such as these:
– In Bowie, communications manager Tom Sedlacek dove into a kiddie-pool filled with frigid water. There was a reason for this. Click HERE if you are interested in what motivated such a ridiculous action. Otherwise, just watch:
In Tulsa, the Drillers are having some fun with their brand-new high-powered t-shirt cannon:
The 2010 Triple-A All-Star Game marks the first time that
league-specific uniforms will be worn by respective All-Stars in either
Triple-A or the Major Leagues.
– Finally, the Bowling Green Hot Rods’ website currently features an interview with me. As in Benjamin Hill, the guy typing this sentence right now. Check it out HERE.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
BensBiz
Recent Comments