Results tagged ‘ Corpus Christi Hooks ’
The Harlem Shake: A Minor Overview
Introductory paragraphs within this blog forum can sometimes be needlessly circuitous, steeped as they are in obscure references and acute self-consciousness. But not today. Today, we cut to the chase:
What follows is a comprehensive round-up of Harlem Shake videos produced by Minor League teams.
Yes, you’re probably sick of the Harlem Shake at this point. I am too. But let’s take the long view, as historians with an interest in baseball history, viral fads and the intersection of the two will no doubt delight in stumbling upon this post at some at some unknown moment in the distant future. I am doing this for you, future historians! I always am. For it is you who will ensure my legacy.
Plus, you’ve gotta admit — Minor League teams, with their easy access to supply closets full of banana suits and inflatable ponies, make better Harlem Shake videos than most. So here we go! In no particular order, here are two dozen Harlem Shake videos produced by professional baseball teams in possession of a formal affiliation with a Major League club.
Frederick Keys – Apparently a big-headed reincarnation of Francis Scott Key regularly sits in on front office meetings:
Columbus Clippers – Warning! Includes bear-on-frankfurter violence that may be unsettling to younger viewers:
Bowie Baysox – A toothbrush can’t dance? I bristle at such a notion:
Lexington Legends – Mister would you please stop punching that pony? WATCH ON FACEBOOK.
Vancouver Canadians – As if any proof was needed that this was an international phenomenon:
Fort Wayne Tincaps – A solitary pothead gives way to a banana who loves the queen of hearts.
Lake Elsinore Storm – Yes that is an upside-down squirrel hanging from the dugout, and yes he is happy to see you:
Corpus Christi Hooks – Can’t a man bike through the office in peace? WATCH ON MILB.COM
Tulsa Drillers – Hey, no dogs in the swimming pool!
Gwinnett Braves – Team store? More like surreal fever dream store!
New Hampshire Fisher Cats – Fungo and friends “rose” to the occasion:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Give peas a chance. WATCH ON MILB.COM
Buffalo Bisons – Vest-wearing gentleman on the right is my favorite individual to appear in any Harlem Shake video:
Charlotte Stone Crabs – What’s to stop the Incredible Hulk from wearing a sombrero?
Fresno Grizzlies – Forget this faddish viral bastardization. Parker knows how to do the REAL Harlem Shake. WATCH ON VINE.
Louisville Bats – This takes place in multiple dimensions simultaneously. It will blow your mind.
Bowling Green Hot Rods – I guess you could say that Axle rose to the occasion.
Delmarva Shorebirds – The Shake so nice they did it twice.
Springfield Cardinals – You know what? This is probably the best one out of all of ‘em.
Round Rock Express – All bobblehead version!
Connecticut Tigers – Shout it from the rooftop!
And, finally, there are the State College Spikes. The first Minor League team to post a Harlem Shake video, and the last to be featured in this post:
EDIT!
Two latecomers have entered the fray!
Orem Owlz – Holly, the Owlz pregnant mascot, wisely sat this one out.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans – Fans of multi-colored crustacean triumvirates rejoice!
—
And that’s all she wrote, folks. “She” being me, of course. I am a man. A 34-year-old man. A man who is perhaps too old to be providing you with diversions such as the above. But yet I do, and yet I did.
Do not forsake me, future historians! I do not want to believe that this has all been in vain.
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
The Offseason is On
Perceptive readers of this blog may have picked up on the fact that I have come down with a case of the “Offseason Blues.” This ailment is not recognized by the mainstream medical community, so it has been hard for obtain the treatment I deserve.
But soldier on I must, so soldier on I shall. Today, I seek to derive strength and inspiration by conveying the following smorgasbord of Minor League news to you, the reader.
Dare to Be Stupid — Teams across the country are currently taking advantage of October down time in order to plan their 2010 promotional schedule. At least two of these clubs are actively soliciting fan suggestions: the Great Lakes Loons and the Bowie Baysox.
In advance of last week’s “Think Tank” planning session, the Loons put out a press release asking that fans submit promotional ideas on the Facebook page of mascot Lou E. Loon.
The Baysox, meanwhile, are asking fans to send an email to info@bowiebaysox.com
with the subject line of “CRAZY IDEA.” The caps-lock enamored club takes pains to emphasize that NO IDEA IS TOO CRAZY, so don’t be afraid to really let loose. I just gave myself 30 seconds to brainstorm a crazy idea, and the best I could do was “hermit crab giveaway.” It’s been that kind of day.
A Trip Down Memory Lane — I am in the process of putting together a spreadsheet of offseason Minor League events, so that I can write an offseason version of my “Promotion Preview” column. In the process, I have come across several worthy events that, alas, have already occurred. Such as:
Legends of Baseball Vintage Showdown in San Jose — Former big leaguers — including Hall of Famers Gaylord Perry and Rollie Fingers — faced off against players from the California Vintage Baesball Association. The game was played according to the 1886 rulebook, meaning that Perry could finally throw a legal spitball.
Hall of Fame Fight Night in Corpus Christi — Featuring eight bouts and a local Hall of Fame induction ceremony. What more could you ask for on a Saturday night in October at a Double-A ballpark?
Stone Crabs Celebrate Themselves — In Charlotte (Florida), the Stone Crabs celebrated the
opening of stone crab season by offering fans a $50 gift card with the purchase of a season ticket plan.
Dave the Horn Guy Update — Every few months, I feel compelled to mention Minor League touring performer Dave the Horn Guy. Rather than question why this is, I instead direct you to THIS LINK. There, you can download Horn Guy ringtones. If you’ve never heard Usher’s “Yeah” played through a chromatically-tuned bulb horn, then you’ve never really lived.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
Cinco De Mayo Recapped on Seis De Mayo
For many Americans, the holiday of “Cinco De Mayo” is nothing more than an excuse to go drinking at Mexican restaurants. It’s like St. Patrick’s Day with tequila instead of Guinness.
That’s all well and good, but what’s well and better is the opportunity to celebrate Cinco De Mayo in a different way. That’s exactly what the Corpus Christi Hooks offered their fans last night, as the club staged a “Mariachi Madness” Cinco De Mayo celebration.
Here’s the rundown, courtesy of Hooks promotions coordinator Seamus Gallivan:
“Our resident mariachi band, Mariachi Espuelas,
will play their regular pre-game set in the concourse, then perform the
National Anthem, then be featured throughout the ballpark as part of in-game
promotions. They’ll play chase music on the field at the finish line of the
Hog Race and serenade couples during the Kiss Cam, all closing out with
their rousing rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” in which they always
finish by shouting, “Viva Los Hooks!”
Here’s a shot of Mariachi Espuelas in action atop the dugout:
According to Gallivan, the highlight of the night was the band’s rendition of the National Anthem.
“They considered it a real honor to be asked to do it, and came up with an intricate and layered arrangement,” he said. “It was very stirring, creating goosebumps on top of goosebumps…It was the best anthem performance we’ve had this season, and one of the best I’ve ever seen.”
The evening took on a decidedly goofier turn as the game progressed. Here, mascot Rusty Hook engages in a showdown:
Finally, there was an appearance by the mischeivious wrestling duo Luchadores de Lucha Libre (in reality, two Hooks interns) Their primary goal was to wreak havoc on the mascot race, but they ended up doing far more.
“They stuck around to throw out t-shirts and do the dizzy bat race, and after the game they were standing by the gates wishing people goodnight,” said Gallivan. “We couldn’t get them out of those costumes.”
And who could blame them?
So there you have it, folks — Cinco De Mayo done right.
What’s been going on in your neck of the woods? Send me an email, okay?
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
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Minor League Ballclubs Court Women, Provide Warmth
Many Minor League teams offer local youths the opportunity to join a “Kids Club”. For a nominal annual fee, these mascot-sanctioned entities generally provide the child in question with an array of team merchandise, tickets, and in-stadium discounts.
But rare is the team that makes such an offer (adopt suave, bass-inflected voice for these next three words) For the Ladies.
With the recent introduction of their BARBS! fan club, the Corpus Christi Hooks have done just this. Press release, I’m going to let you explain things from here:
[D]esigned for female baseball fans between the ages of 16 and 54. BARBS
membership benefits include a pink visor, pink tote bag, two reserved
tickets to three 2009 Hooks home games and a 10 percent discount at
Hook, Line & Sinker.
Now, I know the question on everyone’s mind at this point is this — “Why is this thing call
‘BARBS’?” Fortunately, Hooks president Ken Schrom has an answer:
“The most important part of a hook is the barb, so we feel the name is a natural.”
Thanks, Ken Schrom. Now, all that remains to be seen is whether the Hooks offer will “lure” more female fans to the ballpark.
Talk About Good Timing!
As I was in the midst of composing this blog post (#268, for those keeping track at home), an email from the Lancaster JetHawks landed in my inbox with a portentous thud. This missive, from general manager Larry Thornhill, announced an even more unique Minor League fan club.
Enjoying outdoor activities during the early spring in the Antelope Valley can
be a rather chilly proposition. That is why the Lancaster JetHawks…have come up with a great new way to enjoy
exciting professional baseball while staying warm and comfortable at the
ballpark. The brand new “Polar Bear Club” will give its members access to a
special heated section, as well as hot chocolate and a blanket, along with
ticket discounts for all April home games at Clear Channel Stadium.
The heated section will feature several outdoor space heaters and will be
exclusive to Polar Bear Club members. Along with this special benefit, Polar
Bear Club members will receive a ticket to all 14 JetHawks home games in April. They will receive a specially designed JetHawks Polar Bear Club blanket, as well
as a hot dog and cup of hot chocolate at each game.
The price of the Polar Bear Club is $120 (a scaled down $80 option exists as well). This is a great deal for
those who were already considering attending all or most of the April
games anyway, but is probably too much money to entice the casual fan. Regardless, I love the JetHawks strategy of taking a negative and turning it into a positive by giving people a reason to want to come out and sit in the cold. Every Minor League community has its subset of hardcore, rain-or-shine fans. Why not reward and encourage their masochistic game-attending tendencies by offering something similar to what the JetHawks have done?
And, for some reason, I can’t get it out of my mind that the Polar Bear Club will result in at least one marriage down the line. 14 chilly nights of fleece blanket and hot chocolate-enhanced Minor League Baseball seems like a really good way to get to know someone.
I wonder if the BARBS would agree.
This Is Ben's Biz Blog
We’re inching ever-closer toward Opening Day. Press releases touting Hot Stove Dinners have given way to those announcing National Anthem Auditions and Job Fairs. This is the way of things.
As this slow march toward real live baseball progresses, teams must kick their promotional campaigns into overdrive. In addition to TV, radio, billboards, newspaper ads, and other more traditional means of advertising, there is now another way in which to promote the upcoming season.
You may have heard of it. It’s called “the internet“.
Last week, Corpus Christi Hooks promotions coordinator Seamus “Don’t spell it Shamus”
Gallivan sent me a link to some of the recent videos his club has produced. Modeled after ESPN’s “Sportcenter” commercials, the “This Is Hooks Baseball” campaign adopts a dry, absurdist tone.
Check them out here.
As we move closer to the season, I’ll make a point to highlight internet ad campaigns throughout the Minor Leagues. Send me an email if you’d like the team you work and/or root for to be featured.
Moving On…And while I’m in solicitation mode, let me mention two other things.
First Thing: Next week, I will be working on a story for MiLB.com about Valentine’s Day in the Minor Leagues. I have come across a half-dozen or so clubs who are doing promotions tied in with the holiday, but there are surely more. Let me know.
Second Thing: Our weekly “At Home With” team profile column will be going on hiatus once the season starts. I still have three or four open spots available. Don’t miss the chance to have your team featured. Send me an email if you’re interested.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
One Step Closer To the Inevitable…
Last week I did a post on the innovative season ticket plan launched by the Huntsville Stars and the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, in which each team would honor the other’s Season Ticket Holder cards when they face each other.
Well, this is an idea that is quickly taking on a life of its own, as last week the Stars and D-Jaxx announced that the Mississippi Braves and the Chattanooga Lookouts had entered into the agreement as well. This means that each club’s 70-game season ticket plan now includes 24 additional road games.
You realize what this is all building toward, right? No? Well I’ll tell you — This is all building toward a bold new future in which a Minor League team’s season ticket plan also includes admission to each and every away game. Granted, we’re not there yet, but we are most certainly headed down that path. Prepare yourselves.
On The Topic — Somewhat similar to the new Stars and D-Jaxx ticket plan is the arrangement that exists between the Pacific Coast League’s Round Rock Express and the Texas League’s Corpus Christi Hooks. Both teams are owned and operated by Ryan-Sanders Baseball, and as a result honor the other’s season tickets and also offer team-rate discounts at the team hotel in each city. (thanks to Hooks’ director of ballpark entertainment Seamus Gallivan for the info)
Off the Topic, But Still Related To One of the Teams in Question — The Stars, a Brewers
affiliate, are hosting a youth baseball camp on November 8. And this camp is going to be run by none other than Corey Hart. However, the Corey Hart in question is not this Corey Hart, who currently patrols right field for the Brewers. Nor is it this Corey Hart, who scored a pop smash in 1983 with “Sunglasses at Night”. Rather, it is Brewers Minor League hitting instructor Corey Hart, whose eight-year pro playing career came to an end in 2005.
All three of these Corey Harts are worthy of respect and admiration. Just don’t get confused, is all I’m saying.
Digestible Digressions
Generally, I do not like to write posts that contain bite-sized morsels of information on disparate topics. As someone who pretends on a daily basis to be a serious and influential journalist, I take great pains to insure that my unsolicited Minor League PR work is detailed and in-depth. How else can I justify to MLB.com that I am “special” to them?
Not today, however. Not today. There are just too many things to write about, and little time in which to do it. So, without further ado, let’s go to the Bullet Points!
– Last week, I wrote a post on the Quad City River Bandits‘ innovative “You Pick the Improvement” contest. After soliciting suggestions over a three-week period, the club is now having fans vote on which of six improvements they would like to see made to Modern Woodmen Park. I voted for “Permanent Playground for Kids”, largely because the temporary play areas of my youth always resulted in heartbreak and disappointment.
– The Corpus Christi Hooks announced last week that they would be holding their own version
of the Olympics on November 15. The Games will feature 14 events, and scored 10-8-6-4-2 for first through fifth place in each event. Here’s more, from the press release:
Companies may
enter the Games for a $500 fee and the cost per participant is $10, to
be paid by the company or individual. Each athlete receives a t-shirt,
wristband and coupon for a hot dog and Coke. Spectator admission is $2
and PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE MIRACLE LEAGUE OF CORPUS CHRISTI.
Kudos to the Hooks for coming up with an innovative and charitable way to stay in the public eye during that baseball-deprived time of year.
– I need to give credit where credit where credit is due, as I found the following bit of information in Ballpark Digest: The Durham Bulls (Class AAA; International League)
opened the doors to
Durham
Bulls Athletic Park to an event, Project
Homeless Contact, designed to bring social
services and the homeless together. Because of its
downtown location,
Durham
Bulls Athletic Park was the perfect place to
hold the event, with over 400 homeless people
receiving counseling on a variety of services
meant to bring them to a higher level of
stability, including job counseling and housing
assistance. You probably can’t do this during the
season, but for a single event the ballpark worked
beautifully — and showed us all the power of
thinking outside the box in providing worthwhile
community service.
All that I can add to this is that I would love to see more teams follow the Bulls’ lead. After all, it is better to follow a Bull than have a Bull follow you.
– I have more Minor League news at the ready, but as a staunch proponent of the Rule of Threes I must conclude today’s post. I have to get my affairs in order here in NYC, as I will be spending the rest of the week in beautiful Austin, TX, at the Minor League Promotional Seminar. See you there, industry. Drinks are on you.
BensBiz
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