Results tagged ‘ Fort Wayne TinCaps ’
On the Road: Getting the Lay of the Land in Fort Wayne
I spent Tuesday evening in Fort Wayne, taking in a doubleheader between the hometown TinCaps and visiting Dayton Dragons. It was an action-packed and thoroughly exhausting couple of hours, in which the team’s front office took it upon themselves to include me in seemingly every aspect of the game day entertainment.
A detailed recap of just what the evening entailed will appear Friday on MiLB.com, along with video and photographic evidence. And further Fort Wayne blogs and articles are sure to materialize as well.
But, for now, let me just give you the lay of the land. Fort Wayne’s Parkview Field is a most beautiful facility, the centerpiece of a $130 million downtown development project.
See that “Treetops” seating area out there in right field? It’s a group area highly reminiscent of Toledo’s “The Roost”, and features a rotating menu. As in, “rotates every couple of innings.”
The view from up there:
Meanwhile, this was the view to be had from the sixth floor of my palatial Courtyard Marriott digs.
See those curved lines in the lower right hand corner? They light up at night, and lead to the aforementioned Marriott.
But the visiting Dayton Dragons can’t be bothered with such a perilous stair-filled journey. Instead, they ride in style.
More views from throughout the stadium, provided in spectacular Bloggervision:
All hail our new slug overlords (actually a kid's zone climbing area)
Johnny TinCap himself happily undulates in front of the team store, a mammoth emporium featuring a near-Lake Elsinore level of clothing selection.
The scene at the top of the first. You may notice that the TinCaps are wearing Flag Jerseys. It was Flag Day, after all.
Between games, the National Guard held a swearing-in ceremony.
I didn’t hear the TinCaps make any specific claims about the unprecedented size of their scoreboard, but nonetheless this is a big one. In the spirit of unrestrained Minor League hyperbole, I’ll go ahead and call it the biggest videoboard in the history of videoboards.
As I mentioned at the top of this post, there’s a lot more Fort Wayne content to come in the form of Friday’s MiLB.com story as well as additional blogs and articles. But, for now, I leave you with a big ol’ pile of dirt.
Thanks for everything, Fort Wayne. Lake County, you’re next.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
Deliberating Before Dancing
It looks like my upcoming road trip is gonna be a good one, as I’ve gotten some very enthusiastic responses from the teams that I’ll be visiting. “On the Road” coverage will surely dominate this blog (and regularly appear on MiLB.com) throughout the upcoming week and into the next.
But before leaving, I need to solicit your opinion. The Fort Wayne TinCaps have asked me to take part in a “Bad Apple Dancer” dancing grounds crew routine, an invitation rarely extended to ballpark interlopers such as myself. I was even given the choice of what song to dance to, and I need your help in making that choice. The candidates:
Bootylicious
500 Miles
Party in the USA
Dynamite
As always, your input is important to me. What song would best showcase my prodigious dancing skills? Let me know via blog comment, twitter, or email (deadline: Saturday at 12 ET).
And while in a deliberative mood, check out the latest in the Altoona Curve’s series of television parody videos. It’s “Curve and Order.”
The Curve video was part of their latest “What We’re Watching Wednesday” promo, followed the next day by the latest entry in their mascot stunt series: “The Stuffed Animal Hoop of Death.”
Unfortunately, I am not in possession of footage of this phenomenal feat. In the meantime, may I suggest that you check out my latest “Farm’s Almanac” feature article on MiLB.com? It’s on Chris Hatcher, vying to become the first-ever player to appear in the Major Leagues as both a full-time catcher and full-time pitcher.
Thanks for reading, and see you on the road!
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
New Dimensions, Old Obsessions
See that new profile pic over there to your right? Like with most things in life, there’s a story behind it.
Last week the Fort Wayne TinCaps announced that their Opening Day entertainment would include 3D videoboard elements. This was an original idea, so I wrote a story about it. The team, in turn, sent me some TinCaps-branded glasses and 3D photos so that I could experience the phenomenon for myself. And I, in turn, posted a profile picture featuring myself wearing said glasses.
What I’m getting to (outside of another unintentional example of deeply-ingrained sycophancy) is that this has all spurred an idea. If you want your promo to be featured as part of the Ben’s Biz profile pic, then simply send along something that represents said promo to my NYC headquarters (address available upon request). If enough teams respond to this idea, then the profile pic can serve as an ever-changing representation of the latest in Minor League ridiculousness. The zeitgeist, if you will.
And the more ridiculous, the better. I’ll pose with just about anything.
To return to more typical content, there are two new prominent food items to share with ya’ll — dinner and dessert, weighing a combined 10.5 pounds. In the former category is the Tacoma Rainiers “Cheney 2×4 Burger”, which could give the legendary Fifth Third a run for its money:
According to the team, the above consists of: Four 1/2 pound patties stacked double high, eight slices of cheese, eight slices of bacon, eight slices of tomato, and a healthy serving of blue cheese coleslaw on top…all served on a one pound ciabatta loaf.
And for dessert? For that, we’ll return to the team that makes no concession concessions: the Akron Aeros. Today the team unveiled “The Screamer,” which is built on a one-pound chocolate brownie and includes 21 scoops of hand-dipped ice cream, four bananas, and covered with hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, and sprinkles, served in a full-size souvenir Aeros replica batting helmet.
Photographic evidence of this behemoth is currently scant, but here’s Aeros food and beverage director Jason Kerton posing with his latest creation. Memories await, indeed!
The shadow knows...
Those who regularly eat such items will soon find themselves needing a bypass, and fortunately Minor League Baseball offers that as well. Both the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and Richmond Flying Squirrels have recently announced that they will be offering Bypass Lane technology at the ballpark.
Here’s how it works, courtesy of the all-knowing entity that is the press release:
Through Bypass, fans are given the opportunity to view full food and drink menus of select concessions stands in the vicinity of their seats and are able to place orders by paying with a credit card using Bypass’ secure payment platform. When the order is ready for pickup, a text message is sent to the fan from the nearest Bypass Lane. Fans can then avoid the line by using the exclusive Bypass Lane at the designated pick-up areas located at the concession stands.
But that is just one of many innovations on offer. I don’t have the time to expand upon them now, but suffice to say I believe that Lehigh Valley is the first team to add whimsical pigtails to their parking spaces:
More like a porking space!
Please get in touch, readers. It’s the only thing that saves me from myself.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
Shamrocks and Shenanigans
What a momentous week — yesterday was Pi Day, today is the Ides of March, Wednesday is National Artichoke Hearts Day and Thursday is St. Patrick’s Day.
Minor League Baseball’s involvement with the first three of these annual milestones is minimal at best, but for St. Patrick’s Day teams are going green in a way that has nothing to do with waterless urinals, concourse recycling bins, and LEED certification.
The Savannah Sand Gnats are offering this St. Patty’s day tee, which makes it clear that insects can be Irish too:
Indianapolis is putting its own spin on the theme, as this green cap celebrates the “Luck O the Indians.”
And speaking of the Aces, the team is currently offering what I believe is the best season-ticket package in all of Minor League Baseball. Full-time students can purchase a general admission pass for $72 — that’s $1 a game!
But even cheaper than $1 a game is free, and in Fort Wayne the TinCaps are currently offering fans a unique way to score complimentary Opening Day ducats.
[T]he TinCaps are looking for eagle-eyed deputies to enforce a new staff dress code. Any fan who catches a full-time TinCaps staffer without a TinCaps logo visible on their person wins two tickets to Opening Day…Staff members must wear a visible TinCaps logo at all times for the entire month leading up to Opening Day, whether or not they are on the job. Anything from a TinCaps fake tattoo sleeve to a lapel pin is sufficient.
For truly committed fans, this shouldn’t be a problem. Just pick a staff member and engage in round-the-clock surveillance. They’re sure to slip up sooner or later.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
It’s A Blog Read Blog World
Yesterday’s post focused on Twitter and Facebook innovations, but today I’d like to write about that which is nearest to my heart.
No, not the pericardium. Stop taking things so literally. I am talking, of course, about blogs.
A concatenation of coincidences has led me to a variety of blogs that I’d like to share with you, the loyal reader. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to add them to your daily internet routine.
Anthems and Atleticos – While serving as the Fresno Grizzlies’ VP of marketing, Scott Carter made an indelible impression on the national promo landscape en route to establishing himself as one of the most creative minds in Minor League Baseball. He’s now a front office free agent, and until his inevitable re-entry into the industry this is the place to go for trenchant observations on everything from jock jams to his mother’s well-reasoned NFL playoff picks.
And We’re Marching – Another prominent former member of the Grizzlies’ staff is Bradley
Collins, an accomplished mascot who turned Parker into one of the most respected and well-known characters in all of Minor League Baseball.”And We’re Marching…” is devoted strictly to the world of costumed characters,interesting to those who wear the suits as well as those looking to understand the ins and outs of an increasingly important Minor League Baseball profession.
Bus Leagues — Okay, this isn’t a blog. It’s a sprawling website dedicated to covering Minor League Baseball from the fan perspective. These guys are enthusiastic about the Minors, to the extent that they even interview niche writers with negligible followings.
Diary of an Umpire’s Wife — Now here’s a baseball perspective one doesn’t come across too often! This blog looks at the trials and travails of the umpiring life from the perspective of a supportive significant other. Recent posts have taken an interesting look at the world of Venezuelan Winter Ball.
Docking With the Ports — After lying dormant for nearly a year (approximately a decade in blog time), Stockton’s front office has re-launched “Docking With the Ports.” Recent posts include player and front office interviews as well as Winter Meetings journals from a variety of perspectives.
The Watson Files – Okay, this is a blog I’ve known about for a while now. But Fort Wayne TinCaps broadcaster Dan Watson is writing one of the most consistently enjoyable team-affiliated blogs out there, chock full of witty and concise observations on the TinCaps, Padres, Midwest League, and pop culture. The fact that he regularly refers to me as “legendary author” has nothing to do with this endorsement.
Or does it?
Regardless, I feel compelled to point out that I just spent 30 seconds trying to remove a
wayward semi-colon from this post. It turned out to be an eyelash stuck to the screen. I also feel compelled to point out that, as always, I also write for MiLB.com. For proof, check out recent efforts such as “Tribe Ready For Poignant Anniversary In Kinston” and “Nobles Goes Deep in Durham Community.”
And while jury duty caused me to miss my annual visit to the Hall of Fame press conference, I am happy to report that my colleague Josh Jackson did an excellent job writing the now-obligatory “Inductees Reflect on Time in the Minors” story.
That’s going to conclude today’s blogging efforts. I look forward to your indignant emails regarding blogs that I have neglected to champion.
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
Taking It To The Next Level
I’ve been so immersed in the world of logo design these past few weeks that there is a slight possibility I may have neglected other notable Minor League happenings.
Did I just write “slight possibility?” I meant “absolute guarantee.”
For instance, did you know that that Fort Wayne’ Tincaps will be hosting a four-game Pacific Coast League series? Earlier this week, the Tincaps and parent club the San Diego Padres announced that the Padres’ Triple-A Tucson affiliate will play the Las Vegas 51s at Parkview Field from July 14-17.
This rare, if not unprecedented arrangement, came about because the Padres are in the process of buying the Triple-A club (formerly the Portland Beavers). Their long-term intent is to move them to nearby Escondido, CA, but until the specifics of that are straightened out the team will play in Tucson.
Except, of course, when they are playing a four-game series in Fort Wayne. Maybe some press release quotes can help ease the confusion you may now be experiencing:
“Our fans can get a taste of Triple-A baseball right here at Parkview Field,” TinCaps President Mike Nutter said. “These players are on the cusp of the Major Leagues and several have already reached that level. The opportunity to bring these games to Fort Wayne is a testament to our great relationship with the Padres and their appreciation for all of the support from the team and fans here. It is also another example of the incredible things we can do at Parkview Field.”
And from the Padre perspective:
Regardless of the admittedly confusing circumstances that led to this arrangement, the bottom line is that this is great for the Tincaps. It gives them the opportunity to showcase a higher level of baseball at Parkview Field, featuring players who very well may have previously logged time in Fort Wayne in 2009 and/or ’10.
Such an opportunity is worth the logistical hassles, an issue I’ll explore at a later date. For now, satiate your desire for more info by clicking THIS LINK.
In other, more rodent-based news, the Richmond Flying Squirrels have announced “two comic-themed images of Nutzy which will be featured across all of the club’s marketing and branding for the 2011 season.”
Here are the images, which show that Nutzy’s powers (and pectorals) continue to grow.
That is a seriously determined squirrel, one clearly able to overcome enemies such as greased bird feeders and bb gun-toting teens.
And as for myself, I’m about to overcome the enemy known as “the five-day work week.” Have a great Thanksgiving, and please know that I am truly grateful for everyone who reads this blog.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
An Action-Packed Blog for Action-Packed Times
Crucial pre-post information! This week’s edition of “Promotion
Preview” is available HERE.
It
is officially crazy season, that time of year in which I spend my day
poring through innumerable emails, Tweets, Facebook updates, news
articles, phone calls and psychic transmissions all related to the world
of Minor League Baseball. Sometimes I even write blog posts and
articles, as if this was part of my job description or something.
But
this rambling prelude really only exists in order to convey the
following: I’ve got a blog backlog, and the only cure is rapid-fire
information conveyance. So pour yourself a stiff drink, put on some
Vivaldi, and spend a little quality time with the lighter side of Minor
League Baseball.
Starting….NOW!
National Cheeseball Day
was April 17, a sacred holiday that was observed throughout the land.
The Lake County Captains got in the spirit by distributing cheese and
crackers to the bundled-up fans in attendance:
(photo credit: Neil Stein)
The Captains also held a contest in which fans had to guess the number of
cheesepuffs in a bulk container, with the most accurate guesser
receiving said bulk container.
And, of course, there was the
cheeseball eating contest. For the uninitiated, whenever a Minor League
team salutes a food product then it is a GUARANTEE they will stage an
eating contest involving the product (examples
this upcoming week include grilled cheese in Quad Cities and tacos in
Lancaster).
This particular eating contest features two of
the most reluctant participants you are ever likely to see
Following a Cheeseball Eating Contest is an unenviable task, as it would
seem that all else pales in comparison. But does it? Not if you’re the South Bend Silver
Hawks, who have kicked off their “Your Town Your Team” marketing
campaign with an immaculately produced video that details the city’s
rich baseball history.
We’re entering Ken Burns territory with
this one:
Another Midwest League franchise sporting impeccable production values
is the Fort
Wayne Tincaps, who have applied their audiovisual mastery toward a
dramatic “Behind the Music”-style video detailing the trials and
tribulations of the legendary Bad Apple Dancers:
Having already surpassed my monthly quota for Midwest League YouTube
videos, I must now proceed to the Florida State League. The Charlotte Stone
Crabs staged a “Golfer’s Appreciation” promo last week, an evening
that included a “Closest to the Pin” contest featuring manager Jim
Morrison and three local pros.
The skipper acquitted himself
very, very well, as this video proves:
But if it’s sci-fi that floats your proverbial boat, you may want to
take a look at how the Pawtucket Red Sox have chosen to promote their
upcoming “Star Wars” night. Behold, “Paws the Jedi”:
Finally — the Flying Squirrels era in Richmond has officially begun!
For those who weren’t able to visit the Diamond live and in person, the
following video put together by
Bus Leagues Baseball will have to suffice:
Believe it or not, there is FAR more where this came from. I’ll resume
my Sisyphean metaphorical ditch-digging efforts tomorrow. Until then, I
remain,
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
Fort Wayne Rolls Out the Red Carpet
So there I was, minding my own business, when an email popped into my inbox.
“What is this, the 21st century?”, I exclaimed sarcastically to no one in particular. Then, I read my new email. It was from Fort Wayne Tincaps radio broadcast manager Dan Watson, who relayed the following information:
[The Tincaps have] launched an interactive site where people can enter a name/jersey number and become the TinCaps’ “top prospect.” It doesn’t exactly fit the “wacky MiLB promo” description…but I haven’t seen other teams do this.
Well, Dan, it’s wacky enough for me. Also, it’s extremely well done and a lot of fun. Fans who visit tincapsfan.com will be asked to enter their name, favorite number, and email address. Then, it’s time to enter a magical world of imagination in which YOU are the team’s top prospect. Here are some screenshots from my tincapsfan.com experience:
That individual above is IronPigs manager Dave Huppert. I can assure you from personal experience that his interview on myironpigs.com is not an indication of his usual level of loquaciousness.
End Update
I have quite a few other Minor League tidbits to divulge, but they can wait until later. Well, one of them can’t wait. Let me share with you, in its entirety, the most compelling “tweet” that I have composed today thus far:
A new twist on “Bark in the Park”: The Arkansas Travelers have booked the legendary Baha Men for a post-game show on 4/29.
You can’t get this information anywhere else. I mean, really, you can’t.
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz
Breaking News That Has, In Fact, Already Broke
Yesterday, I composed an epic post regarding the “also ran” entries in Fort Wayne’s “Name the Team” contest. In said post, I promised to “reveal” the team’s new identity, information that has in fact been public knowledge for the past week.
Ben’s Biz Blog — Your Source for Old Minor League News Since 2007
The information to be “revealed” is this: The Fort Wayne Wizards are now the…
(drumroll, please,)
Fort Wayne Tincaps.
(cue noisemaker sound effects as well as opening chords to Gary Glitter’s “Rock and Roll, Pt. 2″)
“Whoa,” you exclaim. “That’s a pretty exotic name. What’s the story behind it?”
Well, since you’re the second person* to ask me that, I have an answer at the ready. Take it away, press release:
The “TinCaps” moniker is a reference to the beloved pioneer Johnny
Appleseed, who was known for wearing his tin cooking pot upon his head.
In Minor League Baseball you have the opportunity to create a brand
that with a true regional
flavor,” stated General Manager, Mike Nutter.
“Johnny Appleseed, while known nationally, is a regional pioneer and
folk hero. His story, and the history of this area, gives us an
identity that is distinctively Fort Wayne. Johnny was a pioneer of the
Midwest frontier in a time with seemingly endless opportunity. We feel
a part of a new frontier in Fort Wayne’s growing downtown with the
continued development of the Harrison Square project.
So there you have it folks: The Fort Wayne Tincaps. I’m am all for this name. It takes pride in the fact that America, then and now, is a land of optimism and opportunity. And nothing is more American than the symbolic representation of a folk hero as an anthropomorphic piece of fruit.
*Get it? I was writing in the “second person”.
BensBiz
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