Altoona Curve (Eastern League)Summer Cruise Night #1 feat. Aviator Glasses Giveaway, June 16
Now how's this for a high-concept promotion? The Curve are staging four "Summer Cruise" theme nights this season, with each one featuring a different Tom Cruise-themed giveaway. Fans who collect all four items can them bring them to Sept. 4's ballgame, at which point they'll be entered into a drawing to win a free cruise for four people. It all kicks off on Thursday, in which the first 500 fans ages 21 and up receive Top Gun-style aviator sunglasses. These Tom Cruise-inspired items would be perfect to wear on a cruise, bringing it all full circle.
Lancaster JetHawks (California League)
Stadium Dust Globe Giveaway, June 18
As denizens of California's windswept Antelope Valley, the JetHawks have become accustomed to playing conditions that aren't always ideal for baseball. The team has previously poked fun at their cold and dusty environs with "Wind Speed Wednesday" promotions (in which ticket prices were determined by the previous day's wind speed), but this season's weather-themed innovation is particularly memorable. The first 1,000 fans in attendance receive "stadium dust globes," an apropos twist on the iconic snow globe. Give it a shake and watch Kansas lyrics come to life -- "All we are is dust in the wind."
Stadium Dust Globe Giveaway, June 18
As denizens of California's windswept Antelope Valley, the JetHawks have become accustomed to playing conditions that aren't always ideal for baseball. The team has previously poked fun at their cold and dusty environs with "Wind Speed Wednesday" promotions (in which ticket prices were determined by the previous day's wind speed), but this season's weather-themed innovation is particularly memorable. The first 1,000 fans in attendance receive "stadium dust globes," an apropos twist on the iconic snow globe. Give it a shake and watch Kansas lyrics come to life -- "All we are is dust in the wind."
Las Vegas 51s (Pacific Coast League)
Beat Reno T-Shirt, June 18
Reno has only been in the Pacific Coast League since 2009, but in that time the club has cultivated an intense rivalry with fellow Nevadans the Las Vegas 51s. The two clubs play 16 games a year against one another as part of the so-called "Silver State Challenge," with the winner receiving the coveted Silver Plate Trophy. On Friday, the 51s are making their hostility toward their northwesterly neighbor even more explicit, distributing "Beat Reno" t-shirts to the first 2,500 fans in attendance. Friday's game is the first of eight straight the two teams will play against one another, so the 51s will have plenty of opportunities to do what the t-shirt says.
Beat Reno T-Shirt, June 18
Reno has only been in the Pacific Coast League since 2009, but in that time the club has cultivated an intense rivalry with fellow Nevadans the Las Vegas 51s. The two clubs play 16 games a year against one another as part of the so-called "Silver State Challenge," with the winner receiving the coveted Silver Plate Trophy. On Friday, the 51s are making their hostility toward their northwesterly neighbor even more explicit, distributing "Beat Reno" t-shirts to the first 2,500 fans in attendance. Friday's game is the first of eight straight the two teams will play against one another, so the 51s will have plenty of opportunities to do what the t-shirt says.
Lowell Spinners (New York-Penn League)
Carl Yastrzemski Bobblehead Giveaway, June 18
$1000 Cash Drop, June 19
The four Short-Season leagues kick off on Friday, a momentous event that gives me 28.6% more promotions to choose from for the remainder of the season. And who better to get the first write-up than the Lowell Spinners, a Massachusetts-based New York-Penn League entity that has garnered plenty of "Promotion Preview" accolades through the years. The bobble-obsessed fanbase will be lined up outside the ballpark early on Saturday, as the first 500 through the gates receive limited edition Carl Yastrzemski bobbleheads. But on Sunday, fans will want to stay late, as $1000 will be dropped onto the field from a helicopter following ballgame. And once the dinero has landed -- look out! An unmitigated cash grab will ensue.
Carl Yastrzemski Bobblehead Giveaway, June 18
$1000 Cash Drop, June 19
The four Short-Season leagues kick off on Friday, a momentous event that gives me 28.6% more promotions to choose from for the remainder of the season. And who better to get the first write-up than the Lowell Spinners, a Massachusetts-based New York-Penn League entity that has garnered plenty of "Promotion Preview" accolades through the years. The bobble-obsessed fanbase will be lined up outside the ballpark early on Saturday, as the first 500 through the gates receive limited edition Carl Yastrzemski bobbleheads. But on Sunday, fans will want to stay late, as $1000 will be dropped onto the field from a helicopter following ballgame. And once the dinero has landed -- look out! An unmitigated cash grab will ensue.
Stockton Ports (California League)
Dave Kingman Appearance, June 19
Did you know that from 1992-2007 Dave Kingman held the unique distinction of "most career home runs without being elected to the Hall of Fame?" Or that in 1977, the mercurial slugger somehow found a way to suit up for teams in all four divisions (Mets, Padres, Angels, Yankees)? Or that he finished his professional career with the PCL's Phoenix Thunderbirds in 1987, a team that also included a 21-year-old Matt Williams? Or that he'll be appearing at Stockton's Banner Island Ballpark on Sunday, posing for pictures and signing autographs? Well, now you do.
Dave Kingman Appearance, June 19
Did you know that from 1992-2007 Dave Kingman held the unique distinction of "most career home runs without being elected to the Hall of Fame?" Or that in 1977, the mercurial slugger somehow found a way to suit up for teams in all four divisions (Mets, Padres, Angels, Yankees)? Or that he finished his professional career with the PCL's Phoenix Thunderbirds in 1987, a team that also included a 21-year-old Matt Williams? Or that he'll be appearing at Stockton's Banner Island Ballpark on Sunday, posing for pictures and signing autographs? Well, now you do.
Brooklyn Cyclones (New York-Penn League)
Angel Pagan Bobblehead, June 20Angel Pagan is an angel in name only, existing as a flesh-and-blood human being and not a celestial attendant of heavenly origin. That's not stopping the literal-minded Brooklyn Cyclones from distributing a bobblehead featuring the Mets outfielder as an actual angel -- with wings sprouting from his back and a halo glowing above his Cyclones cap. Three-thousand such bobbleheads will be distributed prior to Monday's game, to fans grateful that the team took his first name literally as opposed to the surname. A giveaway item featuring a polytheistic hedonist wouldn't go over quite so well.
Angel Pagan Bobblehead, June 20Angel Pagan is an angel in name only, existing as a flesh-and-blood human being and not a celestial attendant of heavenly origin. That's not stopping the literal-minded Brooklyn Cyclones from distributing a bobblehead featuring the Mets outfielder as an actual angel -- with wings sprouting from his back and a halo glowing above his Cyclones cap. Three-thousand such bobbleheads will be distributed prior to Monday's game, to fans grateful that the team took his first name literally as opposed to the surname. A giveaway item featuring a polytheistic hedonist wouldn't go over quite so well.
Rochester Red Wings (International League)
Reunion of 1997 Governors' Cup Champion Team, June 20
The Red Wings are the oldest Minor League Baseball team in existence, and as such the franchise is apt to stage promotions that celebrate their illustrious history. The team welcomes a bevy of players from 1997's championship team on Monday, including catcher Tim Laker, infielder P.J. Forbes, and hurler Brian Shouse (who pitched in 10 games for the Durham Bulls last season at the age of 41). The first 2,500 fans in attendance receive a Tim Laker magnet, perhaps as a symbolic representation of the backstop's innate sticktoitiveness.
Reunion of 1997 Governors' Cup Champion Team, June 20
The Red Wings are the oldest Minor League Baseball team in existence, and as such the franchise is apt to stage promotions that celebrate their illustrious history. The team welcomes a bevy of players from 1997's championship team on Monday, including catcher Tim Laker, infielder P.J. Forbes, and hurler Brian Shouse (who pitched in 10 games for the Durham Bulls last season at the age of 41). The first 2,500 fans in attendance receive a Tim Laker magnet, perhaps as a symbolic representation of the backstop's innate sticktoitiveness.
Delmarva Shorebirds (South Atlantic League)
South Atlantic League All-Star Game featuring Earl Weaver Appearance, June 21Hosting an All-Star Game means planning for much more than the game itself, and the Delmarva Shorebirds can most certainly attest to this fact. On Tuesday, the team will induct legendary chicken magnate (and generous benefactor) Frank Perdue into the league's Hall of Fame during a luncheon presided over by Orioles president Andy MacPhail. This will be followed by a wide-ranging parking lot Fan Fest, highlighted by an autograph signing featuring legendary Orioles manager and arbiter opposer Earl Weaver. A home run derby is next on the agenda, finally leading to the game itself. Not a bad way to spend one's Tuesday.
South Atlantic League All-Star Game featuring Earl Weaver Appearance, June 21Hosting an All-Star Game means planning for much more than the game itself, and the Delmarva Shorebirds can most certainly attest to this fact. On Tuesday, the team will induct legendary chicken magnate (and generous benefactor) Frank Perdue into the league's Hall of Fame during a luncheon presided over by Orioles president Andy MacPhail. This will be followed by a wide-ranging parking lot Fan Fest, highlighted by an autograph signing featuring legendary Orioles manager and arbiter opposer Earl Weaver. A home run derby is next on the agenda, finally leading to the game itself. Not a bad way to spend one's Tuesday.
Reading Phillies (Eastern League)
Tribute to the Phillies featuring 1980 and 2008 World Championship Trophies, June 21
The Philadelphia Phillies have existed since 1883, but in that time the venerable franchise has won only two World Championships. Reading-based Phillies fans will get the rare chance to pose for pictures with both of the team's championship trophies on Tuesday, one hailing from 1980 and the other from 2008. And one of the team's few constants during this 28-year championship drought will be on hand as well -- the oft-imitated but never duplicated Phillie Phanatic.
Tribute to the Phillies featuring 1980 and 2008 World Championship Trophies, June 21
The Philadelphia Phillies have existed since 1883, but in that time the venerable franchise has won only two World Championships. Reading-based Phillies fans will get the rare chance to pose for pictures with both of the team's championship trophies on Tuesday, one hailing from 1980 and the other from 2008. And one of the team's few constants during this 28-year championship drought will be on hand as well -- the oft-imitated but never duplicated Phillie Phanatic.
State College Spikes (New York-Penn League)
Nookie Monster Bobblehead Giveaway, June 21
The Spikes' "Nookie Monster" is one of the more elusive mascots in Minor League Baseball, as he only emerges from his titular outfield nook when a member of the home team hits a home run. Then, after a frenetic celebratory dance, he returns to his self-imposed exile. Fans seeking a more permanent dose of Nookie Monster in their lives would do well to attend Tuesday's Spikes game, as the first 1,000 fans receive a miniature undulating Nookie figurine of their very own.
Nookie Monster Bobblehead Giveaway, June 21
The Spikes' "Nookie Monster" is one of the more elusive mascots in Minor League Baseball, as he only emerges from his titular outfield nook when a member of the home team hits a home run. Then, after a frenetic celebratory dance, he returns to his self-imposed exile. Fans seeking a more permanent dose of Nookie Monster in their lives would do well to attend Tuesday's Spikes game, as the first 1,000 fans receive a miniature undulating Nookie figurine of their very own.
Bonus Coverage: Because adherence to routine is paramount, here are seven promotions that could have been included in last week's column. Could have been, but weren't:
Happy Birthday Baby Boomers (Fort Myers Miracle, June 8): A night of faded tie-dye, graying ponytails and increasingly unreliable Woodstock narratives.
Dueling Pianos (Cedar Rapids Kernels, June 9): Pianos atop both dugouts certainly aren't a normal ballpark sight, but it's the most tuneful way to deliver an insult from one side of the field to the other.
Tribute to 1955 Little League Champions (Charleston RiverDogs, June 11): Local heroes reunite, 56 years after their defining moment of glory.
Ballapeno Pictures Giveaway (San Antonio Missions, June 12): Because who wouldn't want photographic representations of anthropomorphic food?
U.S. Army 236th Birthday Celebration (Durham Bulls, June 14): That's a lot of candles.
Ferrous Bobblehead Picture Frame (Lehigh Valley IronPigs, June 14): An inimitable keepsake, in which mascot Ferrous can be posed next to a photo of your choosing.
Tribute to Late Night Talk Shows (Peoria Chiefs, June 14): An evening in honor of cue card-dependent middle-aged men and those who love them.