It’s just not a day at the ballpark without a wacky promotion.
While the Red Sox aren’t using a fried clam toss to fill Fenway, Boston-area minor league teams are coming up with creative promotions to please spectators. The question is, which is the best?
The force was with the Lowell Spinners in July, as the Short Season-A squad held Star Wars Night last summer. The team wore special Star Wars uniforms and brought out light sabers during pre-game warm-ups. Plus, Edward A. LeLacheur Park was visited by storm troopers, Chewbacca and Darth Vader, bringing George Lucas‘ out-of-this-world creation to Lowell. The Spinners will be hosting the second annual Star Wars Night at the end of July.
The Single-A Charleston RiverDogs know that nothing goes better with a summer baseball game than a hot dog. Using that as inspiration, they have held four Condiment Wars, with its most recent battle welcoming a fifth competitor, relish. Joining ketchup, mustard, mayo and Texas Pete, relish fought the others for condiment glory in a variety of contests. From the packet squeeze to a hot dog eating contest to condiment art to a race around the bases, Condiment Wars award points to the winners and tally a popular vote to determine which condiment is the most dominant. Ketchup has come out on top three of the last four years.
Disney recently released a documentary called Babies, which is simply showcasing what it sounds like: cute little kids. The Double-A Bowie Baysox took note from the movie company, hosting the Bowie Baysox Baby Bonanza on Sunday. The family with the craziest delivery story gets the luxury suite for the game, and if a mother goes into labor during the Baysox’ game, the child gets free tickets to the Baysox — for life. Also during the game will be competitions for different prizes, such as Daddy’s Dirty Diaper Challenge and What’s in the Diaper?
So, as Sean in Ashland, Mass., asks, what is your favorite recent minor league promotion? If it’s Star Wars Night, text “SOX1” to 542542. If it’s Condiment Wars IV, text “SOX2” to 542542. If it’s Baby Bonanza, text “SOX3” to 542542.
