Those Phillies minor-league affiliates are at it again.
A week ago we brought you the story of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phils’ Triple-A affiliate, who are set to introduce a “urinal gaming system” at Coca-Cola Park. Though out-of-the-box promotions are certainly nothing new in minor-league ball, that is certainly one of the more bizarre, but it turns out Philadelphia’s Double-A team was not to be outdone.
On Monday, the Reading Fightin Phils sent out a press release announcing that their FirstEnergy Stadium (Yes, it has the same name as the Cleveland Browns’ home field.) would be the home of two female ostriches during the 2013 campaign. The team has partnered with the ostrich farm Roaming Acres Natural Farm, and hopes to teach fans about their county’s longstanding farming tradition.
“Fans can now experience and learn about farming and these unique animals from Africa just by attending a Fightin Phils game,” said Fightin Phils general manager Scott Hunsicker. “We hope that families can fall in love with both farming and baseball from the allure of these magnificent ostriches.”
Though the team’s name has nothing to do with the flightless bird, an ostrich is incorporated into the Fightin Phils’ logo. During the early part of the season, fans will even have the opportunity to name the birds through a contest. The birds will be housed in a pasture that sits just beyond the center field wall.
Check out a picture of the ostriches below.
Photo via Facebook/Reading Fightin Phils
