With Minor League Baseball (MiLB) in action and the July 4 weekend here, colleague Tomas Silvani took a look at the 5 solid promotions of America’s pastime.
Spend your summer by catching a MiLB game and enjoying one of the many nutty promotions at the stadiums below.
5- Silent Night
One of the wackiest promotions in MiLB history was “Silent Night,” hosted by the Charleston Riverdogs (Single-A, New York Yankees).
The promotion prohibited fans from making any noise until the 5th inning. Librarians replaced ushers, golf marshal’s hoisted “quiet” signs and fans brought “cheering” and “booing” signs, among other acts of silence.
4- The Diamond Cutters: Durham Bulls’ World Famous Dancing Grounds Crew
These days, the Durham Bulls (Triple-A, Tampa Bay Rays) aren’t just known for the 1980’s baseball movie, “Bull Durham.” To bolster the fan experience and entertainment, the club features world renowned “Diamond Cutters” – the Bulls’ dancing grounds crew who perform choreographed routines each game after the sixth inning.
The Diamond Cutters have taken the country by storm. Their rendition of Taylor Swifts’ “Shake it Off” was even featured on ABC’s Good Morning America.
Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) member Scott Strickland, Director of Stadium Operations, is charged with overseeing stadium operations at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
3- Speed Dating Night
With Tinder, Match.com and countless other online match-making solutions, who has time to go for a traditional date anymore, especially with baseball season in full swing?
In New Mexico, the Albuquerque Isotopes (Triple-A, Colorado Rockies) don’t believe that meeting someone new and going to a ballgame should be mutually exclusive. Isotopes Park was home to a Speed Dating Night that allowed their very-own cupid to connect dozens of baseball-loving hopeless romantics.
Taking place in the O-Zone area of the ballpark, while some of the guys were trying to round the bases, Director of Field Operations and STMA member Casey Griffin made sure nobody tried to steal home!
2- Life’s a Beach
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Class-A Advanced, Chicago Cubs), home to MiLB’s only in-stadium beach, have so many promotions they lost count.
From sumo wrestling and crab races to Oreo eating contests, TicketReturn.com Stadium has it all.
Corey Russell, Head Groundskeeper and STMA member, makes sure the playing surface remains in tip-top shape afterwards!
1- Bromance Night
To keep our sanity, we need to carve out some “bro” time. Being a loyal partner to this movement, the Fresno Grizzlies (Triple-A, Houston Astros) throw a yearly Bromance Night, nurturing the inner-child in us all.
From a “Bro Greeting Contest”, tug-o-war to wheel-barrel racing in the outfield, this is a must-attend event for anyone needing to escape the monotony of the daily grind.
David Jacinto, long-time head groundskeeper and STMA member, not only makes sure the playing surface remains consistent and safe, but you might also catch him participating in some of these events from time to time.
