The best Minor League ballpark promotions happening in August
Welcome to Promo Preview, a monthly roundup of Minor League Baseball promotions to look forward to. This month¡¯s highlights include former presidents, sitcom shenanigans, steamed crustaceans, and of course, much more. Have a gander.
Seth Beer-Stein giveaway
Amarillo Sod Poodles (Double-A AZ), Aug. 8
The Sod Poodles gave away team-logo beer steins last Aug. 3, and wouldn¡¯t you know it, that game wound up featuring a home run during a 3-for-3 night by slugger Seth Beer. Beer has moved on, he now plays for Triple-A Indianapolis after being selected by Pittsburgh in the Minor League phase of the Rule 5 Draft (a Rule 5 Draft Beer, if you will). He won¡¯t be forgotten in Amarillo, however: This year¡¯s Sod Poodles giveaway is, specifically, a Seth Beer-stein. Bottoms up. Get tickets ?
Gerald Ford bobblehead giveaway and 50th anniversary celebration
West Michigan Whitecaps (High-A DET), Aug. 9
Gerald Ford, 38th president of the United States, grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich. This year marks the 50th anniversary of his inauguration, Aug. 9, 1974, when he was sworn in following Richard Nixon¡¯s resignation. The Whitecaps, who play in Comstock, just outside of Grand Rapids, are celebrating the milestone with a Gerald Ford bobblehead giveaway and game-long celebration of Michigan¡¯s only president. Though better known for his football exploits, Ford was a baseball fan who rooted for the Whitecaps¡¯ parent club, the Detroit Tigers. He attended a Whitecaps game during the 1995 season, thereby putting the Ford in ¡°affordable family fun.¡± Get tickets ?
Seinfeld Night
Brooklyn Cyclones (High-A NYM), Aug. 10
The annual juggernaut that is the Cyclones¡¯ ¡°Seinfeld Night¡± rolls on, seemingly getting bigger with each iteration. For the second season in a row, it¡¯ll be highlighted by a George Costanza bobblehead giveaway; 2023¡¯s featured him as a whale-riding marine biologist, while this year¡¯s depicts him taking on the ¡°scary cold¡± in a big coat (it¡¯s Gore-Tex). Other standout elements include appearances by the actors who played Jean-Paul and Mr. Lippman on the show (bobbleheads featuring these characters are also part of a special ticket package). Stick around after the game for the on-field Elaine Dance Contest, in which contestants flout their herky-jerkiest moves. Get tickets ?
Raft Racers
Tulsa Drillers (Double-A LAD), Aug. 14-18
Did you know? There are now two Texas League teams, neither of whom play in Texas, who have alternate identities based around idiosyncratic Arkansas River racing activities? The first to do it were the Wichita Wind Surge, who unveiled Turbo Tubs in 2022. They are now joined by the Tulsa Drillers, who will play as the Raft Racers as part of their annual local area code-referencing 718 Weekend. It¡¯s all a tribute to a recently resurrected Labor Day tradition that dates back to 1973, in which Tulsans in handmade rafts raced each other down the river. The logo features a carefree character named ¡°Raftin¡¯ Ronny,¡± named after the radio station general manager who came up with the idea to stage the race. Get tickets ?
Maine Lobster Bakes
Portland Sea Dogs (Double-A BOS), Aug. 23
If you were asked to name Maine¡¯s most iconic food, the answer would be lobster. Right? The Portland Sea Dogs, eschewers of the obvious, nonetheless have previously unveiled four local food-based alternate identities that don¡¯t involve lobster. (For those keeping score at home, that would be Whoopie Pies, Red Snappers, Clam Bakes and Bean Suppahs.) They couldn¡¯t hold out forever, though, as the Sea Dogs will play as the Lobster Bakes on Aug. 23. The primary logo, outlined on the jersey as if it was on a bib, depicts a down-on-his-luck lobster sitting in a pot while surrounded by other lobster bake ingredients. An alternate logo, featured as a sleeve patch, reads ¡°Buoys of Summer.¡± It should be a good night for pinch-hitters. Get tickets ?
New Hampshire Primaries
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Double-A TOR), Aug. 23
You¡¯ve probably heard: It¡¯s a presidential election year. This means ¡ well, a lot of things, obviously. But within our narrow parameters, it means the New Hampshire Fisher Cats are once again resurrecting their ¡°Primaries¡± identity. The Fisher Cats were originally named the Primaries, paying tribute to their state¡¯s first-in-the-nation primary status, but scuttled it before ever playing a game (the local fan base didn¡¯t like it). The star-spangled jerseys feature an elephant on the right sleeve and a donkey on the left, providing equal and appropriately placed representation of both major political parties. Get tickets ?
Quick Hits
Five more upcoming promotions of note, recapped in 38 words or less.
Extreme Difficulty Night
Altoona Curve (Double-A PIT), Aug. 2
The Curve boast that ¡°Not one person will win a between-inning game tonight ¡ it¡¯s too extremely difficult.¡± Think you have what it takes to prove them wrong? Get tickets ?
Gunnar Henderson Sliding Bobblehead
Bowie Baysox (Double-A BAL), Aug. 4
Henderson¡¯s quick ascent to the Majors was preceded by time with the Bowie Baysox in ¡¯21 and ¡¯22. The team¡¯s bobblehead giveaway depicts him amid a majestic head-first slide. Get tickets ?
Random Municipal Water System Giveaway Night
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Triple-A MIA), Aug. 13
The Jumbo Shrimp always have ridiculous theme nights on tap. In this case, that statement can be taken literally. Get tickets ?
Salute to the Puzzle Cube
Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Double-A NYM), Aug. 22
A certain famous puzzle cube made its debut 50 years ago and became a pop culture phenomenon. The Rumble Ponies celebrate the anniversary with a team-logo puzzle cube giveaway and multicolored theme jerseys. Get tickets ?
Paul Skenes Strikeout Counter Bobblehead
Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A PIT), Aug. 31
The base of the bobblehead features a strikeout counter so Skenes' rapidly increasing career total can be tallied in real time. Make sure to include the 45 he racked up while pitching for Indianapolis earlier this season. Get tickets ?