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As good as these 10 promotions were, they represented just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the creativity on display in the world of the Minor Leagues. This point was dramatically illustrated Wednesday morning in Austin, Texas, as this year's Promotional Seminar began with nearly 200 front-office members sharing what they thought was their teams' "Best Promotion of 2008."

Over the course of nearly two hours, a dizzying cavalcade of promotional innovations were discussed by a wide array of Minor League executives and industry personnel. From giveaways to charitable events to theme nights to advertising techniques, nearly every conceivable type of promotion was given its due. This was more than appropriate, given that the theme of this year's seminar is "Because One Idea Is Worth the Price of Admission." If that's the case, then attendees have already gotten their money's worth and then some.

Throughout the morning, person and person took the wireless mic to tout last season's success stories. The effect of all this was both exhilarating and exhausting, as ideas were piled atop one another with little or no time for reflection. It felt like reading the scrolling news ticker on a cable news station:

The Augusta GreenJackets drew laughs for their "Brett Favre Night," in which Favre's number No. 4 jersey was retired and then unretired, and 100 fans received a pair of flip flops. ... The Salt Lake Bees increased attendance by hiring an airplane to buzz through the city, trailing behind it a banner that advertised upcoming games. ... The Rochester Red Wings staged an auction to raise money for Olympic-bound pitcher Brian Duensing, so that his wife would be able to travel to Beijing as well. ... The South Bend Silver Hawks generated publicity with their preseason "Silver vs. Gold" exhibition game, in which the Silver Hawks took on Notre Dame. ... The Bowie Baysox staged a post-game competitive eating contest -- 13 competitors battled to see who could eat the most half-pound burgers in a 10-minute span. ... The Pawtucket Red Sox drew 9,000 fans to the ballpark on an off-night by hosting a Dropkick Murphys concert, and the beer sales were tremendous.

And on and on it went.

•  Seminar embraces 'randomness' •  Creativity on full display •  Minors 'family' ready to share •  Promo Seminar wraps up in Austin

In what was surely a promotional first, Harrisburg Senators GM Randy Whitaker revealed that his club awarded two lucky fans 3 percent ownership of a thoroughbred racehorse, courtesy of a local stable. This highly unorthodox idea was one of many giveaways that were touted. The Connecticut Defenders GM lauded the success of his team's "Apple Night," in which 4,000 apples were given away, and a wide array of high-end Apple computer products were auctioned off throughout the game. Several clubs lauded the excellent reaction to "Clunker Car" used automobile giveaways, while David Lorenz of the Fort Wayne Wizards took the concept of giving away "junk" even further. The club instituted what he jokingly referred to as a "Wheel of Crap" on the stadium concourse, and for a small cost fans could spin the wheel to win one of several leftover promotional giveaway items.

As the official hosts of this year's seminar, the Round Rock Express were particularly well-represented at Wednesday morning's symposium. A vast contingent of front-office personnel showcased the club's all-encompassing promotional strategy -- everything from offering an "Owner For a Day" experience to hooking up live satellite feeds to allow soldiers in Iraq to send messages to loved ones. And, on a lighter note, the Express revealed that they offer pie coupons to all fans who attend a game that lasts 3 hours and 14 minutes. Because 3.14 is pi. Get it?

Such absurdity is a hallmark of the Minor Leagues. Few people understand this better than Todd Parnell, who serves as the G.E.R.T. (guy everyone reports to) for the Greensons Baseball ownership group. Parnell told the crowd that he spent a whopping 15 minutes online to become ordained as a minister, then presided over a marriage ceremony at Altoona's Blair County Ballpark as "Pastor Parnell."

"I can legally marry people and I can legally bury people. Just no circumcisions," he said, fully aware that there are limits to his newfound powers.

Despite the desire of most in attendance to tout fresh promotional ideas, several made it known that they plan on sticking to the most tried-and-true techniques. Lynchburg Hillcats GM Ronnie Roberts summed up his promotional strategy thusly:

"Fireworks, fireworks and more fireworks."

After all, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But in the event that a promotional idea ever does "break," the events of Wednesday morning made it clear there are plenty more where that came from.

Benjamin Hill is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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