Cats invited to purr in Wilmington

Minor League teams are known for the creativity of their gameday promotions. On Tuesdays this season, we preview 10 of the most intriguing for the week ahead. If you'd like a particular promotion to be considered for this feature in the future, please send it to [email protected] with the subject line: "Promo Preview" or send him a Tweet -- hashtag "#promopreview."

The date has been circled on your calendar for months, most likely, but just in case you didn't know: June 4 is National Hug Your Cat Day. Most of us will celebrate this time-honored American tradition simply by following the day's directive, but the Wilmington Blue Rocks have decided to do far more.

Using National Hug Your Cat Day as motivation, the Blue Rocks are staging a "Purr in the Park" promotion at Frawley Stadium during Tuesday evening's game against the Carolina Mudcats (yes, Mudcats is a reference to catfish, but for the sake of this write-up, let's pretend the team was named in honor of dirt-caked felines). Similar to the dog-themed "Bark in the Park" promotions that have long taken place at ballparks across the land, on Purr in the Park Night, fans are permitted to bring their cats to the game. Finally, your feline's long-simmering Minor League desires can be satiated!

The only team to precede the Blue Rocks with a "Purr in the Park" promo is the State College Spikes, who have done so in each of the past two seasons. But while the Spikes have allowed cats to attend if on a leash or in a carrier, the Blue Rocks are only permitting the latter. Per the team, this decision was reached "after consulting with various organizations, who are experts in cat safety and welfare." Furthermore, they state that fans "should take into consideration potential weather conditions" as well as their cat's perceived level of comfort within the confines of a carrier.

Perhaps this is all to say that cats aren't exactly the most natural of ballpark guests and that taking them to a game might be a better idea in theory than it is in practice. But regardless of how many felines are in attendance, the Blue Rocks will be incorporating them into the evening's entertainment in a myriad of ways. Highlights include a "tribute to famous cats" as well as "an education for fans on cat adoption, plus the importance of spaying and neutering pets." Expect to hear a variety of apropos music (such as selections from the musical CATS), while videoboard entertainment promises to include ample amounts of Garfield.

Whether more teams jump on the slow-moving bandwagon that is "Purr in the Park" remains to be seen. The originators of the promotion remain committed to the paws, however, as on Aug. 19, the Spikes stage their third annual version. In the meantime, please remember to hug your cat whether it's a designated holiday or not.

Birmingham Barons (Southern League) Rickwood Classic, May 29
The Birmingham Barons are currently in their first season at Regions Field, a sparkling and rather gargantuan -- some might say brobdingnagian -- facility located in the city's downtown section. On Wednesday, however, the Barons leave the bells and whistles of their new home behind in favor of the antiquated charm of 103-year-old Rickwood Field. Recognized as the oldest ballpark in America, Rickwood served as the Barons' home from 1910-86, and each season the team returns there for a tradition-drenched matinee. For this year's iteration, the Barons will pay tribute to the 1948 Negro League Black Barons, with Ferguson Jenkins serving as the afternoon's VIP guest.

Rickwood Classic Fun Fact: In both 2006 and 2007, the Barons won the Rickwood Classic on the strength of a tie-breaking sac fly off the bat of Thomas Collaro.

Lexington Legends (South Atlantic League) George Brett Bobblehead Giveaway No. 1, May 31
A recent edition of this column highlighted the Omaha Storm Chasers' George Brett Bobblearms, which paid tribute to Brett's apoplectic reaction in the wake of what came to be known as the "Pine Tar Incident." But if you thought the Storm Chasers were the only Royals-affiliated entity honoring Brett in bobble form this season, then THINK AGAIN. The Legends are giving away three Brett bobbleheads, each of which pays tribute to one of his three batting championships. Friday's version commemorates Brett's 1976 title, as his .333 mark topped that of his teammate Hal McRae by a single percentage point.

Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Texas League) Thunder Chickens Night, May 31
Thursday is "Buck Night" in Northwest Arkansas, but Friday is "Cluck Night." On that evening, the team harnesses the power of "What Could've Been" by playing as the Thunder Chickens (this memorable moniker was the runner-up in a name-the-team contest that ultimately ended with the selection of Naturals). When this promotion was staged last season, the team wore "Thunder Chickens" uniforms that included a claw-marked "NWA" cap, which was also available in the team store. "We had people calling us, emailing, asking on Twitter, 'How can I get a Thunder Chickens hat?'" Naturals GM Eric Edelstein told me at the time. "Our response was, 'Sorry, you're going to have to find a way to be here. How bad do you want it?'"

Harrisburg Senators (Eastern League) Matt LeCroy Autograph Book, June 2
Throughout the course of the season, teams are liable to give away bobbleheads, replica jerseys, caps, t-shirts, lunchboxes, visors, foam fingers, pennants and maybe even a toothbrush holder or two. But you know what you don't see very often? Autograph books. The Senators are giving away just this on Sunday, a unique item made more intriguing in that it features manager Matt LeCroy on the cover. The books will be distributed to the first 1,000 fans in attendance, many of whom will then attempt to procure Matt LeCroy's John Hancock. He's got a good one.

Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League) Moonshiners Appearance, June 4
As far as I'm concerned, the only way to tell if a television show has truly penetrated the consciousness of the fickle American public is if its principal characters begin making promotional appearances at Minor League ballparks. On Tuesday, Tim and Tickle of the hit Discovery "docudrama" Moonshiners appear at Richmond's The Diamond, where they'll sign autographs, pose for pictures, and, presumably, extol the virtues of illicit backwoods alcohol production. Fun for the whole family!

Into the ellipse
An exceedingly brief rundown of other notable promotions taking place this week…

• May 29: The Birds turns 50 this year, and this milestone has inspired the Akron Aeros to stage Hitchock Horrors Night. ... If that's not scary enough, then head deeper into the Midwest for the Burlington Bees' Halloween in May. … If you don't want to be scared at all, but still want something weird, then you might pick up what the Pensacola Blue Wahoos are putting down: a celebration of National Paper Clip Day.
• May 30: Turning the page, we now travel to West Michigan for a promo that's No. 1 with a Silver Bullet: The Whitecaps are staging Bob Seger Night!
• June 1: You might fall for this one, hook, line and sinker: the Charlotte Stone Crabs give away fishing poles to the first 500 fans 14 and under. … Making more of a splash are the Omaha Storm Chasers, who welcome none other than the Human Cannonball to Werner Park.
• June 4: In Hickory, the Crawdads stage a Salute to Silliness. Zaniness shall ensue.