Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon
High-A Affiliate
The Official Site of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws Jersey Shore BlueClaws

The Bennys are coming…to ShoreTown! As part of a one-of-a-kind promotion celebrating the tourism industry at the Jersey Shore, the BlueClaws will play three games as the Jersey Shore Locals against the Hudson Valley Renegades, who will play as The Bennys at ShoreTown Ballpark this summer.

About the Program

Locals and Bennys. Bennys and Locals. They meet every summer up and down the Jersey Shore. This year, they'll meet three times on the field at ShoreTown Ballpark!

At three games this year (June 20th, July 19th, and August 21st), the BlueClaws will take the field as the Jersey Shore Locals and the Hudson Valley Renegades will take the field as The Bennys!

“The tourism industry generates 10s of billions of dollars each year around the Jersey Shore and we’re excited to celebrate that in this fun, unique way,” said Bob McLane, BlueClaws General Manager. “Just as the Bennys come down the Shore each summer, so do the Renegades, and we’re grateful for their support in putting on this promotion!

“No matter the exact origin of the term, it is clear that tourism plays a large part in the identity of the Jersey Shore,” said McLane. “From the beaches to the boardwalks to boating and fishing to the parks to the restaurants to the nightlife, and so much more, we are going to celebrate all of that at these three games in a fun way, fitting of Minor League Baseball!”

The program was unveiled on March 27th at ShoreTown Ballpark in front of members of the Monmouth-Ocean Development Council (MODC) Culture & Tourism Committee, who had their monthly meeting at the ballpark to coincide with the brand launch.

The launch video was narrated by Jersey Shore legend, Toms River South graduate, Rutgers and MLB star, and Little League World Series Champion, Todd Frazier.

The Logos

The Jersey Shore Locals logo is a puffer fish on a paddle board, representing the tough, feisty, protective, fun-loving and beach-going nature of Jersey Shore Locals.

The Bennys logo is a pigeon on his way to the beach with a large cooler, socks with sandals, a fanny pack, and a “JS” tourist-style t-shirt featuring a map of New Jersey.

Jersey Information

The jerseys of both teams will be auctioned off around the final game of the series in August. Proceeds from the jersey auction featuring both sets of jerseys will be split between BlueClaws Charities, in support of Jersey Shore-based organizations through their grant program, and a charity selected by the Hudson Valley Renegades to support their local community.

The History

There are several theories about the origin of the term Benny.

  • BENNY stands for Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark, New York - places from which its residents vacationed at the Jersey Shore.
  • Many visitors came down to avail themselves of the fresh, salty air, beneficial for their health.
  • Some say the term references the $100 bills spent by tourists, of course with Ben Franklin on the front.
  • These are only some of the many theories!

Either way, the Bennys come down every summer and we're happy to have them!

The Locals / Bennys Collection

We have enormous collections of both Bennys and Locals merchandise available to ship directly from the Claws Cove!