Eight finalists for bat puppy's name

Vote to name the month-old Trenton Thunder bat dog

January 21, 2014

TRENTON, N.J. -- The Trenton Thunder's month-old bat dog of the future is one week away from having a name. After considering more than a thousand potential names that were suggested by fans, eight finalists have been selected. There will now be an online vote to determine the Golden Retriever's name.

Thunder fans submitted 1,164 different names during a 10-day name submission period. Thunder nanagement has selected the following eight finalists to be voted upon by the fans:

Slugger
Thor
Slider
Rookie
Mo
Scooter
(Inside the) Parker
Ace

Fans may CLICK HERE to cast their vote. Voting will close at 5:00pm on Monday, January 27.

The Thunder gained worldwide attention starting in 2002 when then two-year old "Chase That Golden Thunder" joined the team as an official bat dog, entertainer and mascot. In 2008, Chase fathered a litter of puppies. His son "Home Run Derby" followed in his father's pawsteps in Trenton while "Ollie" continued the family business with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Double-A Toronto). Chase and Derby worked alongside each other at ARM & HAMMER Park from 2010 until Chase's passing last July.

The puppy will make many appearances at Thunder games this season. He will be trained by Shelly's School for Dogs in Millstone, NJ and should make his bat dog debut for Thunder fans during the 2015 season. The puppy, like his dad Derby, is sponsored by ARM & HAMMER.

The puppy was born on December 15 at Goldilocks Goldens of Levittown, PA. Derby's mate Reba had a litter of two puppies, a boy and girl.

The Thunder will begin the 2014 season at ARM & HAMMER Park on Thursday, April 3. Season tickets, group outings, Pic-A-Plans, and Mini Plan renewals are on sale now. Single game tickets will go on sale on March 1, 2014. For more information about tickets, fans should call 609-394-3300 or visit trentonthunder.com.