MiLB, Stauffer celebrate Animal Cracker Day

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- For the second consecutive year, Minor League Baseball® has partnered with D. F. Stauffer Biscuit Company, makers of the original Animal Crackers, on a season-long national sponsorship. As part of a two-year agreement which began last season, a number of participating clubs will sell Stauffer's Animal Crackers and Meiji Hello Panda crème filled cookie varieties in their concession stands. Other promotional elements of the sponsorship include a "Roar Like an Animal" between innings contest, outfield signage in select ballparks, a pre-game kids parade, logo exposure on clubs' video boards during each home game of the 2014 season and a retailer tie-in (select markets), among others.

"Nothing sparks a sense of nostalgia like the family atmosphere of a baseball game and the innocent sweetness of Animal Crackers," Minor League Baseball's Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Rod Meadows, said. "As the next generation of fans fill Minor League Baseball ballparks across the country and enjoy this iconic snack, we mesh two trusted brands that have been a part of the American fabric for centuries.

"We look forward to our continued sponsorship of Minor League Baseball," said Jim Wilson, COO of Meiji America, Inc. "Both Stauffer's Animal Crackers and Meiji Hello Panda are kid-friendly products making them a perfect fit for family entertainment like baseball.

As part of the National Animal Cracker Day celebration, participating MiLB™ clubs playing a home game on Friday, April 18, will distribute more than 1,000 product samples to fans as they exit their ballparks.

Clubs conducting exit sampling are the Albuquerque Isotopes, Bakersfield Blaze, Inland Empire 66ers, Lake Elsinore Storm, Lancaster JetHawks, Reno Aces, Sacramento River Cats and Visalia Rawhide.

"Minor League Baseball is inviting its more than 41 million fans to join in the celebration of National Animal Cracker Day and feel like a kid again," added Meadows. "Whether it's taking in a Minor League Baseball game in your hometown or visiting your local grocer to pick up some Stauffer's Animal Crackers, it's a day to have fun.