Top 10 upcoming promotions

Reading Phillies (Eastern League)
Crazy Hot Dog Vendor Bobblehead Giveaway, July 9
During each and every R-Phils home game, all hell breaks loose once the Crazy Hot Dog Vendor rides his pet ostrich, Rodrigo, onto the field. As he struggles to keep Rodrigo under control, the wildly gesticulating Crazy Hot Dog Vendor fires hot dogs into the crowd while screaming at the top of his lungs. This, as you could imagine, is truly a beautiful sight to behold. On Wednesday, this inimitable ballpark icon will be immortalized with his very own bobblehead doll. Seeing as how the Crazy Hot Dog Vendor is a role model for our nation's youth, this beautiful giveaway item will only be distributed to children 14 and younger.

Tri-City ValleyCats (New York-Penn League)
Mayoral Bobblehead Series: Harry Tutunjian, July 9
The Tri-City ValleyCats represent the cities of Albany, Troy and Schenectady, and this season the club has hit upon the brilliant idea of giving away bobblehead dolls featuring the mayors of all three of these venerable metropolises. Albany's Jerry Jennings was the first mayor to receive this distinguished honor, and the series continues Wednesday with Troy's Harry Tutunjian. The bespectacled public servant will throw out the first pitch at the ballgame, and 1,500 bobblehead dolls bearing his likeness will be distributed to his constituents as they stream forth into Joe Bruno Stadium for a riveting midweek contest between the ValleyCats and the hated Williamsport CrossCutters.

West Michigan Whitecaps (Midwest League)
Dave Rozema Karate Kick Bobble-leg Giveaway, July 9
Wow ... is July 9 a great day for bobble dolls, or what? With all due respect to Crazy Hot Dog Vendors, mayors of midsized New York towns and anyone else scheduled to be immortalized that day, the undisputed champion of this memorable Wednesday is the Whitecaps' Dave Rozema Karate Kick bobble-leg. This giveaway pays tribute to one of the most bizarre moments in Detroit Tigers history, when pitcher Dave Rozema suffered a season-ending injury while trying to karate kick the Twins' John Castino during a bench-clearing brawl. The dolls display Rozema in a full-on martial-arts pose, just moments from suffering a most humiliating and preventable injury. Only 1,000 will be distributed, so arrive to the stadium early or else get gouged on eBay later.

Corpus Christi Hooks (Texas League)
'58 Giants Weekend, July 10-13
The Corpus Christi Giants captured their first and only Texas League title in 1958. The club left Corpus Christi after the following season, however, and the city did not field another Texas League franchise until the Hooks were established in 2006. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Giants' lone title, the Hooks have scheduled a wide array of 1958-themed promotions. To wit: 1958 Chevy replica cars will be given away Thursday, "1950s Night" will be celebrated Friday and 1958 Championship pennants will be distributed Sunday. The highlight of this promotional mini-series will occur Saturday, however. In addition to giving away 1958 Corpus Christi Giants caps, the club will honor several of the team's alumni in a pregame ceremony.

Vancouver Canadians (Northwest League)
Bret "The Hitman" Hart Appearance, July 10
While he is now retired, Bret "The Hitman" Hart remains one of the most popular and well-known professional wrestlers to ever emerge from the great nation of Canada. On Thursday, the Vancouver Canadians will welcome the five-time WWF champion to Nat Bailey Stadium as part of their star-studded "Superstar Series" of promotional appearances. During what GM Andrew Seymour is calling "a slamming night of fun at the Nat," Hart will throw out the first pitch and sign autographs as well as copies of his recently released autobiography. Don't miss the chance to see this Canadian legend, who often boasted that he was "the best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be." It is probably not best to challenge him on these points.

Brooklyn Cyclones (New York-Penn League)
Billy Joel Commemorative Baseball Giveaway, July 12
Boomer and Carton Bobblehead Giveaway/Salute to the Pork Rind, July 14
July 16's Billy Joel performance will be the last concert ever held at Shea Stadium. In honor of this historic occurrence, the Cyclones will be giving away Billy Joel commemorative baseballs to the first 2,500 fans in attendance at their Saturday game. Even better is what will be taking place at KeySpan Park two days later. In addition to a bobblehead giveaway featuring morning radio hosts Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton, there will be a pork rind sculpture contest! The winner of this competition receives an all-expenses paid trip to Hanover, Pa., to tour the factory of the Utz Snacks Company. Even better, one of the night's between-inning contests will feature fans diving into a pool of pork rinds in search of buried treasure.

Buffalo Bisons (International League)
Quick Change Performance, July 12
It's something that most people have only dreamed of, but Quick Change has received a standing ovation from David Hasselhoff on national television. This occurred during an episode of "America's Got Talent," when the Russian duo brought down the house with their lightning-fast costume change routine. On Saturday, the world-renowned touring act will visit Buffalo's Dunn Tire Stadium. There, they will astound the assembled crowd during inning breaks with their choreographed cavalcade of wardrobe wizardry. It's safe to say the Hoff approves of this promotion.

Lancaster JetHawks (California League)
Skateboard Giveaway, July 12
In the future, Minor League promotion historians will look back on July 12, 2008, as a day in which societal expectations regarding giveaway items were irrevocably changed. For it is on this day that the Lancaster JetHawks will be distributing 500 custom-made full-size skateboards. This unprecedented giveaway is for kids 16 and younger, but adults won't be left out completely. Writes JetHawks GM Brad Seymour: "We are also giving away nine team-signed skateboards to nine lucky adults who will receive a raffle ticket as they enter the gates. We will then give away one autographed board per inning." All fans, regardless of age, will be treated to a pregame "action sports" demonstration, during which the night's giveaway will undoubtedly be put to good use.

Palm Beach Cardinals (Florida State League)
Golf Giveaway Night, July 12
And while we're on the topic of generous giveaways, the Palm Beach Cardinals also are doing something remarkable on July 12. Perhaps the mirror opposite of the JetHawks' skateboard giveaway, this promotion involves the "inaction sport" of golf. The first 500 fans age 12 and older to arrive at Roger Dean Stadium on Saturday will receive a certificate for a complimentary round of golf. The certificate can be redeemed at any of 11 local courses, meaning fans will have a wide range of options when it comes to determining where to enjoy their free day of driving, chipping and putting.

Stockton Ports (California League)
Root Beer Float Night, July 13
Fans with a little extra cash to spare at Sunday's Stockton Ports game will be able to put it to exceedingly good use. It's "Root Beer Float Night," and just $5 buys a (not literally) bottomless cup of this delectable treat. The floats will be served up by a bevy of local celebrities, and all the proceeds will benefit youth baseball in the Stockton community. All told, this is the most "win-win" situation since a panda bear with that name escaped from the Shanghai Zoo.

Bonus Coverage -- A brief compendium of that which did not make it into last week's column.

Maraca Shaking World Record Attempt (Erie SeaWolves, July 2) -- Erie's Jerry Uht Park was a very rhythmic place on this special day.

Hillbilly Matt's Used Car Giveaway (State College Spikes, July 2) -- While "Irish Pat" gave away used cars in Altoona, the Curve's sister franchise in State College was treated to the inimitable "Hillbilly Matt."

Thirsty ... Wednesday? (Visalia Oaks, July 2) -- Surely this was a result of a rip in the space-time continuum.

The Worst Fireworks in Batavia (Batavia Muckdogs, July 3) -- It takes a special kind of team to aspire to be the worst. The Muckdogs are that kind of team.

Wes Parker Appearance (Inland Empire 66ers, July 7) -- In which 66ers fans had a chance to meet one of the slickest-fielding Los Angeles Dodger players of all time.

Hooting and Hollering Night with Noisemaker Giveaway (Orem Owlz, July 8) -- Hopefully "noisemaker" wasn't a euphemism for "baby."

Salute to Will Ferrell (Tulsa Drillers, July 8) -- Because this nation would be a far less joyous place without "Semi-Pro."