Your name here: Snappers' fans christen ballpark

Last week, a Wilmington, North Carolina man by the name of Bob Graff visited Beloit, Wisconsin, for the first time. The occasion? To see a game at a Minor League ballpark that had been named in his honor.

The Beloit Snappers played their first and only game at Bob Graff's "The Bob" on May 14, marking the third installment of the Miami affiliate's ongoing (and unprecedented) "Name the Night" campaign. The Snappers are auctioning off the naming rights to their longtime home of Pohlman Field on a per-game basis. The bidding starts at $500, and proceeds benefit the Beloit's Stateline Boys and Girls Club.

Winning "Name the Night" bidders, such as Bob Graff, don't just choose the name of the stadium. The perks also include -- but are not limited to -- throwing out the first pitch, an in-game radio interview and leading the crowd in singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Namesake recipients also take home the vinyl signage featuring their ballpark moniker, displayed during the game at the front gate and on the centerfield wall.

Snappers president Jeff Jurgella said the idea for "Name the Night" came from one of the team's new season ticket holders, who emailed the suggestion to team owner Quint Studer.

"The thought was, 'This is genius, we have to do this," said Jurgella. "There's a creative angle on it all and it benefits the community."

The 2021 campaign is a unique one for the Snappers, who are slated to move to a new downtown ballpark, ABC Supply Stadium, later in the season. Until then the team will continue its long run at Pohlman Field, which opened in 1982 and is named for local coach and Minor League Baseball booster Harry C. Pohlman. Before putting their "Name the Night" plans into action, the team sought -- and received -- the blessing of the Pohlman family.

"From there we reached out to MiLB Auctions and they put it together so that people could bid from all over country," said Jurgella. "And, amazingly enough, people from all over country are taking part in this."

That includes Graff, a Minor League Baseball fan who found the Snappers' offer to be one he couldn't refuse.

"Probably 10 or 15 years ago I started collecting random stuff teams sell at Minor League parks, scoping out the most ridiculous stuff," he said. "When I heard about [Name the Night], I thought 'This might be the mother of all promos.' One that involves your name. I admit I did it while my wife was out of town. When I asked her if she wanted to go to Beloit, our back and forth string of texts was entertaining, with her wondering what I did."

Graff's wife, Tessa, did indeed join him on his trip to Beloit. They were joined by a far-flung group consisting of Graff's brothers, nephews and friends. During May 14th's game against the South Bend Cubs, this boisterous crew of nine all wore custom-made "The Bob" T-shirts.

"When we got there I still wasn't sure what to expect," he said. "But as we're walking in we see the big signage over the front: 'Pohlman Field at The Bob.' Later we got photos on the field with [mascot] Snappy D. Turtle, with the sign in the background. It was impressive, and everyone seemed to appreciate the energy we brought."

Tonight's crowd is electric! The loudest a crowd has been at Pohlman Field in years! #OhSnap pic.twitter.com/XKEwKjntXt

— Beloit Snappers (@BeloitSnappers) May 15, 2021

Graff and his compatriots left the ballpark with plenty of Snappers memorabilia, some of which could not be bought at the team store.

"They gave us [The Bob stadium signage] tarps," he said. "Wilmington has been hit with some bad hurricanes. I could make legit use of them as a tarp for hurricane damage."

The Snappers are releasing "Name the Night" bidding opportunities on an incremental basis; interested bidders can currently select home games taking place through the month of June. Jurgella predicts that interest -- and, subsequently, bidding -- will increase as the team nears its yet-to-be-announced final game at Pohlman Field. If future winning bidders enjoy the experience as Graff did his, the Snappers will be able to deem their initiative a complete success.

"I've been a sports fan all my life and this was just so unique and fell right into what I looking for," said Graff. "And with the charitable angle, it's a win-win-win situation. I know our party of nine had good economic impact on the town over the weekend, and [the Snappers] hospitality group did a great job. We even helped them tarp up the field at the end of night. Small town baseball, you've got to love it."