Top 10 upcoming promotions

If you would like an upcoming promotion to be considered for this feature in the future, please send it to "[email protected]" with the subject line: promo preview.

Brevard County Manatees (Florida State League)
Post-Game Karaoke with Masa Koyanagi
Wednesday, August 16 vs. Tampa Yankees
If the thought of post-game Karaoke seems a bit off-putting, then you've never been in the presence of Masa Koyanagi. The so-called "Japanese Karaoke Master" will be on hand after Wednesday's Manatees game to lead fans through the somewhat intimidating experience of singing in front of a stadium full of people. A little Internet research reveals that Koyanagi is actually the Manatees' trainer (as well as Tomo Ohka's friend and interpreter), which makes this promotion that much more intriguing.

Ottawa Lynx (International League)
World Record Twist Attempt
Thursday, August 17 vs. Buffalo Bisons
On April 30, 2004, 1,691 students and faculty from two British high schools danced the twist for five minutes. This unprecedented twisting effort set a new world record, one that the Ottawa Lynx are determined to break. After Thursday's contest against Buffalo, the Lynx are inviting all fans onto the field in an attempt to bring the twist record to North American soil, where it belongs. Representatives from Fred Astaire Dance studio will help to teach the crowd proper twisting procedure, while Ottawa luminaries such as TV personality Max Keeping and City Councilor Jacques Legendre (one of the greatest names ever, by the way) will be on hand to personally validate this historic occurrence.

Lakewood BlueClaws (South Atlantic League)
Snakes in a Ballpark
Friday, August 18 vs. Hagerstown Suns
On Friday, the much-anticipated suspense-comedy Snakes on a Plane will finally be released to an eager movie-going public. The film stars Samuel L. Jackson and will focus on his heroic attempt to rid an airplane of its unfortunate snake infestation. The BlueClaws have decided to capitalize on this historic pop culture moment and are offering fans the opportunity to interact with real live snakes on the day the movie comes out. Anacondas, pythons and more will be on display at FirstEnergy Ballpark, and fans are invited to touch and take pictures of the slithery reptiles.

Lancaster JetHawks (California League)
Aerospace Appreciation Night with Chuck Yeager Bobbleheads
Friday, August 18 vs. High Desert Mavericks
The JetHawks got their name for a reason -- Lancaster is home of Edwards Air Force Base, and the aerospace industry is vital to the health of the region. On Friday, the JetHawks will celebrate their connection to the industry by distributing Chuck Yeager bobblehead dolls. Yeager, a hero of aviation who famously broke the sound barrier in 1947, should not be confused with his cousin Steve, a former Major League catcher who introduced the neckguard.

Trenton Thunder (Eastern League)
Replica Tommy John Jersey Giveaway
Friday, August 18 vs. Portland Sea Dogs
Before he became better known for the reconstructive elbow surgery that bears his name, Tommy John was a standout Major League pitcher who won 288 games over a seemingly endless Major League career. On Friday, the Thunder will give away 1,000 Tommy John replica jerseys to fans 16 and over. John himself will be in attendance, hopefully to talk about that time in 1988 when he made three errors on one play.

Tri-City ValleyCats (New York-Penn League)
Roger Clemens Collectible Action Figure
Friday, August 18 vs. Hudson Valley Renegades
The ValleyCats are an affiliate of the Houston Astros, so they were understandably excited when Roger Clemens decided to rejoin the 'Stros in 2006. On Friday, the club will commemorate the Rocket's latest re-launch by distributing 1,500 hand-crafted Clemens statues. The statues are exactly 1/12 the size of Roger, which means they should be able to throw a ball approximately eight miles an hour.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (International League)
Gerry McNamara Bobblehead Giveaway
Saturday, August 19 vs. Rochester Red Wings
On the Red Barons' promotional schedule, August 19 had been listed as "Mystery Bobblehead Night." After much speculation over just whose likeness this bobblehead would bear, the answer has finally been revealed (and no, it's not former Red Baron fan favorite Gregg Legg). Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's mystery bobblehead is none other than Syracuse basketball star Gerry McNamara, a local boy with a rabid following among Lackawanna County hoop fans. Get there early, McNamaniacs -- only 6,000 dolls will be given away.

Mahoning Valley Scrappers (New York-Penn League)
Hairiest Back Competition
Sunday, August 20 vs. Batavia Muckdogs
Now here's a promotion that's not for the faint of heart -- on Sunday, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers will be holding a "Hairiest Back Competition." Details on this event are sketchy, perhaps because the club is wary of too many hairy-backed men (and women) descending upon idyllic Eastman Field. The contest is sponsored by a local laser hair removal center, so the winner may be offered some sort of opportunity to have their beautiful back hair removed. Now who would go and do a thing like that?

Stockton Ports (California League)
Casey at the Bat Figurine Giveaway
Sunday, August 20 vs. Bakersfield Blaze
The residents of Stockton, Calif., have long claimed that their town was the inspiration for Mudville in the classic poem "Casey at the Bat." In fact, the Ports were renamed the "Mudville Nine" for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. On Sunday, the club will further exploit their connection to the poem by distributing 1,500 "Casey at the Bat" figurines, which feature a menacing, mustachioed Casey wielding a baseball bat. The figurines will look great on any fan's souvenir shelf and will serve as a daily reminder that misplaced hope always results in crushing heartbreak.

Williamsport Crosscutters (New York-Penn League)
Gary Brown Bobblehead Giveaway
Monday, August 21 vs. Jamestown Jammers
Running back Gary Brown rushed for 4,300 yards in his eight-year NFL career. Twice -- in 1993 and 1998 -- he ran for 1,000 yards in a season. But before Brown became an NFL star, he was a standout player for his high school team, the Williamsport Millionaires. On Monday, the Crosscutters will honor their hometown hero by giving away 1,000 bobblehead dolls featuring a jheri-curled Brown in his high school uniform. Brown himself will be on hand to throw out the first pitch and sign autographs.

Upcoming Promos: Lynrd Skynrd Night (Idaho Falls, August 22), Ball Park Replica Giveaway Night (Buffalo, August 23), Diamond Giveaway (Brevard County, August 24), Civil War Night (Salem-Keizer, August 24), Dawn Well Appearance (State College, August 24), Insert Your Name Here Night (Columbus, August 25), Cup of Coffee Night (Salem-Keizer, August 26), Tony Perez Appearance (San Antonio, August 26), Plunger Giveaway (Brevard County, August 26), Steve Sax Night (Orem, August 26), Ron Palillo Appearance (Altoona, August 28), Efren Ramirez Appearance (State College, August 31), Baseball for Babies Night (Boise, September 1), Appearance by Sgt. Slaughter and George "The Animal" Steele (Columbus, September 1), Shirt Off Our Back Promotion (Lowell, September 1), Jimmie Walker Appearance (Altoona, September 2), Fann Appreciation Night (Boise, September 2), World Record First Pitch Attempt (Brevard County, September 2), Skydivers! (Kane County, September 2), Movies on the Green (Mississippi, September 2), Anger Management Night (Augusta, September 3), World's Largest Game of 'Duck-Duck-Goose' (Hagerstown, September 3), Shirt Off Our Back (San Antonio, September 3), Fleece Blanket Giveaway (Brooklyn, September 7).