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MLB

Promo Watch: Putting the 'Stat' in Staten

Staten Island Yanks rolling out the red carpet for sabermetrics 'geeks'
By Benjamin Hill
June 13, 2016

An evening spent at a Minor League ballpark is usually devoid of hardcore statistical analysis, as fans are far more apt to prioritize mascot selfies, concession stand trips and running the bases after the game.

This won't be the case during Sunday's Staten Island Yankees game, as the team is hosting "Sabermetrics Day." A veritable who's-who of new-school baseball writers will be in attendance, taking part in a pregame Q&A panel and then mingling with like-minded obsessives during an all-you-can-eat "Statgeek picnic."

Sabermetrics Day is the brainchild of Yankees senior director of marketing and fan experience Mike Holley, who said he came up with the idea simply because "I consume this stuff."

"It got a lot bigger than I thought it would get," said Holley. "Initially I was trying to get three to five writers, but then everybody wanted to come. [Scheduling ballpark appearances] is usually like pulling teeth, but all the writers were way into it."

He continued, "David Appelman, who runs FanGraphs, said 'Hey, we usually do a staff trip to Spring Training, but I think we'll cancel that and do it your game. Can we bring everybody?"

In addition to 10 FanGraphs-affiliated folks, writers from ESPN, FiveThirtyEight, Sports Illustrated and Baseball Prospectus will be in attendance. Seven of these attendees -- Dave Cameron, Carson Cistulli, Dan Szymborski, Ben Lindbergh, Jonah Keri, Emma Span and Meg Rowley -- will participate in a sold-out "VIP Q and A pregame panel." Tickets to the Statgeek Picnic, which will be attended by all the guests, are still available at a cost of $30.

During the game, the Yankees promo staff will educate non-geeks on the joy of sabermetrics. Taking a cue from one of Fangraphs' most popular features, a win probability chart will be updated and displayed to fans after each inning. The afternoon's ballgame will also be simulated in real time via the computer game "Out of the Park Baseball," with the results of the simulation compared with the real-life results.

Holley said that if all goes well, "Sabermetrics Day" could be a recurring event in Staten Island as well as an idea that other teams could utilize.

"In general, [Minor League promotions] are about finding some niche where you can put things together in new ways," he said. "Then, all of a sudden, you're reaching a new audience."

A "Day of Unity" in Charleston

The RiverDogs hosted a unique event on Sunday, June 12, holding a "Day of Unity" for a community still reeling from last year's mass shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. This event, which coincided with the team's annual celebration of Charleston native Larry Doby, included a postgame concert and inspirational speakers as well as the hand-held formation of a heart around the diamond. The event took on an deeper poignancy (and sense of urgency) in that it occurred in the immediate wake of the nightclub massacre in Orlando. In these dark times, it is important to remember that love will triumph over hate.

Week in Review

As noted in the previous edition of this column, this past week was a big one for notable Minor League promotions. With a little help from Twitter (OK, a lot of help), let's take a trip down recent memory lane.

June 9: The Columbia Fireflies paid tribute to Prince with their "Purple Game, Purple Game." 

June 10: The Lehigh Valley IronPigs suited up as the Cheesesteaks ("wit" onions). 

On "Free Brady Night," the Pawtucket Red Sox showed their support for America's most unfairly persecuted quarterback.

June 11: On "Keep Brady Suspended Night," the Buffalo Bisons showed their disdain for America's most underhanded and despicable quarterback. 

The Frisco RoughRiders' much-ballyhooed "Choctaw Lazy River" opened for leisure.  

The Week Ahead

June 14: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos pay tribute to both Halle Berry and Daryl Strawberry. Sure, why not? … In a show of solidarity with the opposing Inland Empire 66ers, the San Jose Giants will wear "SB Strong" jerseys in honor of the victims of the San Bernardino mass shooting.

June 15: It's "Jennifer Appreciation Night" in Bowie. Sure, why not? 

Noted outfielder and social media user Cody Decker, a fan favorite in El Paso, gets his own bobblehead. 

June 16: One night after giving love to the Jennifers, the Bowie Baysox host "Red Head 'Ginger' Night." Sure, why not? … The Toledo Mud Hens celebrate the 35th anniversary of MTV via the distribution of "Moon Man Muddy" bobbleheads. 

June 17: Hey Arnold! The Frederick Keys are wearing jerseys bearing your likeness. 

June 19: The Jacksonville Suns become the "Endor Moons" on "Star Wars Night," while the Potomac Nationals take the field in Admiral Ackbar jerseys.

June 20: The Lake Elsinore Storm host the California-Carolina League All-Star Game Home Run Derby from the deck of the USS Midway. 

Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz.