Top 10 upcoming promotions
Boise Hawks (Northwest League)
Wedding Wednesday
Wednesday, June 20 vs. Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
Hawks' assistant general manager Dina Duncan is getting married at Boise's Memorial Stadium on Sept. 2, and there is much work to be done before the big day arrives. Therefore, every Wednesday home game on the Hawks' schedule has been designated "Wedding Wednesday," in which fans will be given the opportunity to help plan Dina's nuptials by voting on everything from the dress to the cake to the photographer. Hopefully the fans won't be allowed to choose whom Dina marries, because then she'd probably find herself stuck with team mascot Humphrey the Hawk.
Fort Myers Miracle (Florida State League)
Billy Donovan Night
Wednesday, June 20 vs. Tampa Yankees
The Miracle have received nationwide attention for this tongue-in-cheek "tribute" to basketball coach Billy Donovan, who bizarrely opted out of his $27.5 million contract with the NBA's Orlando Magic in order to return to the Florida Gators. In recognition of Donovan's head-scratching decision, the Miracle are offering fans the opportunity to opt out of their ticket purchase should they have second thoughts about attending the game. Those who elect to do so will be referred to a local attorney, who will strike an "out clause" that involves shooting a basketball through a hoop. There is incentive to stay at the park, however. All fans who remain through the eighth inning will be eligible to win four tickets to an upcoming Southeastern Conference basketball game.
Lowell Spinners (New York-Penn League)
James Whistler Bobblehead (June 21 vs. Oneonta Tigers)
Patriots Night with Stephen Gostkowski (June 24 vs. Vermont Lake Monsters)
In 2003, the Spinners staged one of the most unorthodox and massively popular bobblehead giveaways in Minor League history by giving away a doll bearing the likeness of legendary writer (and Lowell native) Jack Kerouac. This year, they'll honor another famous native by giving away bobbleheads of painter James Whistler (which are modeled after the artist's 1896 self-portrait). As much as I'd love to elaborate on these fine items, there just isn't the space. ...a mere three days later, the Spinners will pay tribute to the New England Patriots by welcoming kicker Stephen Gostkowski to the ballpark. The second-year kicker will delight the crowd by booting autographed footballs into the stands during each inning break.
Charlotte Knights (International League)
Cal Ripken, Jr. Day
Saturday, June 23 vs. Rochester Red Wings
In 1980, a year prior to his Major League debut, Cal Ripken Jr. led the Charlotte Knights to a Southern League championship. Now, 27 years later, the club is staging "Cal Ripken Jr. Day" in recognition of the spectacular success he went on to achieve with the Baltimore Orioles. Upon entering the stadium, fans will be given a scratch-off card that will determine which Ripken-related prize they will receive. The most coveted item will surely be the Ripken bobblehead, 2,632 of which will be given away (one for every day of Ripken's consecutive games played streak). Other giveaway items include Ripken hologram cards and magnets, as well as free tickets to an upcoming Knights game.
Mahoning Valley Scrappers (New York-Penn League)
Celebrities in Concert (Saturday, June 23 vs. Batavia Muckdogs)
Salute to the Pickle (Tuesday, June 26 vs. Auburn Doubledays)
Like the aforementioned Lowell Spinners, the short-season Scrappers are busting out of the gate with an enticing array of promotional goodness. First up is Saturday's "Celebrities in Concert" night, in which local "American Idol" contestant Sarah Burgess will sing the national anthem and then stick around in order to serve as a judge in a post-game fan karaoke contest. Three days later, the Scrappers are hosting their first-ever "Salute to the Pickle" night, featuring free pickles for the first 1,000 fans in attendance as well as a multitude of pickle-related games and contests throughout the evening. Fortunately, for all involved, Scrappers fans can be trusted not to throw their brine-soaked cucumbers onto the field as a protest against sub-par play by the home team.
Idaho Falls Chukars (Pioneer League)
Budwesier Clydesdales Appearance (Saturday, June 23 vs. Orem Owlz)
NASCAR Day (Sunday, June 24 vs. Orem Owlz)
The 2007 season will be a memorable one for the Chukars, as the club is moving from ancient McDermott Field into brand-new Melaleuca Field. And what better way to celebrate this transition than with promotions? (That was a rhetorical question, of course. There is no better way). On Saturday, the majestic (and thirst-inducing) Budwesier Clydesdales will be on display as the gates open for that evening's contest against the intentionally misspelled Owlz. All that horsepower will be no match for what the club has planned for Sunday, however. It's NASCAR Day, and driver Ryan Newman's car will be parked in Melaleuca Field's main concourse for all to ogle. What's next, Spaceship Night?
State College Spikes (New York-Penn League)
Turner Ward Bobble Wall
Saturday, June 23 vs. Jamestown Jammers
Last season, the Portland Beavers generated a lot of attention with their "Rodney McCray Bobblefence Doll," which commemorated his famous crash through a wooden fence panel at Portland's PGE Park. This season, the Spikes get into the act with the "Turner Ward Bobble Wall." Ward is currently the Spikes' manager, but when he was with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1998 he made the highlight reels by smashing through the wall at Three Rivers Stadium after making a spectacular catch. On Saturday, the Spikes will immortalize their skipper's moment of glory by distributing 2,000 specially-designed "Bobble Walls". These collectable (and for the cynical among us, Ebay-ready) items feature a big-headed likeness of Ward as he charges toward a hinge-mounted outfield wall that can open and close.
Brooklyn Cyclones (New York-Penn League)
1957 Night
Sunday, June 24 vs. Hudson Valley Renegades
With old-time Coney Island amusement park rides as its backdrop, the Cyclones' KeySpan Park always evokes a pleasant feeling of nostalgia. This feeling will be greatly intensified on Sunday, as the club hosts "1957 Night," a game-long celebration of the last season in which the borough of Brooklyn hosted a Major League team. Hot Dogs will be priced at a mere 25 cents, but the evening's true highlight will be when Danny McDevitt and Joe Pignatano -- the pitcher and catcher for the last pitch ever thrown at Brooklyn's Ebbets Field -- re-enact their bittersweet place in baseball history as part of a pre-game ceremony.
Fresno Grizzlies (Pacific Coast League)
Steve Garvey Appearance
Sunday, June 24 vs. Las Vegas 51s
Fans entering Fresno's Chukchansi Park on Monday afternoon will be overwhelmed with a feeling of peace and serenity as they make their way through the turnstiles. These sensations can be easily explained, however -- it just means that former Los Angeles Dodger great Steve Garvey is at the ballpark to sign autographs. The 58-year-old veteran of 19 Major League seasons is blessed with Reagan-esque good looks, and he immediately charms and soothes all who come into contact with him. Grizzlie fans should take advantage of this rare opportunity to bask in Garvey's aura.
Birmingham Barons (Southern League) Benjamin Hill is a contributor to MLB.com.
Petrol-Palooza
Monday, June 25 vs. Jacksonville Suns
Leave it to a Minor League team to turn a negative -- in this case, crippling gasoline prices -- into a positive. On Monday, the Barons' are staging "Petrol-Palooza" at Regions Ballpark, and everyone who attends will end up saving a significant amount of cash at the box office. Fans can buy General Admission tickets for the price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline (approximately $2.90), and box seats for the price of a gallon of premium unleaded ($3.50, give or take). What's more, one lucky fan will win a $250 gas card as part of a giveaway that will take place during the eighth inning. Now, if only the Barons could find a way to make global warming fun.